Aqua Pennsylvania, a for-profit water utility, has filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to increase rates for its water in Solebury Township.
The proposed rate increase that was announced last week could impact customers in the area and is expected to take effect in February if approved.
The utility company, which has not sought a rate increase in nearly three years, proposes to raise the monthly residential water bill for a typical customer using 3,870 gallons from $80.91 to $97.01—an increase of approximately $16.10, or 54 cents per day. The average monthly residential wastewater bill would also see a rise from $81.18 to $96.10, according to Aqua Pennsylvania.
According to the company, the rate hike is necessary to support $953 million in capital improvements aimed at enhancing the reliability of its water system and customer services. These improvements include the replacement of about 200 miles of aging water mains, updating hundreds of fire hydrants, and bolstering defenses against cyber threats.
The initiatives also respond to new regulatory requirements.
If the full request is granted, the company anticipates generating an additional $126.7 million in revenue.
The review process by the PUC can extend up to nine months.
Solebury Township is also served by the North Wales Water Authority and Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority.
In addition to Solebury Township, Aqua Pennsylvania serves customers in Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Bensalem Township, Chalfont Township, Lower Southampton Township, New Britain Township, and Upper Southampton Township.
Beyond Bucks County, the Montgomery County-based company also serves parts of 31 other counties across Pennsylvania.
In 2022, Aqua Pennsylvania faced community backlash after attempting to acquire the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority’s sewer system, a deal that eventually collapsed due to public opposition.
Critics have previously scrutinized the company for its history of substantial rate increases following acquisitions of systems that were once publicly owned.
Aqua Pennsylvania is a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc., which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker WTRG.
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