PA Water Wastewater Rates | Essential Utilities

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Aqua PA Water and Wastewater Rates

On May 23, 2024, we filed an application to adjust water and wastewater rates to reflect $953 million in capital infrastructure projects we have made since April 2023 and will make through the end of 2025. Our request, Aqua Pennsylvania’s first in nearly three years, allows us to continue our infrastructure work that improves reliability and water quality, enhances customer service, and helps to support our commitment to the communities we serve. This includes replacing approximately 200 miles of aging water main and associated valves and customer service lines throughout about 5,900 miles of distribution system. Aqua has also replaced hundreds of fire hydrants, improving public safety in the communities we serve. The request also supports our response to new regulations that require treatment, like PFAS and replacement of lead service lines, while also defending against cyber-security threats.

The PUC reviewed our request, and on February 7, 2025, issued an order approving adjusted water and wastewater rates for Aqua Pennsylvania customers. New rates became effective February 22, 2025, except for the East Whiteland Wastewater Division and certain recently acquired systems not included in the original rate filing.

New rates are based on assigned rate zones. Customers can find their rate zone on the Description of Territories Served section of the tariff.

Documentation

Water Rate Zones Bill Comparison

Wastewater Rate Zones Bill Comparison

Tariffs

Flat Wastewater Rates

What is a Flat Wastewater Rate?

A flat wastewater rate is a fixed monthly charge for wastewater services, regardless of water usage. This is a common industry practice that ensures fair and consistent rates when water consumption meter reads are not available.

Why Use a Flat Rate?

Our wastewater system must operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, regardless of daily fluctuations in usage. To ensure reliable service, the system must always be capable of handling maximum capacity, even during peak times such as heavy rainfall or high household usage periods.

Because the costs of operating and maintaining the system remain constant, the rates are designed to cover the expenses of operating at full capacity. This ensures that wastewater can always be treated safely and efficiently, protecting public health and the environment.

Benefits of Using a Flat Rate

Predictable Billing – Your wastewater bill remains consistent each month.
Fair Cost Distribution – Most households generate similar wastewater volumes, making a flat rate an equitable way to ensure all customers contribute to system maintenance and operations.
Simplified Billing and Administration – Measuring individual wastewater discharge is challenging and costly and separately metered water usage is not available in your community from a water utility; a flat rate eliminates the need for complex metering and tracking, reducing administrative costs and keeping rates more affordable.

How is the Flat Rate Calculated?

Your monthly wastewater rate pays for the:

Collection, conveyance and treatment of wastewater
Maintenance of pipe, pumps, and treatment facilities
Compliance with environmental regulations
System improvements to ensure long-term reliability

How is the Flat Rate Built?

Because the water usage is not individually metered in your area because of private wells or non-public utility, the flat rate is based on a system-wide average number of gallons of water generated per household each month.

The Company’s system-wide average residential usage is 3,870 gallons per month.
The cost per gallon to collect, convey and treat wastewater is then applied to this usage.
This calculation ensures that each household contributes fairly to covering system costs.

Each rate case we review these assumptions to ensure the rate accurately reflects system needs and usage trends.

The current flat wastewater rate for residential customers is $137.06 per month.

The current flat wastewater rate for non-residential customers is $144.17 per month.