A small water utility in Northampton County is seeking state regulator approval for an annual revenue hike of nearly $1.45 million that would raise bills for typical residential and commercial customers by more than 50%.
Community Utilities of Pennsylvania Inc., which has about 1,000 customers in Hanover Township, said if approved in full by the state Public Utility Commission, the monthly bill for a residential customer would jump 58.7%, from $63.90 to $101.37.
For a business customer, the bill increase would be nearly identical, from $38.69 to $61.01, or 57.7%. The bills are based on consumption set at 3,400 gallons for a resident and 1,665 gallons for a business.
The company is asking the PUC for the new rate to go into effect Jan. 9, according to a letter sent to customers. The PUC can change the amount of the proposed rate increase under a ratemaking process that can take up to nine months.
Nate Spriggs, president of the Mid-Atlantic Region for Community Utilities’ owner, Corix, said the rate hike is needed to cover approximately $10.6 million in upgrades to area water and wastewater systems. The company, besides being in Hanover Township, also sells water and provides wastewater services in parts of Monroe County.
Spriggs said the utility’s filing with the PUC also seeks to expand a rate that could benefit more poor customers, based on income level.
More information can be found at websites for Community Utilities, , and for the PUC. In addition, customers can call the company at 800-638-0262. To find out more about filing a complaint on the rate hike request, contact the PUC at 800-692-7380.
Community Utilities buys water from the city of Bethlehem and sells it to customers south of Route 22 and bordered by Schoenersville and Illick’s Mill roads, and the Monocacy Creek. Since 2015, the company has either received or sought four rate increases, citing costs associated with current and future water line and other work.
