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Background
Background
in 2016, Pennsylvania passed PA Act 12 (also known as HB 1326) which allowed for private corporations to purchase wastewater systems in struggling municipalities in an effort to provide a means of maintaining system standards and allowing for upgrades and improvements to wastewater infrastructure.
What appears to not have been openly anticipated was that several corporations, such as American Water Corporation and Aqua would purchase a number of facilities and pass the burden of the purchase and upkeep on to the consumers as is outlined and authorized in PA Act 12.
In 2019, PA American Water purchased the Exeter wastewater treatment plant for $95.5 Million and took over sewer service in 2020. Since 2020, a number of rate increases, approved by the Pennsylvania Utility Commission ("PUC") have increased wastewater rates in Exeter Township by 170%.
The Problem
The Problem
Rates
Residents are seeing higher bills due to the most recent rate increases that took effect in February 2023. The wastewater rate alone went from 1.9107/gal to 2.8750/gal.
PAWC is currently in the works to purchase 4 additional wastewater treatment plants in Pennsylvania. Should those sales go through, Exeter will see a 10% increase (or more) in rates.
Billing Cycle Fluctuations
In addition to high rates, customers are seeing bill fluctuations between 28 and 35 day billing cycles, which causes frustration and hardship. 28-day cycles result in customers receiving 2 bills due in the same month and 35-day cycles result in much higher than anticipated bills.
Per the Public Utility Code in Pennsylvania, it is legal for utilities to bill between 26 and 35 days, however most utilities will pick a set number of days and stick to it. If the billing cycle is outside of that 28-35 day window, it should be promptly reported to the PUC. (See Help section for link to PUC Informal Complaint website).
Metering
Wastewater bills are based on the water usage per household. If a person were to use 10 gallons of water, they would be billed for 10 gallons of wastewater, regardless of whether that water went down the drain. This has caused issues with residents who water lawns, wash cars, fill swimming pools, etc.
Requests for outside meters to be installed have been declined by PAWC and adjustments to wastewater rates for filling pools have also been declined. Those who have contacted the company to have irrigation meters/lines put in have received approval initially, however upon further research prior to installation, if you are living in a neighborhood, your request will be denied.
What You Can do to Help
What You Can do to Help
Our voice needs to be heard in Harrisburg. You are encouraged to write letters directly to the PUC regarding your PAWC bills. Without resident participation, the PUC will assume that we have no problem with the rate increases.
Participate in and provide testimony for public hearings held by the Office of Consumer Advocates against the sale(s) of wastewater treatment plants throughout the state. This is a statewide problem that will effect Exeter Township directly. More residents of our township need to speak up against sales in other municipalities because if those sales go through, our rates will increase to pay for those purchases.
Sign the Petition in support of PA Act 12's repeal.
Become actively involved in our Facebook page: Exeter Twp - Water Issues
More to come!
Water/Wastewater Acquisition Data
Water/Wastewater Acquisition Data
Big Water Acquisition Case Data 20-Aug-2023 (1) (1).pdfPage updated
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