Residents will have chance to oppose water rate hike in Scranton, Dunmore

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The possibility of paying more for water is causing a big uproar in Lackawanna County.

Residents will get the opportunity to comment on Pennsylvania American Water’s request for increases in water and sewer rates on Tuesday.

Pennsylvania American Water filed a rate adjustment request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) in November.

An office on North Washington Avenue in downtown Scranton has been open since December. It opened with the help of local lawmakers and has served as the headquarters to fight the water rate increase by Pennsylvania American Water.

The sound of the faucet running is something many take for granted.

We use water to shower, wash our clothes, and brush our teeth, but for residents in Scranton and Dunmore, their water and sewer bills have been at the forefront of their minds.

Pennsylvania American Water’s last rate request was made in April 2022 and went into effect in January 2023.

“The rate increase was 70% last year. The average bill went from $55 to $95,” said Scranton resident Joe Gilhooley.

If the utility company’s proposed rates made in November 2023 are approved as requested, the monthly water bill for the average home would increase by approximately $17 per month.

“It’s breaking the bank of our seniors, families with three or four children, it’s just heartbreaking,” Gilhooley added.

Gilhooley has been very involved in the fight against a water rate increase. He says since this office opened in mid-December it’s been non-stop with residents making complaints.

As of Monday morning, they collected 700 signatures, and more than 300 residents have filed official complaints.

Pennsylvania American Water says their rate request reflects $1,000,000,000 in water and wastewater system investments to be made through mid-2025 to continue providing safe and reliable service.

They are proposing to expand their income-based monthly bill discount program.

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Their current assistance program offers three tiers of discounts of 30% to 80% off monthly water bills to qualifying customers.

“We’re out of the comfort zone, that’s all I can say, we’re out of the comfort zone,” said Pennsylvania State Senator Marty Flynn.

Senator Flynn has also heard dozens of complaints throughout his district, including from his own staff.

“One of the staffers that works for me, family of four, their water bill has doubled. It went from like $220 to $410. It’s just not sustainable,” Senator Flynn explained.

Besides the cost, Gilhooley says many complaints are about the quality.

“We get more complaints about dirty water, but yet we are paying more for our wastewater than for our water, and our water’s dirty, it’s bizarre, we need to let the PUC know,” Gilhooley stated.

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania PUC will hold hearings at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Anyone wishing to testify is encouraged to preregister with the consumer advocates office at 1-800-684-6560, or email consumer@paoca.org.

Senator Flynn expects a huge turnout.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there are hundreds,” Senator Flynn said.

28/22 News will be there on Tuesday during the PUC hearings and will bring you the latest developments on air and online.

A final decision by the PUC is due August 7 and If granted, this rate change would then take effect.

For more information on participating in the hearings, visit the Public Utility Commission’s website.

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