Facing financial impacts from the pandemic and costs that were rising even before the crisis, we filed a formal request for a rate change last month. 

If approved, water bills for residential customers would increase by 11.6% in September 2021 and 5.3% the following September. For a typical resident using 3,740 gallons a month, the bill would be $78.45 after the full increase.

The Philadelphia Water Department is a public, not-for-profit utility. All of our revenue is collected through water bills. Your bill supports infrastructure improvements and the delivery of essential services.

Without new rates, we will not have the revenue needed to meet legal and operating requirements.

Aging infrastructure, including a 6,800-mile network of water mains and sewers, needs immediate investment to ensure the integrity of essential water and wastewater systems.

Coming Up: Public Input Hearings

Four virtual public input hearings are set as part of a transparent rate-setting process: 

  • Tuesday, March 16: 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 18: 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Zoom links, instructions for joining the hearings, and information for submitting written comments can be found on the Rate Board site.