On January 15, 2021, the Philadelphia Water Department filed an Advance Notice with City Council and the Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board of the Department’s intent to propose an increase in water, sewer, and stormwater rates effective September 1, 2021.

The proposal is subject to the review and authorization of the Rate Board.

The proposed changes in water, sewer and stormwater rates and related charges provide for a two-phase rate increase. The first phase is proposed to become effective on September 1, 2021. The second phase will be implemented on September 1, 2022.

The Water Department must prove that the proposed rates are reasonable.

The effect of the proposed increase on a typical residential and small business customer bill, if approved by the Rate Board, would be as follows:

Residential Account Effective DatePercentage Increase
September 1, 202111.6%
September 1, 20225.3%
Small Business Account Effective DatePercentage Increase
September 1, 20217.2%
September 1, 20225.7%

The Department’s Summary Fact Sheet explaining why the rate increase has been proposed and regulations impacted by the proposed rate change may be viewed at the Rate Board’s website.

Rate Board Role

The Rate Board is the local agency authorized to approve rate changes for the Department. The Rate Board will review and investigate the proposed rate increase.

After examining the rate filing, related testimony, and exhibits, as well as the submissions of the Public Advocate and other parties, the Rate Board will decide the merits of the application for rate relief.

As a result of this investigation, the final effect on customer bills may be different than that proposed in the Department’s rate filing.

Anyone wishing to be a participant in the Rate Proceeding to consider those changes should register with the Board:

Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board
c/o Steven Liang
City of Philadelphia Law Department
1515 Arch St., 17th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Email: WaterRateBoard@phila.gov