The rates PWD charges our customers are determined through a transparent process of public hearings by the Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board.
Effective September 1, 2022
2022 Rate Proceedings
On January 21, 2022, the Philadelphia Water Department filed Advance Notices of a Special Rate Proceeding regarding the reconciliation and potential downward adjustment of water, sewer and stormwater rates and charges approved in the 2021 Rate Proceeding, as well as its annual Tiered Assistance Program Rate Rider Surcharge rates (TAP-R) Adjustment Proceeding. The Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board issued its determinations for both proceedings on June 15, 2022, approving the current Rates and Charges, effective September 1, 2022.
2021 Rate Proceeding
On February 16, 2021, the Philadelphia Water Department filed with the Records Department the Water Department’s Formal Notice of its 2021 general rate case which proposed changes in water, sewer, and stormwater rates and related charges to be implemented beginning on September 1, 2021 and September 1, 2022.
In April 2021, PWD and the Public Advocate entered into a Joint Petition for Partial Settlement (Settlement) that resolved the majority of issues presented in the 2021 general rate case and, as a result, lowered the proposed change in rates and charges by 60%. The Settlement was approved by the independent Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board in its Rate Determination, dated June 16, 2021.
The Rates and Charges that went into effect on September 1, 2021, and represented an increase of about 3.6% for typical residential customers, and a slight decrease for typical non-residential customers. An additional increase, approximately 6.4%, was tentatively approved to become effective September 1, 2022, but could potentially be adjusted in the 2022 Special Rate Proceeding based on the terms and conditions of the Settlement.
Read an overview of the settlement agreement
or the full Settlement Term Sheet.