PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia water rates could be going up again.
After two straight years of rate increases, the Philadelphia Water Department is asking for two more.
The total rate increase requested for the next two years is 20%, which would increase the average monthly bill by about $15. An 11.8% rate hike would happen this September, followed by an 8.3% increase in September 2024.
The Water Department blames rising prices for labor, chemicals, materials and equipment that it says will increase its operating costs by $75 million.
Water Commissioner Randy Hayman declined an interview request, but said in a statement that without the increase, the department will struggle to sustain its pumping system.
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“Without these rate changes, the Philadelphia Water Department will struggle to make needed investments in critical infrastructure, including replacing aging water mains, upgrading water treatment plants, building storage for clean water, and sustaining the pumping systems needed to deliver and treat water,” said Hayman.
The rate increase would have to be approved by the Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board, which City Council created and voters approved 10 years ago.
Council President Darrell Clarke said he doesn’t believe the board will grant such a large increase, but he is sympathetic to the department’s plight.
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“Some of the issues [are] obviously legitimate. The cost of everything is going up. The infrastructure continues to be a struggle,” said Clarke.
“They always go high with their request. I don’t see any way that request will be granted at that level.”
Two years ago, the department requested a 17% increase over two years. The board granted a 10% increase. The final half of that increase went into effect just last September.
Mayor Jim Kenney supports the request but says he wants measures to keep service affordable, such as automatic enrollment in the Tiered-Assistance Program.