A judge has recommended against a plan to hike rates for Pennsylvania American Water customers in Lackawanna County. The company filed a request in November for nearly $1 billion in rate hikes, which would increase PAWC’s total annual operating revenues for water service by approximately $199.2 million, or 24.2 percent. For the average residential customer, the proposed rates would increase the monthly water bill by about $17 per month. An administrative law judge issued the recommendation on Tuesday. The judge recommends a smaller water revenue increase of approximately $92.6 million. Public hearings on the rate increase request were held in our area in January. The PUC will issue its ruling on the case in July, with new rates to be effective Aug. 7, 2024.