Hey Philly, it looks like you might need to start budgeting a bit more for your water. The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) is proposing to hike up the rates over the next couple of years. They're saying it's all in an effort to cover the escalating costs for keeping our water services stable and essential. But before you see any changes in your bills this fall, there's a chance to have your say in the matter.
If you've got an opinion on this, now's the time to make it heard. The Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Rate Board, the folks in charge of either giving the thumbs up or down to PWD's request, are all ears. They're set to start public hearings soon and are looking for customer input, as reported by the City of Philadelphia's official website. You can email your comments or mail them in—and while there's no deadline for the comments just yet, you should keep an eye on the Rate Board’s site for updates.
The Rate Board's got a series of public hearings lined up last Tuesday and Wednesday, with options to show up in person or join virtually. So whether you want to testify, quiz them on the details, or give your two cents, mark your calendars. They've also got some technical hearings on the docket, but those are a registrants-only affair.
Don't forget, Community Legal Services (CLS) is acting as the Public Advocate here. They represent the residential and small business customers, and are ready to listen to your concerns. "You can share your questions or concerns with CLS by emailing [email protected] or calling (215)-227-9988," as they mentioned on the city's site.
The final word on this rate increase is set for July after the Board has weighed all the evidence and heard out their hearing officer's recommendations. But whatever happens, there's still some help available for folks who need it. The city's got discounts for seniors and the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) for low-income residents.
