Lawrence Rich

The public hearing was held to discuss the Philadelphia Water Department's request to increase water, sewer, and storm water rates for residential and commercial customers. Representatives from the Rate Board and the Water Department addressed the necessity of the proposed rate adjustments for funding infrastructure improvements, maintenance, and operating costs for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Members of the public and community advocates voiced concerns regarding the financial burden of these increases, reports of wasted water, and the impact on low-income and senior residents. The meeting included information about available customer assistance programs, such as the Tiered Assistance Program and senior discounts.

The public hearing addressed the Philadelphia Water Department's formal notice of intent to increase rates for water, sewer, and storm water services. Discussion topics included the necessity of rate adjustments to maintain infrastructure and cover rising operating costs for upcoming fiscal years, the availability of customer assistance programs for low-income households, and the replacement of lead service lines. Individual participants raised concerns regarding the collection of outstanding bills, the need for residential storm water management incentives, and challenges related to accessing water shut-off valves for property maintenance.

The public hearing focused on the Philadelphia Water Department's request for rate increases for water, sewer, and storm water services for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Key discussion topics included the necessity of the proposed increases to maintain essential services and infrastructure, the availability of customer assistance programs for low-income residents, concerns regarding the transparency of the rate-setting process, the potential impact of future policy changes such as fluoride removal, and advice for first-time homeowners regarding water usage and billing management.

The technical hearing was held to examine the Philadelphia Water Department's request for a rate increase for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. During the proceedings, it was announced that the Water Department and the public advocate had negotiated a black box settlement to reduce the proposed revenue requirements. The session involved cross-examination of Water Revenue Bureau witnesses regarding financial operations, collection agency procedures, and the impact of the settlement process.

The board held a public input hearing and technical hearing regarding the Tiered Assistance Program Rider (TAP-R) reconciliation filing. Discussions centered on the methodology for enrollment of low-income customers into the program, with concerns raised regarding the switch to automatic enrollment and its potential impact on the TAP-R surcharge. Participants debated the efficiency of the water department, the handling of unpaid water lien debts, and the overall funding mechanisms for customer assistance programs. The hearing officer clarified that the scope of the proceeding was strictly limited to the TAP-R reconciliation and not the broader operational policies or financial management of the water department.