Water Increases up to 28.5 Percent Discussed at Public Hearing

Residential up to 28.5 percent over the next four years, according to information given at the second of five public hearing on the proposed increases at Roxborough Memorial Hospital Tuesday evening.

Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) representatives gave a presentation on why the department is proposing the hikes.

“We know times are hard and the economy is down and we raise rates as a last resort,” said Joanne Dahme, public affairs manager for PWD.

"What we are proposing is not a done deal, it is what we think is necessary for us to operate in a sound manner," she added.

The Increase:

• The increase is proposed in four parts, each one averaging 6.5 percent, over the next four years. 
• For the average residential customer, Dahme said, this would mean an extra $4.10 increase to the monthly bill, after the first increase, and an additional increase of $4.10 a month for each of the following three increases.
• By the fiscal year 2016, the average residential customer would be paying about $16.40 more a month under the proposed four-year increase plan.

Challenging the Increase

Because regulations require a public advocate to challenge the necessity of rate increases, an attorney for Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Thu Tran, also spoke at the meeting.

“In 36 months, residential bills are going to go up about $196 a year. That is almost 30 percent from today’s rates, almost $200 a year,” Tran said. “We’re working with a team of experts to analyze this and we are already of the opinion that the request is not just and reasonable.”

The public hearings also seek community input on the viability of higher rates, and concerns about PWD’s service. Tran asked those who attended the meeting to encourage neighbors and family to attend any of the next three meetings.

Community Feedback

Tuesday’s meeting was the public hearing for Northwest Philadelphia. Although the meeting was sparsely attended, a few residents did stand up to voice their thoughts on the increase.

Beverly Walker, of Mt. Airy, has been a landlord for more than two decades, and said that she often gets stuck with unpaid water bills once her tenants leave.

“We’re talking about rate hikes, when I don’t think we’re collect what we could be collecting. This rate hike will be hard on them; it will be hard on me, playing catch-up with people who abuse the system,” Walker said.

Cynthia Kishinchand of East Falls brought up that charitable organizations, including churches, public universities and nonprofit hospitals receive a 25 percent discount on their water bills, which is made up by residential customers.

“I hope the charitable organization discount will be reviewed, and reviewed by experts,” Kishinchand said.

Give Testimony

Because public hearings are a vital part of the process to determine whether the rate increase will become a reality, all parties involved encouraged more residents to give testimony. Residents can call the utility public hotline at Community Legal Services at 215-981-3746 for more information on giving testimony. Written testimony can also be emailed to ratehearings@bowmanltd.com. Anyone who wants to speak in person, and see the presentations given by both sides, can attend any of the three remaining public hearings:

• July 12—9801 Frankford Ave. 6 to 8 p.m.
• July 16—Broad & Master Sts. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• July 17—5240 Chestnut St. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.