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PA American Water briefs Coatesville council on proposed rate case, local investments and lead-line replacement
Summary
At a Jan. 12 meeting, Pennsylvania American Water described a statewide $1.2 billion investment plan tied to a pending PUC rate case, outlined up to 240 lead/galvanized service-line replacements in Coatesville at no direct homeowner cost, and noted local public hearings on Jan. 29 for customer input.
Pennsylvania American Water told Coatesville City Council on Jan. 12 that it has filed a rate-adjustment case with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to support roughly $1.2 billion in water and wastewater investments statewide and that the PUC’s review (including public hearings) will determine whether and when customers see new rates.
John Coleman, the utility’s external affairs manager, described the company’s filing and the local outreach program. He said any increased rates would not take effect before August 2026 and that the PUC process includes hearings—including two scheduled at Coatesville City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 29 (1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.)—where residents can submit testimony.
Coleman provided company figures showing typical statewide impacts: an average residential water bill increase of about $14 per month and an average wastewater increase of about $10 per month based on statewide average usage (roughly 3,263 gallons/month for water). He emphasized that household bills vary with actual usage and household size, and council members pressed the company for local usage data to better estimate impacts for Coatesville households, which may use more water than the statewide average.
Local investments and lead-line work: Coleman said Pennsylvania American Water has invested about $9.1 million in Coatesville since 2024 for water projects (including a 12,500-foot, 16-inch main reroute and a booster station replacement) and roughly $625,000 in wastewater work, and that through 2026 the company plans nearly $14 million of local investments. He said the company plans to replace as many as 240 lead or galvanized service lines in Coatesville at no direct cost to customers and encouraged residents to participate in the company’s service-line identification program (photo upload or contractor visits).
Council reaction and resident concerns: Vice President Carmen Green questioned how the company’s “average household” benchmarks would reflect Coatesville’s larger households and warned that some residents could see much larger monthly increases than the statewide example. Company staff said more localized usage data can be provided to the city for residents before the Jan. 29 hearings.
Customer assistance: Coleman highlighted Pennsylvania American Water’s H2O Help to Others program—which includes bill discounts, arrearage forgiveness and hardship grants— and said representatives will hold enrollment outreach with Rep. Dan Williams’ office in the coming weeks.
What’s next: The PUC will determine the outcome of the rate case after its review and public input; Coatesville residents are advised to attend the Jan. 29 hearings or review the filings on the company’s website to submit comments.
