water Archives - Community Legal Services

How To Participate in The 2025 Philadelphia Water Rate Case

*Highlights, UtilitiesBy Julian Layton April 9, 2025

The four 2025 Philadelphia Water Rate Case Public Input Hearings will be held at the following times: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 1pm. In-person hearing at the Philadelphia Gas Commission, 1515 Arch St, 18th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6pm. Virtual/Telephonic hearing. Information will be posted at https://www.phila.gov/departments/water-sewer-storm-water–rate-board/rate-proceedings/2025-general-proceeding/ Wednesday, April…

Proposed Settlement with the Philadelphia Water Department to Save Philadelphians $13 million

*Highlights, UtilitiesBy Zakya Hall June 5, 2024

CLS is pleased to announce our proposed settlement agreement with the Philadelphia Water Department regarding the proposed annual adjustment to the rates, called the TAP-R rates, that fund discounts to participants in the Tiered Assistance Program (TAP). If approved, this settlement will save customers more than $13 million between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025 compared…

How to Prevent Water Shutoffs

*Highlights, UtilitiesBy Zakya Hall May 2, 2024

This information was last updated on April 1, 2025. Download flyer with this information here. Raise Your Hand Program If you or a member of your household is a senior (65 years or older), has a disability, or is a child (under 18 years old), your water service will not be shut off under PWD’s…

Support Legislation to Increase Energy and Water Access for Pennsylvanians

*Highlights, UtilitiesBy rachel April 17, 2024

In 2023, over 330,000 Pennsylvanian households had their gas, electric, or water shut off because they could not afford to pay – and nearly 25% of Pennsylvanians reported foregoing food, medicine, and other basic needs to keep up with utility costs.[1] Chapter 14 of the Public Utility Code creates unreasonable challenges for low and…

How To Participate in The 2023 Philadelphia Water Rate Case

*Highlights, UtilitiesBy rachel March 9, 2023

The four 2023 Philadelphia Water Rate Case Public Hearings will by held at the following times by Zoom and Phone: Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 3:00 and 6:00 pm Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 3:00 and 6:00 pm To join any hearing: Visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2562489871?pwd=SWRWSEtDb0phbmNlTDg5RGxlRmlFZz09or Dial 267-831-0333 Meeting ID: 256 248 9871Passcode: 12345 …

CLS is working to keep water rates affordable, and we need your help!

UtilitiesBy admin March 18, 2022

CLS represents the interests of Philly residential and small business customers as the ‘Public Advocate’ in water rate proceedings. Last year, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) asked the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board for a $141 Million rate increase over two years. We reached a settlement that saved Philly residents nearly $84…

Get help with your water bill through LIHWAP!

*Highlights, UtilitiesBy admin January 7, 2022

Are you behind on your water bill? DHS’ new Water Assistance Program can help! The Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is now available to provide low-income Pennsylvanians with help on water bills. What help is available? LIHWAP will pay your water provider the amount needed to prevent a shut off or restore…

CLS and Philadelphia Water Department Propose Partial Settlement of Rate Case

UtilitiesBy admin May 3, 2021

CLS was appointed by the Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board to serve as Public Advocate in the Philadelphia Water Department’s 2021 rate increase proceeding. The Water Department proposed to increase an average household’s monthly bill from $66.73 to $74.47 in September 2021 and to $78.45 in September 2022. The significant and consistent…

Report from CLS and PULP Reveals Energy Insecurity Among Black and Latinx Households in Pennsylvania

*Highlights, UtilitiesBy admin March 25, 2021

Today, Community Legal Services and the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project released a report that reveals that Black and Latinx households in Pennsylvania are more likely to experience unaffordable utility costs and fall behind on their utility bills at a much higher rate than white households. Many of these same communities were hardest hit by COVID-19…

The Dangerous Weight of Water Debt

*Highlights, UtilitiesBy caitlin November 13, 2019

For years, Philadelphia operated an inefficient assistance program for low-income water customers, Philadelphia’s most economically vulnerable households. The program helped only 7,000 of more than 60,000 low-income Philadelphia households per year. Customers in that program received a small grant and fixed bill amounts for 12 months. If you were enrolled in that program and your…

Tag Archives: water