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 23, 2025, at 1pm. 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 23, 2025, at 6pm. In-person hearing at Zion Baptist Church, 3600 N. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19140. |
What is the Water Department 2025 Rate Case?
- The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) filed formal notice of its request for more than $222 million in rate increases on March 31, 2025. If approved, a typical residential customer’s monthly bill will go up by approximately 18%.
- The Rate Case is the process to evaluate PWD’s request, which must be approved, modified or rejected by the independent Philadelphia Water, Sewer & Storm Water Rate Board.
- The Board has hired a Hearing Officer to oversee the Rate Case.
- The Rate Case must include open and transparent processes and procedures for public comment on proposed rates and charges.
- The Board also appointed a Public Advocate (Community Legal Services) to represent the interests of PWD’s residential customers and small commercial customers (generally, those without individually assessed stormwater charges) in the Rate Case.
- Any individual, corporation or entity affected by PWD’s proposed rates can participate in the Rate Case.
How can individual customers participate in the 2025 Rate Case?
- Submit written comments – any individual can file written comments stating their opinions and/or concerns about the proposed rate increase. Written comments can be emailed or mailed to:
WaterRateBoard@phila.govWater Rate Board, c/o Deland Bryant
City of Philadelphia Law Dept.
1515 Arch St., 17th Fl.
Philadelphia, PA 19102 - Attend a public input hearing – The Board will hold at least four public input hearings to take comments from the public on PWD’s proposed rate increase. You may submit written or oral comments at the hearing. Some public input hearings will be in person and others will be held virtually or telephonically. Public input hearings will take place on April 22 and 23.
- Share your concerns with the Public Advocate – the Public Advocate does not represent individual customers in the Rate Case, but wants to hear from residential and small business customers. You can submit your questions or concerns about the 2025 Rate Case to the Public Advocate by emailing publicadvocate@clsphila.org
What is the role of the Public Advocate in the Rate Case?
- The Public Advocate represents the interests of residential and small commercial customers as a group. The Public Advocate will assess how increased water rates will impact this large group of customers. Because the Public Advocate does not represent individual customers, you can raise concerns about your experiences with PWD or the Water Revenue Bureau as described in this guide. You may also use the Water Revenue Bureau’s dispute process to address concerns regarding customer service, billing, shut offs or payment assistance.
- As Public Advocate, Community Legal Services has hired a team of experts to assist us in evaluating PWD’s request for rate increases.
- The Public Advocate participates in all phases of the Rate Case to zealously and independently advocate on behalf of PWD’s residential and small user customers.
- The Public Advocate offers free resources to support public input, including assistance for those who may have difficulty participating in hearings by phone or video conference. Email publicadvocate@clsphila.org or call 215-227-9988 for information or assistance.
