The independent Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board announced four upcoming public input hearings to address a general rate increase requested by the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), which filed a formal notice with the Rate Board on March 31.

Based on the PWD rate filing, beginning September 1, 2025, the monthly bill for the typical residential customer would increase by 11.7 percent. Beginning September 1, 2026, a typical customer would experience an additional 5.9 percent increase, which means that an average monthly bill would be approximately $96. The reason for the proposed two consecutive year rate increases is “rising costs in labor, materials, equipment, laboratory services, regulatory obligations, and capital costs.” As a reminder, PWD raised its rates twice in the past two years because of the same reason.

PWD is also proposing changes to its Tiered Assistance Program (TAP) and the Senior Citizen Discount program to ensure that all income-eligible individuals can benefit from the reduced water bills. Since the last rate setting, assistance program enrollment has greatly increased, according to PWD, thanks to such new policies as data sharing with other departments and autoenrollment.

Prior to implementing any new rates, the Rate Board will review the Department’s request and hold public input hearings and technical hearings to determine whether the proposed new rates are justified and reasonable. A final decision by the Rate Board is expected in July 2025.

There will be two in-person and two virtual hearings. The first in-person hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 22, from 1-3 p.m. at the Philadelphia Gas Commission, 1515 Arch Street, 18th Floor.

Here’s the schedule for the other three hearings:

Virtual Hearing One 
When: Tuesday, April 22, from 6-8 p.m.

In-Person Hearing Two 
When: Wednesday, April 23, from 6-8 p.m.
Where: Zion Baptist Church, Broad and Venango Streets

Virtual Hearing Two 
When: Wednesday, April 23, from 1-3 p.m.

Details for joining virtual hearings are available on the Rate Board calendar. Details about the requested rates are available here.