PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Request Proposed by Lancaster Bureau of Water for Customers Outside the City of Lancaster

PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Request Proposed by Lancaster Bureau of Water for Customers Outside the City of Lancaster

Published on 11/6/2025

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate a proposed rate increase by the City of Lancaster - Bureau of Water (Lancaster) for customers located outside of Lancaster's corporate limits.

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate Lancaster's proposed rate increase, which was filed on Sept. 30, 2025, and seeks an annual increase in revenues of approximately $7 million (30.2%). As proposed, the total bill for a residential customer using 4,500 gallons per month with a 5/8 inch meter would increase from $29.53 to $38.32 per month (29.8%).

Based on today's action by the Commission, the rate increase request is now suspended for up to seven months from the proposed effective date of Nov. 29, 2025, and will be assigned to the PUC's Office of Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for investigation and recommended decisions.

The ALJ's investigation will include public input hearings to gather testimony from concerned consumers and interested stakeholders. Dates, times and locations for those hearings will be detailed in future PUC press releases. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission's website.

A final PUC decision on Lancaster's rate increase request is due by June 29, 2026.

The PUC has jurisdiction over Lancaster's water service provided to customers located outside the City of Lancaster. In addition to the City of Lancaster, Lancaster's water system currently serves nine surrounding municipalities, including all of Millersville Borough and the townships of Lancaster, Manheim, Pequea and West Lampeter, as well as portions of East Hempfield, East Lampeter, Manor, and West Hempfield townships.

About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC's website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Search for the "Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission" or "PA PUC" on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket Nos.:
R-2025-3057237
C-2025-3057935
C-2025-3057993

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen Press Secretary 717-418-2701 [email protected]