2. PWD RATES PROCESS
Goals:
• Open and transparent public process.
• Raising rates are a last resort. IMAGE
Public meeting (any
will do!)
• Gradual rate adjustments.
• Predictable rates for customers.
• A strong connection between costs
and services.
•Meeting expectations of our customers
and regulators
Philadelphia Water Department
3. TRANSPARENT PUBLIC PROCESS
Process:
• Rate changes are a highly regulated, very
public process
• The Mayor, City Council President, and City
Controller appoint a Hearing Officer to
oversee the rate process and a Public
Advocate to challenge the rate increase.
• The Hearing Officer recommends a rate
change at the conclusion of a series of
technical and public hearings.
Philadelphia Water Department
4. SYSTEM OVERVIEW
3 drinking water plants
18
3 wastewater plants
25+ pump stations
18 reservoirs
5 water storage tanks 25+
Philadelphia Water Department
5. SYSTEM OVERVIEW
On the street and under your feet:
• Over 6,000 miles of pipes
• 3,500 miles of sewer
• 3,000 miles of water main
• 25,234
hydrants
• 92,430
manholes
Philadelphia Water Department
6. PROPOSED RATES
• $316 million increase
needed over the next four
fiscal years Even with this increase,
• Residential customers will PWD’s rates are substantially
see an average annual less – often ½ to 1/3 of the
increase of $4.10 on their cost that our suburban
monthly bill over the next neighbors are paying for their
four years which is water and sewer utilities
equivalent to an average
annual increase of 6.5%
Philadelphia Water Department
7. WHEN WILL RATES CHANGE?
Additional Percentage
Effective Date Total Monthly Bill
Monthly Charge Increase
Oct. 1, 2012 $ 60.95 $ 3.52 6.1 %
July 1, 2013 $ 64.71 $ 3.76 6.2 %
July 1, 2014 $ 69.07 $ 4.36 6.7 %
July 1, 2015 $ 73.82 $ 4.75 6.9 %
Philadelphia Water Department
8. HOW DOES PHILADELPHIA COMPARE REGIONALLY?
Water Provider Monthly Water Bill
Pennsylvania American Water $ 54.60
Aqua Pennsylvania $ 53.61
New Jersey American Water $ 35.59
Trenton $ 28.11
Doylestown Township $ 27.98
Philadelphia Water Dept. $ 26.08
North Penn Water Authority $ 22.59
North Wales Water Authority $ 20.16
Philadelphia Water Department
9. WHAT DO THESE CHARGES PAY FOR TODAY?
Philadelphia Water Department
10. WHAT DO THESE CHARGES PAY FOR TODAY?
On average, your bill pays for 150 gallons of water a day. That’s
enough for:
3 showers
15 flushes
1 dishwasher load
3 gallons of drinking water
10 faucet uses (to shave, wash face, hands, brush teeth)
Philadelphia Water Department
11. INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
Picture of Water Works
Philadelphia’s water department was the first In
America to supply an entire city with drinking water.
The Fairmount Water Works served as a model for
more than 30 other American water delivery systems.
Philadelphia Water Department
12. MINIMIZING COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS (CSOS)
A tenth of an inch of rain can
cause raw sewage to spill into
our waterways.
Regulations require PWD to
eliminate these overflows.
PWD is investing in many
changes to fix this problem.
These changes are outlined in
the Green City, Clean Waters
Plan.
Waste water from your home and
rainwater from the street go to the
same pipe in some portions of the city.
Philadelphia Water Department
13. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS: SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT
Senior Citizen Discount
- A 25 percent discount is provided
for senior citizens 65 years of age or
older, with a total household income
of $30,500/year.
- Administered by the Water Revenue Bureau.
- Provided discounts to 21,878 seniors in FY11 at a total
cost of $2,623,696.
Philadelphia Water Department
14. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS: HELP
Homeowner's Emergency Loan Program (HELP)
• To apply for a loan or to find out more about HELP, please call (215) 685-4901.
The Philadelphia Water Department administers the Homeowner's Emergency Loan
Program (HELP), an interest-free, installment-payment loan program for water service line
and/or sewer lateral repairs. To be eligible for HELP:
- The applicant must be the homeowner of record and reside at the property,
- The property must have received a Notice of Defect (NOD) issued by PWD,
- The property must be listed as a residential or mixed residential/commercial property,
- The property must have an operable water meter,
- The property cannot have more than four (4) units, and
- The water bill and/or any payment agreements must be current.
All repair costs and fees borrowed must be repaid to the City of Philadelphia.
Applicants requesting loans will complete an application over the phone by calling (215)
685-4901.
Philadelphia Water Department
15. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS: WRAP
Water Revenue Assistance Program
• Grants of up to $500 on water bills
• Available to prevent water shut off for low income customers
• Assists customers in obtaining federal energy assistance
• Administered by Water Revenue Bureau
• In FY 2011, WRAP provided grants to 9,207 customers at a total cost of
$1,054,098.
• Level of assistance based on:
• Water usage
• Ability to pay current water and sewer bills
• Status as a property owner, tenant or occupant.
Philadelphia Water Department
16. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS: RAIN BARRELS
• PWD provides free rain barrels
through rain barrel workshops
with ECA.
• Residents sign up for workshops
online.
• ECA contractors install the rain
barrels
• Does not lower water bill, but
excellent way to get involved and
help manage Philadelphia
stormwater
Philadelphia Water Department
17. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS: RAIN CHECK
Rain Garden
Homeowner Pilot Program:
• Get residents involved in managing
Yard Tree
stormwater
• PWD will help pay for the installation
of “Green Tools” on private homes.
• 250 participants in 10
neighborhoods De-Paving
• If successful, PWD will expand the
program.
Downspout
Pervious Planter
Philadelphia Water Department Pavers
18. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS: TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
Social Benefits Economic Benefits
Recreation Property Values
Aesthetics Job creation
Public Health Competitive city
Equity
Environmental
Benefits
Fishable, swimmable
Habitat enhancement
Air Quality
Energy Savings
Carbon Footprint
Philadelphia Water Department
19. WHAT WILL MY BILL LOOK LIKE?
Usage charge : amount of water
you use
Service charge : metering,
billing collecting
Stormwater charge : collection
and treatment of rainwater
running off your property
Philadelphia Water Department
20. SERIES OF PUBLIC MEETINGS
When: Monday, July 9, 2012, 10:00 a.m. ‐ 12:00 noon
Where: Philadelphia Senior Center
509 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
When: Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 6:00 ‐ 8:00 p.m.
Where: Roxborough Memorial Hospital, Wolcoff Auditorium
5800 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19128
When: Thursday, July 12, 2012, 6:00 ‐ 8:00 p.m.
Where: Holy Family University, Campus Center Conference Room 115
9801 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114
When: Monday, July 16, 2012, 6:30 ‐ 8:30 p.m.
Where: YMCA North Philadelphia
1400 N. Broad Street (Broad and Master Sts)
Philadelphia, PA 19121
When: Tuesday, July 17, 2012, 6:30 ‐ 8:30 p.m.
Where: White Rock Baptist Church
5240 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139c
Philadelphia Water Department
21. MORE INFORMATION
Visit us on line at:
www.phillywatersheds.org/rates
Philadelphia Water Department
