Pennsylvania American Water is requesting a rate hike that would increase revenue by $173.2 million a year and help pay for $1.13 billion in water and wastewater system upgrades planned through 2023, when the increase would take effect.

If approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, average residential water customers using 3,212 gallons a month would see their rates increase from $60.49 to $75.49, per month and average residential wastewater customers would see their rates increase from $76.64 to $95.69 per month.

Commercial water customers using 22,561 gallons a month would see their rates increase from $294.78 to $379.87 per month, and industrial customers using 528,207 gallons a month would see their rates increase from $5,263.16 to $6,527.24 per month.

“As a company, we believe that the service we provide must be safe, meaning it complies with EPA regulations and Safe Drinking Water Act standards; reliable, so that it is resilient in the face of floods, droughts, and other climate risks; and affordable,” Mike Doran, Pennsylvania American Water president, said in a statement.

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