HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has approved a joint settlement that reduces the rate increase requested by the Newtown Artesian Water Company by nearly 19%, while enabling critical infrastructure upgrades for customers in Bucks County.
The unanimous 5-0 vote adopted the Joint Petition for Complete Settlement, which was recommended by PUC Administrative Law Judge Eranda Vero and supported by Newtown Artesian, the PUC’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E), the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA), and the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA).
Under the terms of the settlement, Newtown Artesian will raise its annual operating revenues by approximately $750,000, an 11.5% increase. This is significantly lower than the company’s original request for a $922,418 revenue increase, which represented a 14.1% hike.
The new rates, which scale back customer charges and usage rates across all rate classes, are set to go into effect on April 18, 2025. This rollout will coincide with Newtown Artesian’s ongoing shift from quarterly to monthly billing for all customers.
Newtown Artesian plans to press ahead with key infrastructure improvements, including the construction of a new treatment plant designed to address “forever chemicals” in the water supply. Additionally, the company will provide monthly updates to I&E, OCA, and OSBA on capital expenditures, plant additions, and retirements for the 12-month periods ending March 31, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
Serving nearly 11,200 residential, business, and public fire protection customers in Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, and northern Middletown Township, Newtown Artesian remains focused on delivering safe, reliable water services while addressing critical environmental challenges. The settlement aims to provide a balanced approach to ensuring financial stability for the company while managing costs for its customers.
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