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2020 Water Rate Filing

The City of Bethlehem is filing a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to increase water rates for customers residing outside the City limits.  The PUC will examine the proposed rate change and may grant all, some, or none of the rate request.  New rates once approved by the PUC will be applied equally to customers both inside and outside the City.  City Council sets rates for inside-city customers.  The last water rate increase occurred in 2014.

The City of Bethlehem is committed to providing high quality drinking water to all of our valued customers.  This commitment involves maintaining a water system that is reliable, cost effective, and that meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements.  The proposed rate increase will provide additional revenue to adequately cover our operating expenses and allow us the ability to raise money needed to invest in our capital intensive utility.  Continuous investment in the water infrastructure is critical to ensure long term reliability and delivery of high quality water our customers have come to expect.

If the City's entire request is approved, the total bill for a residential customer using 12,000 gallons per quarter with a 5/8-inch meter would increase from $75.94 to $85.55 per quarter or by 12.7%.   To find out your customer class or how the requested increase may affect your water bill, please contact the City of Bethlehem Utility Billing Office at (610) 865-7070.    You may also examine the documents filed with the PUC which explains the requested increase and the reasons for it.    A copy of this material is kept at the City’s Utility Billing office at 10 East Church Street in Bethlehem, and the documents can be accessed on the City’s website at the link below.

To view documents related to the 2020 Water Rate Filing please click here.