Press Release

PUC Begins Rulemaking Process Addressing Potential Barriers to Enhanced Water and Wastewater Services in Pennsylvania

Published on 2/6/2020

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted 5-0 on a motion offered by Commissioner Ralph V. Yanora, which begins a rulemaking process on issues related to water and wastewater utility service.

Today’s action directs the PUC’s Law Bureau and Bureau of Technical Utility Services to prepare an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANOPR) – to be available by May 1, 2020 – exploring a series of interrelated issues impacting water and wastewater utilities across the state. 

As Commissioner Yanora notes in his motion, “In light of increasing environmental requirements and emerging contaminants like lead, PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid), and PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate), the Commission recognizes that we need to do more to encourage water and wastewater system consolidation and regionalization.” 

The motion further explains that documentation required when utilities seek to acquire small-scale or troubled water or wastewater systems – which were initially developed more than 40 years ago as part of an effort to discourage the development of non-viable systems – can now serve as a potential impediment to much-needed water and wastewater system consolidation and regionalization. 

Additionally, the proposed rulemaking also explores how acquiring utilities will address a series of issues regarding water quality and service, including:

• Plans to mitigate contaminants such as lead, PFOA/PFOS, and Legionella from the drinking water supplies of acquired systems.
• The Commission’s tariff approval obligations related to cross-connection control and backflow prevention concerning these contaminants, which are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
• A process for periodic updates to a Memorandum of Understanding between the Commission and DEP to reflect the most recent water, wastewater, and stormwater service and safety standards the Commission is obligated to enforce.
• Any related matters that would serve to ensure the long-term viability of all new water systems.  

After the development and publication of the ANOPR, the Commission will carefully review and consider public and stakeholder comments and will then determine how best to move forward.

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 www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, 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 No.: L-2020-3017232

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov