A dispute over who should control Wilkes-Barre's sewer system shows what a sale could cost residents.
A union said its warnings about sharp rate increases after similar deals elsewhere in Pennsylvania prompted American Water to try to shut down that message.
Here's what to know
According to The Citizens' Voice, a Monday letter from Utility Workers of America President James Slevin to Mayor George C. Brown and city council members accused American Water of trying to "intimidate us" for sharing information about the company's rate record.
That accusation came as Wilkes-Barre studied whether its sewer assets should be sold to a private company. At Brown's request, the City Council approved outside legal and consulting help to review a potential deal.
One piece of the union's argument was a flier listing statewide base rate hikes in Pennsylvania that the company won approval for in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2026. Slevin had distributed it after urging local officials in August to consider what he called American Water's "history of significant rate hikes on consumers before agreeing to any sale," The Citizens' Voice reported.
The same flier said that from 2019 to 2025, American Water's average wastewater revenue per residential customer rose 108%, while average residential water revenue increased 45%.
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More background
Among the communities were Scranton and York. In Scranton, the typical residential sewer bill rose 244%, or 151% after inflation, after Pennsylvania American acquired the wastewater system in 2016, The Citizens' Voice noted. In York, the union said average residential sewer bills grew to over three times their previous levels after a temporary rate freeze expired in 2025.
The union also cited Coatesville, where Pennsylvania American bought the city's sewer system in 2001 and agreed to a three-year rate freeze. After that, the union said wastewater bills for a typical residential customer jumped 472%, even after adjusting for inflation.
Slevin said the pressure escalated with a Sept. 21 cease-and-desist letter from a law firm representing American Water, writing, per The Citizens' Voice: "Although that letter claimed that our communications include 'deceptive' information, American Water has failed to cite a single instance of any statement made by us the company claims to be inaccurate. We regard the company's failure to do so as an admission that our communications have indeed been entirely accurate."
Slevin added: "In our view, the freedom to speak the truth is a cornerstone of American democracy. We will continue to provide truthful information concerning American Water's history of consumer rate hikes as you continue to assess whether to enter into any sales agreement with this company."
In a statement, American Water said officials "respect the rights of individuals and organizations to express their views," according to The Citizens' Voice, disputing "several" of the union's claims and noting that the disagreement was unfolding during collective bargaining negotiations in another state.
What's being done?
The issue remains in the hands of local officials, who will decide whether a sale is in the city's best interest and what it could mean for residents.
Councilman Tony Brooks said he agrees with Slevin "on his exercising his First Amendment rights to communicate with elected officials," The Citizens' Voice reported.
Councilman Mike Belusko also voiced skepticism about the company's move, saying a cease-and-desist order "tells me there's something they're trying to hide."
He added, "Council and the mayor will take everything with a grain of salt and we're going to consider all the options before deciding anything."
Where can I learn more?
Similar fights over sewer systems and utility costs are playing out in other communities, too.
• In Vermont, residents pushed back against a multimillion-dollar sewer project they feared could harm water quality.
• In Potosi, Texas, homeowners fought a $4,500 meter demand backed by shutoff threats.
• PacifiCorp sparked outrage after seeking to bill customers for $1.7 billion in wildfire damages.
• Officials added NW Natural to a heat wave lawsuit, alleging deception campaigns ran deep.
• In British Columbia, residents sued FortisBC over an alleged deceptive practice involving renewable natural gas.
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