For Pennsylvania households already stretched thin by utility bills, a proposal is targeting a specific source of financial strain.
A new piece of legislation takes aim at wastewater charges that can rise even when not all of a home's water use actually ends up in the sewer system.
Here's what to know
As ABC27 reported, State Rep. Marla Brown wants lower-income residents to receive a billing cap based on the lower amount of water they typically use during the winter months.
In a memo, Brown, a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 9th District, described the legislation. The aim is for wastewater authorities and publicly regulated wastewater utilities to use "winter averaging" for low-income customers.
The station explained that many wastewater bills are tied to the full amount of water recorded on a home's meter, a method that effectively assumes most water brought into the house later returns to the sewer system for treatment.
Brown said that approach can overstate what households should owe because some of the water people use never flows back into the wastewater system.
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ABC27 noted only households earning 200% of the Federal Poverty Level or less would qualify under the proposal, which the memo said is about $66,000 a year for a family of four.
More background
The plan focuses on using a household's winter water consumption, usually the period when usage is lowest, to determine the maximum amount that could be charged for wastewater service during the year, per the network.
Outside the winter months, water use can increase even though the standard billing formula continues to count all metered consumption the same way. Brown argued that this creates added pressure on low-income household budgets.
As of Oct. 15, ABC27 reported the measure was still at the proposal stage. Brown had not formally introduced the bill, and the memo laid out the policy she wants lawmakers to consider. The proposal is narrowly tailored. It would not affect every utility charge or every customer.
What's being done?
Rather than leaving the matter to individual providers, the station clarified Brown's proposal would require those utilities to use winter averaging for customers who meet the eligibility rules.
Under that setup, winter water use would serve as the ceiling for wastewater charges during the rest of the year, replacing the standard practice of relying solely on the total water recorded by the meter.
Brown said non-winter wastewater bills would reflect either the winter average rate or the home's actual water use for that billing cycle, as ABC27 noted.
"I invite you to join me in cosponsoring this legislation," she concluded in the memo. "Together, we can promote fair billing practices and reduce utility costs for vulnerable families."
Where can I learn more?
Questions about water affordability are surfacing elsewhere as utilities and lawmakers grapple with rising costs.
• In Texas, residents faced a $4,500 meter demand amid threats of shutoffs.
• In Illinois, a mayor rallied residents against a $142 million water hike.
• Across several states, PFAS drinking water regulations are reshaping costs and compliance.
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