The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has scheduled a public input hearing in Berks County as part of its review of proposed rate increases by Pennsylvania American Water Company.
The hearing will take place Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Dunn Community Center, Upper Level, located at 4565 Prestwick Drive in Reading. Two sessions are scheduled that day, with the first beginning at 1 p.m. and the second at 6 p.m. Preregistration is not required for the in-person hearings.
The hearings are part of a broader statewide process to gather public feedback on Pennsylvania American Water’s request to increase rates for both water and wastewater service. On December 4, the PUC voted unanimously to suspend and investigate the proposed rate changes. Pennsylvania American Water serves approximately 682,000 water customers and 97,000 wastewater customers across 37 counties, including Berks County.
According to the PUC, the utility is seeking an overall increase of $168.7 million, or about 14.6 percent, in total annual operating revenues. As proposed, typical residential water customers using 3,263 gallons per month could see monthly increases ranging from $2.73 to $27.77, depending on the service area. Typical wastewater customers using 3,164 gallons per month could see increases ranging from $0 to $26.29 per month. Customers with combined stormwater and wastewater systems could see an increase of approximately $20 per month.
PUC Administrative Law Judges Jeffrey A. Watson and Emily DeVoe will preside over the hearings. Testimony provided during the public input hearings will become part of the official record considered by the Commission when it issues a final decision.
In addition to the Berks County hearing, the PUC has scheduled in-person hearings in Washington, Lackawanna, and Dauphin counties, as well as two telephonic public input hearings on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Residents who cannot attend a hearing may still submit comments or file a formal complaint regarding the proposed rate increases through the PUC’s website. Assistance is also available through the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate and the Office of Small Business Advocate.
A final decision on Pennsylvania American Water’s rate increase request is due by August 13, 2026.
