The moratorium that protects residents from water service cutoffs ended on March 31, and at the same time, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) issued a formal notice of these proposed changes.

This is due to the fact that in February of this year, the same department sent advance notice of the proposed changes to its rates and general charges, which are expected to take effect on September 1, 2025, and September 1, 2026.

For the past several years, residents have had to endure rate changes, and it seems that increases are imminent. Historically, predominantly Black and Latino ZIP codes such as 19140, where Hunting Park is located, have been disproportionately affected by service cutoffs.

Ready or not, water service bills in Philadelphia are likely to increase in the coming months with a tiered rate starting in 2025, and potentially again in 2026 if approved during a hearing scheduled for June.

Many people are wondering ¿ How Philadelphia determines water rates?. All this information is available for public inspection at: www.phila.gov/water/rateboard. Before implementing the new rates, the Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Rate Board will review the Department’s request and schedule public participation and technical hearings to determine whether the proposed new rates are fair and reasonable.

Still, to offer some reassurance during this potentially overwhelming and unsettling process, the BenePhilly program provides personalized support. We spoke with Carmen Fonseca, a counselor at BenePhilly Esperanza. «We are here to support the community and assist with utility services, including electricity, water, and gas. Additionally, we help with all the programs that people may need related to utilities. These programs depend on the household’s income, the number of people living in the home, and we assist with qualifying them, so they feel secure and, above all, taken care of.»

This program is free and available to apply for public benefits. The fastest and most efficient way to help our community is with a single call or visit, where individuals can receive assistance with all the services they need to resolve and address immediately.

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), the municipal agency that provides water in Philadelphia, has the authority to cut off water service to residents when they cannot or do not want to pay their water bills.

Anyone affected by the proposed rates can participate in the proceedings by registering with the Board of Directors before April 7, 2025, at WaterRateBoard@phila.gov.

You can contact the City of Philadelphia at 215-685-6300 or by email at wrbheldesk@phila.gov to avoid a shutoff or restore your water service. You can also visit the Esperanza office in person at 4261 N 5th St, Philadelphia, 19140 or call directly at 215-324-0746 ext. 249.

Source: City of Philadelphia – BenePhilly (Esperanza office)