Pittsburgh Water Rate Settlement Approved by PUC, Focused on Customers and Affordability

Pittsburgh Water's rate settlement was approved on February 16, 2026, providing a customer-focused agreement that balances system investment with long-term affordability and transparency.

February 19, 2026

Pittsburgh, PA –  Pittsburgh Water announced Thursday that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has approved its rate settlement, a customer-focused agreement that balances system investment with long-term affordability and transparency. The new rates will go into effect March 8, 2026.

“This approval represents another important step forward in delivering reliable, affordable water, wastewater, and stormwater service for the people of Pittsburgh,” said Will Pickering, CEO of Pittsburgh Water. “The settlement puts customers at the center of our rate structure by expanding assistance programs, enhancing protections, and increasing clarity around how rate dollars are used."

Customer-Focused Highlights

The approved rate settlement reflects extensive stakeholder negotiation and public input, with terms that strengthen affordability and assistance while ensuring critical infrastructure investment.

Expanded Customer Assistance Programs

Pittsburgh Water’s longstanding Bill Discount and Hardship Grant programs – first established in 2018 – will continue and will be enhanced to support a wider range of incomes. Nearly 9,000 customers currently enrolled will continue to receive the first 1,000 gallons of water and wastewater conveyance free, plus discounts on stormwater and the PENNVEST Charge when it appears on bills in 2026.

New Volumetric Discounts

  • Increased discount from 60% to 70% for customers at or below 50% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
  • New 30% discount for customers between 51% and 100% of FPL
  • Fixed credits for customers between 101% and 200% of FPL until the new rate structure in 2027

These changes expand support for customers across income ranges.

Leak Protection and Credits

The Line Repair and Water Conservation Program, piloted in 2024, will become permanent, continuing repairs and water-saving support at no cost to income-eligible customers. A new discretionary leak credit will reduce high usage charges when customers repair leaks and sign up for free alerts.

Affordability Through Transparency and Structural Changes

The settlement also increases billing transparency. A dedicated PENNVEST Charge will separately show how rate dollars support low-interest loan financing for water and wastewater projects.

Importantly, this settlement sets in motion the phase-out of the fixed minimum charge for water and wastewater conveyance services. Beginning February 1, 2027, the minimum charge will be replaced with a service fee and volumetric rate structure, giving customers more control over what they pay based on actual usage.

What This Means for Customers

For a typical residential customer using 3,000 gallons per month, the approved 2026 rates result in an increase of approximately $15.02 per month.

Customers enrolled in Pittsburgh Water’s Bill Discount Program will see significantly smaller impacts. A typical customer enrolled in the Bill Discount Program earning an income that is at or below 50% of the FPL will see an increase of approximately $0.13 per month. Customers earning an income that is between 51-100% of FPL will see a reduction of $7.43 per month, and those earning between 101-200% of FPL will see an increase of $0.83 per month. These changes reflect expanded discounts and continued affordability protections.

Bill impacts vary based on usage, meter size, and customer classification. Commercial, industrial, and institutional customers will see adjustments aligned with their service level and water usage.

For more information about how these rate changes will affect each customer class, please visit pgh2o.com/ourwaterfuture.

Beginning in 2027, the elimination of the minimum charge will further align bills with actual consumption, giving customers more control over what they pay and increasing transparency in how rates are structured.

Balanced Investment and Rate Setting

The settlement establishes rates for 2026 only and withdraws the request for base rate increases in 2027, reducing the overall revenue increase sought compared to the original filing and helping to limit customer impacts.

For a typical residential customer using 3,000 gallons per month, the approved 2026 rate results in a modest increase; however, customers enrolled in assistance programs will see much smaller changes thanks to expanded discounts.

Looking Forward

Pittsburgh Water will continue to engage with customers across the region and provide more information about upcoming billing changes and expanded stormwater education and outreach. A biannual stakeholder meeting and annual updates on stormwater initiatives will help elevate awareness and transparency on those efforts.

For more details about the PUC-approved rate settlement and customer assistance programs, visit www.pgh2o.com/ourwaterfuture.