Pennsylvania families are seeing their water and sewer bills go through the roof, and it’s no accident. A 2016 law called Act 12 has allowed Pennsylvania’s municipal water and sewer systems to be sold to private, investor-owned (for-profit) companies under a “fair market value” system. This law was originally intended to help struggling water systems by shifting the burden of costly repairs to private companies. However, the reality has been far different.

Act 12 has enabled these companies to purchase local systems at artificially inflated prices and then recoup their costs, plus profit, by dramatically raising rates on consumers. In some communities, families are now paying twice as much or more for the same water service. For too long, the law has prioritized profit over people, leading to higher utility bills and major financial strain on ratepayers.

Despite proposals for reform, the industry has been unwilling to meaningfully engage in efforts to protect consumers from excessive rate hikes. It’s time to act.

To give this issue the attention it deserves, I am introducing legislation that pauses the sale of future systems through a repeal of Act 12 and a year-long study to determine a long-term replacement.

This pause will allow the governor and the legislature time to finally implement a long-term solution to curb increases to ratepayers because of these acquisitions. We look to the industry, our consumer advocate, and ratepayers to support these efforts to achieve a long-term solution to balance interests while keeping the economy strong for the benefit of all ratepayers.

Water is a basic human need NOT a profit stream. We have a duty to stand up for our constituents, not private corporations. This legislation is a critical step toward restoring fairness and accountability in how our public water systems are managed.