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Pennsylvania American Water customers would pay more for water and sewer services from a $138.6 million rate hike submitted to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

The proposed rate increase filed Wednesday is subject to investigation and analysis by the PUC that could take up to nine months. Should the PUC make changes to rates, they would go into effect next year, the company said.

The company sought increases of $92.4 million for 2021 and $46.2 million in 2022, noting it made $1.64 billion in improvements to its infrastructure since 2018 when the last rate hike was approved. PA American said the pending hike is unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic.

If the full increase is approved, the combined increase for water and sewer services over the two-year period would be approximately $340 on average for residential customers.

According to figures provided by PA American Water, the monthly bill for the average customer using 3,458 gallons of water a month would increase to $65.91 from $57.85 in the first year. The rate would further increase to $69.73 in the second year.

Likewise, the average monthly sewer bill would increase to $71.97 from $60.42 in the first year and to $76.85 in the the second year.

But one state lawmaker expressed his opposition to the request, saying it’s the wrong time to raise rates especially when people and businesses are struggling financially during the pandemic.

State Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, urged the PUC to reject the rate increase.

“Now is not the time to consider placing an additional burden on those already experiencing difficulty meeting their financial responsibilities. Now is not the time to add to the stress and anxiety of an already overextended population. Now is certainly not the time approve any change which will result in Pennsylvanians having to choose between life’s necessities,” Mullery said in letter to PUC Commissioner Ralph Yanora of Pittston.

The company expressed interest in purchasing Wilkes-Barre sewer system in a plan put forward by former Mayor Tony George as a way to strengthen the city’s underfunded pensions. City council last year held off on a sale vote. It also asked that information be sought on leasing the system and that incoming Mayor George Brown be included in the decision-making process.

Brown made it known he was not tying a sale or lease to shoring up the pensions and asked PFM Financial Advisors LLC, the firm that had been overseeing the process, to prepare a new Request for Proposals.

Brown Thursday said his focus has been different from his predecessor, adding “I’m looking for the best deal where I can keep the rates as low as possible.”

The coronavirus forced Brown to cancel the public meeting scheduled for March 18 on the sewer system and to miss the self-imposed deadline of March 31 for a decision on the matter. He said it will be revisited at some point.

In a press release announcing the rate hike request PA American Water President Mike Doran also said the company has been responding to the hardships caused by the pandemic to residents and businesses. Included in the filing is a proposal to enhance the customer assistance program for customers in greatest need, the release said.

“I want to emphasize that this request is in no way related to the pandemic and is entirely based on our need to continue ongoing infrastructure improvements,” Doran said. “We will work with the commission to address any issues they raise while they review our request.”

Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.