DALLAS, Pa. — "The other company, it wasn't that bad, now it's just jumping. New company new rules," said Michael Rac.
Since moving to Circle Drive in Dallas Township, Michael Rac says he's become accustomed to changing water rates, but he believes this 22% hike proposal by Veolia Water Pennsylvania is way too much.
"Right now, on average, about $75 a month for water, so you're going to talk another 22%, so you're going to be next to $100," added Rac.
The utility company, which has served the back mountain area since 2022, sent out flyers detailing its proposal.
The company says each household would see an average of $11 extra a month tacked on to their bill.
Officials with Veolia Water Pennsylvania say the rate hike will help pay for more than $160 million of infrastructure work.
Diane Sherman says she hasn't seen enough work in her neighborhood to justify the rate increase.
"They had to do some work on the lower road because the road fell apart because water has been leaking from underneath it. That was all they did. They didn't fix anything else. There's been no change in our water. They haven't made any changes like telling you to turn it off or not use it because they've done work. There hasn't been anything like that going on, so my assumption is they haven't done anything," said Diane Sherman from Dallas Township.
Sherman pays around $35 a month for water but worries the potential increase could create a burden she and others may not be able to swing.
"It's not going to be fun, and there are a lot of us up here who are retired and are living on what we live on, so when people keep raising rates, it doesn't help anything," added Sherman.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission still has to approve the proposed rate change. That decision is expected by April 16th.