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HB 1213

An Act amending Titles 53 (Municipalities Generally) and 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in municipal authorities, providing for customer notice of atypical water usage; and, in rates and distribution systems, providing for customer notice of atypical water usage.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Ciresi and 10 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill requires water utilities to notify customers of unusual usage spikes to help identify leaks and prevent billing surprises.

Referred to Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1213

Legislative bill overview

HB 1213 amends Pennsylvania law to require water utilities and municipal authorities to notify customers when their water usage patterns are atypical or unusually high. The bill establishes a notification requirement across both private utilities (Title 66) and municipal water authorities (Title 53) to alert consumers of potential leaks, malfunctions, or billing errors.

Why is this important

Water leaks and usage spikes can result in unexpectedly high bills that burden households, particularly low-income families. Early notification allows customers to identify and repair problems quickly, reducing water waste, protecting infrastructure, and preventing financial hardship from inflated utility bills. This aligns with consumer protection and water conservation goals.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify what constitutes "atypical" usage—utilities may interpret thresholds differently, leading to inconsistent consumer protections across the state
  • Implementation costs: Water utilities argue that automated monitoring and notification systems require infrastructure investment that could increase rates for all customers
  • False positive concerns: Frequent alerts for legitimate usage variations (seasonal changes, visiting families, pool filling) may reduce alert credibility and customer response to genuine problems

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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