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PRINTER'S NO. 2801
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 171
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY LAWRENCE, CIRESI, K.HARRIS, PUGH, SCHEUREN AND
ZIMMERMAN, JANUARY 28, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY AND
UTILITIES, JANUARY 28, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in rates and distribution systems,
providing for wastewater utility deduct meter tariff
requirement.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 66 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 1302.1. Wastewater utility deduct meter tariff requirement.
(a) Deduct meter program.--Each wastewater utility shall
develop a deduct meter program, which shall allow for eligible
customers the installation of a deduct meter as a part of any
new tariff or tariff supplement.
(b) Billing.--A wastewater utility shall provide customers
with the option to be billed for wastewater services based on:
(1) total water usage; or
(2) net sewer outflow, calculated as total water usage
minus the volume measured by the deduct meter.
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(c) Requirements for eligibility.--An eligible customer
electing to participate in the deduct meter program must:
(1) have a metered water supply and be current on all
wastewater utility payments; and
(2) be responsible for:
(i) purchasing, installing and maintaining a
utility-approved deduct meter;
(ii) ensuring that the meter is installed at an
approved location and available for inspection as needed
by the utility; and
(iii) submitting meter readings or allowing utility
access for reading and verification.
(d) Fee.--A wastewater utility may charge a reasonable
administrative or inspection fee, subject to commission
approval.
(e) Duties.--The commission shall:
(1) approve deduct meter models and installation
standards;
(2) maintain a registration system for deduct meters;
(3) provide clear program guidelines and application
procedures to customers; and
(4) review and approve all deduct meter tariffs to
ensure consistency, fairness and customer protection.
(f) Regulations.--The commission may adopt regulations to
implement this section, including standardizing deduct meter
eligibility, calibration and reporting requirements.
(g) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Deduct meter." A secondary water meter installed to measure
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water that is not discharged into the sanitary sewer system,
including water used for irrigation, pools and other outdoor
uses.
"Eligible customer." A residential customer with a metered
water supply who meets the program requirements as provided
under this section.
"Wastewater utility." A wastewater utility under the
jurisdiction of this Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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