While municipalities may have multiple water suppliers, we have chosen to use the primary water supplier – the treater serving the most households – with which to compare and contrast data such as water rates and percentage (%) of median household income.

There are two parameters shown by color on the map 1) Annual Water Bill and 2) % of Median Household Income.

For this measurement, we are using median household income, often abbreviated as MHI. Median household income is the income amount that divides a population into two equal groups, half having an income above that amount, and half having an income below that amount.

Water rate information was obtained from each supplier’s website (or for suppliers regulated by the Pa. Public Utility Commission, from the approved or proposed tariff) and is current as of August 2021. The rates used to calculate the annual cost of water reflect the usage of a typical residential customer, 4,500 gallons per month. A few suppliers do not post their rates on their websites, so the calculation could not be performed for them.

The median household income in each municipality is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2015-2019) Table S1901 is expressed in 2019 dollars.

The annual water rate divided by median household income provides a basis to compare the water bill burden in each municipality.

The difference from current provider to selected provider was calculated as percent difference in annual water bill. If the difference indicated is a positive/red value, the selected provider would be a higher rate than the current provider. If the difference indicated is a negative/green value, the selected provider would be a lower rate than the current provider.

The compiled data is verifiable and made publicly available through the counties, Pa. Department of Community & Economic Development, the Pa. Public Utility Commission, and the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection.

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (5-year 2015-2019)
Table S1901: INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2019 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS)
Extracted on 5/3/2021

List of Water Authorities: Output from DCED Annual Report database for Municipal Authorities
Select by county, active authority, and providing water service

List of Bucks County water suppliers

List of Chester County water suppliers

List of Montgomery County water suppliers

North Penn Water Authority service area

NAACP’s WATER/COLOR A Study of Race and the Water Affordability Crisis in America’s Cities