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Bill 251021

Amending Chapter 19-1600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Water and Sewer Rents,” by revising income eligibility standards for rate discounts and installment payment agreements, all under certain terms and conditions.

Introduced Nov 20, 2025Committee on Transportation and Public UtilitiesOfficial record: City of Philadelphia via Legistar

Introduced by

Councilmember GauthierCouncilmember GauthierCouncilmember PhillipsCouncilmember PhillipsCouncilmember LandauCouncilmember LandauCouncilmember LozadaCouncilmember LozadaCouncilmember BrooksCouncilmember BrooksCouncilmember HarrityCouncilmember HarrityCouncilmember O'RourkeCouncilmember O'RourkeCouncilmember DriscollCouncilmember DriscollCouncilmember SquillaCouncilmember Squilla

How members voted

  1. Vote on Jun 11, 2026 · CITY COUNCIL

    Aye (17)

    Councilmember BassCouncilmember BrooksCouncilmember DriscollCouncilmember GauthierCouncilmember Gilmore RichardsonCouncilmember HarrityCouncilmember JonesCouncilmember LozadaCouncilmember O'NeillCouncilmember PhillipsCouncilmember SquillaCouncilmember ThomasCouncilmember AhmadCouncilmember LandauCouncilmember O'RourkeCouncilmember YoungCouncil President Johnson

From the floor

Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.

  1. “Aye. The ayes are and 16 the nays are 0. Majority of all 17 members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Chief Clerk, please read the title of Bill No. 251021.”

    Council President Johnson · Stated Meeting, June 11, 2026 · Jun 11, 2026 · official transcript, this passage

  2. “The Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities, to which were referred the following bills: Bill 18 No. 251020, an ordinance amending Section 19-1604 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Charges Where Water Meter Has Become Defective," by authorizing the reduction of customer water bills due to defective or inaccurate water meters, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 251021 as amended, an ordinance amen…”

    Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, June 4, 2026 · Jun 4, 2026 · official transcript, this passage

Status timeline

  1. Nov 20, 2025Introduced and Referred · CITY COUNCIL
  2. Jun 2, 2026HEARING NOTICES SENT · Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities
  3. Jun 2, 2026HEARING HELD · Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities
  4. Jun 2, 2026AMENDED · Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities
  5. Jun 2, 2026REPORTED FAVORABLY, RULE SUSPENSION REQUESTED · Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities
  6. Jun 4, 2026SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL · CITY COUNCIL
  7. Jun 4, 2026ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR · CITY COUNCIL
  8. Jun 4, 2026READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR · CITY COUNCIL
  9. Jun 11, 2026READ AND PASSED · CITY COUNCIL

Official documents

Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.

Full text

Read the full text as published

..Title Amending Chapter 19-1600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Water and Sewer Rents," by revising income eligibility standards for rate discounts and installment payment agreements, all under certain terms and conditions. ..Body THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Chapter 19-1600 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows: CHAPTER 1600. WATER AND SEWER RENTS. * * * �19-1605. Limitation on Action to Enforce Collection; Income-Based Water Rate Assistance Program. * * * (3) The IWRAP program is authorized under the following terms and conditions: (a) Monthly IWRAP bills shall be affordable for low-income households, based on a percentage of the household's income and a schedule of different percentage rates for (i) households with income up to fifty percent (50%) of FPL, (ii) households with income from fifty percent (50%) to one hundred percent (100%) of FPL, and (iii) households with income from one hundred percent (100%) to [one hundred fifty] two hundred percent ([150]200%) of FPL, and shall be charged in lieu of the Department's service, usage, and stormwater charges. That goal shall be achieved through a discount on generally-applicable residential rates or other bill calculation mechanism based upon each Customer's actual income and, if practicable, historical usage, in a manner consistent with applicable federal law. The percentage of income limitations to be imposed at each level by the first sentence shall be determined by the Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board, which also shall have discretion to establish more, but not fewer, Low-Income tiers. Bills issued pursuant to this IWRAP program shall be deemed to comply with Philadelphia Code subsection 13-101(4)(d). The Department shall have discretion to offer more favorable terms than the standard rates upon an individualized finding of Special Hardship. Historical usage shall not include significant usage attributable to leaks or activities not customary to a residential setting. * * * (h.2) Earned forgiveness. Earned forgiveness of arrearages shall be available under such terms and conditions as are adopted by regulation. Customers with household income from [one hundred] [fifty] two hundred percent ([150]200%) to [two hundred fifty] three hundred percent ([250]300%) of FPL, shall be offered payment plans that result in a total bill - including arrearages - that is affordable. * * * SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall go into effect on the effective date of new Water Department base rates and charges established by the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board after January 1, 2027. Explanation: [Brackets] indicate matter deleted. Italics indicate new matter added. ..End 2