PUCO issues order on Aqua Ohio water and wastewater rate increase application 

COLUMBUS, OHIO (June 10, 2026) – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) issued an order setting new rates for Aqua Ohio Water and Aqua Ohio Wastewater.  

Aqua Ohio is permitted to set water service rates that will increase its annual revenues by approximately $9.5 million; Aqua Ohio Wastewater is permitted to set rates for sewer service that will increase its annual revenues by approximately $1.04 million. 

The Commission rejected a proposed increase to the fixed customer charge for water service, which will remain unchanged. An average residential customer will experience a monthly water bill increase of approximately $9-$15 depending on service territory. 

Service territories where rates are set by local government ordinance rather than the PUCO are not impacted by yesterdays’s decision. 

The utility is directed to filed revised tariffs and notify customers within 30 days of the effective date. 

Case backgrounds 

Aqua Ohio filed an application on June 30, 2025, seeking to increase its annual revenues for water service in applicable service areas by $13.4 million, or 16.4% over current revenues.  Aqua Ohio serves approximately 154,000 customers across Ohio. 

Aqua Ohio Wastewater’s application sought to increase its annual revenues for sewer service in applicable service areas by approximately $1.2 million, or 29.7% over current revenues.  Aqua Ohio Wastewater serves approximately 12,000 customers across Ohio. 

In its applications, the utilities state their current revenues are insufficient to recover the costs of providing service, noting it has made significant improvements needed to maintain service reliability, fire protection, water quality and compliance with federal and state regulations. 

Learn more about the rate case process on the PUCO website.   

Yesterday’s opinion and order can be found on the PUCO website at PUCO.ohio.gov. Click on the link to “Docketing Information System” and search for cases 25-593-ST-AIR and 25-594-WW-AIR.