08/20/2026
Important Message from Fox Chapel Water Authority
FCA contests massive Pittsburgh Water rate increase
Fox Chapel Authority (FCA) is working vigorously to protect its customers and bulk purchasers from excessive water rates that Pittsburgh Water seeks to impose unilaterally. This increase would lead FCA to pay rates two-and-a-half times higher than the early agreed upon 2026 rates. Fox Chapel Authority is opposing this massive rate hike in legal proceedings and in the public arena.
The FCA water supply contract with Pittsburgh Water was established in 1995 and has been maintained without any disputes for over 30 years. Recently, PW claimed that the contract had expired and imposed a new rate structure, which includes a 141% increase in volume usage charges, along with surcharges for Distribution and Pennsylvania Penn Vest Loans. FCA maintains that the original contract remains in effect, as there has been no formal notice of termination from either party. The contract explicitly states that it continues automatically until properly terminated according to the specified terms. FCA asserts that PW’s unilateral rate increase is unjust, illegal, and outside the contractual scope.
As of February 2026, FCA was notified of a 10.1% rate increase, which the Authority accepted as consistent with the existing contract. However, the PW rate hike (141%) effective June 1, 2026, is regarded by FCA as unwarranted and outside the terms of the current agreement. FCA emphasizes its contractual rights, and disputes PW’s unilateral actions, asserting that these are outside the binding agreement.
The Fox Chapel Authority (FCA) is confirming information to its service area regarding contractual relationships, and recent rate increase disputes involving Pittsburgh Water (PW). FCA serves 18,500 people which includes 5,500 accounts in the communities of Fox Chapel, Blawnox, portions of Harmar, Indiana, O’Hara and Aspinwall, with the largest customer base located in O’Hara. Key commercial clients include HJ Heinz VA Medical Center, and Vitro Glass. FCA also supplies bulk water to Aspinwall and Blawnox. FCA recognizes that these increases can cause significant duress within households and the overall communities due to the substantial change.
FCA remains committed to protecting its customers by asserting its contractual rights and will continue to evaluate all options to resolve this matter fairly and lawfully.
For further information, please contact
Andrea Lehman, Chair FCA Board
Ryan Verbanic, FCA Manager
255 Alpha Drive
Pittsburgh PA
412-963-0212
[email protected]
