Red Flag Water Usage
Policy Committee April 2, 2024
BETHLEHEM, April 2 – Looking to protect consumers and homeowners from costly bills and early notification of potential water line breaks, the House Majority Policy Committee and hearing host Rep. Jeanne McNeill examined Red Flag Water Usage at Lehigh Valley Health Network. The hearing focused on McNeill’s H.B. 905, which would require municipal authorities or public utility companies to provide notice to utility customers if a property’s water usage has increased by 50% in one month. This legislation would help consumers avoid the nightmare scenario of receiving a mega bill, with payments due and financial penalties awaiting if payments are not made.
- Host: Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh
- Testifiers:
- Mark Will-Weber- Resident, Northampton County
- Kelly Chevalier- Resident, Northampton County
- Liesel Gross- Chief Executive Officer, Lehigh County Authority
- Seth Rolko- Senior Manager of Government Affairs, American Water
Agenda + Testimony
Media Release + News Coverage
- McNeill, Policy Committee explore laws to protect consumers, flag water leaks, April 2, 2024
- Lehigh Valley News, McNeill's mission: What one water official, customer think of potential high usage legislation, April 2, 2024
- WFMZ, State lawmakers hold hearing in Bethlehem on high water bills, April 2, 2024
- The Valley Ledger, Committee Explores Bill To Protect Consumers, Flag Water Leaks, April 2, 2024
- MyChesCo, Pennsylvania Lawmakers Propose Early Warning System for Water Leaks to Shield Consumers from Skyrocketing Bills, April 3, 2024
Video + Photos