11 Pa.C.S. Ch. 135

in effect

11 Pa.C.S. § 13501.1 Right to furnish water, lighting, electric, gas or other similar utility service.

(a) Authority of city.--A city may supply water, lighting, electric, gas or other similar utility service for public and private uses within the city. For these purposes, a city may install, maintain and operate the necessary facilities and acquire property and make improvements as needed. In carrying out the authority granted by this section, a city may exercise the powers granted to it under this chapter or another law deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, including the power to acquire, by eminent domain or otherwise, and the power to temporarily use or lease property. (b) Rates and charges.--A city supplying water, lighting, electric, gas or other similar utility service may fix the rates and charges applicable to the service in accordance with section 13587 (relating to fixing rates). (c) Incurring debt.--For the purposes of this section, a city may incur debt in accordance with 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. VII Subpt. B (relating to indebtedness and borrowing). Cross References. Section 13501.1 is referred to in section 13540.1 of this title.

11 Pa.C.S. § 13540.1 Power to furnish utilities to consumers outside city.

A city that provides utility service in accordance with section 13501.1 (relating to right to furnish water, lighting, electric, gas or other similar utility service) may provide utility service in a surrounding municipality that is not provided with utility service by another municipality, local or regional public authority or private company, subject to and in accordance with applicable law and the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission with regard to the character of service, extensions and rates.

11 Pa.C.S. § 13585 Payment of cost of extensions.

When an extension of pipes, wires or conduits is made to permit a city to supply water, light, electric, gas or other similar utility service to a portion of the city not previously supplied with the service, an assessment of the cost of the service may be made in accordance with Chapter 145A (relating to assessments for public improvements).

11 Pa.C.S. § 13587 Fixing rates.

Council shall fix, or may delegate to a city department the power to fix, with the approval of council, rates for the use of water, light, electric, gas or other similar utility service, and, in the case of consumers outside the city, the fixing of rates shall be subject to and in accordance with applicable law and the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Cross References. Section 13587 is referred to in section 13501.1 of this title.

11 Pa.C.S. § 13588 Collection of utility charges.

(a) Authority for ordinance.--Council shall provide, by ordinance, for the collection of charges for the use of water, light, electric, gas or other similar utility service that may accrue to the city, fixing the time when the charges are payable and the penalties for nonpayment. The charges shall be assessed to the respective owners of the real estate on which the utility service is used. If the charges are not paid in accordance with the provisions of the ordinance, a claim for the amount due may be filed as a lien and collected in accordance with the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law. (b) Owner liability.-- (1) If a city that has agreed to provide water service through a separate meter and separate service line to a residential dwelling unit in which the owner does not reside, the owner shall be liable to pay the tenant's bill for service rendered to the tenant by the city only if the city notifies the owner and the tenant within 30 days after the bill first becomes overdue. Notification must be provided by first class mail to the address of the owner provided to the city by the owner and to the billing address of the tenant, respectively. (2) This subsection may not be construed to require a city to terminate service to a tenant. An owner shall not be liable for any service which the city provides to the tenant 90 or more days after the tenant's bill first becomes overdue unless the city has been prevented by court order from terminating service to that tenant.

11 Pa.C.S. § 13590 Disposition of revenues.

The revenues derived from the city's furnishing of water, light, electric, gas or other similar utility service shall be applied as follows: (1) to the purposes of the respective departments under the direction of which the utility service is provided; (2) for the reduction of debt related to the provision of the service provided under paragraph (1); and (3) to another city department that provides labor or materials for the maintenance and repair of property or facilities relating to the city's provision of a utility service.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=11Fetched: 10/16/2026