2012 Rates AnnouncedOctober 3, 2011
On Wednesday, September 28, 2011 the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority (WMWA) and Williamsport Sanitary Authority (WSA) Board of Directors adopted resolutions establishing Water and Sanitary rates effective January 1, 2012 as follows:
WMWA: $4.95 per thousand gallons billed
WSA: $10.60 per thousand gallons billed
The implementation of these rates will result in an increase to the average residential consumer* of approximately $2.60 per quarter for water service (3 cents per day), and $27.95 per quarter for sanitary service (31 cents per day).
The Williamsport Municipal Water Authority rate increase is necessary to meet increasing costs and the need for increased funding for infrastructure upgrades. The WMWA continues to strive for greater efficiencies and pursue long-term growth opportunities as a means to finance these additional expenditures, however overall water consumption has not risen discernably despite the localized growth this area is undergoing. Even with the announced increase, water rates for customers of the WMWA remain low when compared to many communities in the area and across the State, and the Authority will continue its goal of providing the highest service and reliability levels at the lowest possible cost.
The Williamsport Sanitary Authority rate increase is a result of the additional debt incurred over the past 12 months to fully fund the collection system and treatment plant upgrades required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's wet weather mandates. During this time period, one bond issue and two low interest loans have been obtained, totaling over 69 million dollars. The WSA has been disappointed by the lack of grant funding available for this compliance program, and must increase rates to have funding in place for the additional loan and bond payments that are required.
*Increases shown are based on an average residential consumer water meter reading of 13,000 gallons per quarter.
