New Kensington authority increasing sewage rates; water cost not changing

New Kensington residents aren’t going to pay more for the water coming into their homes next year, but they’ll pay more for it going out.

While the Municipal Authority of New Kensington won’t be changing the cost of water in 2022, the Municipal Sanitary Authority of the City of New Kensington is increasing its rates by about 2.7%.

The sanitary authority’s new rates take effect Jan. 1. The increase follows a 2% increase for 2021, a 2.5% increase for 2020, and a 3.6% increase for 2019.

From 2018 to 2022, the rates have gone up just over 11%.

In a legal ad, the sanitary authority said the latest increase is needed for sewer line repairs, equipment improvements and repairs to the sewage treatment plant. It notes that the state Department of Environmental Protection is requiring some of the projects.

Calls to the authority for comment were directed to its solicitor, Larry Loperfito, whose office said he was unavailable.

The sanitary authority’s rate schedule includes nine meter sizes, from 5/8 inch to 6 inch, each with its own usage minimum.

For a home with a 5/8-inch meter, the minimum rate will increase from $47.90 per month in 2021 to $49.20 in 2022 for 500 cubic feet; the quarterly cost will increase from $143.70 to $147.60 for 1,500 cubic feet.

The rate per 100 cubic feet is increasing from $9.58 to $9.84.

The sanitary authority is also increasing its security deposit, from $145 to $150. It has gone up every year since 2018, when it was $135.

In addition to New Kensington, the sanitary authority serves customers in Arnold, Lower Burrell and part of Plum.

The legal notice specifies that the rate increase applies to “customers in New Kensington.”

Water rates unchanged

The water authority last increased its rates, by 12%, for 2019, manager James Matta said. No increase is contained in the authority’s projected budget for 2022, which he said will get a final approval in December.

An average home using 1,500 cubic feet of water would continue to pay $93.75 per quarter (every three months).

“Our revenues exceed our expenses,” Matta said. “We’re able to do all the necessary capital expenses we need to do.”

A $1.8 million grant the authority received in April will pay for replacing 326 lead service lines in Arnold and New Kensington, Matta said.

That work is expected to begin soon, as materials become available.

In addition to New Kensington, the water authority serves Arnold, Lower Burrell, Upper Burrell, Allegheny Township and parts of Washington Township and Plum.