The Utilities Committee met last night to discuss a possible change in the sewer portion of the quarterly sewer/refuse bill residents receive.
Currently, the billing is based on the total charge the borough receives, which is then equally divided among all residences and businesses.
It hasn’t been a fair method of billing for those who are low contributors to the sewer and use less water than high end users. Some homeowners in the borough have been renting out rooms, or have extended families living in their homes, resulting in a higher borough bill, but that increase of water put into the sewer system isn’t reflected on an individual basis.
The new plan, if presented and approved by Council would revamp the billing system and use a “Service Fee” on the sewer portion of the quarterly bill residents receive, but would also lower the cost of each unit of water a resident uses.
The estimate of charges presented at last nights meeting would be a $52 service fee, plus $1.60 for each unit of water used. The breakeven point, in comparison to the current method of billing ($82 for the sewer portion) would be 20 units of water, under the new plan.
Use less than 20 units per quarter and your bill will be lower. Use more, and your bill will be higher.
These estimates may change by the time it arrives to Council, as different rates for commercial users may affect the computations for residential uses. Commercial rates are still being investigated.
Should such a proposed plan be approved by Council it would have to be done as an ordinance. Any changes to the service fee each year, if increased or decreased, would require a new ordinance to be advertised and voted on.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
