Politics & Government

18% Higher Sewer Rate Proposed

A public hearing is set for May 16.

More than seven months later, Hurricane Irene is still causing problems in Lower Merion, as a historically wet 2011 is likely to necessitate a higher sewer rate in 2012.

The roughly 16,000 township customers whose sewage is diverted to Philadelphia for treatment used 9 percent less water in 2011, CFO Dean Dortone told the Board of Commissioners at Wednesday night's meeting.

Each annual sewer fee is calculated on the previous year's consumption. Only $6.8 million in 2012 revenue is projected, against $7.7 million in expenses, if the rate doesn't increase from last year's $3.82 per 1,000 gallons.

Find out what's happening in Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To raise another $1.2 million—offsetting the deficit and also restoring the reserve fund from $400,000 to $800,000—the township would need to raise the average rate from $3.82 to $4.51, an 18 percent increase, Dortone said.

The average customer used roughly 100,000 gallons of water in 2011, at an annual sewer rate cost of $382, which would increase by $69 to $451 under the proposed new rate.

Find out what's happening in Ardmore-Merion-Wynnewoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Haverford, Radnor, Marple and Newtown all have sewer rates ranging from $4.50 to just under $6, Dortone said.

A public hearing is scheduled for May 16 at the township building. Sewer bills, regardless of the rate, are set to start mailing May 31, Dortone said.


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