WHY DID CUMRU TOWNSHIP’S SEWER RATE GO UP?
For the past 3 years, Cumru Township’s sewer rate has remained stable and has provided enough funding for treatment costs, maintenance of the system, and sewer main replacement projects. However, in order to continue these activities throughout the Township’s extensive sewer system, additional funds are required. The sewer rate has been increased for the first time in 3 years in order to compensate for a recent 12.5% increase in treatment costs by the City of Reading treatment plant and to provide capital funds for continuing to replace sewer mains, which will ultimately benefit all sewer customers and the environment.
With respect to sewer main replacement projects, it is important to recognize that the majority of Cumru Township’s sewer system was constructed with materials from the 1950s and 1960s, such as clay pipe, which deteriorates over time. Such an aged, outdated sewer system allows for a great deal of infiltration and inflow of rainwater and groundwater (also known as “I&I”) into the collection system as a whole. In other words, rainwater and groundwater leak into sewer pipes, especially old systems like Cumru’s. When rainwater and groundwater I&I gets to the treatment plant, the treatment plant charges the Township for this additional flow. The billing rate to Cumru customers includes the cost of treating rainwater/groundwater I&I, in addition to the cost of treating household sewer flows and maintaining the system. The cost of treatment increased 12.5% this year.
Too much I&I can result in sewer system overflows during rainstorms which contaminates nearby streams. In addition to being a burden on the treatment plant, which is passed on to the Township, I&I is the subject of PA Department of Environmental Protection regulations which require sewer systems to reduce I&I and prevent overflows.
Over the past several years, Cumru Township has identified sewer mains that are significant sources of I&I and replaced several of them. It is estimated that, since 2021, sewer main replacements have saved over $800,000 in treatment costs. The new mains will continue to save I&I costs in their specific areas. In order to reduce I&I in other areas of the Township, additional capital funds are required. The primary source of funding for these sewer main projects, as well as payment of the 12.5% increase in treatment cost by the City of Reading, is the sewer rate.
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