Why have sewage rates been going up?

Sewage plants, like McKeesport's, that have combined sewers (sanitary sewage and storm water in the same line) have been mandated by the US EPA to severely limit the amount of water that is redirected to the rivers and creeks during a rain event. This is accomplished in one of two ways; either separate all of the lines into sanitary only and storm water only lines, or expand the treatment facilities to convey and treat the vast majority of the water that enters the combined lines. The second option was determined to be the best, and cheapest, option for facilities here in McKeesport.

The Plan to do this is called the Act 537 Plan and was approved by the PA DEP. Our engineers proceeded to design this project and submitted the design to the DEP last July. Currently the DEP is still reviewing the design. Once the design is approved, hopefully by April or May, the DEP will issue a Part 2 Permit that will allow us to proceed with the project. The construction is expected to take about two years and is estimated to cost around $60 million.

Unfortunately the burden of paying for this project falls on the shoulders of our rate payers. The Authority has been attempting to find grant money to help reduce the cost and will continue to do so. However, even if some grant money is available there will still be an extremely large bill that the Authority must pay.

The Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport has taken great pride over the years in keeping sewage rates among the lowest in Southwest PA. Raising the rates as we have been doing is very frustrating to us because we know the hardship that it places on our rate payers, especially those on fixed incomes. However the grant money that is available for sewage projects does not even come close to the amount needed and no one is getting the amount that they need.

Please be assured that this Authority will not raise your rates any more than is absolutely necessary as it continues to look for county, state and federal grant money.

The drawing posted below is for your review. It shows the various structures and sewer lines that must be built to satisfy the mandate that has been placed upon us.

(click to enlarge)