Water Rate Increase
Following an increase in rates by our supplier, the City of Bethlehem, the Authority has found it necessary to increase water rates to our customers by 7% effective for water service provided after January 1, 2012.
This increase is made necessary by an increase in charges by our supplier, the City of Bethlehem, that is going into effect January 1. The net effect of those changes will be to increase the cost of finished water supplied to the Authority by some 6.4%
A typical residential customer with a 5/8-inch meter and using 15,000 gallons of water over 3 months will see an increase in their quarterly bill of $7.75, or approximately 8.5 cents a day.
The first billing reflecting the new rate structure will occur in the bills received in the first week in May, for the usage period from January - March.
The Authority is continuing its strategic focus on replacing and upgrading key infrastructure. In 2011 we replaced 1000 feet of 1940’s vintage water main on Walter Street in the Wydnor area. In 2012, we plan to run a new water main along Rader’s Lane to connect Glenview Avenue to Hickory Hill Road.
A letter was mailed to our water customers on December 23.
Sewer Rates remain at the $80 per quarter Residential rate (since 01-01-10).
A complete schedule of rates for all classes of service is listed under Rate Information.
Consumer Confidence Report for 2010
The Consumer Confidence Report for calendar year 2010 is available online by clicking here, or the CCR Report link on the home page. Copies were mailed to Authority water customers on June 15, 2011. Extra copies are available at the office.
Walter Street Main Replacement Project - 2011
We replaced some 1100 feet of 1940-1950's vintage 2-inch galvanized water main with 4-inch Double-Cement-Lined Ductile Iron Pipe on Walter Street in the Wydnor area, in May and June. The piping that was replaced is highlighted in the aerial photo below.
This project is part of the Authority's ongoing focus on replacing a portion of aging infrastructure each year. Main on McCloskey and a section of Walter Avenue to the west were replaced two years ago.
Walter & Strauss - Construction Start - May 16
Hydrant Flushing Program
Sewer Camera / Inflow & Infiltration / Sump Pumps
The Authority purchased a Pearpoint P350 Sewer Camera this spring to allow inspection of the sanitary sewer mains and identify places where groundwater is getting into the underground sanitary sewer system through broken cleanouts, damaged joints, etc. It will also identify illegal sump pump connections.
Residents are encouraged to check to make sure sump pumps are not connected to the sanitary mains as this can cause serious problems throughout the system, including the potential for sewer backups, overflows and operational problems at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Similarly, if a cleanout is broken, has no cap, or is in the yard draining a low spot, it is contributing to the problem. During a heavy rain we can see flows in the system increase, at times significantly. The Authority and it's customers has to pay for this water to run through the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant on Shimersville Road.
Residents can help the Authority and the City control treatment and operational costs by having broken cleanouts repaired and redirecting basement sump pump discharges into their yard area.
Basement sump pumps should be connected so as to discharge into an appropriate part of the yard. For further information, see the Sanitary Sewer Facts / Brochure pages on this website, contact the Authority at 610-317-3212 or e-mail us at administrator@lowersauconauthority.org We will come out and work with you to identify problems and corrective actions.
This activity is part of an overall plan to reduce surface and groundwater inflow and infiltration into the sewer system, much of which comes from broken cleanouts in customer's yards and illegal sump pump connections.
Sump Pump Hookup
P350 Sewer Camera