08/20/2026
Sanitary Sewer Rate FAQ
We understand the increase in sanitary sewer rates has generated questions and concerns. Residents deserve clear, factual information about why the increase was necessary, where sewer funds go, and what the Township has done to control costs.
Why did sanitary sewer rates increase?
For many years, sanitary sewer rates did not keep pace with the actual cost of operating and maintaining the system.
Township staff annually addressed this issue with budget recommendations and presented information regarding the need for rate adjustments. Previous elected Township officials chose not to increase rates sufficiently at that time. Meanwhile, inflation and operating costs continued to rise.
Fuel, electricity, treatment costs, equipment, materials, labor, contracted services, repairs and construction all cost considerably more today. The sanitary sewer system is not immune to those increases.
The result was a growing gap between what the system collected and what it actually cost to operate.
The current elected Township officials were faced with that financial reality and made the difficult decision to address it rather than continue passing the problem along. While increasing rates is not a popular decision, continuing to delay action would only make the financial problem larger and ultimately more expensive to correct.
This decision was made for the long-term financial health and stability of the sanitary sewer system and the Township.
Why wasn't the rate increased gradually over the years?
That would have been preferable.
Smaller adjustments over time that accounted for inflation and increasing operating costs could have reduced the need for such a significant correction today.
Township staff annually addressed this issue with budget recommendations, but the necessary adjustments were not made. Costs continued increasing even though rates did not keep pace.
The current elected officials cannot change past decisions. What they can do and what they have chosen to do is address the problem now and establish a more responsible approach going forward.
Rates will be reviewed regularly so elected officials can respond to changing costs rather than allowing another large financial imbalance to develop over many years.
Why not cut Township spending instead?
The Township has. Significantly.
In 2020, Public Works, Parks and Sewer had a combined 41 full- and part-time employees. In 2022, that number was 32. Today, in 2026, those departments operate with 24 full- and part-time employees which is approximately a 41% reduction since 2020.
For example, the Township also closed the Parks operations center at 3600 Hartley Avenue as an active facility and consolidated Parks employees into the Public Works facility, reducing utility and operating expenses while making better use of a more modern and energy-efficient building.
These are meaningful reductions. They were made while the cost of virtually everything the Township purchases, from fuel and electricity to equipment, materials, treatment and construction continued to increase.
Rate increases were not the Township's first response to rising costs. Internal reductions and consolidation came first.
Can't the Township use money from somewhere else instead?
No. Township finances are not one large checking account.
Different funds have different revenue sources and purposes, and many are legally restricted in how they can be spent.
Sanitary sewer revenues support the sanitary sewer system. Stormwater revenues support the stormwater program. General Township revenues support general governmental operations. Other dedicated funds must be used for their designated purposes.
For example, sanitary sewer money cannot simply be taken from the sewer fund to build a new police station. Likewise, stormwater funds cannot simply be redirected to pay unrelated Township expenses.
This is why comparing a sewer rate increase with an unrelated Township project or expenditure does not provide an accurate picture of how municipal finances work.
Why don't warehouses, apartments and new developments pay more?
Developments, warehouses, apartments and commercial properties do pay sanitary sewer fees under the same established rate structure applicable to Township sewer customers, based on their applicable usage and classification.
New development creates additional customers and additional sewer revenue. However, more customers also increase the amount of sewage the system must convey and treat. Growth can also create additional demands on infrastructure, maintenance, capacity and future capital improvements.
More customers therefore do not automatically mean lower rates. Additional customers bring additional revenue, but they also bring additional costs and demands on the sewer system.
What about seniors and residents on fixed incomes?
The Township recognizes that rising costs affect household budgets and can be particularly difficult for seniors and residents living on fixed incomes. Those concerns are taken seriously and residents are always considered when financial decisions are made.
However, the Township does not have the option to simply charge individual sanitary sewer customers less based upon their personal financial circumstances. The rate structure must be administered consistently and in accordance with applicable requirements.
That does not mean the financial impact on residents is being ignored. It is one of the reasons the Township worked to control internal expenses before approving an increase.
Unfortunately, reducing the rate for one group does not eliminate the cost of operating the sewer system. Those costs would still need to be funded.
Are more increases coming?
Inflation and rising cost are a reality for all of us, our goal is to avoid allowing another large correction like this to become necessary.
Going forward, rates will be reviewed regularly against actual operating expenses, inflation, infrastructure needs and system revenues.
Regular review allows smaller adjustments to be considered when warranted instead of allowing costs and revenues to become significantly disconnected over many years.
What is the Township doing differently going forward?
Changes have already been made.
Staffing has been substantially reduced. Facilities have been consolidated. Operating expenses have been scrutinized. The sewer rate structure is being brought back in line with the actual cost of providing the service, and rates will be reviewed regularly going forward.
The easier decision would have been to continue postponing the problem. The responsible decision was to address it.
We know that does not make an increase easier for residents. But elected Township officials have a responsibility not only to consider today's bill, but also to ensure the Township's essential infrastructure and services remain financially sustainable for the years ahead.
This was not a knee-jerk decision, and it was not made lightly. Although it may not be a popular decision, it was a necessary one to correct a long-standing financial imbalance and protect the future health and stability of the sanitary sewer system.
If you have questions, please call 610-253-7191 or email [email protected].
