Bell Township, PA – The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) has announced an impending rate adjustment for its drinking water services, slated to take effect on April 1, 2024. This adjustment will reflect in the quarterly billing for the authority’s extensive customer base across a five-county region. Conservation at one of MAWC’s systems has led to reduction of water being treated; 17 million gallons per day down from the usual 21-24 million gallons a day from the Beaver Run System.
Understanding the New Rates
MAWC’s latest announcement details a rate increase for its drinking water customers. Effective from the start of the next fiscal quarter, customers with a 5/8 meter consuming up to 3000 gallons will see their quarterly bill rise from $61.79 to $67.50. Additionally, usage beyond the 3000-gallon threshold will incur charges at an adjusted rate of $9.40 per thousand gallons, applicable for the first 237,000 gallons each quarter.
A notable introduction in this rate revision is the Capital Improvement Surcharge. This is a quarterly surcharge of $1.00 levied on every water customer, supplementing the standard quarterly minimum and excess consumption charges. This surcharge underlines MAWC’s commitment to continuous improvement and infrastructure enhancement.
Serving a Broad Community
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County plays a pivotal role in the daily lives of local residents, providing essential services to over 120,000 drinking water customers and approximately 25,000 wastewater customers across a five-county region.
Facilities and Infrastructure at a Glance
MAWC operates three major drinking water treatment plants, capable of collectively producing over 70 million gallons of water daily. These facilities, namely George R. Sweeney in Bell Township, McKeesport in Allegheny County, and Indian Creek in Dunbar Township, have all undergone recent updates to enhance their service capacity and efficiency.
Extensive Network:
The authority’s operational network is vast and intricate, comprising 2,400 miles of water transmission lines, 8,300 hydrants, 67 water storage tanks with a total capacity of 107 million gallons, 48 pumping stations, and 95 pressure regulators.
Facility Spotlight
George R. Sweeney (Bell Twp., Westmoreland Co.) – Opened in 1996 with a capacity of 24 million gallons per day (mgd).
McKeesport (Allegheny Co.) – Operational since 1990, with a 10 mgd capacity.
Indian Creek (Dunbar Twp., Fayette Co.) – Established in 1973 and expanded in 1979, with a combined capacity of 65 mgd.
