If your home or business is served by the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority, be prepared to see a hike in your bill.
As the municipal authority begins a series of multi-million dollar investments in its infrastructure, homeowners can expect to see an initial rate increase of 10 percent over the next three years, according to a BCWSA statement. The rate increase to wholesale customers, the authority said, will be about 16 percent.
“Water and sewer service is not something most think about except when it’s time to pay the bills,” said Ben Jones, BCWSA’s executive director. “The infrastructure required to reliably deliver clean water and drain and treat wastewater can be taken for granted — until it doesn’t work. This is why we must make ongoing investments and ensure that we address issues before they occur.”
The first $155 million will address upgrades and repairs to an aging sewer system, the authority said. Sixty million dollars will be used to upgrade the Neshaminy Interceptor, a large diameter pipe that carries wastewater from Lower Bucks to a Philadelphia treatment plant, said the BCWSA.
Other projects to be funded from the first phase include:
$27.5 million for telescopic inspections of sewer mains, as part of a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice.
$20 million to upgrade and expand the Green Street sewer treatment plant in Doylestown Township.
$15 million for the Lambertville upgrade and expansion.
$15 million for the Quakertown Plant upgrade.
$15 million for the CNB expansion impacting Plumstead, Bedminster, Doylestown Township and New Britain Borough.
$2 million to replace Old Dublin pumps in Doylestown Township
At least two more bonds are expected to be issued within the next five years to fund nearly $200 million in infrastructure improvements, according to the authority.
“Our investments will go beyond just replacing aging pipes and equipment but improve capacities for those we serve, allow for regional growth and create a sustainable future,” Jones said.
In September of 2022, Aqua Pennsylvania wanted to buy the county’s system for $1.1 billion. The proposal outraged residents who decried the privatization effort and the offer was ultimately rejected.
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