Water service for the Borough is supplied by the Mercersburg Water Authority. The Authority is required to file annual reports with the Borough. All reports and press releases related to water quality are available online.
Sewer service for the Borough is supplied by the Mercersburg Sewer Authority.
Paying Bills
Bills may be paid using one of the following methods:
- Online* View or Pay your E-bills here
- In-person at the Borough office
- By mail
* Note that if paying online, you will have to register for an e-billing account when you first visit the e-billing page.
Rates
Water
- Water Rates: $16.45 per 1000 Gallons
- Water Quarterly Base User Fee: $23.00
Sewer
- Sewer Rates: $15.77 per 1000 Gallons
- Sewer Quarterly Base User Fee: $27.00
Meters - General Information
Upon initiation of an account the Water Authority assigns a certified/calibrated water meter to the account to record the amount water supplied through the meter for billing purposes. The meters are property of the Water Authority. Access to, and proper care of, the equipment is the responsibility of the Account Owner.
In general, meters are read quarterly to support the quarterly billing cycle by the Public Works Department. The Water usage readings are the basis for the Sewer usage volume. (Typically, these quarterly readings/recordings take place on or near Jan 10, April 10, July 10 and October 10, the exact date may vary based on the calendar.)
Meters will be read at other times to support circumstances such as sale of property, change in account, etc. at the direction of the Borough Manager.
There are a few different types/manufacturers of meters/readers used in the system. A consistent type of equipment would be preferred, but it would be cost prohibitive to replace all meters/readers at once.
Meter - Readings
The Billing System – The usage numbers are entered into the Billing System. The system calculates the difference from the last reading to the current reading. This number represents the amount of water (in gallons) delivered to the account since the previous quarter’s reading.
The billing system then calculates usage to the nearest 1,000 gallons. The system calculates the total charge for water and sewer usage based the current water and sewer rates.
Example:
- Previous Quarter Reading: 100,000
- Current Quarter Reading: 105, 250
- Usage Calculation for the Quarter: 5,250 Gallons
- Nearest 1,000 Gallons: 5,000 Gallons
Apply Water Usage Rate: 5 x 16.45 (per 1,000 gallons) = 82.25*
Apply Sewer Usage Rate: 5 x 15.77 (per 1,000 gallons) = 78.85*
- Quarterly Base User Fees for water and/or sewer are added as applicable. (Not all accounts use both water and sewer. Some accounts use only one of the services.)
Add Water Quarterly Base User Fee : 23.00*
Add Sewer Quarterly Base User Fee : 27.00*
*Current rates are published on the borough website (mercersburg.org) and in the borough office).
In this example the quarterly bill will be:
Water 82.25 + 23.00 = 105.25
Sewer 78.85 + 27.00 = 105.85
Total 211.10
What can I do to check my usage and bill?
The reading/recording and billing process has multiple steps. Even with the utmost care and attention, it is possible for an error to occur at any one of the multiple steps in the process.
Monitor Usage - An account owner can monitor usage at any interval (daily, weekly, quarterly, etc.)
Check Bill – An account owner can monitor usage by recording meter readings on the same timing as the quarterly billing cycles. Calculate the expected bill as in the example above and compare to the bill received by the Water and Sewer Authorities.
Minor Discrepancy - A minor level of discrepancy in usage could be due to the timing of the readings by the account owner and Public Works Team. Please check with Borough office for any concerns.
Larger/Unexplained Discrepancy – Please bring the data you have gathered to the Borough Office for review and evaluation.
Meter - Concerning Usage Increase
If an account has a concerning usage increase there can be a few causes to investigate:
Equipment/Plumbing Change by Account - Investigate any recent changes with equipment or plumbing that uses water. Laundry equipment, dish washers, toilets, showers, pools, irrigation systems, etc. as a possible reason for the increase in usage.
Review past bills and compare usage for the same time of the year to determine if any change or addition of water using equipment could be the cause of the increased usage.
Consider using a certified plumber to assist in this review.
Possible Leak- Investigate any potential leak at account. Most leaks can be very apparent. Some leaks can be very difficult to detect.
Consider using a certified plumber to assist in this investigation.
What can I do to check for difficult to find leaks myself?
Below are steps an account owner can take:
Step 1 – Check and record current meter reading.
Step 2 – Turn off all water using appliances and equipment
Step 3 – At a timed interval (30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.) re-check and record current meter reading.
Step 4 – If there is an increase in usage on the meter record the new/current usage and calculate the amount used.
Step 5 – Repeat the process for a second timed interval If the meter shows an increase again investigate for a potential leak. Consider the use of certified plumber to further investigate.
Investigate
While there could be a leak(s) anywhere in the system there are few common plumbing components that could be likely suspects.
Hose connections – Inspect valve, connections, pipes internal and external to the building, check any underground/buried plumbing associated with the connection. Check for water pooling around hose connection.
Faucet – Check for dripping faucets. A leaky faucet that drips approximately 30 drops per minute can waste 2.9 gallons per day. (1,042 gallons per year). Where does this water go? Into the sewer system.
Toilets – Checking for leaking in and around a toilet. There are many components associated with a toilet that can leak, one of the most common is a slow leakage of water from the tank into the bowl. As water leaks out of the tank into the bowl the toilet automatically refills the tank to the set level. Because there is no noticeable leak outside the toilet this can go undetected for an extended period of time.
A toilet tank-to-bowl leak can waste 200 gallons of water per day (6,000 gallons per month). That could be 18,000 gallons per quarter (or at our current rates, a $296 impact to a quarterly bill). Where does this water go? Into the sewer system.
Toilet Tank-to-Bowl Leaks
The most likely culprit in a leak of water from the tank into the bowl is a worn or cracked flapper (Approximate cost of this plumbing component is $15.00).
How to check:
Listen – Water can be heard running to refill the tank. After a flush the water can be heard running to refill the tank. The water shuts off when it reaches a set level. If there is a gradual leak from the tank into the bowl the water can be heard running again to bring the water back to the set level in the tank.
A leak can be hard to detect with the “Listen” method over time. Often the occupant moves to other areas of the house or leaves for work, school, etc. and the intermittent refilling of the tank after a gradual leak may not be heard/detected by the occupant.
Look – A gradual leak from the tank into the bowl can sometimes be observed as water trickling down the insides of the bowl.
Dye Test – After a flush and when the water in the tank has refilled to the set level. Add a few drops of food coloring in the tank. It will depend on the extent of the problem; it can take a few seconds or several minutes for the dyed tank water to leak into the bowl. If you see dye in the bowl it is likely the flapper is no longer sealing off the tank after a flush and needs to be repaired. It is recommended an account owner consider the use a certified plumber if needed to make this repair.
How much water loss can a small opening or hole cause?
A continuous leak at 60 psi from a stream size can result in the corresponding water loss:
Diameter of a Leak Stream
- 1/4" potential loss of water could result in 393,833 gallons per month or 1,181,500 gallons per quarter
- 3/16" potential loss of water could result in 222,000 gallons per month or 666,000 gallons per quarter
- 1/8" potential loss of water could result in 98,667 gallons per month or 296,000 gallons per quarter
- 1/16" potential loss of water could result in 24,667 gallons per month or 74,000 gallons per quarter
Meter/Account Dispute
If an account owner feels the meter reading/bill usage is inaccurate (higher than expected) the following steps are to be followed:
Step 1 – Account Owner Notify Borough Office
Notify the Borough Office with the billing amount/water usage amount. A Meter Dispute Form (located under the Document Collection under Application Forms on the website) will be opened with the account owner to track the issue.
A work order will be issued for the Public Works Department to take another meter reading.
Step 2 – Public Works Department/Borough Staff Evaluate
Review by Public Works Department and Borough Staff to determine the likely issue.
- Administrative/Clerical Error
- Suspected Meter Error
- Suspected Leak
Administrative/Clerical Error
Resolution/Closure - If it is found that an administrative error has occurred. The billing system data will be revised and a new bill for the account will be generated.
Resolution and Closure of the following Issues require Approval by the Sitting Authority:
Suspected Meter Error (1)
The following will require account owner permission to access the account’s meter:
If the inspection finds the meter may be defective it will be pulled and replaced. The account’s pulled meter will be sent to a 3rd party for verification/certification. If it is determined the meter is defective it will be replaced permanently.
Resolution/Closure - The account bill and meter history will be reviewed at the next scheduled public Water Authority meeting to decide on further action(s) close out the issue.
Suspected Meter Error (2)
The following will require account owner permission to access the account’s meter:
If the meter determined to be in good working order the account owner may request a 3rd party verification/certification at the account owner’s expense. If it is determined the meter is defective it will be replaced permanently with no cost assigned to the account owner.
Resolution/Closure - The account bill and meter history will be reviewed at the next scheduled public Water Authority meeting to decide on further action(s) close out the issue.
Resolution and Closure of the following Issues require Approval by the Sitting Authority:
Suspected Leak
If the account owner determines a leak has caused excessive water use. Account owner will present pertinent details, history and information to the Water Authority at a scheduled public Water Authority meeting to decide on further action(s) close out the issue.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Account Owner must contact the Borough Office 72 hours prior (3 business days) to the date of the meeting to be included on the formal agenda for this public meeting.
NO TRESPASSING
Mercersburg Water Authority would like to remind surrounding residents that Water Authority property at the Buchanan State Park is posted NO TRESSPASSING, No one is permitted on Water Authority Property, including hunting and hiking. For additional information please contact the Borough Office 113 S Main Street Mercersburg 717-328-3116