Aspinwall inks new 10-year deal for water from Fox Chapel Water Authority

Aspinwall officials recently inked a new 10-year deal with Fox Chapel Water Authority to supply water to the borough.

Borough Manager Melissa O’Malley said the authority’s prices have increased from $5.86 per 1,000 gallons to $6.36 per 1,000 gallons.

That cost is locked in for the length of the contract.

The borough buys water from the authority and then bills residents.

“The borough is happy to continue working with Fox Chapel Water Authority,” O’Malley said. “We have been a customer with them since 2003 when our water department was decommissioned.”

There are no current plans to raise rates, which are set as part of Aspinwall’s annual budget.

The current rate for residents is $13.98 per 1,000 gallons. Price includes the cost of water, plus infrastructure maintenance and water testing.

“Having long-term, predictable rates benefits all parties involved, including the end-user — our residents,” Councilwoman Lara Voytko said. “It allows us to plan for budgeting purposes and any needed infrastructure enhancements.”

Aspinwall purchases bulk water from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to supply the lower portion of Aspinwall and the Fox Chapel Water Authority supplies water to the upper portion of the borough. Its lower section is served by the PWSA, also known as Pittsburgh Water.

Voytko said all residents pay the same rate regardless of where they live in town.

”Theoretically, we could purchase water from PWSA for Upper Aspinwall, but that scenario requires expensive infrastructure projects such as building a new pump station,” Voytko said. “As the chair of infrastructure, I consider updating water lines and adding water line valves to isolate breaks a better use of valuable tax dollars.”

Council approved the FCWA agreement via a 6-0 vote on July 9. Council Vice President Heth Turnquist was absent.

Fox Chapel Water Authority officials did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment.