New Kensington sewage rates to rise; Lower Burrell also considers hike

Lower Burrell residents could see an increase as high as 5% in their sewage bills next year because of a rate increase from the Municipal Sanitary Authority of the City of New Kensington.

The authority, which serves customers in Lower Burrell, Arnold, New Kensington and parts of Plum, is increasing the rate it charges member communities by 1% next year.

The member communities then set the rates their residents pay to cover the cost they are billed by the authority plus whatever expenses they incur to maintain their own sewage lines and equipment.

“New Kensington sewage customers are getting a 1% rate increase,” said Larry Loperfito, authority solicitor. “The other communities (Lower Burrell, Arnold and Plum), we bill them quarterly based on our budget.”

Each community pays the authority a fee based on how much water they use as a percentage of the total usage for the authority’s service area with the 1% increase included, Loperfito said.

“We take the percentage of use based on one year’s worth of water consumption for each community,” Loperfito said. “That percentage of use is a portion of the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant and bond debt.”

According to the authority, the rate hike is required to facilitate sewer line repairs and equipment improvements within New Kensington along with repairs to the sewage treatment plant. The state Department of Environmental Protection has mandated some of the projects.

Plum Borough Municipal Authority Manager Howard Theis said he didn’t anticipate its customers will see an increase next year.

It wasn’t immediately clear if, or how, Arnold ratepayers would be affected.

Lower Burrell will adjust its quarterly sewage rates beginning in 2026 in response to the authority’s increase, said city Manager Greg Primm.

This year, Lower Burrell’s revenue requirement to the authority was $2.177 million, while the 2026 revenue requirement is project at $2.284 million, Primm said.

“The City’s sewage billing structure is designed as a pass-through of the authority’s costs, meaning that any increase imposed by (the authority) must be reflected in customer billing to ensure the city can continue to meet its operation, maintenance and debt service obligations associated with the sewage collection and transmission system,” Primm said.

The impact to Lower Burrell customers is being evaluated, Primm said.

A final recommendation on the city’s sewage rates will be presented during council’s meeting Monday, Nov. 10.

“We understand that even modest rate adjustments can raise concerns for residents,” Primm said. “However, these costs are a direct pass-through from the Municipal Sanitary Authority and are necessary for the city to continue normal operations, maintenance, and debt service requirements. The city remains committed to maintaining responsible fiscal management and transparency in how these essential services are funded.”

For New Kensington residents, the sanitary authority’s rate schedule includes nine meter sizes, from ⅝-inch to 6-inch, each with its own usage minimum.

For a home with a ⅝-inch meter, the minimum rate will increase from $50.05 to $50.55 in 2026 per month for 500 cubic feet; the quarterly cost will increase from $150.15 to $151.65 in 2026 for 1,500 cubic feet.

The rate per 100 cubic feet is $10.11, a 10-cent increase from this year.

The sanitary authority is also increasing its security deposit to $152, a $2 increase from this year.