TRAFFORD BOROUGH SEWAGE DEPARTMENT

UNDERSTANDING MY SEWAGE BILL

There are three components to your sewage bill.  Here is a brief explanation of each.

Consumption Charge: This is your actual charges from Alcosan. 

The current rate is $3.77 / 1000 Gallon with a 6000 Gallon minimum. The minimum charge (even with no usage) is $22.62.

Maintenance Charge: This is charged by the Borough of Trafford for MAINTENANCE of the sanitary sewer system.  Federal mandates set forth by the EPA require the Borough to repair the deficiencies in the sewage system. Even after the mandates are met, the system will need to remain in compliance.  This means that no storm water will be allowed to infiltrate the sanitary system. 

The current rate is $2.98 / 1000 Gallon with a 6000 Gallon minimum. The minimum this charge will be (even with no usage) is $17.88.

Service Charge: This amount is necessary to pay for the costs of administrating the billing, collection, and posting of accounts. 

This charge will be a flat amount. Currently it is set at $8.00.

*The current minimum quarterly bill = $22.62 + $17.88 + $8.00 = $48.50

HOW DO I CORRELATE MY SEWAGE BILL TO MY WATER BILL?

Your sewage bill is always generated from the PREVIOUS water bill. When you get your sewage bill, you will see a consumption amount. This is the amount of water usage in gallons from your previous water bill. Your sewage bill always shows usage in gallons. Sometimes, the water company shows it in CCF. If your water bill is in CCF units, multiply that amount by 100 and then by 7.48 to get gallons.

Once you know your consumption in gallons, you can calculate your sewage bill. If the consumption amount is less than 6,000, your bill will be the current minimum charge. If it is above 6,000 gallons, you would multiply that number by the rate amount of the consumption and maintenance components. You would then add those component totals together and add the service charge. This should equal your bill. If you have trouble calculating your bill or believe it to be in error, please call (412) 372-7652 and ask for assistance.

WILL THIS FEE EVER GO AWAY?

Go away?  No.  Go down?  Probably, Once the mandates are completed, there is a strong possibility of charge reduction to the maintenance fee.

REMEMBER, YOUR SEWAGE BILL IS ALWAYS COMPUTED FROM YOUR PREVIOUS WATER BILL. EVEN IF YOU TURN OFF YOUR WATER, YOU WILL PROBABLY GET AT LEAST ONE MORE SEWAGE BILL. THIS IS NORMAL.

REMEMBER, FAILURE TO PAY SEWAGE WILL RESULT IN WATER SERVICE SHUT OFF.