Sandy Lake Borough residents soon to see water rate increase
Residents in the Sandy Lake Borough in Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania will soon see water rate increases due to a city infrastructure project the borough will be undertaking.
According to the borough, residents will see a 24.2% increase in water rates. The original rate was $47.50 a month and will increase to $59 a month.
The borough says that an additional increase is possible - a possible $35 increase spread out over the course of 30 years on top of the $59 a month.
The 24.2% increase is set to take effect starting July.
Funding for this project came from two sources: a grant for $6.87 million and a loan for roughly $4 million.
The infrastructure project is aiming to replace bad water lines, lead lines, fire hydrants, add service lines to home that signed an agreement and add in a metered system.
If homeowners agree to have a service line added to their home, the city would be responsible for repairing any breaks or issues over the course of the 30-year loan period.
After the 30-year period has passed, the responsibility returns to the homeowner.
According to Cindy Troy, who works for the Sandy Lake Borough office, the rates are rising for residents in order for the borough to repay the loan, handle administrative fees and maintain the new infrastructure system once completed.
Construction on the project is expected to be finished in roughly one year.
According to Troy, an estimated 350 residences are expected to be affected by this infrastructure project.
