Sewer Rates - effective October 1, 2024
Central District:
Base Charge: $60.00
Usage Charge: $7.40 per 1,000 gallons
Northern Carroll District:
Base Charge: $60.00
Usage Charge: $7.40 per 1,000 gallons
Sewer Flat Rate Quarterly Charge - $210.00
(private water source)
Sewer customers in Franklintown Borough (effective 10/1/2024)
Flat rate quarterly charge: $129.00
Monroe District: (effective January 1, 2024)
Residential: $330.00 per quarter flat rate
Non-Residential: $275 base charge, plus $7.40 per 1,000 gallons
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR SEWER CUSTOMERS
Like all sanitary sewer systems, the Dillsburg Area Authority sewer system has limited capacity and is intended to receive and treat only sanitary waste. It is prohibited to discharge storm water, surface water, roof water, ground water or any other form of drainage water to the sanitary sewer system through the use of pumps or any other device or form of connection. Flows from these discharges can cause sewer overflows, flooded basements, and property damage. They can also compromise the sewage treatment process and cause environmental problems. All customers end up paying more through increased sewer bills.
Because of the potential severity of the problem, the Authority Board has adopted new enforcement rules. The Authority will be investigating to locate sources of prohibited discharges. When a prohibited discharge is found, a charge of $500.00 will be added to the sewer account of the related property. Additional charges could be added if the source is not permanently eliminated.
All customers should evaluate their property plumbing to ensure that sources of prohibited discharges to the sanitary sewer system are not present.
Sump Pump Rules and Regulations
It is prohibited to discharge ground water, surface water, or storm water to the sanitary sewer system.
Connection of sump pumps, roof drains, or foundation drains, carrying ground water or surface water or storm water, to the sewer system is prohibited.
Extra flows overload the sewer system and can cause disruption of the wastewater collection system, pumping stations, and Waste Water Treatment Facility.
Sewer systems are not built to accept storm water or ground water. In fact, intentionally accepting such flows would be illegal.
Prohibited discharge of flows to the sewer system creates excess operating and maintenance costs for all system customers.
Property owners should consult their municipality for assistance in determining the proper discharge method for sump pumps.
Regulations allow that Dillsburg Area Authority demands the remedy of prohibited sump pumps activity in the Authority's system.
Regulations allow the Authority permission for inspections for prohibited sump pump activity.
Sump Pumps discharge water at a much higher rate than many people might realize. The discharge of just a few sump pumps can flood sewer mains and pumping stations. This can result in overflows or the flooding of properties, including YOURS!
Sewer Lateral and Sewer Cap Information
Q. What is a Sewer Lateral?
A. A sewer lateral is the underground pipe connected to the sewer main.
Q. What does a Sewer Lateral do?
A. Your sewer lateral transfers the wastewater from plumbing fixtures within your home (i.e. sink/toilet). There is an access pipe that sits perpendicular to the sewer lateral that ascends to ground level, where it is capped off. Without an intact cap, your sanitary sewer has been compromised.
Q. What is a Sewer Cap?
A. The cap covers the top of the cleanout pipe, which allows access to the sanitary sewer pipe for maintenance work, such as when a plumber may need to clear out obstructions from the line. A sewer cap is also known as a cleanout cap.
Q. Are there any dangers of a broken Sewer Cap? ....... Yes. Here are some examples:
If an animal goes into the opening and dies. It could create a foul smell and/or clog and/or wastewater backup.
A child could get their foot stuck in the opening.
Excessive water (from rain, or snowmelt, or roof run-off) can flow into the sewer line, creating increased treatment costs and potential rate increases.
If the access point is exposed, it could create an easy opportunity for vandalism or malicious actions such as dropping stones or other materials into the sewer, possibly creating a clog.
Any debris, such as decaying leaves or mud, could gather and create a clog in the lateral.
Q. Who is responsible for repairing a Sewer Cap?
A. The property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the sewer lateral, which serves only the individual property and extends from the home to the sewer main.
Q. What are my options on how to fix the broken Sewer Cap?
A. Call a plumber to fix it for you. Most professional plumbers should be able to make the repairs very quickly and the parts are not expensive.
B. Make the repairs yourself. Replacement parts can be purchased at a local plumbing supply retailer.
DO NOT FLUSH MANUFACTURED WIPES
People mistakenly think the sewer system should be able to handle manufactured wipes (baby, personal hygiene, or cleaning type wipes) which are labeled as "flushable." This can be very deceptive. They may disappear when flushed; but they remain in sewer pipes and build up like a dam because they do NOT easily degrade. These products accumulate and become stuck in the pumps and pipes, creating the need for expensive repairs that could ultimately add to increased sewer bills for customers.
Items that do not easily dissolve in water or are prone to settlement, slow degrading, or entanglement with other materials can easily obstruct sewers that rely on a gravity flow of water.
The manufactured wipes jam in the pumping stations and build up into a nightmare that requires extensive unclogging efforts. Cleaning a sewer pumping station can cost thousands, resulting in increased sewer rates for customers. We are trying to warn you that, in addition to pumping stations problems, these items can clog YOUR pipes and back up YOUR sewer lateral, necessitating costly repairs for you. Most sewer laterals are only 4 inches in diameter and should only be expected to transport toilet paper and human waste - nothing else.
As good neighbors, we want to work together with you in keeping the sewer system efficient, safe, problem free, and least costly for customers.
