Providing Quality Service at Affordable Rates

Summer 2014
Putting Your Money
To Work For A Better
And Cleaner Future
Providing Quality Service at Affordable Rates
recent article in the Journal of the AWWA stated: “Costs to provide safe drinking water and wastewater treatment
are increasing. Since 1996 water and wastewater rates have increased 4.9% annually, almost twice the rate of
inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Fixed costs related to capital improvements are driving these
rate increases. Regulatory compliance and infrastructure renewal are typically the fastest growing pieces of the utility
budget.” At BCWSA we continually strive to ensure excellent service at an affordable rate. However, the Authority has
also had to face the need to increase rates to pay for much needed upgrades and repairs.
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The following graph demonstrates BCWSA’s Retail Sewer system rates over the past eight years. The black line shows
BCWSA’s retail sewer rates; the gray line shows the CPI percentage change; and the blue line shows the percent change
in the Philadelphia Water Department’s costs to BCWSA. BCWSA was able to reduce the Retail Sewer Service Fee in
1995, which has not been increased since. During this same period the CPI increased almost 40%, and the City of
Philadelphia increased rates by 90%. In 2008 BCWSA raised rates as a result of the City’s increases. Since that time
BCWSA has able to absorb these increases without having to raise rates. Recently BCWSA announced a 5.05% rate
increase for both retail and wholesale sewer clients due to price increases in fuel, operating costs and materials.
The following retail locations are affected by the increase:
Bedminster Twp, Bensalem Twp, Buckingham Twp, Doylestown Borough, Doylestown Twp, Langhorne Borough,
Middletown Twp, New Britain Borough, New Hope Borough, Plumstead Twp, Richland Twp, Richlandtown Borough,
Solebury Twp, and Upper Dublin Twp.
The following sewer clients in wholesale locations will also be affected:
Bristol Twp, Hulmeville Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough, Lower Makefield Twp, Newtown Borough, Newtown
Twp, Northampton Twp, and Penndel Borough.
The projected CPI increase will be 2.525% in 2014 and 2.525% in 2015. The 5.05% increase is effective January 1, 2014.
Average retail monthly rate was $41.39 in 2013. The average
retail monthly rate will be $43.50 for 2014.
BCWSA continually reinvests in the infrastructure that
serves its customers. This current increase will further that
ongoing effort which involves pipe replacement, manhole
rehabilitation, Inflow and Infiltration reduction, energy
efficiency initiatives and improved security at critical
facilities.
“Our primary goal is to continue to provide our customers
with quality service at an affordable rate. At times like this,
while we absorb as much of the increases as we can, we
must still reach out to our customers to assist with covering
costs,” said Benjamin Jones, CEO of the Authority.
The Source
Longest Serving
Board Member Retires
oseph J. Ryan, BCWSA Board Member since 1989 retired from the Board of
Directors in December. Joe, the longest serving BCWSA board member, was a
dear friend to BCWSA and will be missed.
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With his strong knowledge of engineering and infrastructure, Joe was
instrumental to the growth and success of BCWSA throughout the last 24 years.
During his tenure with BCWSA his dedication assisted the Authority’s growth
into one of the largest in the State, serving 360,000 people in Bucks and
Montgomery Counties.
Joe Ryan, BCWSA Board Member
“Joe was an integral part of the BCWSA family,” said Benjamin Jones, BCWSA
CEO. “We will be forever grateful for his service to those he worked with, his commitment to the communities
we serve, and his unwavering pride in our company.”
Mr. Ryan holds an Associate's degree from Temple University College of Engineering. He is a retired
construction field engineer of Philadelphia Gas Works, after 34 years of service. He is a former member of the
Bensalem Township Board of Supervisors, Bensalem Township Planning Commission, and Bucks County
Board of Health. He is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Temple University Alumni
Association. He is a former President of the Eastern State School Advisory Board. All the best Joe!
Pictured on left: BCWSA Employees Mark Pizzo, Rick Mager,
Jason Eves, Joe Santi, Glenn Fister, Vince Miele, Tom Raiker,
Tom Huntzinger, Chris Haskins and Brad Montgomery.
Missing: Scott Benninghoff and Glenn Huntzinger
BCWSA Partnership With Forest Park
s of July 1, 2014 BCWSA will be supplying drinking water from the Forest Park Water Plant in Chalfont, PA.
Forest Park is a state of the art water treatment facility that combines conventional treatment processes with
advanced techniques, including ozone disinfection and membrane filtration technology.
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The Authority teamed with Forest Park, jointly owned by the North Penn and North Wales Water Authorities, to
purchase water for BCWSA’s water system in an effort to create long-term rate stability.
The Authority began looking for a new water supplier more than two years ago after the City of Philadelphia increased
BCWSA’s water rates by 127% over seven years. Current negotiations with the City have a proposed rate increase of
100%, and the City of Philadelphia has not indicated that there will be an end to these extreme rate increases.
In order to facilitate the agreement between BCWSA and Forest Park there was a $100 million infrastructure
investment to bring the Forest Park water into BCWSA’s service territory. A pipeline was run from Forest Park in
Chalfont to the BCWSA water system in Lower Southampton. The areas that will receive the water are Newtown,
Northampton, Lower and Upper Southampton, Middletown, Bensalem, Penndel, Hulmville, Langhorne and
Langhorne Manor.
“The Authority has been extremely concerned about the continued increase in our bulk water rates as a result of
the City of Philadelphia,” said Benjamin Jones, CEO of BCWSA. “While this agreement does include an up-front
investment, it will ensure long-term rate stability and quality water for our customers.”
Summer 2014
BCWSA Hosts 13th Annual
Charity Golf Outing
Kudos From
Customers
Pictured on left:
Pete Stainthorpe,
Chairman of BCWSA
with founder of Bucks
County Special Needs,
Brian Domiani
Pictured on left: Pete Stainthorpe, Chairman of
BCWSA with founder of Curing Retinal Blindness
Foundation, Kristin Smedley and her two sons,
Michael Smedley, Jr. and Mitchell Smedley.
he Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority held our 13th Annual Charity
Golf Outing on May 29, 2014 at Makefield Highlands Golf Club. Over the
past 13 years, the Authority and our friends, family and business partners have
come together to assist BCWSA in raising funds for various organizations that
have some impact on our employees. This year, BCWSA crossed the $330,000
mark in funds donated through the years.
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"It is incredible to see how many of our staff members, customers, friends and
neighbors come together to help support the many fantastic programs in our
area," said Benjamin Jones, CEO of the Authority. "We are truly thankful
to everyone who came to help this year – and all the years past."
Each year, BCWSA hosts the charitable golf outing to raise funds and awareness
about organizations in need within our community. Funds raised during the
2014 golf outing went to Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation and Bucks
County Special Needs. Each received $17,959.98.
ear Susan, I wanted to write
to thank you for resolving my
issue with my sewer bill. I
appreciate the extra work you did
to research and rectify my situation.
Many other institutions would not
allow employees to expend such
effort in providing good customer
service. I also wanted to say it was
a pleasant experience when I spoke
to Gretchen and Cindy in your
department as well. Much
appreciated.
D
~BCWSA Sewer Customer
CUSTOMER ALERT
Customers, if you pay your
bills through your banking
institution, please make sure
you update your BCWSA bill
remit address to our new bank:
Univest
PO BOX 3333
Harleysville, PA 19438
The following are the charities and organizations that
BCWSA has supported since the inception of the annual
golf outing in 2002:
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Bucks County Down Syndrome Interest Group
Doylestown Hospital Hospice
Bucks County Chapter of NAMI
Delaware Valley Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis and Children’s Hospital
Make A Wish Foundation
Soldiers of Hope and Bucks for Kids
One Step at a Time and Bucks County Autism Support Coalition
Good Friends and Lenape Valley
Bucks County Opportunity Council and Libertae, Inc.
Reach Out Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association/Delaware
Valley Chapter
Warriors for Tim and ADHD Aware
Ted Lindeman Outreach Foundation and The Guardians of the
National Cemetery
IMPORTANT NOTE!
In case of water and sewer
emergencies please tune into WNPV
1440 AM for Montgomery County
and Central and Upper Bucks County
customers and WBCB 1490 AM for
Lower Bucks County customers.
For Customer Service, call
1-800-222-2068
www.bcwsa.net
Visit Our Improved Website for Easier Access to Payment Options
Water/Sewer Lateral Line Maintenance Program
NOW AVAILABLE
ypically homeowners/commercial insurance covers the damage
done to our home and business, but what about repairing the
item that failed? What if you could offset those costs with a
Maintenance Program for only $5 per month for residential and/or
$10 per month for commercial property?
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BCWSA now offers a comprehensive Residential/Commercial
Water and Sanitary Sewer Lateral Maintenance Program. The
Program can help offset the cost of repairing the pipes that come
into and leave your property which typically cost between $3000
and $5000 to replace for Residential and $10,000 for Commercial.
BCWSA's Lateral Maintenance Program offers customers the
peace-of-mind knowing that this potential problem that many insurance companies don't cover can now be protected,
just like the rest of your home/business and property.
For more details or to sign up for the Maintenance Program, please visit www.bcwsa.net or call 215-343-2538 Ext. 140.
This program does not apply to industrial or multi-family properties with more than six dwelling units. We look
forward to serving you.
WATER – OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE
Water is our most precious resource. It is vitally important that everyone work together to conserve our water supply.
And, of course, saving water saves you money, especially important during these uncertain economic times.
Homeowners can significantly decrease the amount of water used each day by following just a few simple “tips” for
water conservation.
Follow these tips for conserving water inside:
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Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when fully loaded.
When washing dishes by hand, use two basins - one for washing and one for rinsing rather than let the water run.
Repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets. Dripping faucets can waste about 2,000 gallons of water each year. Leaky
toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day.
Check for leaky toilets. You can test your toilet for a leak by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet leaks, color
will appear in the toilet bowl within 15 minutes.
Take a look at your water meter while no water is being used in your house. If it goes up, you obviously have a
problem! This can also help you locate underground service leaks.
Take short showers instead of baths and avoid letting faucets run unnecessarily.
Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run while you wait for cool water.