Warrington Township Water & Sewer Department


Checking for Water Leaks In the interest of conserving water and saving you money on your water bill, it is important to check for leaks regularly. You may not be able to hear or see all leaks, and they may not leak constantly. The simplest way to determine if you have a leak is to turn off all water fixtures in your home, including the sprinkler system, icemakers, pool filters, etc. Make sure NO water is being used. Look at the top of the meter and you will notice a red or black triangle. This triangle moves whenever water is passing through the meter. If the triangle is spinning and no water is being used, you have a leak. It may take longer for a slow leak to show. A test for a slower leak is to take a meter reading, writing down the numbers exactly as they appear on the meter. DO NOT RUN ANY WATER FOR SEVERAL HOURS. If the meter reading has changed, there is a leak. Toilets are the most common leak site. There are several ways to determine if your toilet is leaking. The first is what we call the dye test. Dye strips are available at the township building and the water and sewer department offices, but you can use anything that will color water (i.e.: food coloring). To test your toilet for leaks: Remove the lid of the tank and color the water Leave the toilet sit for at least an hour - DO NOT FLUSH!! If you see any of the dyed water in the bowl, the toilet has a leak. While you have the lid off the tank, check the overflow tube. The water should fill the tank to approximately 1 inch below the top of the tube. If the water is overflowing the top of the tube, adjustments are needed. Many plumbing repairs can be done by an experienced “Do it yourselfer,” but you may need to call a plumber if you are not sure you can handle the repair. Please check our website or call the office for a list of plumbers registered in the township. » Click here to print this article
Is an irrigation meter right for you? If you use a lot of water to irrigate your lawn or garden or fill a pool or hot tub, an irrigation meter may be a means to keep your water and sewer bill down. You will be billed for the water usage only, since the water used for a pool or an irrigation system does not enter the sewer system. This could result in significant savings on your summertime water and sewer bill. At the current rates, the meter would pay for itself by using 70 thousand gallons of water. What will this cost? There are initial costs to save money in the long run. The current meter fee is $355.00 payable to the Warrington Township Water and Sewer Department (WTWSD). Also are the plumber’s fees to adjust the piping in your home to accommodate this new meter. You will receive a second bill for your irrigation meter based on the water usage alone. What do I need to do to get an irrigation meter? The first step is to contact your plumber or irrigation system company to have the plumbing altered so the outside water line comes off the household water line before the household meter and a meter spread installed. A meter spread is a break in the piping for a meter. If the plumbing is not altered correctly, you will be billed twice for the same water. Once this work is done, you can contact the water & sewer department, pay for your meter and make the appointment for us to come to your home to install the meter. The installation is included in the price of the meter. Please be aware our service technician cannot alter your plumbing, they can only install the meter where the meter spread was installed by your plumber. If you have any further questions or need the meter installation diagram, please contact the Water & Sewer Department at 215-343-1800. » Click here to print this article
Drug Disposal: A prescription for cleaner water Follow the advice of the Office of National Drug Control Policy: (a) Trash with care - mix them with coffee grounds or cat litter (to discourage garbage drug thieves), seal them in a plastic bag, and then put them in the trash. Dumps and landfills often have linings that can prevent properly sealed drugs from leaching into groundwater. (b) Use drug take-back programs, run by some hospitals and pharmacies (check with your local) and a few drug companies. In the Pennsylvania legislature, House Bill 2073, (now in committee!), is a good start. It requires drug retailers to have take-back programs, and to inform consumers of disposal options for unused drugs. Towns have special days and ways for picking up trees, electronic components, batteries, etc. Why not do the same for unused drugs? Models exist in Oregon, Wisconsin and California. Drug companies should continue trying to design drugs so that their post-metabolic remains are not water-soluble. Everyone is entitled to water he or she can trust - and by and large, we have it. You are what you drink - but you shouldn't be what other folks throw away.
ATTENTION POOL OWNERS: Effective January 1, 2008 Warrington Township will no longer offer a pool credit on the sewer portion of your bill. This policy is consistent with surrounding municipalities. If you wish to monitor and pay only on the water usage for your swimming pool, you may purchase a separate water meter. Please call Warrington Township Water and Sewer Department at 215-343-1800 for more information.
NOTICE TO RESIDENTS NOT CONNECTED TO PUBLIC WATER AND/OR SEWER If you own a property that is not connected to public water and/or public sewer and either one or both is available, the following two ordinances are applicable upon the sale of your property and should be included in your agreement of sale: Public Sewer Ordinance # 95-3 enacted February 21, 1995 by the Board of Supervisors and Public Water Ordinance # 2003-O-15 enacted September 9, 2003 by the Board of Supervisors. Both Ordinances state that all persons owning an occupied building now erected upon property accessible to sanitary sewer system and or public water system shall at their own expense connect such building within ninety (90) days after notice to do so from the Township or Warrington Township Water and Sewer Department. Please contact the Water and Sewer Department at 215-343-1800 to obtain more information.

Water and Sewer Fees for 2007/2008

The Warrington Township Budget approved by the Board of Supervisors in December 2006 included a rate increase for public water and sanitary sewer service. These new rates were effective January 1, 2007 and will be reflected in quarterly bills on or about April 1, 2007.

The following chart is a comparison of the old and new rates:

PUBLIC WATER

	Old Rate per 1,000 gallons	New Rate per 1,000 gallons
Rate District I*
0 to 10,000 gallons	$ 2.55	$ 2.80
11,000 to 25,000 gallons	$ 2.75	$ 3.00
Over 25,000 gallons	$ 2.82	$ 3.07
* District I consists of most households and businesses east of Folly Road and south of Pickertown Road.
Rate District II**
0 to 10,000 gallons	$ 3.92	$ 3.92
11,000 to 25,000 gallons	$ 4.24	$ 4.24
Over 25,000 gallons	$ 4.35	$ 4.35
** District II includes most households and businesses west of Folly Road and north of Pickertown Road.
Rate District III (Muirfield Development)
0 to 10,000 gallons	$ 3.92	$ 3.92
11,000 to 25,000 gallons	$ 4.24	$ 4.24
Over 25,000 gallons	$ 4.35	$ 4.35

SANITARY SEWER
District I and II
Per 1,000 gallons	$ 4.85	$ 5.10
Rate District III (Muirfield Dev.)
Base Charge per Quarter	$75.80	$75.80
Per 1,000 gallons	$ 2.46	$ 2.46
Unmetered Sewer	$87.30	$91.80
Flat Rate/Quarter (based on 18,000 gallons per quarter)

The reason there was no increase in District II water rates is because the North Wales Water Authority maintained their same rate structure in 2007.

Our department continues to work hard to control costs. Energy and environmental expenses continue to be major factors somewhat beyond our direct control. Wages and benefits have been maintained within the bounds of the normal inflation rates but over a two year period have to be reflected in our rate structure.

We encourage all rate payers to conserve on water usage in order to control their cost. Water saver kits and leak detection kits are available at our office and the township building.

Flat rate sewer customers may wish to install a meter on their well system in order to reduce costs. The cost of a meter and associated plumbing often pays for itself within two years.

What is water pressure? Pressure is the force that pushes water through pipes. The amount of water pressure in an area determines the flow of water from the tap.

Getting Water to Your Home
The Warrington Township Water & Sewer Dept (WTWSD) is committed to providing reliable, adequate pressure and water flow for all customers. The WTWSD's distribution system is what's known as a gravity-flow system. Gravity is the most efficient way to bring water to your home. Gravity-flow systems also tend to be more reliable during fires or other emergencies that result in power outages because they do not require electrical pumps to operate. Because we operate a gravity-flow system, we are not able to increase or decrease the amount of pressure going to customers' homes.

Factors Affecting Water Pressure
The water pressure at your home will depend on the elevation of your home and your proximity to the water storage tank which serves your home. The closer your home is to the elevation of the storage tank serving you, the lower your pressure will be. Similarly, the lower your home is in relation to the storage tank, the higher your water pressure.

Water pressure can vary at different times of the day. Pressure is normally higher late at night when very little water is being used and most people's taps are closed. In the morning, when everyone is running taps - or on a hot evening when many people are using garden hoses and sprinklers - the pressure in our water mains may be lower.

Many low-pressure problems are created in the home. In such cases, the home has adequate water pressure, but pressure at fixtures drops off when another fixture is turned on. This situation is most commonly encountered when someone flushes a toilet when another person is in the shower. Usually the problem is that the water volume is lowered, therefore reducing the amount of water that comes out of the fixture.

What Is Water Volume?
Water volume or flow refers to the amount of water that a pipe is able to deliver. Warrington Township water arrives at your home in a 3/4" or 1" service line which can provide a lot of volume and pressure. But, in many homes, internal piping is only 1/2" or less. A 1/2" pipe can only deliver a certain amount of water per minute regardless of water pressure.

Should You Call Us If You Have Low Pressure?
If you've investigated all the common causes of low pressure or you experience a period of prolonged low pressure, please call our offices at 215-343-1800 so that we can investigate.

Common Causes of Low Pressure
If you are experiencing low pressure or volume throughout your entire house, before calling our office check the following:

Troubleshooting High Pressure
The symptoms of excessive water pressure in a home include banging pipes, a leaking water heater, a stinging shower spray, and faucets that leak again a few months after washers have been replaced.

If you live in a high pressure area and experience some of these symptoms, you may need a plumber to install a pressure reducer.

If you have a pressure reducer and are experiencing problems, the pressure reducer may need repair. A pressure reducer might not be working properly if:

Warrington Township believes that community involvement is integral to the safety of our residents. Currently there are over 800 fire hydrants available for use by the fire company in a time of an emergency. The Township has repainted most of the fire hydrants and installed visibility markers. One thing we need the community to do to help us is to become a member of our "Adopt a Hydrant Program". The program was created to keep our fire hydrants clear and available. Residents, business owners and civic groups may adopt a hydrant or hydrants within the Township.

Those who adopt fire hydrants will keep them clear of snow in the winter and overgrowth in the summer. Participants in the program can also report blocked or damaged hydrants. That's it!!

To participate in this important program, call the Warrington Township Water and Sewer Department at 215-343-1800.

What you need to do:

Keep your fire hydrant(s) free of snow and ice.

Keep your fire hydrant(s) free of vegetation overgrowth (grass and weeds).

Report any damaged or leaking fire hydrants to the Water and Sewer Department at 215-343-1800.

Report any vehicles blocking your fire hydrants to the Police at 215-343-3311.

What not to do:

Turn on the fire hydrant, remove the caps, or attempt to alter or repair.

Paint your hydrant.

•Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals in the recommended amounts. Avoid application if the forecast calls for rain; otherwise, chemicals will be washed into your local stream.

•Select native plants and grasses that are drought- and pest-resistant. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.

•Sweep up yard debris, rather than hosing down areas. Compost or recycle yard waste when possible.

•Don’t over water your lawn. Water during the cool times of the day, and don’t let water run off into the storm drain.

•Cover piles of dirt and mulch being used in landscaping projects to prevent these pollutants from blowing or washing off your yard and into local water bodies. Vegetate bare spots in your yard to prevent soil erosion.

In 2002, Warrington Township approved a Well Ordinance that required private wells to be tested annually for bacterial coliform. Well Ordinance # 02-O-14 was revised and adopted by the Board of Supervisors on July 20, 2007 changing the testing requirement from annually to every third year. Some residents have expressed to the department that they did not see a need for this test since they only use the water for irrigation purposes. The departments concern is that we must protect our public wells from continued sources of contamination. In particular, bacterial contamination. In addition, the department is concerned about the health risk to those residents who rely on a private well as a source of drinking water.

The well test can range from $15.00 to $40.00 depending on the PA certified laboratory the resident uses. If contamination is found in the well water, the resident is required to take remedial action and re-submit the test results. Certain legal penalties are provided for within the Ordinance if the resident fails to comply with the annual testing requirements.

As a matter of information, Warrington Township is not the only township to require this test. Several of the townships surrounding Warrington have had this requirement in effect for many years. The Bucks County Board of Health recently formed a committee to explore the need for testing county wide.

Besides the health risk of contaminated water, the department will also use the well test results to develop point source and non-point source of contamination. The patterns developed will help to determine the need for public water service and/or sewer service to protect the public health.

Notice

WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT
The ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT for 2007 is available at the Township Office, 852 Easton Road; Water and Sewer Department Office, 1585 Turk Road; and on our website @ www.WTWSD.org.

This report presents a summary of quality of the drinking water provided by the Warrington Township public water supply system during 2006.

Grinder Pump Ordinance

Recently the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection changed some of their regulations for Low Pressure Sanitary Sewer Systems. These systems are more commonly known as “Grinder Pump” sanitary sewer systems. The changes in these PADEP regulations put the responsibility for these individual household systems on the Township. The Township subsequently adopted an Ordinance to deal with “Grinder Pumps.” The new Ordinance outlines both the Township and property owners’ responsibilities. Within the next month, property owners served by “grinder pumps” will receive a letter from the Township Water and Sewer Department outlining the property owner responsibilities. Each Grinder Pump property owner will have to register their system with the Township. This registration will require the following information:

* The equipment manufacture
* Authorized Maintenance Contractors for the system
* Proof of Service contract between the property owner and the service contractor.

Other key items for the property owner are as follows:
* Make sure your maintenance contractor stocks spare parts for your system
* Make sure they can respond to a maintenance call within twenty-four (24) hours or less
* Make sure your system is protected with an alarm system in case of failure.

Remember also that these systems depend on electricity. A portable generator capable of operating your system maybe an option you want to consider. Caution with the exhaust of a generator must be properly handled.

WATER AND SEWER BILL PAYMENT ARE ON-LINE

The Water and Sewer Department implemented On-Line services in early 2004. The Customer Internet Inquiry system enables customers to see and pay their bills with their credit card online.

It is free to view and receive your account and bill online, but there is a 2% convenience fee charged by the bank for the payment of their bill. You also have the option to receive bills delivered directly to your email address.

Water and Sewer customers will be notified by mail with the website address and their ID and password.

You will also have the option to receive bills delivered directly to your email address.

THIS MAY BE YOUR SEWER CLEAN-OUT PIPE. IT IS A 4" CAST IRON PIPE USUALLY PLACED NEAR THE PROPERTY LINE AND IS IMPORTANT FOR INSPECTION AND AS AN ENTRY POINT FOR RESOLVING BLOCKAGES TO YOUR HOME AND TO THE STREET.

IF IT IS ABOVEGROUND, IT SHOULD BE AT LEAST 3" HIGH WITH A FERNCO OR MUSHROOM CAP. THIS PIPE CAN ALSO BE BROUGHT FLUSH TO THE GROUND BY USING AN IRON BODY FERRULE WITH BRASS SCREW PLUG AVAILABLE AT ANY PLUMBING SUPPLY STORE.

PLEASE CONTACT THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT AT (215) 343-1800 WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

Unauthorized opening of the Township’s Fire Hydrants is a crime in Pennsylvania. Not only is it theft, it can seriously endanger the water quality. Please contact the Warrington Township Police Department if you see anyone using a fire hydrant other than a township employee or firefighter.