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Citing several factors, the Lycoming Water and Sewer Authority is anticipating rate increases in some of its systems next year. Not all systems will be affected and a final approval of increases will be made at next month's board meeting.
With the 2026 budget being formulated, the authority listed the following challenges related to the projected increases: continued inflation and rising costs of operation, maintenance, equipment, chemicals, and materials; regulatory challenges, demands, and uncertainty; aging infrastructure and limited grant sources; limited revenue sources, customer base/development limitations; increasing regulatory demands and complex technical issues; and personnel and future succession planning.
In Armstrong Township Sewer System, an increase from $80 to $85 per month per Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) is expected due to the following: rising operation and maintenance costs with significant cost increases across all expenses; small and recently declining customer base; limited capital and reserve funding; costs associated with treatment at Williamsport Sanitary Authority are rising; and ongoing financial commitment to South Williamsport for the use of the collection and
conveyance.
The Mifflin Manor Sewer will see a $10 increase, bringing their rates to $165 per month per EDU. The increase is expected due to a limited customer base of 34 EDU's plus ongoing annual deficits coupled with future infrastructure needs.Currently there is no capital or reserve funding. Annual increases are also projected in future years.
The Authority's Regional Water System will also see a $1 rate increase, bringing rates to $14 per 1,000 gallons of water although the authority is not expecting a change to the base rate, based on meter size or to fire protection charges.
Again, the authority cited rising operation and maintenance costs with significant cost increases across all expenses and increasing regulatory requirements as two reasons for the increase. Also noted were debt service demands impacting the annual budget; small and stagnant customer base limiting revenue; and limited growth because of no substantial known development in the next few years.
The stormwater management fee for South Williamsport will increase from $10 per Impervious Area Unit (IAU) to $15 per IAU per month because of aging infrastructure and significant asset improvements that are needed. Other reasons for the increase include: stormwater improvements undertaken with recent streets projects unable to be covered by current stormwater fee; lack of capital or reserve fund for current or future projects; and rising costs for maintenance and operation of stormwater and flood control systems.
The remaining systems are not expected to see rate increases next year. These include: Beaver Lake Sewer, currently at $161 per month per EDU and $50 per month per undeveloped lot; Limestone Township Water System, with a current base rate of $170 for up to 5,000 gallons usage with an increasing block rate structure; Montoursville Regional Sewer System, currently at $95 per month per EDU; and the Stormwater Program Management fees, for Duboistown only, no change to the per IAU rates of $15.
As in other years, the 2026 Budget includes the 5% prepay discount for the full year paid in January for accounts in good standing. This includes the four sewer systems and Stormwater Program Management fees for South Williamsport and Duboistown Boroughs.