Sewer and Water

M.A.W.C.

Notice to Water Customers of MAWC

The MAWC is currently updating its customer’s emergency telephone numbers for utilization in the event of a water emergency as required under the new PA Notification Requirements.

The PA Department of Environmental Protection’s newly revised Public Notification Requirements, require water utilities to provide an automatic dialing system capable of notifying all of its customers in case of emergency.

In 2009 the MAWC contracted with Swiftreach Networks, a rapid notification service provider, to use the automated web-based dialing system which is capable of delivering phone messages or email messages at the rate of 3,000 per minute. This system will be used to notify customers of water service emergencies.

In order to effectively utilize this system it is important that the MAWC have accurate records relative to customer’s desired emergency telephone number, service address, and/or email address. Customers can be assured this information will only be utilized by the MAWC for water related public notifications.

The MAWC requests all customers to provide their updated emergency contact information via the MAWC website. Please go to the Public Notification section on the homepage at, www.mawc.org. Customers not utilizing the Internet are asked to call the office at 724-755-5800 or toll free at 800-442-6829 or mail the information to MAWC, 124 Park and Pool Road, New Stanton, PA 15672. 

Hempfield Township Municipal Authority

THTMA's website:

Visit the website of The Hempfield Township Municipal Authority (THTMA) at www.thtma.org. A few highlights of the website include:

• Account Access & Payment Options
• Info for Residential Customers
• Info for Commercial Customers
• Answers to FAQs
• Sewer Rates
• Current Projects
• Announcements

This web page will be a dynamic site with new features added as we go along. If you have any questions regarding the site or the Authority in general, or if you have a suggestion to make the web site more effective, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Finance Options for Eligible Residents

The USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has indicated that low interest loans and/or grants may be available to eligible residents who have received a benefit assessment or tap notice from recent Authority projects.

Two of the options residents can look into are:

1. USDA Rural Development Home Repair Loans and Grants. Call (724) 853-5555 ext. 4, or visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/pa for more information.
2. Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Renovate & Repair Loan Program. Visit www.phfa.org or call the local program administrators: AFC First Financial Corp. (888) 232-3477, or Professional Mortgage Connection (866) 766-7233.

Lateral Thinking

A Connecting or Service Sewer (generally called a Lateral in the sewage business) is the sewer line which connects your home to the public sanitary sewage system. Wastewater from your toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, dishwasher, and washing machine travels through your home’s lateral to the main sewer system, which then carries it to the nearest wastewater facility for treatment.

 Section 67-21 of the Hempfield Township Code of Ordinances states, “The maintenance of the connecting sewer shall be the responsibility of the property owner.” In other words, lateral sewer lines are privately owned and it is the business or homeowner’s responsibility to keep their lateral in good working order.

• If your lateral line gets clogged by grease or other debris, it is your responsibility to have it unclogged.
• If a breakage occurs in your lateral, it is your responsibility to have it repaired.

 Anytime you have a sewer backup at your home or business, your first step should be to call the Authority. We will send a field employee out to determine if the problem is in the main sewer line or in your lateral.

 Lateral line blockages are most often caused by either an excessive buildup of grease (a result of pouring cooking oil and grease down the kitchen sink and washing greasy dishes) or tree roots that have grown into the sewer pipe. Also, if flushed, plastic and other non-soluble materials such as baby wipes, diapers, and feminine products can get caught in the line and block the flow of wastewater through the system. Even products advertised as “flushable” do not always readily disintegrate in the sewer pipes and can cause clogs.

 So, please be careful what you flush – The toilet is not a trash can!

Save Money by Looking into an Auxiliary Meter

Auxiliary meters (also called “credit” or “deduct” meters) are water meters placed on water lines that are dedicated to fill swimming pools, irrigate the lawn, or for other uses in which the water will not ultimately end up going to the sanitary sewer system. Since your sewage bill is based on the main water consumption meter at your home, the installation of an auxiliary meter can save you money in the long run by not having to pay for the water that does not go down the drain. Please give us a call if you are interested in installing an auxiliary meter. The Authority will give you information on the potential money savings, the proper installation of the meters, and the appropriate method for reporting your meter readings.

Reminder

The Hempfield Township Municipal Authority would like to respectfully remind all of its customers that property damage resulting from sewage backing up into your home is the responsibility of the homeowner, not the Authority. Most insurance companies offer products to protect homeowners from a sewer backup. Protect yourself from a sewer backup by contacting your insurance agent. Furthermore, there are mechanical devices designed to prevent sewage back-ups available from local plumbers (see the information below). We hope you will take the time to consider your risks and select any options you feel best protect your property. If tenants occupy your building, please advise them of this notice.

Backwater Valves

Sewage backwater valves are devices installed on a building sewer to prevent the sewer system from backing up and flooding a home or building. As shown in the picture to the right, they contain a one-way valve that will allow sewage to flow from a house under normal operating conditions; however, if reverse flow occurs in the private/public sewer system, the valve will close to prevent flooding of the building with raw sewage.

Homes or buildings that may be more susceptible to sewer backups include those in the following situations:

• Properties in which the lowest floor containing plumbing fixtures is below the elevation of the top of the upper manhole of the public sewer,
  as illustrated below.
• Properties in flood-prone areas.
• Properties with a history of backups during heavy rain events.

Lincoln Heights Project

The bid phase for the Route 136 and Possum Hollow Road contracts should be completed in November and the Authority anticipates construction to begin in late 2011 on those two sections of the Lincoln Heights project. Construction of the Millersdale Road interceptor and the collector sewers in Lincoln Heights is still expected to get underway in 2012. Residents in the project areas will receive information from the Authority regarding public meetings to be held prior to construction.

Return to Top