Williamson said the authority plans to purchase five meters which will measure the flow, so pools can be filled and owners will not be charged.
At present, sewer bills are based on summer water usage and residents have complained that use of pools or sprinklers distorts household water use. Commissioner Charles Eke recalled a meeting on the topic "in 2007." Plaintalker covered a 2009 water issues meeting where officials discussed meters, although at the time the option offered was purchase of a $2,800 meter. The new option involves having PMUA use a meter to measure the flow needed to fill a pool over three to four hours.
Water use in underground sprinkler systems might be measured by a meter purchased by the property owner from the water company or by coming up with a flat credit for sewer fees from June 15 through the end of August, Williamson said.
Another option mentioned at the 2009 water issues meeting was changing to using winter water usage to establish sewer bills.
In other news, the authority is working on a shared services agreement with the Roselle Board of Education. Outside revenue was an early promise for the authority, but until recently there was none. Now the authority has contracts with several nearby municipalities for acceptance of bulky waste or Type 23 vegetative waste at the Rock Avenue transfer station.
Chief Financial Officer Duane Young reported that the budget was "$1 million to the good," but warned that the authority won't have $1 million extra every year.
Plans are proceeding for repairs to the Rock Avenue Interceptor, through which 50 percent of the city's waste stream passes. The 90-year old clay pipe is badly damaged, according to the latest PMUA newsletter. Twenty-two bidders picked up packets for the project and bid opening will take place on April 17. The repairs could cost between $1.1 to $1.4 million, according to the newsletter.
The PMUA will hold a special meeting at 3 p.m. on April 15 at 127 Roosevelt Avenue.
--Bernice
an extra million dollars ?? fix the pipe or give the money away.. .what to do what to do
ReplyDeleteSummer is almost here and pool and irrigation system owners need to know options. I do not have a pool but I do have an irrigation system in which case I would want to opt for summer level billing. If I have to spend $2,800.00 to install a $500 secondary water meter, I may be better off investing in a gray water or water reclamation system to feed my irrigation system. Then, not only would I reduce my sewer charges but my water charges would be less as well.
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