Sewage service bills rising in Conneaut Lake area

Meadville Tribune, The Meadville Tribune, Pa.
·2 min read

Jan. 9—SADSBURY TOWNSHIP — Sewage service in the Conneaut Lake area costs more this year and billing now is monthly as Conneaut Lake Joint Municipal Authority moves forward with upgrades to its system.

New sewage rates went into effect Jan. 1 for customers of the authority at a flat rate of $60 per month with payment now due monthly, instead of quarterly. There is an optional annual rate payment of $720.

There will be a postage and handling fee of $3 per month in 2024 unless a customer signs up for e-billing.

To sign up for e-billing, customers should contact the authority office by phone at (814) 382-8315 or office@cljma.com to provide an email address. Customers also may sign up directly via email at diversifiedbillpay.com/v1/cljma. Convenience fees apply for e-billing.

The 2024 rate of $60 per month ($180 per quarter) or $720 per year is an increase from the 2023 rate of $110 per quarter or $440 per year.

In July 2023, the authority was awarded an $8.1 million low-interest state loan to upgrade portions of its system. In the fall of 2023, the authority subsequently approved the rate hike, effective for this year, to help repay the 20-year loan.

The authority's sewage system dates from around 1965 though there have been continual updates and improvements made.

The loan will reroute an existing corroded force main near Conneaut Lake Dam as well as upgrade a sewage pumping station to correct flow imbalances and prevent excessive wear on the system's equipment.

A force main is a pipeline to convey wastewater when gravity is not enough to move sewage through a sewer line. A force main relies on mechanical pumps or compressors located in a lift station to create the pressure to drive the wastewater along or up to a higher elevation.

The Conneaut Lake Joint Municipal Authority provides sanitary sewer service to more than 2,300 residences and businesses in Sadsbury and Summit townships as well as the borough of Conneaut Lake.

Keith Gushard can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.