ALCOSAN sewage rates to jump 47.5% by 2029
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Allegheny County's sewage rates are going way up over the next three years.
Why it matters: Residents are already dealing with high gas prices, persistent inflation and local property tax increases.
The latest: The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) board voted late last month to increase rates in 2027, 2028 and 2029 to keep up with inflation and to finance the agency's federally mandated multibillion-dollar modernization project.
By the numbers: Sewage rates will increase by 14% in 2027.
- Then another 14% in 2028.
- And 13.5% in 2029.
- Those three figures compounded mean rates will be 47.5% higher in 2029 than this year.
Zoom in: The average customer will see a monthly increase of about $8.40 on their bills next year, per ALCOSAN.
Zoom out: ALCOSAN serves 83 municipalities in Allegheny County, including Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon and Monroeville.
Flashback: Over the last several years, rates have typically increased each year by about 7%.
- ALCOSAN officials said last month the agency is making cuts where they can and exploring federal and state grants that could help avoid future hikes, according to Public Source.
Context: ALCOSAN is still operating on a decades-old sewage system. This leads to billions of gallons of sewage overflow entering regional waterways during storms.
- To comply with the federal Clean Water Act and ensure 7 billion fewer gallons enter the watershed per year, the agency is modernizing its system with a $3.7 billion upgrade.
Low-income homeowners under ALCOSAN's service can apply to the agency's Clean Water Assistance Fund to try to lower their bills.
What's next: Rate increases start Jan. 1.