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Council hears water-fund budget preview, flags aging meters and uncertain filtration costs
Summary
City staff warned the council the water fund faces major costs in 2026, including roughly $106,000 for meter replacements and unknown filtration authority charges; staff urged review before final budget adoption.
Lock Haven City Council received a detailed preview of the 2026 water fund at its Sept. 22 meeting, where staff identified aging meters and the Central Park County Water Filtration Authority as major cost drivers.
Staff said several meters are beyond their expected service life and estimated $106,000 in meter replacement costs (installation costs still to be determined). The presentation noted specific examples of meters in service for decades, including one reported as 43 years old and others in the high 20s to 30s. Staff warned that old meters can lead to unaccounted-for water and lost revenue.
The bigger budget uncertainty, staff said, is the eventual cost to supply untreated raw water to the filtration authority. The city’s draft budget presently shows roughly $151,000 available in the fund, but staff indicated treatment and filtration expenses could be considerably higher and that difficult trade-offs may be needed. The council was told the city previously provided a loan to the water fund to maintain liquidity; repayments will begin next year.
Councilmembers asked staff to return with more detailed figures and noted the topic will receive fuller discussion at the first October meeting, ahead of final budget action.
Ending: Staff will provide a full budget packet and projected cost estimates for filtration authority charges, meter installation and other major items at the October meetings.
