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Council adopts water-rate increase to cover PFAS and service-line replacement costs
Summary
Council adopted an amendment to borough water fees to help pay costs tied to PFAS treatment and the phased replacement of galvanized/lead service lines; administration said a projected 13% increase was revised to roughly 9%.
The Borough of Hawthorne adopted an ordinance amending water fees to cover state-mandated PFAS-related costs and the ongoing program to replace galvanized or lead service lines.
Mayor and administration staff explained the rate change was required in part because of state mandates and the expense of the lead/galvanized service-line replacement program. A member of the administration said the borough had originally anticipated a 13% increase in water rates during finance meetings but after budget review that projection was reduced to about 9%.
There were no public speakers on the ordinance during the public-comment portion on the water-rate item. Council adopted the ordinance by roll call; members thanked staff for efforts to moderate the impact compared with earlier projections and noted rates remain lower than many nearby municipalities.
Administration and the borough engineer also described sequencing of the water-line replacement program (Phase 1–Phase 5) and the borough’s intent to coordinate replacements with road work to minimize repeated pavement disturbance. Residents later speaking in general public comment asked for clarification on which houses are in which phases; staff said the borough will follow up with residents who provide contact details.
