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Borough flags potential multimillion-dollar wastewater repairs tied to EPA and readies rate study

Petersburg Borough Assembly (work session) · April 30, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Officials warned that wastewater outflow repairs tied to EPA plans could cost up to $15 million; the borough has an $8 million award but may need additional federal funding and rate adjustments. Staff said a rate study will inform necessary adjustments to utility rates and timing of capital projects.

Presenter and utility staff told the assembly that a wastewater outflow project related to EPA requirements could be as large as $15,000,000. Staff said the borough has secured roughly $8,000,000 to date but emphasized that additional federal funding is not guaranteed and the borough must plan for the remaining cost.

Staff advised the assembly that projected rate increases (the example of a 24% rate change was discussed) may sound large as a percentage but could equate to modest dollar amounts per household; however, cumulative increases across multiple utilities and services could substantially affect household budgets. The borough is running a comprehensive rate study and using rate-modeling software to align capital timing, project sequencing and rate paths so increases can be smoothed across multiple years rather than concentrated in a single year.

Assembly members requested clearer metrics about household-dollar impacts and stressed the need for public communication about what the percentage changes mean in practical terms. Staff said they will return with granular numbers once the rate study analyses and grant award determinations are clearer.