Collingswood Water, Sewer Rates Headed up 4%

Utility bills are set to increase in Collingswood, according to a proposed ordinance introduced at the Monday borough commissioners meeting.

If approved, the resolution would increase sewer rates 4 percent, from $234 to $246 annually (up from $58.50 to $61.50 quarterly).

Water usage rates would climb from $2.70 per 100 cubic feet to $2.85 per 100 cubic feet.

It would be the first rate increase the borough has seen for water and sewer in two-and-a-half years, Collingswood Mayor James Maley said at the meeting.

On balance, however, Collingswood residents might have some better news regarding the borough water infrastructure, as preliminary testing on the new hydro well being dug by Cooper River looks "real good," according to Water Superintendent Tom McCarthy.

McCarthy said the borough finished up its 72-hour pump test November 1, and that the project is now headed to the engineering phase.

"The pump test went fantastic," McCarthy said; "the water quality is good, the flow is good." 

The search for an additional source of high-quality drinking water in the borough was undertaken in part to avoid making expensive infrastructure improvements to the existing borough water plant.

"Hopefully with this, maybe not," McCarthy said. "Everything so far worked out pretty good."

McCarthy said it will be a year before the new well can be brought online full time.