Several years ago, Logan Township hired an engineering firm to check basements and spouts to ensure there was no ground or rain water going into the sewage system.
Being in compliance with this mandate cost some homeowners a substantial amount of money.
Supposedly it was done to hold down the cost of sewage to residents by not having to increase the size of sewage plants. Well, that plan did not stop any increases.
Next the Environmental Protection Agency wants the Chesapeake Bay to be free of pollutants released from sewage plants. Altoona city sewerage plants have complied without raising rates to the extent Logan Township charges its residents.
Altoona's rate is based on a percentage of the amount of water used. Logan charges $46 per month per residence regardless of how much they use.
This would mean that a retired couple would pay the same as a family of five. This doesn't seem to give any incentive for residents to conserve on water and sewage flow as it does with Altoona city residents. Large apartment complexes in the township are charged a 20 percent rate as to water used, so why do regular residents have to pay a higher rate no matter what their water consumption?
This creates a hardship to retired people and lower-income people who use little water especially when the sewage rate is suppose to increase to $55 in the near future.
If I use $25 worth of water, how is it fair that I have to pay more than twice the amount of disposal, especially when business and apartment complexes are charged at a rate of 20 percent of their water usage?
Come on, Logan Township supervisors, let's be fair and balanced and charge people for what they use. Reach out to help those in need during a bad economy.
With another increase to $55 in the near future, it's time for all residents to attend the Logan Township supervisors' meetings and demand that individuals only pay for what they use.
William R. Dicken
Lakemont
