Carlisle rate study results point to water, sewer increases
Carlisle residents could see some water and sewer rate increases in the coming years, according to the results of a recent rate study.
The study was designed to project water and sewer revenue requirements over the next five years and identify rates to meet those requirements.
Gannett Fleming Assistant Project Manager Greg Herbert presented the study's findings during the borough council's meeting Wednesday evening. Recommendations include four rate increases for water and two rate increases for wastewater, or sewage, from 2025 to 2028.
"The way that this was structured is the most conservative approach," Carlisle Director of Finance Richard Juday said. "But every year, the borough is going to pursue additional grant funding and try to find additional resources to help cover the cost of these capital projects."
That means the recommendations presented Wednesday are a "worst case scenario" if the borough isn't able to obtain additional funding, he said.
"It's not set in stone," Juday said. "This is a conservative outlook over the next five years in the hope that we'll be able to lower that expectation."
Water rate increase recommendations are:
According to Gannett Fleming data, someone paying $53.55 per quarter for water this year could be paying $81.45 per quarter by 2028.
The study also outlined a 13.2% increase in wastewater rates in 2026 and 2028. This means a resident paying $45.96 for sewage services now could be paying $58.90 per quarter by 2028.
According to Herbert, these increases could help cover both operations and maintenance costs as well as capital projects.
On the water side, upcoming capital projects include the installation of equipment to remove PFAS, the replacement of the Ridge Street water tank and waterline rehabilitation. Sewer capital projects include system rehabilitation and a biosolids upgrade project.
No decisions were made Wednesday night, and discussions are to continue as the borough prepares next year's budget.
Maddie Seiler is a news reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com covering Carlisle and Newville. Love Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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