Public - 717-591-1370

Background

The Silver Spring Township Authority was created by the Silver Spring Township Board of Supervisors on September 26, 1984 for the purpose of providing sanitary sewer service within the boundaries of Silver Spring Township. The sewer authority is an instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and operates independently of the township, having its own operating budget funded entirely by user fees, a separate office location, employees and equipment. The authority is governed by a five-member board whose members are appointed to five-year terms by the township supervisors. The authority board members do serve voluntarily and receive no compensation for their service. All members serving on the sewer authority board reside in Silver Spring Township, which is a requirement that is set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipality Authorities Act of 1945, with subsequent amendments.

Staffing

The authority currently has 6 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee. The office staff includes a manager, office administrator, and part-time clerical assistant. The field staff includes a treatment plant operator, an assistant operator, and two authority laborers.

Office Location/Contact Information

The Silver Spring Township Authority office is located at 31 East Main Street in New Kingstown, in the eastern end of the Post Office Building.
Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 1001, New Kingstown, PA 17072.
Telephone: (717) 591-1370 Facsimile: (717) 591-1373
E-mail: silverspringauth@comcast.net

Infrastructure

The authority is responsible for operating and maintaining a 600,000 gallon per day treatment facility, 22 sewer pumping stations, and over fifty miles of sewer line. The authority is presently planning to upgrade the treatment facility to provide enhanced sewer treatment and capacity. The treatment facility upgrade will enable the authority to meet the stringent new waste water nutrient discharge requirements that will soon be adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection. The present treatment facility was constructed in 1990, and approximately 85% of the sewer collection system has been installed since that time.

Service Areas

While the authority maintains standardized rental and connection fees throughout the township, there are four distinct treatment areas in the township, and three of those areas have sewage flows exported to other municipalities. Those municipalities are: Hampden Township, Mechanicsburg Borough, and Middlesex Township. The Authority also collects and treats sewage at its Milfording Road Waste Water Treatment Plant. Total public sewage flows currently amount to 620,000 gallons per day on a township wide basis.

User Fees/Billing Information

The current residential sewer rate is $106.00 per quarter, which includes water usage from 0 to 9,000 gallons during that billing period, or up to 100 gallons per day of average water use. Water use beyond the 9,000 gallon quarterly allotment is surcharged at a rate of $6.30 per thousand gallons exceeding the base allotment. The residential rate applies to each residential unit in the case of multiple unit structures.
The current commercial sewer rate is $71.85 per month, with a surcharge of $6.30 for every 1,000 gallons of water usage exceeding the base allotment of 3,000 gallons in each monthly billing period. The commercial rate applies to each business unit in the case of a multiple unit structure.
Non-metered residential customers (well-users) are charged a flat rate of $150.00 per quarter year period.
Non-metered commercial customers (well-users) are charged a flat rate of $188.75 per month. The Non-metered rate is applied per unit in the case of residential and non-residential multiple unit structures.
Sewer rental bills are sent out on a quarterly basis for residential customers and on a monthly basis for commercial customers, regardless of the occupancy status of the service address. Residential bills are due within 30 days of the billing date, and commercial bills are due within 14 days of the billing date. Payments received after the due date is subject to a 10% penalty on the most current billing amount. All payments are processed the day that are received at the office.
The current tapping fee in Silver Spring Township is $3,600 per unit or single family residential structure. In some cases, a Reimbursement Component Fee may be due in addition to the tapping fee, which goes toward a payment for sewer capacity provided by other parties. Please contact the authority office if you have questions regarding the existence of a reimbursement component in your proposed area.

Special Programs

The Silver Spring Township Authority has established a “Lawn Credit” program for new homes that are in the process of establishing a new lawn with frequent watering. The “Lawn Credit” is offered as a one-time credit for applicable customers where upon completing and returning the required form, the authority will cap a residential sewer bill at the Non-metered customer rate of $150.00 for two consecutive quarters. The “Lawn Credit” is only available to new residential construction situations and for two quarters. No extensions beyond the two-quarter period will be granted.
The Silver Spring Township Authority administers a “Deduction Meter Program” whereby customers that utilize a large amount of water at their home or business that does not enter the public sewer system may purchase and install a meter that registers the amount of such water, which is then reported to the office and deducted from their total water usage for each month. Water meters may be purchased for $70 and up from plumbing suppliers such as R.F. Fager Co. in Camp Hill or Northeastern Supply in Carlisle. Please contact the office if you have questions or would like to utilize this program. Please note that it may not be cost effective in every case to utilize this program, depending upon your water use habits. There is a $50 annual registration fee (per meter) to enroll in the Deduction Meter Program.

Ownership and Responsibility

A building sewer is the pipe that connects a house or structure to the public sewer system, which typically ends at the curb line or public right-of-way limit on private property. Building sewers are a part of the property they serve and maintaining and repairing them is the responsibility of the property owner.

Most building sewers have cleanouts installed every 75 feet or less, to allow the sewer pipe to be cleared in the event of a clog. The cleanouts are typically 4 inches in diameter and composed of white PVC plastic. A broken cleanout may allow excess surface water into the sewer system during heavy rain events, and also let in dirt and debris that could potentially clog your building sewer. Cleanout covers and collars may be obtained at your local home builder supply for a few dollars in the event that they are broken. Please contact the office for advice on repairs if necessary.

If your building sewer is clogged and you are not sure where the clog is located, please call the authority and personnel will check the main sewer serving your property. If the problem is in the authority’s main sewer, we will address the problem immediately. If the main sewer serving your home is not the source of the problem, authority personnel will contact you to report their findings. Please call (717) 591-1370 for this assistance.

Some homes are served by grinder pumps instead of gravity sewer lines. The grinder pump unit is owned by the homeowner and the repair and maintenance of that unit is the homeowner’s responsibility. If you are having operational difficulty with your grinder pump, you may contact Lenker’s Excavating at (717) 943-7587 for repair service.

Please be aware that sewer easements or rights-of-way are located on some properties in the township, and objects are not to be constructed or placed in those areas. If a private object such as a tree, fence, or shed is placed in such an area, the authority is under no obligation to replace that object or reimburse the owner for damage or loss if it is removed or damaged in the process of sewer maintenance or repair work. Lack of awareness for easement locations does not provide an exception for placing or constructing items upon them. Please protect your investments and do not place them in sewer easements or right-of-way areas. If you are unsure if a sewer easement or right-of-way exists on your property, please contact the authority office at (717) 591-1370 for information and details.

Miscellaneous Information

The Silver Spring Township Authority is responsible for handling issues related to the public sanitary sewer system. The Township of Silver Spring is responsible for the administration of regulations involving on-lot (septic) sewer systems. If your home or business is sewered by an on-lot septic or sand mound system, you will need to contact the Sewage Enforcement Officer for Silver Spring Township in the event you have questions about on-lot sewer system operations and permits, or require repairs for such systems. Gary Morrow is the Sewage Enforcement Officer for Silver Spring Township, and may be reached at (717) 697-3044. The township office may be contacted at (717) 766-0178.

Your sewer rental bill is based upon water consumption, so you may minimize both your water and sewer bill by employing water conservation. For tips on water conservation, please consult your water supplier.

All sewer repair and alteration work from your foundation wall to the curb or property line is to be inspected by Authority personnel. Repair/alteration permits for such work may be obtained at the Silver Spring Township Authority office free of charge.

Go here for answers to some FAQs about Public Sewers.