Township adopts ordinance shifting commercial sewer billing to flat rates

The West Whiteland Township Board of Supervisors on July 8 adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 253 of the Township Code to convert nonresidential sewer billing from a consumption-based system to a classification-based flat rate, and unanimously approved Resolution 2026-27 establishing revised sewer rental fees for 2026.

Pam Gural-Bear, Township Manager, reviewed a July 2 memorandum and a sewer rate and tapping fee study by Remington Vernick Engineers (RVE) that recommended the change. Gural-Bear said the conversion is intended to align commercial billing with residential Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) billing and to reduce revenue volatility when commercial buildings are vacant. "The study recommended transitioning to a classification-based billing or flat rate that will better align sewer revenues with long-term system costs," she stated.

Supervisor Libby Madarasz moved to adopt the ordinance; Vice Chair Rajesh Kumbhardare seconded the motion. Board Chair Brian Dunn called for public comment; none was offered. The motion and the accompanying resolution were approved unanimously.

The ordinance amends Chapter 253, Sewers and Sewage Disposal, of the West Whiteland Township Code; the record references Remington Vernick Engineers' sewer rate and tapping fee work and sets the Township on a flat-rate schedule for nonresidential accounts moving forward. The action is intended to support maintenance and replacement of aging sewer infrastructure and to create a billing approach comparable to residential EDUs.