Frequently Asked Questions

When are the water bills sent out?  
Water meter readings are taken on or around the 20th day of the month or quarter.  Commercial accounts are billed monthly.   The bills are sent out the first week of the month and due in our office by the last business day of that same month.  Residential accounts are billed quarterly.  The bills are sent out in the first week following the end of the quarter, and due in our office by the last business day of that same month. 

1st Quarter – Dec. 20 – Mar. 20, billing is sent out the first week of April.

2nd Quarter - Mar. 20 – Jun. 20, billing is sent out the first week of July.

3rd Quarter - Jul. 20 – Sep. 20, billing is sent out the first week of October.

4th Quarter - Sep. 20 – Dec. 20, billing is sent out the first week of January.

PENALTIES ARE APPLIED THE DAY AFTER THE DUE DATE NO ACCEPTATIONS. YOUR PAYMENT NEEDS TO BE IN OUR OFFICE BY THE DUE DATE TO AVOID THE LATE FEE.

Can I have my penalty removed because I didn't receive my bill?

Failure to receive a bill shall not exempt any customer from the obligation to pay the bill by its due date.
The bills are sent out and are due the same months/quarters ever year. These time frames will never change.
We also have the option to get your bills sent through email, instead of general mail. If you would like to sign up please visit the FORMS page, and never miss a bill again. 

Why do I still get a water bill if I am temporarily not living in the home and did not use water?

All Customers shall receive a minimum bill based on their meter size, regardless of whether water is used or not for any billing period, as adopted by the Board of the Whitehall Township Authority on November 18, 2019 by Resolution 7-2019. 

Why is my water consumption higher?  
There are a couple of reasons that could cause your water consumption to be higher. Leaky toilets, faucets, water softeners, outdoor hose bibs, and water heaters can increase water consumption.  Leaky toilets are usually the #1 cause why your water consumption has increased.  If your toilet is making any kind of hissing noise or not shutting down correctly, have it checked and fixed, to avoid high water consumption.  It is common in the summer months for consumption to be higher due to customers filling swimming pools, gardening/landscaping, and washing vehicles.

How do I check for leaks?
1. Write down the meter reading before you go to bed. (Meter is usually located in your basement).

2. DO NOT use any water throughout the night.

3. Check the meter reading first thing in the morning. 

If the readings are the same, there is no leak, or something like a toilet flapper could of gotten stuck after flushing causing higher usage in the previous months, if the reading has increased, water was used.  You can turn the valves off at each sink and toilet until the reading on the water meter stops moving.  ALWAYS CHECK TOILETS FIRST! WATER SOFTNERS SECOND!

Click here -> Water Leak Chart

Why do I have low water pressure?
The first thing we ask customers is if the water pressure is low throughout the entire home or just one specific fixture?  If you are experiencing low pressure throughout the entire home, and we do not have a system issue, we ask if they have a water softener.  If the answer is yes, we ask the customer to by-pass the water softener to see if the water pressure is restored.  If the water pressure is normal, the problem may be the water softener.  When a water softener malfunctions, the debris may back up into the fixtures in the home.

If the answer is no, we will send an employee to check the pressure in your home.

Are my pipes rattling due to high water pressure?  
Most likely no, make sure your pipes are properly fastened to avoid a vibration or water hammer.

What if my pressure is higher or lower then desired inside my building or residence?
The Whitehall Township Authority operates and maintains water distribution system pressures in compliance with the current operating requirements/standards set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) design standards and the Pennsylvania Code, Chapter 65 "Water Service". 

Where a customer considers prevailing pressures to be higher or lower than desired inside their building or residence, the customer may consider the following:
A) High Pressure: The customer may, at their own expense, install and maintain a pressure control valve after the backflow preventer inside their building or residence.

B) Low Pressure: The customer may, at their own expense, install and maintain a pressure boosting system after the backflow preventer inside their building or residence. 

What is the hardness of the water and the PH?  
The hardness of our water is 12.85-17.52 grains per gallon or 220-300 milligrams per liter.  The PH is 7.0 or higher.

Is there Fluoride in the water?  
No, we do not add Fluoride to our water system.  (Please view the Water Quality Reports to find out more information about our Water System).