Initiatives

Investing in Clean Water for Decades to Come

Existing water mains are 65-125 years old and are reaching the limit of usable life.

Through low-cost state financing and capital reserves, Elizabethtown Area Water Authority is investing over $26 million in critical infrastructure upgrades over the next several years that will provide a reliable and safe water supply for decades to come. Additionally, like most municipal authorities, EAWA is facing rising operating costs.

Mindful of the need to proactively maintain our water system, meet state and federal standards, and remain financially sound, EAWA engaged a rate consultant to perform a comprehensive cost of service analysis. The analysis considered revenue, operating expenses, capital expenses, debt service payments, and other financial factors.

Based on the independent cost of service analysis, EAWA is implementing a schedule of rate adjustments beginning in 2026 and extending through 2032.

Read on for more details about the rate adjustments and how investments were making in our water system will benefit you.

System Upgrade Projects

Replace Aged Water Mains (Current} Replace nearly 36,000 feet of aged cast-iron water mains (length of about 100 football fields) and over 800 service lines.

Benefits

Improve water distribution and quality
Increase fire hydrant flow throughout the system service area

Replace Filtration Membranes Replace Aria membranes, which filter water to remove contaminants. Existing membranes are reaching end of life.

Installation of an additional skid of membranes for redundancy.

Benefits

Improve water qualityMitigate maintenance

Replace Water Meters

Replace over 4,500 meters and install Advanced Metering Infrastructure.

Benefits

Enable digital remote meter reading
Reduce water loss in the system

Well 6/7 – New Building

Install a new well-house with new water treatment equipment to meet current and future demand.

Benefits

Improve water quality
Improve system capacity

Water Main Replacement (Future} Replace aged mains throughout the Borough and Townships, supported by low-interest state/federal financing.

Benefits

Improve water distribution and quality
Increase fire hydrant flow throughout the system service area

Water Rate Adjustments

Cost

For most EAWA residential customers, the rate increase in 2026 will equate to about $6-10 per quarter.
EAWA remains committed to providing you with the best water quality and service at the most economical rates possible!

Questions?

The Elizabethtown Area Water Authority serves over 6,800 customers in Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy Township and West Donegal Township and produces an average of 1.5 million gallons of water a day.