CRANBERRY TWP — Residents will see an increase in their monthly water bills this fall.

Township supervisors meeting Thursday increased the monthly base rate from $6 to $7 for customers with a 5/8 inch connection. Such a connection is found primarily in residential homes.

The usage rate will increase from $6.48 per 1,000 gallons to $7.47 per 1,000 gallons, or .007470 per gallon.

The move comes after the township was notified by West View Water Authority that the cost of providing bulk water is being increased about 30 percent effective Sept. 1. Jerry Andree, township manager, said the water system will absorb about 5 percent of the increase.

The change in rates will become effective on the Sept. 27 meter reading, and will result in about a $4 average increase per customer, Andree said.

“This is simply a pass through that West View is charging us,” said Dick Hadley, township supervisor chairman.

The adjustment in rates will allow the township to now bill customers by the gallon, Andree said.

Also Thursday, supervisors approved a conditional use to allow Penn Power Sales on Route 19 to begin selling automobiles at the location. According to Ron Henshaw, director of planning and developmental services, no changes are being made to the property, and the conditional zoning change only allows for the sale, not physical work to the area.