CRANBERRY TWP — Township supervisors Thursday raised the sewage rate and lowered the water rate, prompted in part by an expansion of the Brush Creek Water Pollution Control Facility.

“It's all based on capital needs,” said Jerry Andree, township manager. “We're tipping too far into the fund balance.”

The sewer meter rate will increase by 50 cents for meter readings on or after Aug. 1 and 30 cents for meter readings on or after Dec. 1. The water meter rate will decrease 20 cents for meter readings on or after Aug. 1.

Andree said the average resident should expect an increase of $1.25 per month in their August and December bills.

Andree said the improvements to the Brush Creek facility, a 9-year process costing about $62 million, have added some stress to the sewage fund.

He said the water fund's conditions have been favorable allowing the township to decrease that rate.

“Each fund is independently evaluated,” Andree said.

Supervisor Richard Hadley said the board acted upon a need that will exist for years to come.

“You still have to be looking forward to maintaining your system long term,” he said. “Here we want to maintain it as we go.”

Hadley said the board has always operated with the goal of slowly addressing areas of need through careful evaluation. He said this method is less aggressive toward the taxpayers while still addressing concerns.

“It's not just sewer and water. It's our taxes and everything we do,” Hadley said.