The State Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) can help you pay arrears for your water and sewer bills. The program may also be able to help address tax liens due to water and sewer arrears. To get more information and apply, go to http://www.waterassistance.nj.gov or call NJ 2-1-1.
Category: MPWC Waterlines Newsletter
In uncertain times, you can be sure the Merchantville Pennsauken Water Commission (MPWC) is doing everything in its power to continue to supply the highest quality of water along with the highest quality of services under extreme circumstances.
The issue of safe drinking water did not take a back seat to the pandemic. Over the last few years, new regulations have been implemented to replace water mains at an accelerated rate, to remove all lead and galvanized iron services from the distribution system and to treat drinking water to higher standards than ever before.
You may have noticed the MPWC digging up the streets, lining and replacing water mains in the area of Franklin School in Pennsauken. In 2021, 7,600 linear feet of water main were either lined with structural epoxy to bring the pipe back to its original condition or replaced entirely. New valves were also installed. While the main was being addressed, temporary water was set up throughout the neighborhood. We did our best to not impact our customers and get in and out of the area as fast as possible.
The State of New Jersey is requiring all lead and galvanized services to be removed over the next ten years. This new law requires that we determine what the customer’s material is made out of and develop a plan to remove any customer owned galvanized or lead service line. You may have seen our flyers, door hangers or Facebook posts. If you have not already done so, please reach out and let us know if your service line is galvanized iron or copper.
Perhaps the biggest challenge we have faced is the new regulations the State has implemented to reduce the levels of emerging contaminants in drinking water. Of course, this brings new treatment technology into play and we are designing and constructing multiple treatment plants to address levels of contaminants down to the low parts per trillion level. With five treatment plants scattered around our towns, this is quite an undertaking and will take a few years to fully implement. Our Woodbine plant is currently off and under construction. Our National Highway plant is running with additional temporary treatment while we permit the permanent treatment plant. Plans are being developed to install additional treatment to the remaining plants as new regulations are implemented. MPWC continues to comply with all regulations even under construction and with the new limits. You may have seen on the news, not all utilities are doing as well with the new laws.
The good news, this will improve the quality of the drinking water better than it already is. We are constantly looking for outside funding sources to subsidize these capital expenses. With the passage of the new infrastructure bill, funds are being made available to offset some of these additional costs to minimize the burden on you, our customers.
We have increased our water rates by 4.0 % this year to assist us with maintaining the high level of service and quality of water and to undertake these large projects. For the average owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, you can anticipate a slight increase in your quarterly water bill of approximately $2.50 per quarter. Please know that we continue to be committed to providing the highest quality of water at the lowest possible cost. Our operation remains focused on keeping you, and our employees safe, while maximizing the services that we provide.
By:
Richard F. Spafford, PE
Director of Engineering
Customer residing in Pennsauken on the 7200 and 7400 blocks of:
- Walnut Avenue
- Cedar Avenue
- Githens Avenue
- Rogers Avenue
- Irving Avenue
- Harvey Avenue
or the 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, and 3200 blocks of Finlaw Avenue
The MPWC will be conducting water main relining procedures beginning on in mid-October and continuing through 12/1/2021. All work will be conducted between the hours of 7:00 am and 5:30 pm.
Contractors will be placing 2-inch temporary water lines down the sidewalks and installing temporary service lines to the outside hose spigots.
During the project, brief shutoffs of water will occur (less than 1 hour).
If you have any question or concerns, please contact the MPWC during regular business hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at (856) 663 – 0043; and after between the hours of 4:00 pm to 8:00 am please contact Suez at (330) 717 – 3880.
New Jersey Assembly Bill 5343 requires all water systems to inventory and replace lead service lines. The majority of our service lines are copper. However, we are required to provide an accurate inventory of the various service line types on the customer owned portion of the service for our entire service area.
It is very important that we complete our inventory so that we can finalize plans for the next phase of the project.
If you have not already done so, you can help us by reporting the type of water line coming into your property. If you know what kind of pipes you have (copper, plastic, galvanized steel, lead, etc.) you can call our office and report the information to one of our Customer Support Reps. You can also visit our website at www.mpwc.com for valuable information and pictures to assist you with identifying your water service line and service line type.
If you are unsure, you may schedule an appointment with a Service Technician, or you can snap a photo of the pipe coming into the property that connects to your water meter.
Send your photos along with your
property address to: info@mpwc.com
or call us at: 856-663-0043
We thank you for your continued cooperation as we work to meet the state’s deadline for confirming our system inventory and continuing to provide the best quality water possible.
Please take notice that the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission will hold it’s regular monthly business meeting via teleconference on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 4:00 PM. Login information for public participating will be posted prior to the meeting start time.
By Order Of The
Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission
Dated February 8, 2021
Online Payments Should Be Made Via the Link on the MPWC Website!
Attention Customers: When paying your bill online, be reminded that the MPWC can only verify payments in real time if you pay through the link on our website. Please visit www.mpwc.com and click on the yellow button that reads “Access Online Bill Pay.” Payments will be posted to your account on the next business day. If you are in danger of service termination, you may make an online payment and then contact our office where a Customer Support Representative can log on and verify that your payment is pending.
When customers use a web browser to search for how to pay MPWC bills online, they are often directed to third party sights. Those payments can take up to 10 business days to reach our office.
THE QUICKEST AND SAFEST WAY TO PAY YOUR BILLS IS DIRECTLY WITH THE MPWC EITHER IN PERSON OR VIA OUR SECURED PAYMENT SITE.
Please note that if you choose to pay through your bank’s online “Bill Pay” option, processing will take some extra time. Your bank will actually cut a paper check and mail it to us via USPS. Be sure to schedule your payment well in advance of your due date to avoid penalties and possible service termination.
As always, the MPWC is happy to answer any of your questions. Contact our Customer Support Center at 856-663-0043 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. For after hours emergencies, please dial 856-663-0044.
The MPWC remains committed to providing our customers with clean, safe and reliable water during these uncertain times. You should have received a postcard mailing regarding Governor Murphy’s voluntary moratorium preventing utility shutoffs to residential and commercial customers during the Covid-19 pandemic expiring.
If you are experiencing a financial hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic, please contact us to discuss payment options. The MPWC will work with you to ensure that your service is not interrupted.
Our staff is standing by Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 4 PM to assist you with your repayment options by phone at 856-663-0043.
An addendum has been issued for the Woodbine Treatment Plant Upgrade. The addendum covers concerns identified during the bid process. The bid opening has been changed to 24 September 2020 at 11 AM at the MPWC headquarters.
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PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission for the Woodbine Treatment Plant Upgrades in Pennsauken, Camden County, New Jersey.
Bid forms, contracts and specifications are on file at the office of the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission, 6751 Westfield Ave, Pennsauken, New Jersey 08110.
Said Bids will be received, opened and read aloud in public at the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission Administration Building, 6751 Westfield Ave, Pennsauken, New Jersey on September 22nd, 2020 at 11:00 AM prevailing time.
Copies of the bid forms, contracts and specifications may be obtained from said Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission, by prospective bidders upon request, upon payment of the sum of $25.00 for each set.
PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO OBTAINING SAID SPECIFICATIONS, EITHER BY MAIL OR IN PERSON.
The Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission reserves the right to consider the bids for sixty (60) days after the receipt thereof, and further reserves the right to reject any or all bids, either in whole or in part and also to waive any informality in any and make such awards or take action as may be in the best interest of the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission.
Bids must be on the bid form prepared by Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission, in the manner designated therein and required by the specifications, must be enclosed in sealed envelopes bearing the name and address of the bidder on the outside and also bearing on the outside reference to the particular work bid upon. Said bids shall be addressed to Richard Spafford, P.E., MPWC Engineer, Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission, 6751 Westfield Avenue, Pennsauken, NJ 08110.
Each bid shall be accompanied by a certified check, cashier’s check or bid bond duly executed by the bidder as principal and having as surety thereon a surety company approved by the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) but in no case in excess of $20,000.00 of the amount bid. Any such bid bond shall be without endorsement or conditions. Bid shall also be accompanied by a certificate letter from a surety company stating that it will provide the bidder with the completion bond.
The award of the contract shall be made subject to the necessary moneys to do the work being provided by the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission in a lawful manner. The contract to be executed by the successful bidder will provide that it shall not become effective until the necessary moneys to do the work have been provided by the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission in a lawful manner. The award shall further be subjected to the securing of necessary State, Federal or Local permits governing the work.
Bidders are required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et. seq., N.J.A.C. 17:27 (Affirmative Action), P.L. 1963. C150 (New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act), and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101, et.seq.).
The contractor is further notified that he must comply with P.L. 1977, c. 33, and submit a Disclosure Statement listing stockholders with his bid.
The contractor is further notified that he must comply with P.L. 1999 c.238 Public Works Contractor Registration Act and he and any subcontractors must be registered in accordance with the act.
The contractor is also further notified that he must comply with P.L. 2004 c. 57 and submit proof of business registration and submit proof of business registration for any named subcontractors in accordance with the act.
By Order of the Commission
Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission
Camden County, NJ
Dated: August 13, 2020
If you have not already, please submit your enrollment form for your 2020 discount! Please note that even if received a discount for 2019, you must apply EACH year to continue receiving your discount. Stop by our Administrative Headquarters on Westfield Avenue in Pennsauken to pick up an application. You may also print a copy of the enrollment form by visiting our website at www.mpwc.com. Our Customer Support Representatives will be happy to assist you in completing your enrollment form. Your enrollment form requires your block and lot number so please bring along a copy of your tax bill.
The MPWC will close at 3:00 PM on Fridays through Labor Day.
We will remain open for regular business hours Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Payments can be made by selecting the “Access Online Bill Pay” button on our home page. You may also pay by calling our automated system at 1-844-611-4016. Payments can also be left in the dropbox to the right of the door at our Westfield Avenue headquarters.
If you have a water emergency, please dial call our 24-hour emergency numberr 856-663-0044
