Find answers to our most frequently asked questions regarding the Highland Sewer and Water Authority and the services we provide. If you have trouble finding an answer to your question, or you have a more detailed inquiry, feel free to contact us.
Is Highland's water Hard, or Soft?
Highland's water is categorized as "Soft" to "Very Soft".
Why does my water look "milky" sometimes?
On the rare occurrence of a milky appearance to your water, it can be attributed to entrapped air (tiny air bubbles). This usually happens after a disturbance (Leak, Flushing, etc.) of the water system in your neighborhood.
Is Highland's water Fluoridated?
No. The Authority believes that dental hygiene is the responsibility of the individual and the family, and is not the role for a Public Water Supply System.
Why is my Water Bill so high, and so much higher than my neighbor's?
Highland's water rates are comparable or less than most similar-sized water systems in Pennsylvania. Unless there has been a mistake on your Bill (a very rare occurrence), the normal amount of your monthly bill reflects YOUR amount of service. If you want to compare your bill or usage to that of your neighbors’ or friends’, make sure you do so with several customers with like-sized families to that of yours. For comparison, the average residential customer throughout Highland's system uses 140 gallons Per Day (gpd).
Why do I get two (2) Sewer Bills, and why doesn't my friend?
Highland does not own or operate a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). Highland does have a sanitary sewer system in the Geistown/Richland area. This pipeline network provides Collection and Transportation for sewage flow, and your Highland Sewer Bill reflects the charges for that service. Highland's sanitary sewer pipeline network connects to three (3) separately owned adjacent sewer systems (Johnstown Regional Sewage, Windber Area Authority, Forest Hills Municipal Authority). These systems further Transport the sewage flows through their pipelines and ultimately to their STP for Treatment. Accordingly, these entities charge for Transportation&Treatment. The three agencies are completely autonomous from Highland and have the right to establish their own rates for the service they provide. The Johnstown Regional Sewage and the Forest Hills Municipal Authority provide their own billing service and mail out a separate sewer bill. Conversely, through a contractual arrangement, Highland provides the Billing service for WAA, and those charges are shown as a separate item on your monthly "Highland" bill.
Is there someone working at your Drive-Up payment window all day?
For quickest customer convenience, Highland has a "Payment Slot" next to (just before) its Drive-Up window. Payments can be dropped off into the Payment Slot 24hr/7wk. If you need change or further PAYMENT assistance, you can utilize our Drive-Up window. Please realize, however, that an employee IS NOT stationed at the window continuously. Just ring the "Call Buzzer" for assistance.
How much (%) of my bill is Profit for Highland?
"0%", Highland is a Non-Profit municipal authority. There are no shareholders demanding a profit such as there normally are with privately held utilities such as a Phone Co., Electric Co., Gas Co., etc.
Can I get a Credit/Deduction of the sewer charges for when I fill my swimming pool, since that water doesn't go down Highland's sanitary sewer?
A Highland customer may be allowed a one-time credit for sewer charges on the initial fill up of a newly-constructed swimming pool. In order to get such credit for subsequent fillings, a customer must have a "deduction meter" installed, at the customer's expense. However, with some minor plumbing rearrangement, a customer can make full advantage of a deduction meter installation for all "outside" water usage (Car Washing, Lawn/Garden Watering, Filling/Topping-Off swimming pools, etc.). Please call our Office for further details.
After Highland had a water leak in my neighborhood, my water was dirty and I had to let it run for awhile to clear. Also, I had to flush my water tank. Can I get credit for that water I couldn't use?
At Highland's current Rates the cost of 1 Gallon of water is no more than ½ of a penny ($.005). Accordingly, completely flushing a 50 gallon water tank costs about a Quarter ($.25) . Additionally, customers tend to overestimate how much water they had to let run to clear their water. The true costs are most likely between a Quarter and a Dollar. We always regret such occasional inconveniences, but credit is not issued in such cases.
Shouldn't I buy Bottled Water for drinking, because it's safer?
Highland's water meets and/or exceeds all Federal and State regulatory requirements for "safe water". In fact, we have received commendations for the operation of our water system. At the cost of HALF A PENNY per gallon Highland’s water is by-far the exceptional value. (Re-fill you “bottled water” container with Highland water!)
Can I fish in Highland's reservoirs?
Highland's secondary, and remotely located Lloydell Reservoir (a.k.a. Beaverdale Reservoir and/or 5-Mile Reservoir) IS NOT open to the Public. However, Highland's main reservoir (Beaverdam Reservoir) IS OPEN to limited Public access and use through a co-operative management arrangement with the PA Fish and Boat Commission. Click here for more details.
