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Questions and Answers: WATER
1. How do you determine how much
water and sewer service I have used and how much to charge
me?
Your bills are based on the amount of water that passed
through your meter since the last billing period. Sewer is
not metered; instead, we base the amount charged for sewer
on the amount of water delivered to your home.
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2. I water my garden and lawn in
the summer. How will this affect my bills and what are my
options?
If you water outside during the summer, be prepared for a
higher than normal Average Daily Consumption and bill
charges. You will be charged both water and sewer for all
water that passes through the domestic service meter. If you
have significant non-sewer water use, it may be appropriate
to consider establishing a service option that allows
charges for this water use only. MTMA (Moon Township
Municipal Authority) allows sewer
charge deduct meters for residential and commercial
customers when water used cannot enter the sewer. MTMA
also allows parallel water meters not subject to sewage
charge for commercial accounts when the water used cannot
enter the sewer.
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3. What if my bill is really
high, but I haven't watered outside?
The typical residential customer uses approximately 4,000
gallons of water per month. A three-month bill of 12,000
gallons is typical. A bill that is higher than expected, but
not due to outside watering, may indicate leaking toilets or
pipes. In fact, one leaking toilet can lose as many as three
to five gallons each minute, often silently. The three most
common toilet leaks are: flapper, siphon tube, and overflow
leaks. Luckily, it is easy to test your toilets for leaks.
Just put some colored liquid such as dark food coloring into
the top of your toilet tank, wait at least 20 minutes, and
then check the toilet bowl. If the color has seeped into the
bowl, you have a toilet leak. In that case, using the turn
off valve, you should turn off the toilet until it is
repaired.
The MTMA offers a no charge service to check for leaks
during normal work hours. Call to schedule an appointment.
Access to the interior of the premises is required. However,
MTMA DOES NOT REPAIR PLUMBING FIXTURES OR FIX LEAKS.
Property inspections are popular and schedules fill quickly.
If you strongly suspect a leak, we encourage you to contact
a plumber. A delay in investigating the reasons for
increased consumption at a property can result in a future
high bill.
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4. Why is the water discolored
and is it safe to drink?
DISCOLORED WATER
- is water containing an accumulation of iron and manganese
sediment from rusting cast iron pipes and/or from a buildup
of chemical deposits on the pipes. Water flowing at a
steady, even pace in one direction will not disturb these
deposits. If the water suddenly flows very fast or reverses
direction, the sediment and deposits are stirred up,
resulting in discoloration.
CAUSES OF DISCOLORED WATER:
a. A broken main may allow water to rush out of the pipe,
temporarily increasing the flow and disturbing the sediment.
b. Valves closed to isolate a broken water main or to make
repairs may disturb the flow in nearby water mains causing a
temporary increase or reversal of flow stirring up the
sediment.
c. Fully opening a fire hydrant for fire fighting purposes
or to flush the water system can cause a sudden increase in
flow, which may temporarily cause discoloration.
d. New water mains added to the system might cause a change
in established flow patterns and cause temporary
discoloration.
HEALTH CONCERNS:
Discolored water poses no health hazard. It is free from
harmful bacteria and safe for all household uses, such a
showering, cooking, flushing of toilets, etc. You can drink
the discolored water, but it may taste different. MTMA does
not recommend that you use discolored water to prepare baby
formula.
HOUSEHOLD USES FOR DISCOLORED WATER:
Discolored water can be used for showering, flushing
toilets, cleaning floors, etc. However, you should NOT wash
clothes in your washing machine during this time. Clothing
may stain. If clothing does get stained, immediately wash
the clothes again using a rust remover product, available in
most supermarkets or requested free from the MTMA during
normal business hours. It is best if the clothes do not dry
prior to using this type of product.
PARTICLES IN WATER:
Particles that can be seen in the
water are generally an accumulation of iron or other
minerals.
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5. How do I get my water
analyzed?
You may contact a private laboratory for an individual
analysis of your water. MTMA does not recommend specific laboratories.
MTMA does not do individual analyses, except to isolate
and/or identify a system problem. MTMA water is routinely
tested at specific sites within the distribution system. We
do have tap water analyses available. We will send you a
copy of the most recent water analysis summary report upon
request.
If you feel there is a water quality problem, we encourage
you to contact the MTMA to discuss your concerns.
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6. Can I turn the water off at my
house? How?
You can turn the water off inside your home/building at the
main valve. If you have an inside meter, check the valve
near where the meter is located. If you have an outside
meter, the main valve is usually located near the hot water
tank or where the service enters your home/building.
You may wish to consider turning the water off if you will
be away for an extended period. Hot water heat may require
the water be left on. The hot water tank-heating device
should also be turned off for an extended absence. Some
customers have returned to find very significant water damage due to a
plumbing fixture or pipe failure.
OPERATION OF MAIN (SHUT OFF) VALVE
To operate the main valve, turn clockwise to the right
(until it stops) to close, and counterclockwise to the left
(until it stops) to open.
If you need the water turned off from the outside, you
should contact the MTMA. The MTMA will turn water off or on at no charge during
normal work hours. MTMA will charge $85 for water turn off
or turn on after normal work hours. MTMA will not initiate
or restart water service unless the customer or a
representative is present to verify proper function of
interior plumbing fixtures.
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7. I think there is an
underground or service leak. What should I do?
Please contact MTMA. We will investigate to determine the
location of the leak (on or off property). The homeowner is
responsible for the water service from the house to the
property line and all the pipes within the house. If the leak is in the MTMA portion of the
service line or on the main, the MTMA will make repairs and
restore the affected area.
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8. I have low pressure or high
pressure in my home. What should I do?
Pressure is the force of water within the system. Other
terms used in conjunction with pressure are static (not
changing - pressure before flow) and residual (pressure left
in a pipe system when high water flow rates are occurring).
Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI).
Low Pressure/Flow is generally described as
not enough water in the system.
The problem may be a restriction within the pipes or a
problem with just one plumbing fixture. If the "low flow"
problem is found throughout the building/home, please call
MTMA and we will investigate. Someone will have to be
available for us to access the property to check inside the
home/business. Understandably, our crews will have to
address system wide emergencies and other critical events
prior to investigating low pressure concerns. Low-pressure
concerns are investigated by the MTMA during normal work
hours at no additional cost.
Low Pressure/Flow can be caused by:
a. Pipes that are restricted and do not allow a proper flow
of water. The system pressure can be satisfactory regardless
of the restricted flow.
b. The main valve or a valve at an individual fixture may be
partially closed.
c. A malfunctioning Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) inside the
home may cause reduced pressure/flow. The customer, not the
MTMA, owns this device.
d. Screens on individual fixtures (filters or aerators) may
be clogged. (Screens can be easily removed, rinsed and
replaced.)
High Pressure is generally described as a
stronger than normal flow of water from the spigots. If the
pressure at your property is too high, resulting problems
may be banging pipes, a tripped hot water relief valve or
washers that wear out quickly.
A malfunctioning Pressure Relief Valve (PRV)
can cause both high and low pressure problems. PRV's in the
house are the homeowner's responsibility. You may wish to
contact a plumber to replace a PRV or make other plumbing
improvements. The MTMA will not replace the PRV or make
other plumbing repairs.
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9. I see water surfacing outside
(street or shoulder of the road). Whom shall I call?
Contact MTMA at 412-264-4300 during office hours or after
office hours, the Moon Township Police at 412-262-5000. We
will send someone to investigate. Please give the person
answering the phone any additional information regarding the
location and nearest cross street to assist in locating the
leak.
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10. What is a water service line
and for what portion I am responsible?
The contractor installing the water main generally installs
the water service from the main to the property line. MTMA
is responsible for maintaining the individual water service
from the main to the property line. Service lines are
generally 3/4" for private homes and up to 12" for large
commercial and institutional customers MTMA uses copper and ductile iron for the service
lines.
The service line from the property line to the house and all
water pipes within the house/building are the responsibility
of the homeowner. This portion of the service line must be
installed per the requirements of the MTMA and Allegheny
County Health Department. Inspection by both agencies is
required prior to trench backfill.
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