• 1700 Beaver Grade Rd Ste. 200, Moon Township, PA 15108
  • • 412-264-4300
  • • Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

Please select the appropriate link below to assist you with your MTMA questions.

Water
Sewer
General

Water FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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:

  1. A broken main may allow water to rush out of the pipe, temporarily increasing the flow and disturbing the sediment.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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.

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 for service- related calls. MTMA will charge a one time $30 charge for turn off/turn on services for vacant homes during normal business hours, with a charge of $100 should the service be required 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.

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.

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.

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:

  1. Pipes that are restricted and do not allow a proper flow of water. The system pressure can be satisfactory regardless of the restricted flow.
  2. The main valve or a valve at an individual fixture may be partially closed.
  3. A malfunctioning Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) inside the home may cause reduced pressure/flow. The customer, not the MTMA, owns this device.
  4. 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.

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.

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.

Sewer FAQs

Call MTMA (Moon Township Municipal Authority) at 412-264-4300 during office hours or Moon Township Police after office hours at 412-262-5000.

Several questions that you might consider when trying to determine the possible cause of a sewer problem/stoppage are:

  1. Is the problem with an individual fixture such as the kitchen sink? If so, you may attempt to clear the blockage yourself or contact a plumber/sewer drain cleaner.
  2. Is the problem with a commode located above the lowest level (floor) of the building? If yes, you may attempt to clear the blockage yourself or contact a registered plumber/sewer drain cleaner.
  3. Is the problem with the lowest facility (toilet, shower, floor drain, or laundry tub in the house/building? If yes, contact MTMA to investigate.
  4. Is the service backing up constantly, even when the occupants on the premises are not using the facilities? If yes, contact MTMA to investigate.

When a sewer backup is not in the lowest level plumbing fixtures, we suggest you contact a registered plumber or sewer drain cleaner for assistance with the problem. An upstairs sewage blockage, when lower level drains function, indicates the problem is at that fixture or within the homes plumbing. If you are unsure, please contact MTMA for assistance.

The contractor installing the sewer main generally installs the sewer service from the main to the property line or easement limit. MTMA is responsible for maintaining the individual sewer service (lateral) from the main to the property line. Service lines (laterals) are generally 4″ or 6″ for private homes. The service line, from the property line to the house and sewer pipes within the house, are the responsibility of the homeowner.

An obstruction in the main (in the street) or service line can cause sewer odor where gases are trapped, but a backup is not occurring. The gases can escape through manholes or the drains in customers’ homes or buildings. Unless the odor is isolated to one fixture or in an upper bathroom only, call MTMA to investigate.

Sewer odor can be caused because floor drain traps or plumbing fixture traps are empty. Please turn your water on at each sink and let it run for 15 seconds. This will ensure that there is water in the plumbing fixture traps.

Also, add approximately 2 cups of water to your floor drains. If the floor drain is dry, sewer gas can get into the house and cause an odor problem.

If you’re leaving the house for an extended period, ensure that the toilet bowls, fixture traps, and floor drain traps have water in them.

There are several causes of clogged sewers. Flushing of wipes, diapers, and feminine hygine products are a modern cause of sewer clogs. No wipes, diapers, or hygine products are flushable. In our area, one of the main causes is roots from trees that may enter at the joints of pipes or cracks in older pipe. (Roots seek water and they often force their way right through the cracks in the pipe.) Also, broken pipe may allow soil to enter and cause a problem. Grease is also a main cause of clogged sewers. Introduced into the sewer lines by occupants, grease can harden or collect resulting in stoppages and backups. Don’t pour grease into a sink drain or garbage disposal.

Be careful what you put down the drain. Several Items that should not be put into your sewer system are: wipes, feminine hygine products, paper towels, diapers, grease, paints/solvents, chemicals, antifreeze, oils, and any item that will not dissolve. Please deposit grease, food scraps, wipes, diapers, and feminine hygine products in the trash for disposal.

MTMA and other utilities use manholes to access our underground infrastructure. Our crews also use manholes to clear stoppages. Manholes are located in the street, right of way, or in a MTMA utility easement. Please do not block access to or bury manholes.

A clean out is an entry point into the sewer main or service line that is used to clear the line of any obstruction. A clean out can be located either inside or outside of a house/building. MTMA maintains sewer main clean outs only. The maintenance of any cleanout located inside a building or on the owner’s service lateral is the owner’s responsibility. Be careful not to damage or bury cleanouts.

Newer sewer service lines have a riser pipe at the property line or limit of the utility easement to separate the MTMA portion of the service line from the customer owned portion of the sewer service line. These have been installed on new service lines since 1996.

The Moon Township Municipal Authority (MTMA) understands that the initial filling of a swimming pool may result in a temporary increase in water usage.

At the customer’s request, MTMA will review an account for an annual one-time billing adjustment on a case-by-case basis for a noticeable spike in water consumption that can be verified through meter readings. This consideration applies only to a short duration up to one week in which the pool fill occurred and where the increase is substantially higher than the customer’s normal water usage.

Ongoing, seasonal, or repeated increases in usage, such as routine pool maintenance, water level top-offs, or multi-month filling, do not qualify for additional adjustments. Credits are not issued incrementally and are not intended to offset overall high consumption levels over an extended period.

In order to request a pool credit, please provide meter readings and the date(s) when you filled your pool. The courtesy pool credit will consist of a refund of the sewer-related charges based on the amount used to fill the pool. Credits are based on 1000-gallon increments in accordance with our billing system. Requests for credits for less than 1,000 gallons cannot be accommodated. Please note that pool credits are limited to accounts in good standing and are not available to customers who have had services terminated within the past 12 months due to non-payment.

General FAQs

Road repairs are generally the responsibility of the owner of the road. This may be the municipality, state Department of Transportation, county, property owners association or residents on a private road. MTMA (Moon Township Municipal Authority) will restore any areas impacted during construction or maintenance related work. Please call 412-264-4300 to notify us of your concerns.

Storm drains are above ground open drainage ditches or belowground systems of pipes that collect and carry off rainwater. The storm drain system is not connected to the closed MTMA sanitary sewer system. No surface or ground water may flow to a homes sewer plumbing or an MTMA sanitary sewer.

The only MTMA owned storm drains are on MTMA owned property, such as treatment plant sites.

A property owner or the governmental body that owns an adjacent roadway may own storm drains. Many storm drains are privately owned. Some are owned by the municipality or roadway owner.

There are covers in the street, shoulder of the road and even in customers’ yards. These covers are over water, sewer, storm drain, telephone, and gas structures. Most covers have some type of identification.

MTMA covers are located:

over water valves and blow-offs in the street, shoulder of the road, and right-of-ways areas; over manholes in the street, shoulder of the road, and in right-of-ways areas; and at the property line covering meters and curb boxes (the water turn on/off valve) sewer clean outs, and site tees. Meter pits and sight tees are customer owned.

If you have identified the cover as water or sewer, contact MTMA at 412-264-4300. Please advise us of the exact location and, if possible, give us the approximate size of the cover/opening.

An estimated bill is generated by our computerized billing system when circumstances such as: inclement weather, inaccessible or obstructed equipment, locked gates, or no one at home (to name a few reasons) prohibit our field employees from obtaining an actual meter reading. We also may estimate usage when there are questionable changes in current consumption compared to historical usage.

A residential customer’s usage is estimated based on the household’s previous usage for the comparable period. When there is a new owner/occupant at the property, the estimated bill is based on a recent Average Daily Consumption.
Commercial customers’ bills are estimated based on the previous occupants’ Average Daily Consumption

If we are unable to obtain an actual meter reading, the field service representative will leave a card at the property requesting that you supply us with an actual reading from the inside meter as soon as possible.

If you prefer, rather than mailing the card, you can provide a reading to MTMA by phone. Simply call 412-264-4300 during normal office hours.

Please contact MTMA at 412-264-4300 with the following information:

The name and address of the settlement attorney/title company or the person receiving the final bill and the name of the new owner.

The settlement date or the date you move in or out of the property, we will need the meter reading; access to a meter inside the premises may be necessary.

The recycle materials container should stay with the property for use by the new resident. Advise the MTMA office if there is no recycle container, one will be provided.

MTMA can assist you if you are unable to pay your entire current bill prior to the due date indicated on the face of the water/sewer/solid waste bill.

Payment arrangements: If your current bill is unusually high, or if you are having difficulty paying a normal bill due to extenuating circumstances, payment arrangements can be initiated on your bill. This arrangement allows you to make weekly, biweekly, or monthly payments and ensures that the service remains uninterrupted. A 1.5% late fee is assessed to the unpaid balance remaining on the account after the due date printed on the bill. Delinquent accounts are charged 1.5% interest per month. If you want to initiate a payment arrangement, please call us at 412-264-4300, extension 118. Failure to maintain payment arrangements will result in termination of service.

Call us at 412-264-4300 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. We will review the account thoroughly to determine whether the charges qualify for a reduction according to MTMA policies and guideline. If, after our review, you are unhappy with the result, you may appeal your case to the MTMA General Manager.

en_USEnglish
en_USEnglish