AWARE Newsletter, August 1998

August 1998

Are you AWARE that it is projected that the current water system will not be able to meet the future needs of the community according to Stewartstown Water Authority Chairman David England? (The Liberty News, issue #49, May 5, 1998)

Are you AWARE that you pay $8.40 per thousand gallons of water, one of the highest rates in York County? In Stewartstown, for 18,000 gallons of water used in a quarter you would pay $151.20 (plus sewer your bill would be $217.20). In Shrewsbury, just 4 1/2 miles down the road, for 18,000 gallons of water used in a quarter you would pay $34.00 (plus sewer you would pay $124.20) according to Dorie Smith in the Shrewsbury Borough Office.

Are you AWARE that York Water is willing to negotiate with us, the Alliance for Water Reform, whereas the Stewartstown Water Authority has stated that negotiations have been broken off?

Are you AWARE that the Stewartstown Water Authority has proposed to build a reservoir (catch-basin system) with an original cost estimated at $900,000? As of the last water meeting the cost has escalated to $1.2 million.

Are you AWARE that there is a coalition of your neighbors working to improve the water situation, lower the price, improve the taste of the water and to give us a voice in the water authority?

There is such a group, the Stewartstown Borough/Hopewell Township Alliance for Water Reform, or AWARE, and we need your help. We want to make this a better community for us to live in, with a clean, drinkable, affordable, dependable water supply. But it can't be done without your support.

We will be holding meetings and you will receive regular newsletters to keep you informed of our progress. We really hope that you will join us. Remember, this is your community, too.

We are currently negotiating with York Water Company. There has been a lot of hearsay about what York Water will and will not do. Look for a response from York Water to a letter sent by AWARE stating what they will do for.;our community in a later newsletter.

All of the above statements can be substantiated.