Tips for Developers

1 )  Contact the Engineering Department of Easton Suburban Water Authority at 610-258-7181, ext. 218 with the address of the property. Easton Suburban Water Authority will determine the location of the closest water main. If an extension is required, Easton Suburban Water Authority's Engineering Department will provide you with an estimate of the cost involved to extend the line or install the service.

2 )  In addition to any water main extension or installation fees, you will be required to pay a tapping fee, which must be submitted with your application for service. The amount of the tapping fee varies based on the size of the service you require. Our Engineering Department will be able to assist you in determining the amount of your tapping fee.

3 )  Your service installation will be scheduled upon receipt of your application form and tapping fee. Under most circumstances, installation can be completed within 3 to 4 weeks.

If you have any questions, please email us or contact the Easton Suburban Water Authority Engineering Department at 610-258-7181, ext. 218.

Pennsylvania Act 57 provides municipal authorities the right to collect tapping fees for new customers and/or developments to generate revenue to recover costs of existing or planned facilities necessary to serve the new customers and/or developments.

Act 57 establishes the formulas and calculations used to determine the tapping fees that can be charged by a municipal authority.

Based on Act 57, the tapping fees components used are:

1 ) Connection Fee - The actual costs incurred by the Authority to install the service from the Authority's main to the property line or curb line.

2 ) Customer Facility Fee - The cost of the water distribution system from the treatment plant to the user connection.

3 ) Distribution Fee - Recovers a portion of the cost of distribution facilities normally required to provide service, such as distribution mains, fire hydrants, valves and associated appurtenances.

4 ) Capacity Fee - Designed to recover from new customers a portion of the costs of existing and planned capacity-related facilities (i.e. source of supply, water treatment, transmission mains, storage tanks and pumping stations) that will provide them with service, and enable them to achieve the same standing as prior customers who have been paying for those facilities through their water rates.

5 ) Fire Capacity Fee - A special purpose fee to recover the cost for facilities that serve a special service or specific area, in this case private fire protection requirements. The fee is based on the need for additional storage capacity, booster pumping capacity and or special fire service water mains which are dedicated or exclusive to serving a certain customer or customer group.

Click to access a PDF file of the current Schedule of Tapping Fees for Commercial, Industrial and Multi-Unit Residential customers. Single-family residential customers should contact the ESWA Engineering Department for assistance in determining applicable tapping fees. Email us or contact ESWA at 610-258-7181, ext. 218, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Easton Suburban Water Authority must approve all commercial, industrial and multi-unit residential construction plans before a project begins. Follow these steps: 1 ) Submit engineering plans for the project to the Easton Suburban Water Authority Engineering Department at 3700 Hartley Avenue, P.O. Box 3819, Easton, PA 18043-3819. We will review and comment on your plans. Often, we will offer suggestions that must be incorporated into your plans before you will receive Easton Suburban Water Authority approval to proceed. All plans must be approved by Easton Suburban Water Authority before construction begins.

2 ) In addition to any water main extension or installation fees, you will be required to pay a tapping fee, which must be submitted with your application for service. The amount of the tapping fee varies based on the size of the service you require. Our Engineering Department will be able to assist you in determining the amount of your tapping fee.

3 ) Our Engineering Department will work closely with you to assure the timely scheduling and completion of your service installation.

If you have any questions, please email us or contact the Easton Suburban Water Authority Engineering Department at 610-258-7181, ext. 218.

Easton Suburban Water Authority will install service up to the curb stop at either the curb line or the right-of-way line. To help you as you install the distribution service, please review the following tips.

1 ) To install the distribution service, begin excavating at the curb stop installed by Easton Suburban Water Authority. Excavation near the curb stop should be done only using hand tools. Caution: Contractors are responsible for any damage to the services.

2 ) The service lateral should be installed at a minimum depth of 48 inches below finished grade.

3 ) Backfill the excavation to prevent damage or freezing of the service connection. Backfill material should be free of large rock.

4 ) If the curb stop will be located in a sidewalk, driveway or other paved area, contact the Authority at least 48 hours before paving or pouring concrete. Easton Suburban Water Authority's Distribution Department personnel will inspect the elevation of the curb box to verify access to the curb stop. You are not permitted to pour any concrete or paving material until ESWA issues a final approval on the curb box.

If you have any questions, please email us or contact the Easton Suburban Water Authority Engineering Department at 610-258-7181, ext. 218.