Coaldale residents who don’t pay their sewer transmission bills face having their water service turned off.

Council Vice President Kim Gavornik noted that the bills have been sent.

Those who didn’t pay by the end of June now have a $15 late fee, and if they don’t pay by the end of July, they’ll receive notice that their water will be shut off.

“And in August, we will turn the water off for nonpayment,” Gavornik said.

Borough council put the policy in place in 2024 and saw successful results.

“So last year, just so everybody knows, it ended up that we only did not collect $10,000 — instead of not collecting $30,000,” Gavornik explained. “So it was working by shutting the water off.”

When water is disconnected, residents must pay an additional $50 for the shut-off and reconnection.

Lansford also turns off water to sewer delinquents and Gavornik recently learned that the borough adds a $25 administration fee,

She suggested that Coaldale do the same.

“Everybody in the office has to put the mailings together,” Gavornik explained. “We have to send it out and it costs money. And then we are going to the houses with the shut off notices.”

Council voted unanimously to add the a $25 administration fee.

In an unrelated matter, residents can expect to receive sanitation bills if they haven’t already. The mailing might be late due to the recent Independence Day holiday, Gavornik said.

“Just a reminder to those who owe substantial amounts: We have been sending out late notices and so far 50% have either paid in full — and I’m talking thousands (of dollars) — or have set up payment arrangements,” Gavornik said.

She said the late notices are being sent to those who owe $600 or more.

Residents who receive late notices and do not pay face a trip to district court.

Gavornik said if payments are made through the borough hall’s drop box and a receipt is needed, residents should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.