FAQ

Find answers to common questions about water and sewer bills, service setup, autopay options, board meetings, and more in our comprehensive FAQ section.

Questions About
Your Account

Have questions about managing your account? This section provides answers on setting up your account in the customer web portal, changing or resetting online access, and updating your contact information.

How can I set up the Customer Web Portal?

Customer Web Portal (CWP) Account View & Access

Access to the CWP allows you to view account history, pending and posted account transactions, and more. There are two ways accounts can be set to access on our CWP.

  • Default Account Setting
    • Owner is the only party with an account number. All users with access to that account number can see the balances for all locations under that account number.
    • Personal, secure wallets for each login crated, regardless of shared account number.
    • Autopay will pay for all of the location balances on the account number.
    • Bills will always be sent to the owner. Copies may go to the property manager and tenant as chosen by the owner.
  • Alternate Account Setting
    • Tenant is provided an account number. Owner has a separate account number.
    • Personal, secure wallets for each login created under the account number.
    • Owner will continue to receive bills. Property owners can also receive copies.
    • Autopay can be used by tenant. Autopay will only pay for that 1 location.
How do I change, or reset, my online account access?

On the customer web portal there is a link in the help box called “Forgot your password? Click here to reset it.”

How do I update my contact information?

Contact information may be updated here or in the CWP.

Important Links

For additional resources and further information, please refer to the other helpful links provided below.

Billing & Service

How is my bill calculated?

Your monthly bill is made up of a base charge and a usage charge for both water and sewer:

  • Water base charge is $17.66 per EDU and the usage charge is $0.007838 per gallon of water used.
  • Sewer base charge is $53.22 per EDU and the usage charge is $0.014595 per gallon of water used over 2,000 gallons.
How and why is a bill estimation calculated?

The default estimate is the average of the 4 previous months of usage.

Estimated billing is a common practice of most utilities when readings cannot be confirmed. This could be due to a temporary issue at the time readings are taken for monthly invoicing or it could be a longer-term issue of either a malfunctioning meter or transmitter.

Why is my bill higher than normal?

While higher usage than normal can be expected when performing some seasonal activities at your home such as car washing, irrigation of yard or garden, pool fill-up, or heavier laundry and shower activity while hosting visitors, it may be due to a leak somewhere in your home. This could be more obvious, such as a leak in a pipe or near your water heater, or it could be one that is less noticeable where the leak runs through the plumbing and flows out of the home through the sewer system. While not obvious, these types of leaks are fairly easy to troubleshoot.

  • If all sources of water are turned off, the meter should not increase. If all are turned off, but if the meter is still running, there is likely a leak of some sort. Turn off one household item at a time until the meter stops advancing.
  • The two most common culprits of “excess water use” are toilets and water softeners, but the issue may not be obvious. Also, neither is generally a “big ticket” repair bill to address.
    • Toilets – it is often easy to notice a running toilet (heavier, audible leak), but an easy way to detect whether something is leaking that you can’t see or hear is to drop 10 to 15 drops of food coloring into the toilet tank and let it sit for 15 minutes without use. If any coloring has leaked into the bowl without flushing, there is a leak. Generally, the leak would be in or around the plunger ball or flapper valve at the bottom of the tank and the component just needs to be replaced.
    • Water Softeners – water softeners will backwash themselves with fresh water to regenerate on a set schedule that you may or may not be aware of depending on where your softener is located. Sometimes the backwash valve can get stuck open, forcing water to be continuously wasted into the sewer. This is something that you likely would not notice, but it is fairly easy to rule out as there a bypass valve which allows you to run water while the softener is not in service. You can activate this bypass and monitor for a day or two not running water through the softener and seeing if usage subsides. If you see the drop, it is likely that the softener requires service.
  • Another common tactic would be to use water-saving showerheads and faucets if you are not already. A standard showerhead uses 2.5 gallons per minute, while the water saving showerheads usually use anywhere from 1.0 to 2.0 gpm. We don’t recommend any particular brands, but the EPA recommends any with a “Watersense” label. EPA estimated that updating showerheads and faucets can save an average family 40-50 gallons per day.
What is the Billing Cycle? And how do I read my bill?

Readings are taken on the 20th of each month. Bills are issued on the 1st and due upon receipt. Customer wishing to utilize autopay should sign up (one time only) by Noon on the 16th.

How to Read Your Bill

For your convenience, the QR Code on your bill will take you directly to the customer web portal via your smart phone’s camera feature.

Am I able to get alerts for when my bill is due?

Email alerts are presently available.

What are my options to pay my bill?

ACH/bank draft, credit card, eCheck, cash, check, money order.

Want an automated option? ACH/bank drafts are free to use. You may also elect to use a credit card; however, processing fees apply.

To check if you are already signed up for automated payments, please follow the directions below:

  • Check your customer web portal dashboard.
  • Check your monthly billing statement on the upper right corner as well as next to the amount due in the account information section.
  • Still need help? Reach out to our office.

Find more information on our payments page.

Is there assistance for customers who are temporarily unable to pay their bill?

Customers of MAWSA may call PA 2-1-1 to be directed to utility service organizations such as the Salvation Army and Love Inc., Lancaster.

Those in need of a payment plan or budget billing may reach out to one of our team members.

My payment failed. Now what?

Unfortunately, there are fees and costs involved with a failed payment, such as non-sufficient funds, that MAWSA passes back to the customer. A letter is issued and a fee is assessed.

If there is an autopay error with a credit card, the payment is not processed and an email is issued. A manual payment will need to be made as well as a correction to the card on file.

How do I troubleshoot my sewer service?

Slow drainage or a backup? Call us first! (717)665-2737.

Let us rule out that the issue isn’t coming from the street before investing your money in a contracted service. Our team will let you know if we were able to rectify the issue or if you should proceed to reach out to a third party.

Remember: the property owner owns the sewer line from where it makes its connection in the street at our main, all the way through the service line, and throughout the structure.

How do I start or stop service?

Submit a ticket via the customer web portal, or use the contact us page. If you are a tenant, the property owner (or property manager) must submit a form. If you are purchasing or selling the closing/title company (or presiding attorney) must fill out this form.

How does the service discontinuance process work?
Bill Issue 1st of the Month
Bill Due Upon Receipt**
Penalty 18th of the Month
Eligible for Discontinuance 30 Days After Bill Issue

** There are no penalty waivers for “I didn’t get a bill.” Please reach out to our office if you have not received your bill by the 7th. 

The discontinuance process begins with 1 free notification. Subsequent notifications are issued bi-weekly and fees apply per the rate schedule in accordance with the Utility Services Tenants Rights Act of 1978.

Should you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to make a payment on time and in full, please reach out to us immediately.

MAWSA reserves the right to adjust this schedule at its discretion.
MAWSA is a municipal entity and therefore balances are subject to municpal lien, and are not regulated by the Public Utility Commission.

What is AquaHawk?
AquaHawk is a free tool being offered to MAWSA customers to empower water use management and bills.
 
Learn how to register at: MAWSA.AquaHawk.us

Common General Questions

Adjustments for Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Gardens

During non-drought periods, MAWSA permits a sewer bill adjustment for water used to fill pools, spas, hot tubs, and for garden watering. (No Authority water use allowed during declared droughts.) This adjustment reduces the sewage portion of your bill based on water used, provided you comply with the following:

[Note for Penn Township: Sewer service is through NWLCA.]

  • Register your pool, etc., with MAWSA before filling/watering. Contact us to confirm registration. Incomplete information may delay or deny your request.
  • After registration, contact MAWSA with a pre-use meter reading (exact, including decimals) via text (717-665-2737), email (info@MAWSA.org), or phone (leave a detailed voicemail if needed).
  • After filling/watering, provide the exact post-use meter reading via the same methods. Contacting before and after is required for auditing; late submission may disqualify you.
  • Delinquent accounts are ineligible for credits.
  • Failure to comply may result in loss of this benefit.

Limitations:

  • Penn Township (NWLCA): Credits for over 1,000 whole gallons per occurrence; no credit for less. Gardens do not qualify.

For water safety information, visit PoolSafely.gov.

Common Real Estate Questions

How do I find if a lien has been placed on my property?

Contacting MAWSA

You can reach MAWSA by clicking here, via call or text to 717-665-2737, or in person​ at 18 E High Street, Manheim PA 17545, Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Additional hours may be made available by scheduling an appointment. Enter through the courtyard. There are also links on in the Help/Account Management section of the Customer Web Portal.

MAWSA Board Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at 15 E High Street in the Borough Council Chambers on the 2nd floor.

Have Questions?

Contact us today if you have questions about any of the information provided above or something not mentioned here.