North Whitehall Getting Soaked On Sewer Bills

The Morning Call is reporting Sewer bills could rise 61 percent for some in North Whitehall-- "It means a typical residential customer's bill would jump from $171 to $276 per quarter."

If this is approved some 300 residents would end up paying nearly 3x's what I do here in Allentown.

It was not that long ago the Schnecksville area was comprised of fields and farm houses who had their own wells and septic tanks. Over the years it's quite reasonable to understand why it's no longer acceptable due to the huge development in that area and the increased number of people doing all the toilet flushing that goes along with it.

This is another example of people in mass fleeing to the suburbs in the vain hope they can somehow find a rural place to live. A place with farms, orchards and views. How ironic by doing so in this number they destroyed the very things they sought after.

I find it rather interesting, after no longer having these allures, they are now being forced to pay higher prices then those living in older neighborhoods just to the south of them. Places which are not more crowded then they are now. Places like South Whitehall Township which has lower water rates, recycling/trash collection, local police protection and far less traffic congestion like those on Route 309 face every day to the north.

This should serve as a cautionary tale to other communities who encourage increased development. Places like Fogelsville, Trexlertown, Alburtis, Macungie, Emmaus and others who's quality of life and costs of living is not what it once used to be. This is another case of being bigger isn't always better. Nor rural living doesn't stay rural for very long.