Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I pay my water bill?

Bills can be paid at the Authority office or at S&T Bank's Derry Branch.  Located at: 100 S. Chestnut St.

Why am I paying a water bill monthly now instead of quarterly?

The Municipal authority has gone to monthly billing in order to accommodate the growing number of customers who have requested an opportunity to have lower bills.  As you may know, the Authority bills for the sewer department in Derry Borough and recently sewer bill have made a dramatic increase which affects about half our customers.  Monthly billing helps customers budget more efficiently for utility bills.  Each customer will now receive one actual bill and two estimated bills per quarter.  Meters are still read only once per quarter.

When can we expect to be able to pay our bills with credit cards or on-line?

The authority has been evaluating the feasibility of additional methods for customer bill paying and has not yet determined the most cost effective collection method.  Our intent is to have a new program in place as soon as possible.

How do I apply for water service?

Applicants may visit our offices to fill out an application or call to have one forwarded to you. If you are a tenant, your landlord must also sign the application.  An application and cost estimate for a line extension and new tap is also available at our office at 620 N. Chestnut Street in Derry Borough.

What is the minimum I can pay on my bill to keep my water on?

Before water service can be restored, all outstanding charges must be paid, however we realize there may be some instances where payment arrangements may benefit our customers.  The Authority may require a full payment on account, or payment of at least fifty percent (50%) of the total outstanding bill.  A written payment plan must be in place in order to have the water turned back on.  Payment arrangements can be discussed with the Manager at our offices on Chestnut Street.

Do I have to be home when you turn the water back on when I don't have to be there when you turn it off?

Customers are asked to be at home to check for running water. It’s also a good idea to check for adequate pressure.  Our regulations prohibit us from turning water on to a vacant property.

If the bill is put into my tenant's name, am I responsible?

The bill can be placed in the tenant's name.  However, the owner will receive a third party notification on the account status.  This is done because the ultimate responsibility for the bill rests with the property owner.

I live in a mobile home.  Will the water authority thaw my frozen pipes?

The Municipal Authority does not work on private service lines.  Have your plumber repair your pipes and call our office if the water meter was damaged.  A service charge may apply to have your water turned off at the curb while repairs are made.

Is there fluoride in my water?

Derry Municipal Authority does not put fluoride in the water.

Where does my water come from?

Your water is surface water that is collected from Chestnut Ridge above the Borough of Derry.  It is piped to Ethel Lake and then to the Water Treatment Plant adjacent to the lake.  Water is then filtered, disinfected and pumped into the distribution system and also in to storage tanks. Potable water is drawn from the storage tanks to supply the distribution system when the filter plant is not pumping.  A back up well is also located on Chestnut Ridge above Derry and is primarily used in the summer time during low water conditions and is piped into Ethel Lake.

What is hard water?

Water with a high concentration of dissolved minerals is termed hard water.  The three common minerals dissolved in our water are Calcium, Iron and Manganese. Water is a great solvent and over time, it will dissolve almost any material.  This natural occurrence is what effects water hardness.  The amount of soap or detergent that water can consume is what is being referenced when we talk about water hardness.

When water that contains any degree of hardness is heated, for instance in your home water heater, it will leave residual mineral deposits.  You may have noticed this as a white powder or small white beads.  They will typically accumulate on faucet aerators or showerheads. Flushing your line will eliminate them.  Soaking these fixtures in vinegar will also reduce mineral (calcium) deposits. We measure hardness as milligrams per liter (mg/l) or grains per gallon (gr/gal).  The conversion factor is 17.1 mg/l equals 1 gr/gal of hardness.

The following table classifies water hardness:

Is our water in Derry hard or soft?

Our water comes from streams and snow melt.  It is surface water and it does not pick up high levels of dissolved minerals that attribute to hardness.  We therefore have “naturally soft” water. Generally, our surface water has a hardness of between 36 and 40 mg/l, which converts to 2.1 to 2.3 grains per gallon.  This puts our water in the “extremely soft” range.

What is pH?

pH is a measure of the concentration of acid in a solution.  In our case it is water.

Acid solutions have a pH from 0 up to 7.  Seven is considered Neutral.  The lower the number, the strong the acid.

Base solutions have a pH from 14 down to 7.  The higher the number, the strong the base.

The Derry Municipal Authority maintains finished water with a pH slightly higher than neutral - usually at 7.1.

 If the fire hydrant near my home is ever hit by a car, will water shoot high into the air and then flood my yard and basement?

That only happens in movies.  Fire Hydrants have an underground valve which is closed.  In addition there is a traffic flange located near ground level that controls where the hydrant will break upon impact.   Pipes underground occasionally will crack or break causing a leak depending on the angle in which the hydrant is struck, but rarely will a flood occur.