Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority pauses collection enforcement after uncovering billing error

Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority customers who spotted bad math on recent bills aren’t alone.

A notice went out to customers Feb. 8, warning a “small number” of them may have received incorrect information on their monthly bills.

Customers have not been charged incorrectly, according to Doug Komandt, WPJWA executive director, but there may be anomalies with the “consumption calculations or the number of days in the billing cycle.”

WPJWA will pause delinquency enforcement until the issue is resolved, Komandt said. This means no notices, fees or shut offs for late payment, possibly for a couple of months.

“We are being cautious about restarting this process, as we don’t want to shut a customer off in error,” Komandt said.

The issue stems from last year’s changes to the billing system and payments vendor, which expanded payment options and information on the bills, Komandt said.

Komandt added that customers should monitor their bills in the coming months for discrepancies.

WPJWA serves about 40,000 customers, primarily in the suburbs east of Pittsburgh.

According to its website, WPJWA provides direct service to Braddock Hills, Chalfant, Churchill, East McKeesport, East Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Forest Hills, North Braddock, Pitcairn, Rankin, Swissvale, Trafford, Turtle Creek, Wilkinsburg, Wilkins Township and Wilmerding.

It also serves parts of Braddock (4th Ward), Monroeville, Penn Hills, North Huntingdon, North Versailles and Pittsburgh (13th Ward).

Customers who believe they received incorrect billing information are encouraged to contact WPJWA customer service at 412-243-6200 or custserv@wpjwa.com.