Bethlehem Water and Sewer Resources Director Dave Brong announced Nov. 26 he has requested a service increase from the Public Utilities Commission. The suggested increase customers outside the city and averages 15.8 percent, which will raise quarterly water bills about $15 for many residential customers.

Mayor John Callahan said an increase was likely at his budget announcement earlier this month.

Callahan said, and Brong reiterated, ongoing capital costs and ever-increasing pension and medical expenses mandate the hike despite slowly decreasing staff and automating equipment.

Additional income sources such as land, timber and carbon credit sales, pursuing renewable energy sources and the acquisition of the East Allen Township system. But these cannot overcome the rising price of employee care and infrastructure reinvestment.

According to Brong's release, the Water Authority has about 30,000 customers outside the city proper who will be affected.