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Utility / Weatherization Information
Individuals, whether
they are homeowners or renters, have numerous options to help them
with their utility bills or basic home repairs.
The following list of organizations and agencies can be
utilized to seek a wide range of assistance – from basic home
repairs aimed at improving energy efficiency to assistance with
monthly bills:
- Mercer County Area Agency on Aging
- 724.662.6222
- Works with isolated/hard-to-reach individuals
- Provides links to information and services for minority, frail, and low-income elderly county residents
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)- helps low-income individuals pay their home heating bills
The Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission requires utilities to have programs
in place to assist low-income individuals keep their service.
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Refuse, Recycling and Leaf Collection
Information and Schedule
The City has a contract with Tri-County Industries, Inc. for
refuse collection and recycling service. These services were competitively
bid through the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments Joint
Municipal Purchasing Program. This contract has been extended through January 31, 2014.
Toter rental is available at a cost of $18.30 per month billed quarterly. This
price includes all refuse in the cart and beside the cart, including bulk items.
Sharing service is not permitted under this option.
If you only generate a small amount of refuse you may be interested in the
"stickered bag" program. Stickers are sold in quantities of ten at a cost of
$4.00 per sticker. Residents may use a standard 30-gallon garbage bag and
attach a sticker to the bag. Stickers may be ordered from Tri-County.
Recycling service is available to all residents utilizing toters or stickered
bags at no additional charge. If your residence does not have a recycling
container, please call the City Building at 724-983-2703 and we will deliver
one to you.
Remember: when your scheduled trash/recycling pick up day fallso on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas Day, pick up will be one day later.
For more information on the services (including recycling guidelines)
provided to City residents by Tri-County, visit their website at
www.tricountyind.com or call 724-662-2510.
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Protecting Water Quality from Urban Runoff
STORM WATER RUNOFF IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS
Why is storm water runoff a problem?
Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream or river. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, and providing drinking water.
Polluted storm water runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people. Sediment can destroy aquatic habitats. Excess nutrients remove oxygen from the water that fish and other aquatic organisms need to exist. Bacteria and pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making closures necessary.
We can do our part by never depositing debris such as bottles, cans, cigarette butts, and household hazardous wastes like paint, solvents, insecticides, pesticides, used motor oil, and other fluids into storm sewers. Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources. This, in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs.
The PA Department of
Environmental Protection has issued a National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (#1383308) jointly to the City of
Farrell and City of Sharon. The NPDES permit authorizes each City
to discharge storm water from their respective Municipal Separate Storm
Sewer System to area streams and rivers. As a condition of the
permit, the Cities are required to provide informational material to the
public explaining the relationship between storm water runoff from urban
areas and water quality in the streams and rivers into which the storm
water discharges. The information published herein is part of this
distribution process. For additional information you may contact:
Mr. James Branca, City of Farrell, Water Pollution Control Plant
Superintendent, 500 Roemer Boulevard, Farrell, PA 16121, (724)
983-2713.
REMEMBER: CLEAN WATER IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS
MAKE YOUR HOME THE SOLUTION TO STORM WATER POLLUTION
Healthy Household Habits for Clean Water:
Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a lawn or other unpaved surface to minimize the amount of dirty, soapy water flowing in the storm drain and eventually into your local water body.
Check your car, boat, motorcycle, and other machinery and equipment for leaks and spills. Clean up spilled fluids with an absorbent material like kitty litter or sand, and do not rinse the spills into a storm drain. Recycle used oil and other automotive fluids at participating service stations.
Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. Avoid application if the forecast calls for rain; otherwise, chemicals will be washed into your local stream. Sweep up yard debris rather than hosing down areas. Compost or recycle yard waste when possible. Do not over water your lawn. Water during the cool times of the day, and do not let water run off into storm drains.
Use hazardous substances like paints, solvents, and cleaners in the smallest amounts possible, and follow directions on the label. Clean up spills immediately and dispose of the waste safely. Clean paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors. Properly dispose of excess paints through a household hazardous waste collection program, or donate unused paint to local organizations.
When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria to wash into local water bodies.
For additional information, you may contact Jim Branca, City of Farrell Water Quality Manager at 500 Roemer Boulevard, Farrell, PA 16121.
REMEMBER: CLEAN WATER IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS
The 4 Locations have been tested and results are shown below. All results conform to state and federal guidelines.
March 03, 2009 Analysis
April 30, 2010 Analysis
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