The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority today announced a 7 percent sewage rate increase for next year.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, the rate will rise from $3.77 per 1,000 gallons of water used to $4.04, and the quarterly customer service charge will increase from $7.92 to $8.48.

A news release said the ALCOSAN board of directors today approved the increase, attributing it in part to the cost of meeting federal mandates outlined in a consent decree to address sewage overflows into area waterways.

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