A decision last year by Carbon County officials to purchase additional equivalent dwelling units from Nesquehoning borough to cover wastewater leaving the Carbon County Correctional Facility and Emergency Management Agency is paying dividends quicker than expected.

The county paid $40,000 for an additional 400,000 gallons of water at the prison, hoping to reduce overage costs."Our total cost has gone from about $9,500 per quarter to $7,200 per quarter," county Controller Robert Crampsie said during a prison board meeting Wednesday."We had figured on saving about $5,000 per year and breaking even in about eight years. But with the current numbers, it looks like we may save twice that per year and cut the break-even point in half."Prior to the addition last year, the county paid $4,620 for 44 EDUs per quarter, but continually spent over $4,000 in overage cost.One EDU equates to 20,000 gallons of water and has an initial cost of $2,000 each.With the added gallons, the overage cost per quarter has been reduced to an average of $1,400."The usage has stayed pretty consistent at 1.4 million gallons per quarter," Crampsie said, "but we're definitely pleased with the progress on the overage cost."Lower rates have also played a part in the savings, officials said.The cost per EDU per quarter dropped from $125 to $90.Last year's increase in EDUs was the first since 2008, when an analysis led to officials purchasing an additional six."I think the controller's office should be commended for the work put in on this and the savings brought to the taxpayer," Sheriff Anthony Harvilla said.