Pennsylvania American Water, City of York and York City Sewer Authority Invite Customers to Participate in Telephonic Public Input Hearing on Wastewater System Acquisition

Rhea-AI Summary

Pennsylvania American Water, in partnership with the City of York and the York City Sewer Authority, has applied to acquire the York City Sewer Authority, which serves over 13,000 customers. This acquisition, initially agreed in April 2021, aims to alleviate the financial burden of upgrading the aging wastewater system to meet new regulations. A public input hearing by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is set for January 5, 2022, inviting community feedback. Customers can pre-register to testify until January 3, 2022. The transaction is significant for local infrastructure improvements.

Positive

• Acquisition of York City Sewer Authority aims to improve wastewater services for over 13,000 customers.
• Alleviates financial burden of upgrading aging infrastructure for the City of York.

Negative

• None.

Current and potential future customers can provide input on the company’s application to acquire the system; To participate, customers must register by 5:00 p.m. Jan. 3, 2022

YORK, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pennsylvania American Water, the City of York, and the York City Sewer Authority will join the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to hear public comment on Pennsylvania American Water’s recent application to acquire the York City Sewer Authority, which serves more than 13,000 direct customers, in addition to providing bulk (wholesale) wastewater service to the townships of Spring Garden, Manchester, West Manchester, York, and Springettsbury, and the boroughs of North York and West York. Pennsylvania American Water is the water provider for several nearby areas, including Fairview Township and Mechanicsburg, and is established in the community as a trusted local utility service provider.

According to city officials, the wastewater system sale agreed upon in April 2021 is important for the city to secure important resources for the community and be relieved of the financial burden of upgrading the aging wastewater system to meet more rigorous regulations. Additional details about the proposed acquisition and potential future rate impact were included in a notice mailed to all Pennsylvania American Water customers and all current York City Sewer Authority customers in September and October 2021.

The public input hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at 6 p.m. using a telephone conference call platform. The hearing will be presided over by PUC Administrative Law Judge Steven K. Haas.

To participate in the hearing, dial 800-231-0316 and speak your name when prompted.

If you wish to testify at the telephonic public input hearing, please pre-register by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. If you do not pre-register and provide the information listed below, you may not be able to testify. Individuals will testify in the order in which they pre-register. You may pre-register by email or by phone.

To pre-register, please contact the OCA by phone at 800-684-6560 or by email at consumer@paoca.org and provide the following information:

1. Your first and last name.
2. The date of the public input hearing.
3. The phone number you will be using to call into the public input hearing.
4. A phone number where you can be reached prior to the hearing if we need to contact you.
5. Your email address, if you have one.
6. If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearing, the language of the interpreter.

Requests for Interpreters: If you require an interpreter, please pre-register as soon as possible. If you register too close to the hearing date, we may not have enough time to arrange for an interpreter. If you request an interpreter, we will make every reasonable effort to have one present.

Hearing Exhibits: If you have any hearing exhibits to which you will refer during the hearing, please email them to the OCA at consumer@paoca.org. The OCA will forward the exhibits to the Judge and all parties. Exhibits must be received by Jan. 3, 2022.

If you do not wish to testify but want to listen to the public input hearing, please contact the OCA so they can ensure there is adequate caller capacity on the conference bridge to accommodate all callers.

The deadline for signing up for the public input hearing is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the OCA at 800-684-6560 (toll-free) or consumer@paoca.org. The A&T Relay Service number for persons who are deaf or hearing-impaired is 1-800-654-5988.

The official PUC press release announcing the public hearing is available online at https://www.puc.pa.gov/press-release/2021/puc-to-hold-public-input-hearing-on-proposed-acquisition-of-york-city-wastewater-system-by-pennsylvania-american-water.

About Pennsylvania American Water

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to help make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211223005289/en/

Media:

Laura Martin

Director, Communications & External Affairs

C: 304-932-7158

E: laura.martin@amwater.com

Source: Pennsylvania American Water

FAQ

What is the purpose of Pennsylvania American Water's acquisition of York City Sewer Authority?

The acquisition aims to enhance wastewater services and alleviate financial burdens associated with infrastructure upgrades.

When is the public input hearing for the acquisition of York City Sewer Authority scheduled?

The public input hearing is scheduled for January 5, 2022, at 6 p.m.

How can customers participate in the public input hearing for the acquisition?

Customers can pre-register to testify by calling or emailing the Office of Consumer Advocate by January 3, 2022.

What are the expected impacts of the acquisition on local wastewater services?

The acquisition is expected to lead to improved wastewater management and compliance with new regulations.