Press Release

PUC Releases Phase II PA American Water Investigation Addressing Lackawanna County Outages

Published on 10/9/2008

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – In releasing the second phase of its investigative report into the Pennsylvania American Water Co.’s (PAWC) water main breaks, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today tentatively recommended that the company continue with the implementation of best practices identified previously in Phase I of the investigation.

The Commission voted 5-0 to release the phase II investigation report and recommended that the company continue with the implementation of the best practice recommendations and directives indentified in the Phase I order entered July 26, 2007. 

The company and other interested parties have 15 days from the entry of the Order to comment. If no comments are filed, the Commission’s Order becomes final with no further action.  The report will be released to the public when the Order has been entered.

The report addresses November 2006 PAWC outages in Lackawanna County and other outages that affected 250 or more customers for more than six hours during the last three years.  According to the report, the Lackawanna County outage was caused by a heavier than normal rain storm that swept across the state. Many of the other outages were the result of problems at PAWC facilities as a result of power failures.

The Commission also examined PAWC’s main replacement policy, level of funding for main replacement and rehabilitation and compliance with the Public Utility Code as well as the PUC’s regulations regarding safe and reliable water service and public notice procedures. The Commission acknowledged that the company has taken the initiative to begin several positive steps to ensure this type of situation does not occur again.

On Dec. 21, 2006, the Commission initiated an investigation into the events leading to Pittsburgh area and Lackawanna County outages, the company’s actions related to the outages and whether any corrective action was warranted. The investigation was broken into two phases with the first report addressing the outages in the Pittsburgh area.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No.     I-00060112

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