Press Release

PUC Weighs Settlement with Aqua that Includes $15,000 in Monetary Penalties, Improved Safety

Published on 10/14/2010

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued for comment a settlement with Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. that includes $15,000 in monetary penalties and improvements to safety practices.

The Commission voted 5-0 to accept comments on the settlement agreements, which include provisions that prohibit the company from recovering the monetary penalties from ratepayers. Commission Vice Chairman Tyrone J. Christy issues a statement. Interested parties have 20 days from the entry of the orders to file comments with the Commission in the cases.

The settlement deals with an April 26, 2010, incident in Haverford, Delaware County, and the excavation of a worksite where Aqua employees allegedly did not properly dig around electrical utility facilities and mistakenly hit those facilities. As a result, an Aqua employee suffered burns to his hands, arms and face due to the flash concurrent with the explosion.  Two other employees also were injured during the incident.

If the matters had been litigated, PUC’s independent Prosecutory Staff would have contended the company failed to provide safe and reliable service specifically dealing with employee safety practices. Aqua would have contested the matters.

Under the settlement, the company agreed to:

• Update its written hazards checklist to incorporate applicable standards and all anticipated hazards associated with network distribution jobs and require written completion of the checklist;
• Develop a written procedures for submitting and auditing the written checklists;
• Require additional safety equipment and training for employees; and
• Pay a civil penalty of $15,000. to the local Aqua operational office;

 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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket no. M-2010-2155842

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