Press Release

PUC Releases Management Efficiency Investigation Report for Columbia Water Co., Makes Additional Recommendations

Published on 10/23/2014

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG –The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today released a Management Efficiency Investigation (MEI) report for Columbia Water Co. evaluating the implementation of recommendations from a September 2011 Focused Management and Operations Audit report.

The Commission voted 5-0 to make the audit report and the Company’s Implementation Plan public. The report indicates that the Company has implemented three of the seven prior audit recommendations and has taken some action on the remaining four. The Commission’s Bureau of Audits has made five follow-up recommendations for improvement.

Among the more notable improvements achieved by Columbia Water Co. are:

• Revision of the Corporate Bylaws to reflect actual practices in appointment of Executive Committee members
• Increases in purchases with diverse vendors for the years 2012 and 2013
• Update of the Emergency Response Plan and minor improvements to Physical Security

 The audit report also identified follow-up recommendations for additional improvements, some of which include the following:

• Ensure that the audit partner and audit team for the external auditor is rotated on a periodic basis;
• Add an additional member to the Pension and Property Committee or modify the Charter to reflect current practices;
• Further reduce its billing lag by continuing to implement Automated Meter Reading especially in the Marietta division; and
• Strive to complete the exercise and/or inspection of critical valves at least once every three years.

Columbia Water Co. provides water service to approximately 8,700 customers within Columbia, Marietta and Mountville boroughs and West Hempfield, Manor, and Donegal townships in Lancaster County.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” PAPowerSwitch on Facebook for easy access to information on electric shopping.

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Docket No. D-2014-2405415

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