Press Release

PUC Releases Results of Investigation of Warren County Water Company

Published on 9/25/2008

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today released the results of an investigation of Clarendon Water Co., which stemmed from a 2006 formal complaint involving quality of water. 

The Commission voted 5-0 to release the investigation.  The PUC also tentatively directs a series of remedial actions to bring the company into compliance with its duty to provide safe, adequate and reliable service to its customers, as well as its obligations regarding certain filing, customer notice and record keeping requirements.   

The investigation resulted from a consumer complaint where the Office of Administrative Law Judge (OALJ) found that the company had failed to provide safe and reasonable service.   

The investigation found Clarendon’s water is safe, although the taste is affected by manganese and iron, but current levels of both substances are within guidelines.  The Commission also found that the water was not suitable for all household purposes at the time of the investigation, with customers experiencing problems such as staining on white clothes, dishes, appliances and pets. 

The Commission also found that similar problems were being experienced by other customers and that Clarendon Water is not in compliance with recording and appropriately addressing customer complaints and billing/payment records.

The PUC directed Clarendon to:

• Maintain a copy of Chapters 56 and 65, relating to standards of billing practices for residential utility service;
• Maintain record keeping policies and consumer complaint procedures, in the company’s office for the company’s use and access by customers; 
• Mail to all customers the “Rights and Responsibilities” handbook annually; and
• Serve the Commission, within six months, a notarized statement as to the operational status of the improvements and the effect they are having upon mitigating the excessive levels of iron and manganese reported in the water. 

Clarendon has provided an improvement plan, which should remedy the water quality problems.  Clarendon Water provides water service to approximately 330 customers in Clarendon Borough and a portion of MeadTownship, Warren County

Interested parties have 15 days to comment on the Commission action or request a hearing.  If nothing is filed, the action becomes final. 

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. M-2008-2065551

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