Press Release

PUC Approves Sale of York City Wastewater System to Pennsylvania-American Water Company

Published on 4/14/2022

Filed under: Water and Wastewater

Adopts Joint Petition for Approval of Unanimous Settlement

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a Joint Petition for Approval of Unanimous Settlement (settlement) enabling Pennsylvania-American Water Company – Wastewater Division (PAWC) to acquire the wastewater system owned by the York City Sewer Authority (Authority) and operated by the city of York.

The Commission voted 3-0 to adopt the Recommended Decision of Administrative Law Judge Steven K. Haas, without modification to the settlement, and approve the proposed acquisition, which includes the following:

• The transfer, by sale, to PAWC of substantially all assets, properties and rights related to the wastewater collection and treatment system owned by the Authority and operated by the City.
  
  
• The rights of PAWC to begin to offer or furnish wastewater service to the public in the City of York and to three bulk service interconnection points located in North York Borough, Manchester Township and York Township in York County.
  
  
• The rights of PAWC to begin to offer and furnish Industrial Pretreatment Program to qualifying industrial customers in Manchester Township, Spring Garden Township and West Manchester Township in York County.

On April 6, 2021, PAWC, the city of York and the York City Sewer Authority entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement.  On July 1, 2021, PAWC filed an application seeking Commission approval of the purchase agreement.  The Commission held a public input hearing on the proposed acquisition on Jan. 5, 2022.

The Joint Petition for Approval of Unanimous Settlement of All Issues submitted on February 1, 2022 was entered into by the following parties:   PAWC, the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, the Pennsylvania Office of Small Business Advocate, the PUC’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, the City of York, the York City Sewer Authority, the York Water Company, Manchester Township, West Manchester Township, North York Borough, York Township and Spring Garden Township.

York’s wastewater system was originally constructed by the City, transferred to the Authority by deed in 1952 and has been operated by the City pursuant to a long-term lease entered into with the Authority in 1987.  The system furnishes wastewater services to approximately 13,700 direct customers – in addition to approximately 30,000 customers served by surrounding municipalities with whom York has bulk (wholesale) wastewater service agreements, including the townships of Spring Garden, Manchester, West Manchester, York, and Springettsbury, and the boroughs of North York and West York.

About the PUC

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.:  A-2021-3024681

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov