Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Approves Sale of York City Wastewater System

The sale of the York City Wastewater System to the Pennsylvania-American Water Company has been finalized.

According to a news release about the matter, the company is paying the city $235 million for the system. 

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.

This acquisition includes: 

• 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. 

According to the news release, as of Apr. 30, 2021, the 26 million gallon per day system handles wastewater for approximately 13,700 direct customers and 30,000 from surrounding municipalities: Spring Garden, Manchester, West Manchester, York and Springettsbury townships, and North and West York boroughs.

York Mayor Michael Helfrich endorsed the sale in February, reported York Daily Record.

"The City of York appreciates our suburban neighbors, the State Advocates (OCA, I&E and OSBA), The York Water Company and Pennsylvania-American Water Company for their good-faith efforts to reach consensus and agreement on this important transaction," said Helfrich in the release, reported York Daily Record. "It is our hope that, together, we can bring this sale to PUC approval and conclusion for the benefit of the City and the entire York region.”

PAWC held a public hearing on Jan. 5 for citizens to express their thoughts and 11 people testified in the phone-in hearing against the acquisition. Maccabee Hirsch, a member of a band of Pennsylvanians opposing the privatization of the water companies, Neighbors Against Privatization Efforts, testified at the meeting.