The Solebury supervisors Tuesday in a unanimous vote joined growing opposition to the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority’s plans to sell off its sewage operations to the private firm of Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. for $1.1 billion.
The sale would cover only the sewage operations, which covers about three-quarters of the BCWSA base. Solebury receives both water and sewer services from the authority.
Chair Mark Baum Baicker said the pending sale foretells what happened with rates in systems Aqua has purchased, “such as a 65% increase in Cheltenham Township, 82% in Limerick, and well over 50% in others.
The township’s resolution opposing the sale, he added, “states that privatization of BCWSA’s assets results in negative impacts on municipalities and their residents, confirms (Solebury’s) opposition to the proposed sale and urges the Bucks County Commissioners to take all reasonable and necessary steps to compel the BCWSA to abandon its negotiations and continue to operate as an independent, nonprofit agency.”
Supervisor Kevin Morrissey said, “I think we’ve all been in agreement that this (proposed sale) is just a terrible idea on many levels. I would add I believe it is a very terrible idea.
“Prior to this resolution the township and individually we have communicated in as many ways as we can to express our extreme opposition for the sale of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority to move forward. I know we will continue to do that...”
Supervisor Robert McEwan, who along with Supervisor John Francis, attended a July 25 meeting of BCWSA and area municipal representatives, said he came away with many unanswered questions.
Baum Baicker added that there are going to be future meetings among municipalities on legal methods to oppose the sale.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
