FAQs

Can Aqua unilaterally decide to expand the sewer system once they own it?: No. The Township does not relinquish control of its Sewage Facilities Plan under State Act 537 under the sale or any other agreement. No new extensions or additions can be made to the existing sewer system without the direct approval of the Township. In other words, the Township must approve the extension of any sewer mains beyond the areas that are already planned for public sewer. Public Hearings would be held and all parties notified if that happened. So, in brief; Aqua will not be able to add to or extend the existing sewer system at will.

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Sewer Sale

1. Why is Willistown selling the sewer system?: By exiting the business of sewer system operation, the Township can better focus on core government functions while ensuring the residents are still offered safe and reliable sewer service by a Commonwealth-regulated utility. In addition, the funds generated by the sale will be used to pay off sewer debt. The sale also allows the Township and ratepayers to avoid future costs of sewer system upgrades. Furthermore, it was concluded that a utility company such as Aqua could maintain the sewer system as it ages at a lower cost than a single municipality.

2. Who approved the sale of the sewer system?: The Asset Purchase Agreement was approved by the Township Board of Supervisors in December of 2020, but it required further approval at the State level. The sale was subsequently approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) in July of 2022.

3. Didn’t an Administrative Law Judge recommend against the sale?: Yes, but the PUC is not bound by the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.

4. Can the Township reverse the decision to sell the sewer system?: No. The Asset Purchase Agreement is a binding agreement between the Township and Aqua, and the sale has been approved by the PUC. The Township cannot legally take action to reverse the sale. Aqua has denied the Township’s requests to reconsider or terminate the sale.

5. Isn't there an option to terminate?: Board of Supervisors Chair Bill Shoemaker addressed this in the statement on September 26, 2022. The "Outside Date" was extended by Aqua as indicated in this letter.

6. Wasn’t the sale appealed?: Yes. An appeal of the PUC decision has been filed with the Commonwealth Court. The timing of the outcome of this appeal is unknown.

7. When will the sale be finalized?: The Township will not close the sale transaction with Aqua while appeals are outstanding. Please refer to the statement from the meeting on September 26, 2022.

8. What will be done with the money the Township receives from Aqua for the sewer system?: The Board has not yet made a final decision on the allocation of these funds. A portion of the funds must go toward repayment of debt, as well as transaction fees related to the sale. In early 2021, the Township formed a Sewer Customer Benefit Committee to develop ideas for fund allocation. Two ideas put forward include a Capital Replacement Fund to pay for replacing grinder pumps for residents in the Low-Pressure system; and a Customer Benefit Fund to stabilize sewer rates from potential increases from Aqua until the year 2030. These funds were created by Resolution 23 of 2020 but have not yet been codified or funded. Other potential allocation includes open space acquisition or capital project funding.

9. Can Aqua unilaterally decide to expand the sewer system once they own it?: No. The Township does not relinquish control of its Sewage Facilities Plan under State Act 537 under the sale or any other agreement. No new extensions or additions can be made to the existing sewer system without the direct approval of the Township. In other words, the Township must approve the extension of any sewer mains beyond the areas that are already planned for public sewer. Public Hearings would be held and all parties notified if that happened. So, in brief; Aqua will not be able to add to or extend the existing sewer system at will.