INFRASTRUCTURE

S.A.V.E is monitoring efforts by government agencies and private entities that would force a sale of the Chester Water Authority.

The Chester Water Authority (CWA) provides public water to more than 43,000 customers who reside in southern Chester County, western Delaware County, and the City of Chester. They also supply water to additional customers through the resale of water to neighboring water utilities in Pennsylvania and Delaware. In May of 2017, there was an unsolicited attempt by Aqua America to purchase the Chester Water Authority. 

The assets of the CWA have since been targeted for monetization as part of a financial Recovery Plan for the City of Chester. This move by the state would replace a well managed water authority and open the door for a purchase by Aqua America with their incentive to promote development and expand their customer base. This should be of concern to all CWA ratepayers, as well as to the entire conservation minded community.

Several cases have been argued in court, as the CWA attempts to defend itself from this hostile takeover. See the following opening records response for details on these interactions.

In August of 2021, this email between Aqua's attorney and the Receiver for the City of Chester became public through a Right to Know request. The following month, the PA Commonwealth Court issued a narrow ruling that would enable the City of Chester to sell the Chester Water Authority to Aqua PA. The Chester Water Authority promptly filed an Appeal with the PA Supreme Court.  The PA Supreme Court agreed to hear the Appeal, which was scheduled for November of 2022, until the Receiver for Chester filed for bankruptcy through Federal Court, causing a hold on all cases in PA State courts. 

Read more about how the Commonwealth is failing Chester and surrounding water customers at ChesterWaterFacts.com.