PUCO OKs Aqua Ohio Buying Campbell Water System

BOARDMAN, Ohio — Aqua Ohio today announced the company’s agreement with the city of Campbell to purchase the city’s water treatment plant and distribution system has been approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The approval clears the way to close the acquisition in January.

Affected customers will be mailed details about the transition in January, the company said. The system serves approximately 3,200 connections and is in need of millions of dollars of improvements.

“We looked for the best option to address the drinking water needs of our residents,” said Nick Phillips, mayor of Campbell, in a statement. “The sale of the system to Aqua was the in the best interest of our city. Aqua has a solid track record of service throughout the Mahoning Valley, and they’re a natural fit as a community partner.”

Key elements of the agreement include:

• Aqua will pay the city $7.5 million for the assets,
• Aqua will invest an estimated $4.3 million in the water system to enhance water quality, reliability regulatory and environmental standards,
• The average customer using 3,200 gallons will see no increase in their monthly water bill. Customers who use less than the average user in the system can expect to see a decrease in their monthly bill, while those who consume more than average will see a moderate increase in their monthly bills,
• Upon closing, Campbell will enact the rate plan per the agreement. There will be no rate increases for the next five years; after that time, Campbell will participate in rate negotiations with other political entities served by Aqua in Mahoning Valley,
• City water department employees will be offered employment at Aqua after passing background and drug screenings.

“Aqua has served the Mahoning Valley for well over a hundred years and we’re excited for the opportunity to welcome Campbell to our local operations,” Jennifer Johnson, area manager who will oversee the transition and manage the system. “We’ve had a longstanding relationship with the city and look forward to the opportunity to provide them quality water service now and into the future.”  

Aqua Ohio is the Buckeye State’s largest investor-owned drinking water and wastewater utility and serves about 500,000 customers in 19 counties.

SOURCE: Aqua Ohio.

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