Our communities and customers come first.

Any decision to sell our sewer system must ensure:

Ratepayer protections over the next 10 years

$1 billion in proceeds for the county and its taxpayers

Highest-level of environmental regulations

Job security for all employees

Public transparency

Our Commitment

Letter

The Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority (BCWSA) has been serving municipalities across Bucks County and southeastern Pennsylvania for the last 60 years. We have recently been presented with a formal offer of $1.1 billion by Aqua Pennsylvania to acquire our wastewater system only. Before we make any determination on whether we will move forward, we will put our communities, customers and employees first with every decision we make.

Acquisition Background

The BCWSA was presented with an initial acquisition offer and the authority had the fiduciary responsibility to examine every detail and determine the most beneficial decision for all concerned. This analysis ensured that customers would have rate protections, municipalities and their taxpayers would realize financial benefits, programs would remain in place to achieve the highest environmental standards, and no current and former employees’ pay and benefits would be negatively impacted.

After receiving the initial offer and conducting a thorough analysis, the BCWSA has taken the procedural step to enter negotiations with Aqua Pennsylvania so we could take their formal offer to the public and conduct informational meetings and discussions. There is no decision to sell until we hear from the public.

The Formal Offer

Aqua Pennsylvania made a formal offer of $1.1 billion for our wastewater system only. After paying off the debt that’s associated with our operations, Bucks County would receive about $1 billion in proceeds. (BCWSA would continue to own and provide water service.) This would allow the county to utilize the proceeds that would benefit all taxpayers, including eliminate the entire county debt, create a fund for customers to stabilize sewer rates over the next decade, cover future tax increases, and provide funding for essential services as needed.

Acquisition Consideration

BCWSA anticipates infrastructure challenges in the future that will require a significant financial commitment to maintain improvements for all customers. Communities across our footprint are serviced by an aging sewer system that needs ongoing repairs and upgrades. A private entity like Aqua Pennsylvania can handle infrastructure needs more efficiently and effectively since they can spread costs and work over a larger system. Additionally, many of our customers have already experienced the costly headaches caused by aging laterals that have failed and damaged their properties. Aqua Pennsylvania will also seek PUC approval for the ability to replace damaged customer wastewater laterals to address the stormwater inflow, which is something BCWSA is not permitted to do.

Community Benefits

Customers

We anticipate the sale proceeds could be contributed to a fund to minimize rate increases over the next 10 years, including a complete rate freeze in the first year. The sale of only our wastewater operation means significantly lower rate increases, estimated to be less than $20/month more by 2033. Low-income residents will continue to have access to grant or discount programs to help pay bills.

Community

Bucks County government and its residents will receive more than $1 billion in new revenue from the sale, which the county can allocate for essential services, cover future tax payments or other community needs.

Environmental

Aqua Pennsylvania will assume all necessary permits to operate the systems and assume all Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consents and orders related to the systems. Aqua Pennsylvania will also seek PUC approval for the ability to replace damaged customer wastewater laterals to address the stormwater inflow, which is something BCWSA is not permitted to do.

Employees

All employees (union and non-union) will maintain their jobs based on current salaries and collective bargaining agreements. All pension plans will remain intact and existing employee benefits will be maintained.

Public Open House Events

July 26, 2022

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Bucks County Community College – Perkasie Campus

Great Room (located in the North Building)

One Hillendale Rd., Perkasie, PA 18944

July 26, 2022

5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Bucks County Community College – Newtown Campus

Gallagher Room (located in the Rollins Center)

275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940

(use parking lot by the West Entrance – see map)