More than six months have passed since a Petro Erie wastewater spill contaminated Bellows Spring, which serves as the source of water for more than 200 homes and businesses in Reno that are customers of Venango Water Co.
Montgomery County-based Aqua Pennsylvania was eventually called in, under a receivership order by the state Public Utilities Commission, to take over operations of Venango Water Co. based on water quality issues the Reno community had been facing.
According to Aqua, Venango Water Co. still owns the system but the future of ownership remains in question.
When deciding whether a company maintains ownership or there is a transfer of ownership, Tressler, in a follow-up email this week, added, “The PUC has a formal process that reviews the current water system’s business position and operational status. From that evaluation, they will decide if ownership will remain with the Venango Water Co. or order a transfer of ownership to Aqua.”
Aqua is continuing to operate the water system to state Department of Environmental Protection requirements, managing the customer billing process and maintaining the assets, Tressler told the newspaper in the follow-up email.
As far as the situation with Venango Water Co. is concerned, Tressler said, “Once Aqua was ordered into a receivership status, we were aware of the potential outcome of the PA PUC deciding Aqua may become a new owner.” As of Thursday, no decision has been made by the PUC.
On Aqua’s website, which has a section for updates for Reno residents, it states, “We are not focused on purchasing the system, and the eventual ownership of the system will be determined by the PUC.”
Aqua uses that website to communicate updates to Reno residents, but it has not been updated since Sept. 25.
Tressler did not have information as to when Aqua’s receivership role could end.
Meanwhile, Tom Decker, the state Department of Environmental Protection’s regional communications manager, this week told the newspaper in an email that Petro Erie’s appeal of DEP’s order to rectify matters, including site cleanup and addressing violations, is still pending.
