The Town has been in discussions with AQUA Virginia regarding their unsolicited proposal to acquire the Town’s utility assets.
The proposal will be discussed at the next Town Council Regular Meeting on July 17.
AQUA Virginia provides clean water to approximately 3 million customers, as well as wastewater services. According to Aqua America, every day its 175 wastewater plants return more than 26 million gallons of wastewater to streams and rivers after processing.
The company also powers several facilities in various states with clean energy, including solar power.
Aqua America, provides service to more than 81,000 residents across the Old Dominion State.
AQUA is not without critics. This report from Food and Water Watch highlight some issues:
-Aqua America is hiking up water bills through rapid-fire rate increases and infrastructure surcharges.
-Aqua America is aggressively acquiring new systems, especially places with high population growth, little competition and weak regulation.
-Aqua America is cutting and running on communities with the greatest needs and least profitability.
-Aqua America is expanding into unregulated industries to avoid public oversight of pricing.
-Communities are fighting to kick out Aqua America and reclaim public control over their vital drinking water and clean water infrastructure.
Note: The Small Water or Sewer Public Utility Act provides that rate increases are regulated and must be approved before going into effect.