Aqua and its efforts to force takeover
On May 8, 2017, Aqua sent an unsolicited offer to the CWA seeking to purchase it for $320 million. The CWA’s board unanimously rejected the offer—a decision made, in part, because analysis showed ratepayers would have seen significant rate increases as a result of Aqua’s ownership. Unhappy with the rejection of its offer, Aqua has attempted to force a deal through political pressure, misinformation campaigns, court battles, and secret meetings with the City of Chester and state officials.
Read more about Aqua’s efforts to force a takeover in the links below:
“Toilet to Tap: Pennsylvania seeing feeding frenzy of sales of public water/sewer systems,” The Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times (May 11, 2023)
Letter from CWA Solicitor to Michael Doweary, Receiver for the City of Chester Re: Does the City have an Agreement to Sell CWA? (July 29, 2021)
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of CWA versus DCED regarding redacted documents in a Right-To-Know case has led to the discovery of emails between Aqua officials and the Commonwealth’s appointed Receiver of Chester in their ongoing efforts to force Aqua’s takeover of the CWA. The attached provides evidence that what is being said publicly is very different than what seems to be happening behind the scenes.
https://chesterwater.com/breaking-news-recently-released-emails-between-chesters-receiver-and-aqua/
“Something in the Water,” The American Prospect (Mar. 23, 2021)
The CWA’s fight against Aqua draws national attention.
https://prospect.org/environment/climate-of-opportunity/something-in-the-water/
“Was Philly region’s largest water-utility sale a politically motivated sweetheart deal?”, The Philadelphia Inquirer (Oct. 1, 2019)
“The Heron’s Nest: Delco’s Version of the Mueller Report; Chester’s Finances,” The Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times (June 21, 2019)
“Choppy Water Returns for Iconic Chester Water Authority,” The Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times (June 18, 2019)
“Editorial: Aqua Pa. roils the water at Chester Water again,” The Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times (Apr. 9, 2019)
“Utility fights $60M plan between city and Chester Water Authority, which it wants in hostile takeover,” The Philadelphia Inquirer (Apr. 5, 2019)
Aqua’s Complaint Suing City of Chester to Stop CWA Settlement (Apr. 3, 2019)
CWA Proposed Settlement Agreement begins on PDF p. 56.
PUC Letter in Response to CWA Letter Regarding Aqua’s Promises to Potential Customers of Rate Freezes (Dec. 6, 2017)
“COLLUSION? CATANIA: DOCS SHOW STATE, AQUA PLOTTED A CWA TAKEOVER,” The Spirit News (Nov. 29, 2017)
Takeover Attempt Timeline (Nov. 29, 2017)
This link provides a timeline of events leading up to and following Aqua’s 2016 offer to acquire the CWA as well as events concerning the privatization of other municipal water and sewer authorities in Pennsylvania.
CWA Letter to PUC Regarding Aqua’s Promises to Potential Customers of Rate Freezes (Nov. 22, 2017)
Supplement No. 2 to CWA’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Investigative/Research Services
April 19, 2017 voicemail message from then-chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, Valentino DiGiorgio, III, regarding Aqua
https://chesterwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/RFQ-supp-II-cover-July-2-2019.pdf
Audio from Supplement No. 2 to CWA’s Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Investigative/Research Services
April 19, 2017 voicemail message from then-chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, Valentino DiGiorgio, III, regarding Aqua
http://chesterwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/VD-VM-PA-4-19-2017.mp3