Pennsylvania American Water Acquires Scranton Wastewater System
Pennsylvania American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water, has completed the acquisition of the wastewater system assets of the Scranton Sewer Authority (SSA). The purchase price is approximately $195 million.
The newly acquired system provides wastewater service to approximately 31,000 customers in Scranton and Dunmore. Pennsylvania American Water already provides water service to residents and businesses in both communities. The transaction represents one of American Water’s largest wastewater acquisitions in the parent company’s history.
“This acquisition marks a significant milestone for our company and our employees, based on the size and scope of this wastewater operation and the environmental challenges facing the system,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Kathy L. Pape. “We bring both the technical expertise and financial resources to meet these challenges and provide a long-term wastewater solution, while establishing a plan to maintain reasonable rates for the customers.”
The transaction’s closing follows a lengthy regulatory approval process by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). The wastewater system is under an EPA Consent Decree that mandates significant upgrades, totaling an estimated $140 million, to bring the system into environmental compliance. As the system’s owner, Pennsylvania American Water will continue the projects started by the SSA and assume the SSA’s obligations under the Consent Decree.
As part of the PUC’s approval of the purchase, Pennsylvania American Water agreed to adopt the existing wastewater rates for customers served by the SSA system, although such rates will now be billed on a monthly rather than bi-monthly basis. The PUC regulates the company’s rates, rules and regulations of service, so any future rate change will need to be reviewed and approved by the PUC.
“Our employees have been providing water service for a long time for the Scranton and Dunmore communities, and we are very pleased to now be the wastewater provider as well,” said Pape. “We are also excited to welcome the SSA employees to the Pennsylvania American Water team.”
All of the approximately 80 SSA workers who operate the wastewater system have been offered employment. The employees are represented by the Teamsters Union, Local 229, who voted on Dec. 2, to ratify a new contract offered by Pennsylvania American Water. The employees gain immediate access to the training, development and career opportunities in any of the operations of Pennsylvania American Water or its parent company.
Pennsylvania American Water’s purchase of the sewer system enables SSA to pay off its existing debt.
Under the purchase agreement, Pennsylvania American Water also committed to bring 100 new jobs to Scranton by 2020. “As we continue to invest in the region and expand our operations, these will be important jobs to support not only Pennsylvania but the growth of our national footprint,” said American Water Chief Operating Officer Walter Lynch. “We expect the new jobs to generate a very positive economic impact for the Greater Scranton Area.”
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