BUTLER, Pa., Oct. 27, 2003 -- In the last 10 years, the population of Butler County has increased more than 15 percent. The demand for public water has increased right along with it.
Pennsylvania American Water has been actively growing in the Butler County area and recently announced it is completing its $1.2 million acquisition of the Connoquenessing Borough Authority water system.
The system serves over 1,500 people in Connoquenessing Borough and Connoquenessing Township. Until now, the authority purchased all of its water supply from Pennsylvania American.
"The change for customers will be seamless," said Robert M. Ross, President and CEO of Pennsylvania American. "The residents of Connoquenessing have been receiving high-quality water from Pennsylvania American for many years, but now will have the benefit of the many programs and services we offer directly to our customers."
Cindy Beers, Connoquenessing Borough Council President, said she and the other council members recognized the value of the sale. "It was the consensus of council that this is the best decision for the borough residents and the community," said Beers.
A regulated public utility serving more than two million people across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania American has a 24-hour customer service center and round-the-clock emergency services, several convenient payment options and programs to assist seniors and financially-troubled customers.
"The Connoquenessing water system is a perfect fit for Pennsylvania American," said Ross. "We already serve a significant population within the county, a number that is growing because of other water line extension projects in the area that are nearing completion." Ross added that the borough will benefit in two ways: relief from the expense of maintaining the water system and the ability to use the proceeds from the sale for other needs in the borough.
Currently, Pennsylvania American is in the process of completing a $6 million project that will interconnect the company's Butler and Ellwood City water systems. The beginning phases of that project brought water into the county's western end in Jackson Township and has been moving east ever since. Pennsylvania American has also purchased four other water systems in Butler County over the last ten years, including Summit Township, Center Township, Butler Township and TOW Associates Industrial Park.
About Pennsylvania American: Pennsylvania American, a subsidiary of American Water, provides reliable, quality water and wastewater service to over 2 million people in the Commonwealth. The Company owns and operates 38 water treatment facilities, three wastewater facilities and approximately 9,000 miles of pipeline to serve customers in 364 communities in 35 counties.
About American Water: American Water, a part of RWE's water division, serves 20 million customers in 27 states, four Canadian provinces, Puerto Rico and South America. More than 8,000 employees provide water, wastewater and other related services. RWE's water division is the third largest water and wastewater services company in the world.
