Water, Sewer Privatization Opposed By Falls Township

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA —Several months after Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority’s failed attempt to sell its assets to Aqua, the Falls Township Supervisors have now joined other municipalities in opposing water and sewer privatization.

At its meeting Monday, supervisors passed a resolution to join a municipal consortium opposing legislative actions that would negatively impact water and sewer customers.

As part of its membership in the group, Falls Township has agreed to pay $250 annually for the consortium costs.

The consortium, which is led by Doylestown Borough, was formed to oppose the sale of municipal water and sewer assets to private utility companies and oppose legislation that would impose requirements on public utilities which would benefit private utilities at the expense of residents.

In addition, the group intends to represent municipal interests regarding Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority’s proposed collection system upgrades.

According to the resolution, the consortium is authorized to retain experts, consultants, and legal
counsel as approved by a majority of members to prepare analyses, studies, court actions, and other documents as necessary to further the consortium’s purposes.

In other business, supervisors authorized Township Manager Matthew Takita to execute the necessary documents to opt-in to an additional round of the national opioid settlement.

Township attorney Mike Clarke said that municipalities can recoup expenses related to opioid addiction, including the administration of Narcan for overdoses.

While there is no cost or obligation to opt-in, Clarke said doing so makes the township eligible for funds. The amount to be paid —and when —is not known, he said.