off public water and sewer systems to for-profit companies. It does not take a financial wizard to figure out that this will not end well for consumers. But that has not stopped local governments from moving forward with what can only be described as an irresponsible sale of a valuable public asset.a $235 million sale of York County’s public wastewater system to Pennsylvania American Water.
In fact, the deal is crafted in a way to buy elected officials time before the public realizes what hit them. American Water can’t raise rates for three years. But after that, rates can go up by nearly 50%. In return, York gets a one-time cash windfall that it plans to use to close a budget gap, while also freeing itself from the future maintenance of its water system. But the short-term gain will result in long-term pain for customers. That has not stopped other local municipalities from turning a quick buck.to sell its public sewer system to Aqua Pennsylvania for $1.1 billion. If approved, residents in Bucks County will see their bills jump from an average monthly rate of $48 to $88.