Aqua | Rhodes Estate Water and Wastewater Customers

Rhodes Estate Customers

Rhodes Estate Water and Wastewater Customers

December 9, 2024 -- Aqua Pennsylvania is lifting a Boil Water Advisory for about 130 customers in Cooperstown Borough and Jackson Township, Venango County served by the Cooperstown Water Company. The issue occurred on Monday, December 2nd.

Customers can resume normal use of water after our test samples showed no danger to drinking water in this area. Please call Aqua Pennsylvania at 877.987.2782 if you have any questions.

We thank customers for their patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue. Aqua Pennsylvania is currently operating the system as receiver under order from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

The advisory in full can be viewed here.

On October 17, 2024, Aqua Pennsylvania was ordered by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to begin operating 6 systems on October 31, 2024. This includes the 5 drinking water systems and 1 wastewater system below:

Sugarcreek Water Company in Sugarcreek Borough, Venango County
West Hickory Water Company in Harmony Township
Plumer Water Company in Cornplanter Township, Venango County
Fryburg Water Company in Washington Township, Clarion County, and Pinegrove Township, Venango County
Cooperstown Water Company in Cooperstown Borough and Jackson Township, Venango County
Blaine E. Rhodes Sewer Company in Sugarcreek Borough, Venango County

This follows the August 12, 2023 PUC order that Aqua Pennsylvania assume operations of the Venango Water Company in the Village of Reno, also under the Rhodes Estate umbrella.

This can be a confusing time for customers and Aqua is here to ensure this process is as transparent as possible. It is important to note that customers’ water and wastewater service will NOT be interrupted.

Please see below for answers to frequently asked questions. You can also find more information on our work in the Village of Reno since assuming control of operations.

Background

Background on Venango Water Company Receivership

On August 12, 2023 Aqua Pennsylvania has been ordered by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to operate the Venango Water Company (VWC) in the Reno community due to water quality concerns.

We immediately began working with the community to provide additional bottled water in the community, in coordination with active community efforts. Operationally, we took quick action to help lift a Do Not Consume order already in place when Aqua was ordered to take over the system. In less than three weeks, Aqua’s efforts led to the lifting of the Do Not Consume order by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

See the full public notice here.

Regular testing confirmed the water meets PADEP drinking water standards and is safe for consumption. We thank the PADEP, Venango Water Company owners, and Community leaders for their collaborative work to address this issue, and the VWC customers for their trust and patience.

You can see recent drinking water test results here.

FAQs

Customers of the Plumer Water Company remain under a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) already in place when Aqua was ordered to assume operations of the system. Aqua will work as quickly as possible to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to lift this BWA. We will have an update as soon as possible.

The water is safe to drink for all other systems.

You can expect a few changes in the short term:

First, you can now call our Aqua Customer Service Center—available 24/7/365—with any of your customer service needs.
Aqua employees—who will be in Aqua uniform and with Aqua identification—will do the meter readings this month, and we will provide additional information before the meter readings occur.

We will ultimately move your bills to Aqua. As of now, your existing rates will not change.

Aqua does not own the water or wastewater system, but we were directed to start operating the system by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to address the lack of adequate management of the systems. This is called a receivership.

We have done this many times before with systems like yours that need urgent attention and expertise – our only priority right now is to solve your system’s water and wastewater issues. We are not focused on purchasing the system, and the eventual ownership of the system will be determined by the PUC.

Rhodes Estate Customers

Background

FAQs

Is my water safe to drink?

What changes with Aqua now operating our system?

Does Aqua own the water or wastewater system now?

Who do I contact with customer service issues?

Use of Cookies