Aqua Pennsylvania has acquired the sewer system of Lower Makefield Township, along with its 11,000 wastewater customers. Andrew Maykuth got a handle on the deal’s particulars for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission unanimously approved the deal, which reportedly set Aqua back $53 million dollars.

The 11,151 commercial and residential customers along the system’s 113 miles of collection mains and 14 pump stations cover:

• Lower Makefield Township
• Falls Township
• Middletown Township
• Yardley Borough

The deal includes no treatment plants; instead, the sewer system conveys wastewater to the Morrisville Municipal Authority for processing under a separately contracted arrangement.

The sale was not without critics. Opponents argued in 2020 that the new owners would raise rates. In response, Aqua has frozen rates for two years, indicating a gradual climb stretched out to 2028.

Township officials cited several reasons for choosing the Bryn Mawr utility. Among them were stronger compliance with environmental regulations and better risk-mitigation abilities.

The township will use the proceeds of the sale to pay down debt and fund future project without tax hikes.

More on this story is at The Philadelphia Inquirer.