The Bucks County Commissioners Wednesday sent a letter to the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority seeking information about the proposed sale of the authority’s sewer operations.

Attached to the letter was a list of questions about the proposed sale to which the Commissioners have requested written responses from BCWSA by Aug. 29. The list includes questions raised by the Commissioners and county staff, as well as residents who have reached out to the Commissioners in recent weeks.

“The County has an obvious interest, on many levels, in having a thorough understanding of the ongoing negotiations between the Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority and Essential Utilities/Aqua Pennsylvania regarding the potential sale of the Authority’s sewer operations,” the Commissioners’ letter says.

A community based group Neighbors Opposing Privatization Efforts (N.O.P.E.) held a town hall Thursday night as they are opposed to the sale of system to Aqua.

The grass roots effort featured Anthony Bellitto, executive director of the North Penn Water Authority and a past president of the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association. 

The group is opposed to the sale and says the impacts of a sale only benefits the executives at Aqua Pa, not the rate payers of Bucks County.

Locals and the group called foul about recent public hearings about the sale. saying there was little notice given and the facilities for the hearing were at the vert least, inappropriate. ‘

One locally elected official said, on the condition of anonymity, “its a dumpster fire about to engulf the Commissioners’ office.”

Additionally the proposed sale of BCWSA to Aqua Pa could impact water and sewer rates for those living in Bristol Borough, for example. Bristol officials contracted with BCWSA to sell its sewer plant earlier this year. 

BCWSA officials told Bristol officials rates would remain at current prices for at least three years. 

Click here to read the letter.