In celebration of the four-year anniversary of the unanimous rejection of a hostile takeover of Chester Water Authority (CWA) by Aqua PA (new name Essential Utilities, Inc.), CWA is to host Public Water Independence Day this Saturday, May 22 for CWA ratepayers and SAVE CWA supporters.
“Since CWA Board’s May 2017 decision to reject the unsolicited bid, we have saved the ratepayers nearly $200 million dollars in comparison to Aqua’s current rates. At the time, we determined that there was no benefit to the ratepayers from the sale. If CWA was sold, rates would rise and there was serious concern that the public would lose access to the Octoraro Reservoir. It was a lose-lose situation for our water ratepayers and the public,” says Cynthia Leitzell, Chair of the Board of CWA.
This Saturday’s event will be held from 12 P.M. to 2 P.M. at CWA’s main office, 415 Welsh Street, Chester, PA 19103. With music, an ice cream truck, soft pretzels, and giveaways, it will surely be a party atmosphere and a great time for all who attend. Fun giveaways, such as t-shirts, water glasses, and more will be sure crowd-pleasers. Attendees can pick up yard signs, sign petitions in support of current legislation, and learn how they can spread the word to their neighbors, family and friends. And to top it off, the ratepayers and public will be able to hear directly from their elected officials who will be in attendance.
Even the pandemic could not stop the groundswell of support for CWA, as ratepayers and the public have worked tirelessly delivering yard signs, calling and writing to their representatives, dropping literature at community members’ doors, holding petition signing events, working polling places on election days, and knocking neighbors’ doors, at a social distance, to support the effort. “For everything they have done for CWA, it was time to do something for them,” remarked Paul Andriole, Vice Chair of the Board of CWA. “Public Water Independence Day is really a celebration of them. We would not be where we are without our amazing supporters. It is certain to be a beautiful, fun-filled day. With the elected officials in attendance, we are hoping for a large crowd to visually show the public’s support for CWA.”
The Rally will have a terrific speaker line up including:
- Master of Ceremonies, James Turner, Business Development Director of Marketing for CWA
- PA Sen. John Kane: Sponsor of SB 452, Water Ratepayer Bill of Rights
- PA Sen. Carolyn Comitta—co-sponsored of SB 452
- PA Rep. John Lawrence—sponsor of HB 97, Ratepayer Referendum
- PA Rep. Leanne Krueger—co-sponsored both HB 97 and HB 144
- Tyler Arkatin for PA Rep. Christina Sappey—Sponsor of HB 144, Water Ratepayer Bill of Rights
- PA Rep. Dianne Herrin
- David McMahon, the founder of NOPE (Neighbors Opposing Privatization Efforts). David and his organization stopped a sewer sale to Aqua PA in Norristown, PA and is now working to stop a sewer sale in Conshohocken, PA
- Blair Fleischmann/George Hundt from S.A.V.E. (Safety, Agriculture, Villages, & Environment). S.A.V.E. advocates for sustainable land use and infrastructure policies and practices that preserve the quality of life throughout southern Chester County.
- Kathryn Labrum, attorney representing CWA ratepayers in legal actions fighting privatization
- CWA Employees
- Cynthia Leitzell, Chair of the Board of the Chester Water Authority
Please join in the festivities this Saturday. Weather calls for sun and fun. Ample free parking available in the lot behind the CWA building, which can be accessed from 5th Street. There is also free public parking in the Chester City Hall lot located at 4th and Welsh St., with entrances on PA 291 and 4th street. The lot says employee parking, but it is free to the public on weekends.
For more information, email savecwa@chesterwater.com.
COVID-19: This event is outdoor and socially distanced. Please follow CDC guidelines.
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