Outages are common for the customers of Rock Spring Water Company, a privately owned supplier that serves about 500 properties in rural Centre County. In a four-month investigation, Spotlight PA found that clients of the system have been failed by the company, state regulators, and elected officials.
Despite years of customer complaints, citations from state regulators, and low revenues, the company has remained under the same ownership, and some customers fear a takeover of the company would raise prices.
The situation highlights issues facing communities that receive water from private companies.
Spotlight PA held a free panel discussion on Pennsylvania’s private water industry, how it is regulated, and how communities are affected when service is subpar.
Our panelists were:
Marley Parish, rural affairs reporter, Spotlight PA
Elizabeth Marx, executive director, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project
Patrick Cicero, consumer advocate, PA Office of Consumer Advocate
Laura Dininni, former Ferguson Township supervisor
Rikardo Hull, chief operating officer, National Association of Water Companies
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