County residents with high water rates to get new company

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a day ago

CUMBERLAND — Although Allegany County officials recently talked to Maryland Water Service about significantly high rates, they just learned the company has been sold.
Thursday, Allegany County Administrator Jason Bennett said his office a few weeks ago met with Maryland Water Service representatives to discuss monthly water and sewer bills that average about $350 and have reached $650 to $900 for some customers in Bel Air, Pinto, Glen Oaks and Highland Estates.
'We ... asked some pretty pointed questions,' Bennett said.
County officials received some answers but were 'left with more questions,' he said.
Wednesday, the company 'reached out to us and shared ... that system has now been sold,' Bennett said, adding that the county has few details but was told the new owner is American Water Service.
'From what we know it's going through the regulatory process,' Bennett said. 'Which means, back through the (Maryland Public Service Commission) and back through federal agencies as well.'
The county does not know 'what it will do to rates,' he said. 'As we learn more, we'll continue to share.'
TransactionMaryland Water Service is a Texas-based Nexus Water Group company.
A press release on the American Water website Thursday stated the business 'has agreed with Nexus Regulated Utilities LLC, a subsidiary of Nexus Water Group Inc., to purchase multiple water and wastewater systems located in eight states for a total of approximately $315 million, subject to adjustment as provided for in the purchase and sale agreement.'
The acquisition 'would add nearly 47,000 customer connections within American Water's existing footprint in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia,' the release stated.
'The completion of the transaction is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions, including the receipt of all required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions,' it stated. 'The estimated closing will take place by or before August 2026.'
The Cumberland Times-News was unable to confirm Thursday before press time whether the sale includes the Allegany County Maryland Water Service customers.
BackgroundIn March, Bel Air resident Larry Smith led a meeting of roughly 100 folks to discuss their inability to access affordable and clean water.
Participants came from Bel Air, Pinto, Glen Oaks and Highland Estates, and gathered in a large room above the Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department.
Many discussed extreme conservation measures to reduce costs of their water and sewer bills.
The group's water and sewer bills, which come from Maryland Water Service, are among 'the highest in the nation,' Smith said at that time.
In April, Allegany County Director of Public Works Adam Patterson said Maryland Water Service buys its water from the county, which purchases the water from Cumberland.
'The cost that we purchase from Cumberland ... we mark up and then that (pays the county's) transmission cost,' he said.
'What I'm seeing is (the water company officials) then mark it up again.'
The commissioners at that time agreed to arrange a meeting, requested by the local Maryland Water Service customers, with county, state and federal delegates.
ReactionThursday, Smith said he hopes the meeting he and other Maryland Water customers requested earlier this year will still happen.
'There must be a solution beyond private water for these communities,' he said, adding that the current model is economically unsustainable.
He talked of hardships the customers face due to their high water bills.
Some folks have to share bath water, and others must choose between paying for prescription medications or water, Smith said.
Many have poor quality of water that requires significant filtration methods, he said.
The water problem will 'continue to mean devaluation of property values,' Smith said.
'Whether it is Maryland Water Service or a new company that bought MSW, we look forward to the commissioners honoring their commitment to the nearly 1,400 people who requested a meeting,' he said.
'We're grateful to the commissioners in advance,' Smith said of the elected officials' pursuit of the meeting.