Aqua's plans concern engineer

MVSD wants more public data about Aqua Ohio Inc.'s expansion.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
MINERAL RIDGE -- The Mahoning Valley Sanitary District's chief engineer says he will ask the publicly operated water supplier's board to intervene in a private company's expansion plans.
MVSD sells treated bulk water to Youngstown, Niles and McDonald -- which in turn sell it to their retail customers.
Aqua Ohio Inc. applied Jan. 13 to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to expand the territory in which it can operate. The application is seeking expansion into Southington and Farmington townships and small sections of Hubbard and Brookfield townships.
Tom Holloway, MVSD chief engineer, said Monday that Aqua's application lacks 22 exhibits that must be included in such an application.
"We're concerned over this issue and the protection of water," Holloway said. "We would want to intervene to get more information."
Holloway said he wants the public informed about Aqua's plans before the PUCO makes a decision.
Walter J. Pishkur, Aqua president, could not be reached to comment.
Necessity approved
In its application, though, Aqua points out that it already has a certificate of public necessity approved by the PUCO and the request to waive the exhibits is a cost-savings measure.
Aqua, according to the application, will provide any documents the commission requires to evaluate the application.
Holloway called attention to the exhibits that should include a list of company officers and 10 largest shareholders, a detailed balance sheet, documentation of proposed rates, description of the type of pipe that will be used, and the company's financial plan.
The exhibits would also include approval of the general plans by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and a construction schedule.
The key issue, Holloway explained, is a statement that no existing agency -- public or private -- would or could economically and efficiently provide water service to the proposed expansion area.
Holloway said the MVSD can provide the water service.
The recommendation of Holloway to the district's board to intervene in Aqua's application points out the philosophical differences between the two providers.
Holloway has said public water systems provide lower rates because they don't pay taxes or show a return on investments.
Pishkur said earlier this month that the PUCO -- and not Aqua -- controls its rates.
Pishkur has said that Aqua has done nothing in Trumbull County to compete with public suppliers and that it's a "natural progression" that private providers expand where people want the service.
yovich@vindy.com