SHIPPENVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – Pennsylvania American Water has completed its $250,000 purchase of the Corner Water Supply and Service Corporation system, expanding its footprint in Clarion County by taking on approximately 450 new water connections in Shippenville.
The acquisition, announced by the company on November 20, follows the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s approval on September 2. Pennsylvania American Water already provides wastewater service to most of the affected customers.
In a statement, company president Justin Ladner said the transition will bring these customers under the umbrella of the company’s Clarion water system. According to Ladner, the goal is to improve reliability through regional integration while maintaining affordability.
Over the next five years, the company plans to invest over $4.3 million in the system.
According to the company, projects will include new water meters to support more accurate billing and a connection to the existing Clarion system. The company said these upgrades aim to meet safety, security, and regulatory standards without imposing steep costs on customers.
Corner Water Principal Owner Tom Weaver said the decision to sell came after evaluating the investments needed to maintain the system under tightening regulatory conditions.
“We can’t think of a better company to continue servicing our customers,” Weaver noted.
According to Pennsylvania American Water, customers will initially keep their current rates. Future rate changes must be reviewed and approved by the PUC, in line with regulated utility requirements.
The company also highlighted its assistance programs for income-eligible households. These include the H2O Help to Others Program, which provides grants and bill discounts, along with tools for water conservation.
Pennsylvania American Water is the state’s largest water and wastewater utility. It serves about 2.4 million people across Pennsylvania and operates as a subsidiary of American Water, which provides regulated services in 14 states.