CHJA Approves Rate Hike; Moves Towards Sale

The Canonsburg Houston Joint Authority (CHJA) approved two major items at its meeting on Thursday evening. First, after a lengthy discussion of operating costs and costs for long delayed upkeep of several locations, the board approved a rate increase to customers. Currently CHJA customers pay $8.86 per 1000 gallons of water. The rate increase will be to $11.26 per 1000 gallons of water. That is a 30% increase. In a second voting measure the board approved the asset sale of the CHJA. According to CHJA Chairman Robert Luksis, the authority was contacted by Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) two years ago about an asset sale. After several discussions and requests for quotes and requests for proposals, the board voted to put itself up for sale. The motion narrowly passed, Board members Luksis, Steve Lucas and Larry Scears voted in favor of the measure. Board members Michael Alterio and Jim Maund voted against. It is a $145 million proposal with the proceeds being divided between the boroughs of Canonsburg and Houston. Luksis indicated that the competitive bid process had the AQUA Company beat out PAWC by $5 million and other contract details. The boroughs of Canonsburg and Houston will vote on the sale in their November meetings. If all goes smoothly, legal representatives figure to have the sale closed by the end of 2024.