Delco To Take Control Of Regional Water Authority

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — The Delaware County Council Tuesday said it will terminate the Delaware County Regional Water Authority (DELCORA), and to have the county assume responsibilities for DELCORA’s operations.

Last week, the county council took action to block the illegal trust created by the former Republican Majority in the final days of their terms.

Tuesday, the council enacted an ordinance abolishing authority and giving its power to the county.

See the full ordinance here.

In 2019, the Board of DELCORA, appointed by the former Republican majority on the Delaware County Council entered into an agreement — using a no-bid process and allowing no meaningful public input — with Aqua Pennsylvania to sell DELCORA and privatize its operations.

Additionally, in the final days of their terms, the former Republican majority illegally created a trust to distribute assets from the sale directly back to Aqua Pennsylvania, and not to ratepayers.

The new county council has vowed to make county government more transparent and to protect taxpayers.

Over the last week, county council has taken action to:

• block the formation of the illegal trust created by the former Republican majority;
• announced its intent to terminate DELCORA to protect the public from the authority’s illegal activities, and to have the county assume responsibility for DELCORA’s operations;
• announced its intent to ensure DELCORA is not taking steps that prevent the county’s elected officials from managing the county's assets and taxpayer money;
• and announced its intent to prevent DELCORA from taking any further action inconsistent with termination.

"This week, we are taking another step to reverse an overtly political and backhanded deal orchestrated by the former Republican majority'' said Brian Zidek, County Council Chair. “I’ve been opposed to this deal from the beginning because I believe taxpayers should be our top priority, not our political allies."