News release from the City of Fort Wayne:
Mayor Henry announces the City of Fort Wayne completes purchase of Aqua Indiana’s southwest water utility
First neighborhoods will be connected to City water starting tomorrow(December 3, 2014) – This afternoon, Mayor Tom Henry signed the final documents to complete the purchase of Aqua Indiana’s water system in southwest Fort Wayne. Mayor Henry was joined by Aqua Indiana’s Tom Bruns for a signing ceremony at Citizens Square.
City Utilities will now begin the conversion process to bring City Utilities water services to residents in the former Aqua southwest service area. In order to accommodate pipe connections, residents will be connected in phases that will take place over the next several months. The first neighborhoods will be converted to City water beginning tomorrow, with nearly 2,200 customers being connected this week.
“This is another positive step in our efforts to meet the needs of residents, neighborhoods, and businesses in our community. Our southwest residents have called for City water for years, and today I’m proud we can fulfill my promise of bringing our award-winning water to all Fort Wayne residents,” said Mayor Henry. “A commitment to reliable and high quality water at an affordable price for all residents demonstrates that Fort Wayne is a leader as we invest in the future to improve economic development opportunities and job growth, and enhance the tremendous quality of life we enjoy. It’s encouraging to see that the unprecedented momentum we’ve been experiencing in our community now extends to our utility services.”
All 12,500 water customers in the former Aqua southwest service area will start paying City Utilities water rates effective today, resulting in lower bills, even though the entire phase-in process will not be complete. Customers will save $120-$140 per year on their water bill.
Customers will receive a welcome letter this week, detailing the estimated timeline for connection. Additional information is available at www.cityoffortwayne.org/aquatransition.
Current City Utilities customers will not see increased water rates as a result of the transaction.
Under the agreement announced last year, the City will pay Aqua an additional $50.1 million to the $16.9 million paid to Aqua by the City in 2008 (for a total cost of $67 million). The investment completes the purchase of the Aqua north system and the southwest water system.
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