지난 2월 3일 일리노이 아메리카 워터(IAW)와 마운트 버넌시가 IAW의 마운트 버넌시 상하수도 매입에 대한 잠정적 협정을 발표했다. 이날 기자회견은 마운트 버넌시에서 열렸으며, 이 자리에서 시는 어떻게 정부 및 민간부문이 상하수 도전과제의 해결점을 찾아내기 위해 함께 작업할 수 있을지에 대해 제안된 협정을 발표했다.

마운트 버넌시 공무원에 따르면 이번에 제안된 상하수도 매각은 일리노이에서 125년 이상 사업을 운영해온 증명된 민간기업과 파트너십을 맺음과 동시에, 시가 엄격한 규제기준을 계속해서 충족할 수 있도록 보장할 것으로 보인다.

 

 

 

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Illinois American Water (IAW) and the City of Mt. Vernon announced a tentative agreement regarding IAW's purchase of the city's water and wastewater systems. A news conference was held yesterday afternoon in Mt. Vernon to announce the proposed agreement, which serves as an example of how public and private sectors can work together to find solutions to water and wastewater challenges.

According to Mt. Vernon officials, the proposed sale of the water and wastewater systems to IAW ensures that the city continues to meet stringent regulatory standards, while partnering with a proven private company with more than 125 years of service in Illinois. An appraisal procedure conducted under the supervision of the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) will be used to determine the purchase price. The systems serve about 6,600 customer connections and a population of 15,000 in the city.
 
Mt. Vernon will use the proceeds of the proposed sale to pay for other projects throughout the city and improve services without raising taxes. In addition, it will not be responsible for needed water and sanitary sewer repairs and upgrades, resulting in considerable savings in the short and long term.

 

The ICC appraisal and approval process is expected to be completed by early 2016, according to IAW officials. The appraisal procedure for valuing water systems was established as part of the Illinois Water Systems Viability Act, signed into Illinois law in August 2013. The law gives communities an alternative to value their water and/or wastewater systems when considering acquisition by an investor-owned water and/or wastewater utility.

 

Bruce Hauk, IAW president, explained, "Previous law only allowed the investor-owned utility to pay the original cost minus depreciation to acquire a small system, public or private. Because of this, communities were deprived of receiving adequate value for their system." Mayor Mary Jane Chesley agreed, commenting that "The challenges we are facing are exactly why the Systems Viability Act was passed. The timing of this partnership is beneficial to our community."

 

If the sale is approved by the ICC, IAW would continue to make needed investments in infrastructure to ensure that the water and wastewater systems are maintained and upgraded as appropriate. Following ICC approval, IAW will hold a community meeting so customers can meet representatives from the company and ask questions about their water and wastewater service. The company also plans to send an information packet to new customers.

 

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 2월 4일]