The City is pleased to announce that it will operate the water utility in-house following the acquisition. It is currently anticipated to occur on October 30, 2015. The City anticipates a smooth transition on the operations of the water service delivery.
This is the next step in the City’s acquisition of the local water utility. While the City has always viewed EPCOR as a prudent owner and operator, the City’s desire to purchase the utility assets arose out of an interest by the City Council and Administration to own its water assets and have the economic benefits go to White Rock and its residents.
The City held a public information meeting in June to gather community feedback on various options around the acquisition. Based on that feedback, Mayor and Council directed staff to move forward with the acquisition. In September 2015, the City announced that it had signed a negotiated agreement with EPCOR. The purchase remains subject to customary conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.
More information on the operation, the Total Water Quality Management Project and impact of this change in ownership and operation to water users will be discussed with the community at the City’s Water Utility Community Forum on October 15, 2015 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the White Rock Community Centre.
Quotes
Dan Bottrill, Chief Administrative Officer, City of White Rock
“I would like to thank City staff and CUPE executives who both sought to cooperate and come to an agreement and provided us the opportunity to move forward with an in-house solution. “
Mayor Wayne Baldwin, City of White Rock
“I made a commitment to the residents of White Rock to take over the responsibility for the City’s water supply. I am pleased with today’s decision as it gives the community the responsibility of owning and operating the water utility, and ensuring water utility rates paid stay within the community.”