When former mayor for life Ed Pawlowski decided to lease* the water department, I cringed. Water was the only component of the city that operated in the black. Because of the huge capacity no longer needed for industry, Allentown had a surplus to sell to the growing suburbs. Unfortunately, because of his success dictating policy to city council, the only question left was to whom it would be sold. At the time I felt that the LCA was the lesser of the evils, because at least it was a local authority, as opposed to an outside for profit business.
The fact that the LCA wants to substantially raise the rates for Allentown customers should be of no surprise to those who now govern. Mayor O'Connell considers the increase unconscionable. When he was a councilman there were those who felt that the lease of the department to the LCA was also unconscionable.
If you think Allentown tap water is expensive, the story gets worse. Former county executive Don Cunningham invited Nestlé to the valley. Some of you now buy our own local water in little plastic bottles, paying a $dollar a pop, somehow thinking that it's better. That's a real joke.
* The water department was leased for 50 years, but I doubt that the city will ever have it back.
shown above an early postcard of the Allentown Water Works
Good, factual article. Now research "blending" of sewage and see if your stomach doesn't turn to learn of LCA's plans to build a new waste treatment facility that uses this strategy.
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