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Victory in Emmaus!

Emmaus, a town of 12,000 people and strategically located for corporate expansion, has sent a resounding message: “Keep water under local control!” 

Thanks to unprecedented mobilization by the citizens of  Emmaus PA, the Borough Council voted unanimously Tuesday, September 6, to take water privatization off the table. In Pennsylvania, communities under private management pay $8 per 1000 gallons—more than 6 times more than ratepayers in Emmaus.

Approximately 300 people attended the public hearing on August 8, 2005 to stop the borough councils move to sell Emmaus water.

Organized as EFLOW (Emmaus for Locally Owned Water), residents were able to change the minds of 3 council members who had previously voted in favor of exploring privatization. They did this by turning out 300 people to an August public hearing, displaying lawn signs at home and in the windows of Main Street shops, and bringing more than 500 petition signatures and 60 ratepayers to last Tuesday’s vote.

Riding the wave of their recent victory, EFLOW continues to strengthen their organization to maintain water as a public trust. Citizens are strategizing for the upcoming Borough Council elections in November. Paul Marin, an EFLOW leader, invites anyone to contact him at pmarin(at)ptd.net.

For more information visit Emmaus for Locally Owned Water (EFLOW).

In the News:
September 7: Emmaus will keep its water system
August 9: Emmaus residents oppose utility sale
August 8: Emmaus weighs bringing back water authority
July 6: News in brief from eastern Pennsylvania

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