The Borough of Ambler’s move to create a water authority has resulted in neighboring municipalities joining together to oppose Ambler’s application with the Pennsylvania Utility Commission to create the new authority. Ambler’s Borough Council voted to approve an ordinance establishing the authority on January 6, 2021. The creation of the authority now needs to be approved by the utility commission.

The municipalities involved in opposing the application are Whitemarsh Township, Whitpain Township, Lower Gwynedd Township, and Upper Dublin. All at least partially obtain water from Ambler’s system and would come under the new authority if approved. You can find the joint defense agreement here.

The issue for the neighboring municipalities is the authority’s board, which would have six seats for the Borough of Ambler, and one seat for each of the other municipalities. According to attorney Sean Kilkenney, solicitor for Whitemarsh Township, the other municipalities do not believe the Borough of Ambler should have the majority of seats on the board.