The Derrick: Aqua Pennsylvania Boil Water Advisory Remains In Effect For Venango Water Company Customers In Reno, Venango County Since Feb. 14 [Water System Impacted By 2023 Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill]

On February 21, Aqua Pennsylvania announced a boil water advisory originally issued on February 14 is still in effect for customers of the Venango Water System in the Village of Reno, Venango County.

Aqua customers in the affected area are advised to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice.

An apparent water main break has resulted in a loss of pressure in the system. Aqua crews are actively working to isolate and repair the problem. 

Aqua customers in the affected area are advised to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice. If you have questions, please call Aqua Pennsylvania at 877.987.2782.  

You will be notified when this Boil Water Advisory is lifted.  

We thank customers for their patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue. 

Aqua Pennsylvania is currently operating the system as receiver under order from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.  

Visit the Aqua Pennsylvania Rhodes Estate Water/Wastewater Customers webpage for the latest information.

Aqua Buying Venango Water

Aqua Pennsylvania has notified the Public Utility Commission it has reached a “settlement in principle” with the Rhodes Estate and Randal and Kevin Rhodes to purchase the Venango Water Company and other water systems owned by the Rhodes Estate.

The notification was included in a February 3 status report by Aqua to the PUC on its temporary operation of the seven Rhodes water systems under emergency receivership orders issued by the Commission dating back to August 11, 2023. Read more here.

In a status report to the PUC last July, Aqua said the Venango Water Company and the six other Rhodes Estate water systems need more than $5.5 million in capital improvements over the next three years to meet state regulations.  [Read more here.]

Wastewater Spill

Aqua Pennsylvania was ordered to take over operation of the Venango Water Company after a July 2023 spill of conventional oil well wastewater from wells owned by Petro Erie, Inc. that contaminated Bellows Spring, one of two water resources used by the company to serve the Village of Reno, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

The circumstances surrounding this spill have been the subject of a criminal investigation by the state Office of Attorney General since March 2025. Read more here.

(Photos: Top- Petro Erie, Inc. Reno conventional well wastewater spill; Bottom- Aqua Pennsylvania hauling water to Venango Water Company to make up losses from contaminated spring.)

Resource Links - Conventional Wastewater Spill: 

-- DEP Investigates Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Leak As Possible Source Of Village Of Reno Water Supply Contamination In Venango County; Customers Under Do Not Consume Advisory For 2+ Weeks  [8.5.23]

-- Mayor Of Sugarcreek Asks For Donations To Refill Village Of Reno Water Tank After Contamination In Venango County; Emergency Water Distribution Resumes; Contamination From Conventional Oil Wastewater Tanks Suspected  [8.12.23]

-- The Derrick: DEP Issues Order To Petro Erie, Inc. To Restore Village Of Reno Water System, Cleanup Contamination Caused By Its Conventional Well Wastewater Release; 1 Month Without Clean Water  [8.19.23]

-- The Derrick: Public Utility Commission Starts Investigation Into Possible Order For Another Utility To Permanently Acquire Venango Water Company Impacted By Conventional Oil Well Spill [3.12.24]

-- The Derrick: PUC Judge Issues Emergency Order Appointing Aqua Pennsylvania As Temporary Operator For 6 Rhodes Estate Water Companies [Serious Community Impacts Continue From Conventional Oil Well Spill In Venango County]  [10.19.24]

-- The Derrick: State Attorney General Launches Criminal Investigation Into Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill That Contaminated Venango Water Company Spring  [3.8.25] 

-- The Derrick: Aqua Pennsylvania Details $5.5 Million Upgrade Costs For Rhodes Estates Water Systems In Venango County Area; Fallout Continues From Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill  [7.10.25]

-- The Derrick: Aqua PA Spells Out Venango Water Co. Expenses Since Its PUC-Ordered Emergency Role [Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill Cost Water Customers $900,000, So Far, In Venango County]  [2.22.25]

-- The Derrick: Aqua Pennsylvania Reports ‘Settlement In Principle’ To Purchase Venango Water Company [Fallout From Public Water Supply Contamination By Conventional Oil Wastewater Spill Continues]  [2.12.26]]  

[Posted: February 23, 2026]  PA Environment Digest