South Pymatuning Township and Sharpsville have been partners in water for some time. The municipalities are in the sixth year of a 25-year contract that provides for Sharpsville to supply water to the township.

So, it's safe to say South Pymatuning has a vested interest in the looming decision Sharpsville council will eventually make concerning the future of its nearly 50-year-old water plant.

Because South Pymatuning doesn't own the plant, its officials and residents have been mostly relegated to the sidelines during the drawn-out discussions of Sharpsville council members about whether they will sell it, renovate it or build a new one -- until now.

Supervisor Burt DeVries told residents Tuesday that township officials had met with Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. President Bob Liptak earlier in the day to inquire whether Consumers might be interested in buying the township's lines and system. Consumers has offered Sharpsville $5.34 million for its water plant.