Greater Nashua
Mayor fires back at Avard over ownership of Pennichuck Water
NASHUA – Mayor James Donchess recently responded to rumors being propagated by State Sen. Kevin Avard (R-Nashua) that the city approved the sale of Pennichuck Water Works to Chinese beverage giant Nongfu Spring. In February, Nongfu purchased the land at 80 Northwest Blvd., which was owned by Stag Industrial, not Pennichuck. Nongfu also applied for a permit to build a water bottling facility; however, the application was withdrawn in May. Donchess also dispelled Avard’s claims that the city granted a permit allowing Nongfu to sell bottled water. “We do not issue water permits, he’s just making that up,” said Donchess, adding that the sale of water is governed by the state Public Utilities Commission. “If he thinks there’s something wrong with this then he should do something about it.” Donchess also said the city, which has owned Pennichuck since 2012, had no ...
