Aqua Indiana Breaks Ground on Historic Midwest Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Project in Fort Wayne

Largest capital infrastructure project in Aqua Indiana's history will expand capacity, protect local waterways and ensure reliable service for the growing region

Aqua Indiana leadership today joined elected officials and community partners to break ground on the expansion of its Midwest Wastewater Treatment Plant – a $28 million investment and the largest capital improvement project in the company's history in the Hoosier State. The project will increase capacity to meet the region's growing demand while advancing environmental protection and long-term reliability.

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Aqua Indiana President Sadzi Oliva (3rd from right) breaks ground on Midwest Expansion project, joined by Aqua Indiana employees, Cammy Sutter of Little River Wetlands Project (2nd from right), and contractors from Kokosing.

"This expansion ensures continued reliable service for our customers as the Fort Wayne region grows," said Aqua Indiana President Sadzi Oliva. "By investing in advanced treatment technology and increased capacity, we're protecting what matters most – our customer's health, our local waterways, and the future of this community. This infrastructure investment will serve the Fort Wayne region for generations to come."

The expansion and improvement project will support Allen, Huntington, and Whitley Counties, helping to accommodate population growth, reduce the risk of sanitary sewer overflows, improve odor control, and enhance sludge treatment to return cleaner water to the environment. Construction on the project began in 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2027.

"Protecting our environment and safeguarding clean water has long been at the heart of the partnership between Aqua Indiana and the Little River Wetlands Project," said Cammy Sutter, Executive Director of Little River Wetlands Project. "As Aqua expands its Midwest Wastewater Treatment Plant, we're proud to continue working together as neighbors, partners, and environmental stewards dedicated to preserving the natural resources Fort Wayne and our surrounding communities depend on."

This investment is part of Aqua's continuing infrastructure improvement program to replace decades-old water and wastewater infrastructure around the country. The project underscores Aqua's commitment to providing high-quality, reliable and safe water and wastewater solutions to customers. To learn more about Aqua's dedication to improving America's infrastructure, please visit AquaWater.com.

About Aqua Indiana

Aqua Indiana serves approximately 100,000 people in 16 counties across the Hoosier State. Visit AquaWater.com for more information or follow @MyAquaWater on Facebook and X.

About Essential

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting thousands of acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across nine states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. Learn more at www.essential.co.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which generally include words such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions. The Company can give no assurance that any actual or future results or events discussed in these statements will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements represent its views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the statements contained in this release. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the capital to be invested, including the timing of capital investments, in Aqua's water and wastewater infrastructure. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including the factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, please refer to the Company's annual, quarterly and other SEC filings. The Company is not under any obligation - and expressly disclaims any such obligation - to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Areca Van Mill, [email protected]