Aqua Pennsylvania Awarded $17.3 Million in Funding to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water, Replace Lead Service Lines
Funding is part of Aqua Pennsylvania's commitment to provide safe, reliable drinking water and reduce associated customer costs
Aqua Pennsylvania announced it was awarded a combination of grant and low-interest loan funding through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). Funding totaling $15.05 million will support Aqua Pennsylvania's continuing commitment to remove PFAS from drinking water. Another $2.3 million in funding will go toward Aqua Pennsylvania's ongoing lead service line replacement program. PENNVEST funds allow recipients like Aqua Pennsylvania to complete these important infrastructure upgrades at a reduced cost to customers.
"Aqua Pennsylvania's commitment includes delivery of safe, reliable drinking water to its customers," said Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca. "Our commitment includes pursuit of PENNVEST funding which will help mitigate impacts to our customers."
PFAS Treatment Systems
More than $15 million in PENNVEST funding will support 6 PFAS treatment installation projects at community well sites in Bucks, Chester, and Luzerne Counties. The PFAS treatment systems will positively impact more than 5,800 customers in the following communities:
BUCKS COUNTY
- New Britain Borough
CHESTER COUNTY
- East Marlborough Township, Franklin Township, West Brandywine Township, West Whiteland Township
LUZERNE COUNTY
- White Haven Borough
Construction on these treatment facilities is expected to be completed in summer/fall of 2026.
In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water. Funding awarded by PENNVEST will move Aqua Pennsylvania closer to meeting the federal guidelines ahead of the EPA's required compliance in 2029.
Lead Service Line Replacements
More than $2 million in combined grants and loans from PENNVEST will go toward the replacement of more than 200 customer-owned lead and galvanized service lines in Bristol Borough, Bucks County. Customer-owned service lines are the pipes running from approximately the curb line to homes and businesses. Aqua already treats drinking water to prevent lead leaching from pipes into the water, but replacing these aging pipes is an extra step in reducing the risk for customers.
The lead service line replacement project in Bristol is expected to start in June 2025 and is estimated to be completed in early 2026. The replacement is done at no direct cost to the customer. A warranty is also provided on the completed work.
Find out more about Aqua Pennsylvania's commitment to our customers in the Commonwealth.
About Aqua Pennsylvania
Aqua Pennsylvania provides water and wastewater service to approximately 1.5 million people in 32 counties throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Visit AquaWater.com for more information or follow @MyAquaWater on Facebook and @MyAquaWater on 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 more than 7,600 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 and the quantities of PFAS systems installed and lead service lines to be replaced, in Aqua's water and wastewater systems; that it will continue to seek and receive grants and low-interest loans; compliance with state and federal regulations; and the impact of any funding received on customer rates. 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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Amanda Burge
Regional Communications Specialist
M: 610.329.2015
O: 610.520.6440
[email protected]