New Jersey American Water Completes Acquisition of Shrewsbury Township's Alfred Vail Mutual Association Water System
Second Acquisition Completed via the Water Infrastructure Protection Act Adds 265 New Customers and Will Provide Critical Infrastructure Improvements for Residents
New Jersey American Water announced today it has completed its acquisition of the water system of Shrewsbury Township's Alfred Vail Mutual Association community. The purchase of this system, which serves 265 customer connections, follows the approval of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and is the second in the State of New Jersey to be completed through the Water Infrastructure Protection Act (WIPA).
The state's WIPA legislation was signed into law in 2015. It permits the sale of municipally owned water or wastewater systems that meet certain criteria. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection certified the township's request to pursue the sale through the WIPA path in July 2023.
"This agreement is a win for our community," said Shrewsbury Township Mayor Lester Jennings. "By selling the Alfred Vail Mutual Association water system to New Jersey American Water, we are securing much-needed infrastructure improvements, high-quality service, and affordable rates for our residents. With their expertise and investment, our residents will benefit from a modernized system and reliable service for years to come."
Under the agreement, New Jersey American Water will make several critical infrastructure investments in the community's water system while keeping rates affordable for customers. These projects include identifying and replacing all lead and galvanized steel service lines in addition to upgrading all water meters. All aging water mains within the system will also be replaced. Additionally, New Jersey American Water will take ownership of all service laterals from the main to the meter, removing this responsibility and risk from homeowners in this community.
"We are committed to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable water service to the residents of Shrewsbury Township's Alfred Vail Mutual Association, just as we do for the 2.9 million people we serve across the state," said Ben Morris, Vice President of Operations, New Jersey American Water. "Our plan includes upgrading and strengthening the community's water infrastructure to enhance quality and increase reliability—all while delivering excellent customer service."
Residents will receive additional information in the mail from New Jersey American Water within the next week to facilitate a smooth transition. Shrewsbury Township's Alfred Vail Mutual Association residents will be able to take advantage of the company's customer service benefits, including its online account management portal, MyWater, as well as its H2O Help to Others program for qualifying customers needing help paying their bills. Additional information is also available on a dedicated webpage, Shrewsbury Township Water, on the company's website at www.newjerseyamwater.com, under Customer Service and Billing.
This is New Jersey American Water's seventh acquisition in the last five years, adding more than 17,000 new water and/or wastewater customers. Additionally, it is the state of New Jersey's and New Jersey American Water's second WIPA sale following the company's acquisition of Egg Harbor City's water and wastewater system in June 2023, which added more than 1,500 water and wastewater customers.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE:AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $40 to $42 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.
American Water has been recognized as one of Forbes 2025 Most Trusted Companies in America, in addition to being ranked first in the utilities industry category on Forbes America's Best Large Employers List for 2024; recognized on Newsweek's America's Most Responsible Companies 2025 List; ranked on Barron's 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2024 List; and named one of America's Most JUST companies by JUST Capital and CNBC for its continued commitment to employees, customers, communities and shareholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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Media Contact:
Erin Banes
Senior External Affairs Specialist
New Jersey American Water
[email protected]