Aqua Pennsylvania Awarded Nearly $29 Million in Funding to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water Across Commonwealth

Funding is part of Aqua Pennsylvania’s commitment to remove “forever chemicals” to meet new federal drinking water standards; reduces associated costs for customers

BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aqua Pennsylvania announced today it was awarded a combination of grant and low-interest loan funding through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to support its continuing commitment to remove PFAS from drinking water. The funding, totaling as much as $28.9 million, will support 6 projects to install PFAS treatment systems at 15 community well sites in Chester, Montgomery, Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties. The PENNVEST process requires well-planned projects, including securing a PA Department of Environmental Protection permit and other documents as a condition of approval. PENNVEST funds allow recipients like Aqua Pennsylvania to complete installation of PFAS treatment at a reduced cost to customers.

“Aqua Pennsylvania is committed to working within the PENNVEST guidelines to pursue and secure funding opportunities that will cost-effectively deliver the highest quality drinking water for our customers,” said Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca. “I want to thank PENNVEST for their continued support and consideration of our projects as the funds received will help us affordably meet these state and federal regulatory requirements.”

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 to have treatment in place by 2028, within the required timeline.

“We have been at the forefront of addressing and removing ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water for several years,” said Lucca. “We are proud to say again that we have reached full compliance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection PFAS drinking water standards and we remain focused on reaching the federal standards as well.”

The PFAS treatment facilities will positively impact nearly 12,000 customers in the following communities:

CHESTER COUNTY

• Upper Uwchlan Township and West Whiteland Township

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

• Douglass Township, New Hanover Township and Perkiomen Township

LACKAWANNA COUNTY

• Jefferson Township

LUZERNE COUNTY

• Dallas Township and Penn Lake Borough

Construction on these facilities is expected to be completed in late 2025.

Aqua Pennsylvania will continue to seek these funding opportunities as part of our dedication to outstanding service and affordability.

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, in Aqua’s water and wastewater infrastructure; 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.

WTRGG

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250127619308/en/

Media:

Amanda Burge

Regional Communications Specialist

M: 610.329.2015

O: 610.520.6440

AEBurge@aquawater.com

Source: Aqua Pennsylvania