Aqua America Reports Success in 2018 Growth Efforts
January 22 2019 - 7:30AM
Business Wire
Aqua America Inc. (NYSE: WTR), the second-largest U.S.-based,
publicly traded water and wastewater utility, welcomed more than
13,600 new customers through five completed municipal acquisitions
in 2018. With officials interested in having a professional utility
maintain and operate their water and wastewater systems, Aqua
partnered with these communities and successfully integrated the
systems into existing operations.
Completed 2018 municipal acquisitions include the Village of
Manteno, Illinois; Limerick Township, Pennsylvania; the Village of
Peotone, Illinois; East Bradford Township, Pennsylvania; and the
Tredyffrin Township Municipal Authority’s Valley Creek Trunk Sewer
System in Pennsylvania.
Beyond municipal acquisitions, on Oct. 23, 2018 Aqua announced
an agreement to acquire Pittsburgh-based natural gas company
Peoples for $4.275 billion. Expected to close in mid-2019, Aqua
will add 740,000 customers in Western Pennsylvania, Kentucky and
West Virginia, while continuing to improve infrastructure
reliability, quality of life and economic prosperity in these
regions.
“When we look back at the history of Aqua America, I believe we
will see 2018 as a turning point,” said Aqua Chairman and CEO
Christopher Franklin. “From reaching our 1 million water and
wastewater customer-connection milestone to announcing our
strategic acquisition of Peoples, Aqua has and will always
prioritize our customers and communities. We look forward to
continuing to deliver the best possible experience for those we
serve.”
Franklin sees a promising 2019 on the horizon, with seven
pending water and wastewater acquisitions under agreement as of
January totaling approximately 20,000 customer connections. Fair
market value agreements are in place with Cheltenham, East
Norriton, New Garden and Schuylkill townships in Pennsylvania, and
the Village of Grant Park and Fox River Water Reclamation
District’s Skyline system, both in Illinois. An agreement has also
been reached to acquire Virginia’s Northern Neck Water Inc., a
privately owned system. All are expected to close this year. Aqua
has completed nearly 380 acquisitions since 1995.
“For Aqua, purchasing private and municipally owned systems is
about more than growth. It allows us to do our part to strengthen
water and wastewater infrastructure in the communities we serve,
something that’s vitally important for the future,” said
Franklin.
Aqua America is the second-largest publicly traded water utility
based in the U.S. and serves over 3 million people in Pennsylvania,
Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana and
Virginia. Aqua America is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
under the ticker symbol WTR. Visit www.AquaAmerica.com for more
information.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including the Company’s 2019 results. 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 our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. For more information regarding risks and
uncertainties associated with Aqua America's business, please refer
to Aqua America's annual, quarterly and other SEC filings. Aqua
America 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.
WTRF
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190122005230/en/
Brian DingerdissenInvestor RelationsO:
610.645.1191BJDingerdissen@AquaAmerica.com
Stacey HajdakMarketing & CommunicationsO: 610-520-6309M:
267-294-1866SMHajdak@AquaAmerica.com
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