BRYN MAWR, PA — Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act by doubling down on its efforts to protect water quality and ensure public health. Through its water utility subsidiary, Aqua, the company is advancing its commitment to combating contaminants and modernizing infrastructure.
“The Safe Drinking Water Act has been the cornerstone of safe drinking water protection for the past five decades,” said Christopher Franklin, chairman and CEO of Essential Utilities. “At Essential, we lead by action — tackling PFAS contamination, replacing lead service lines ahead of federal mandates, and investing in infrastructure modernization. It’s through these efforts that we continue to protect public health, exceed regulatory standards, and ensure safe, reliable water for the communities we serve today and for generations to come.”
Aqua is addressing critical challenges such as PFAS contamination by implementing advanced treatment technologies and conducting rigorous monitoring. The company is also prioritizing the replacement of aging lead service lines, taking proactive measures across its eight-state service area to safeguard public health.
Essential plans to invest $765 million in water system improvements in 2024 and more than $800 million in 2025. These investments include $89 million for PFAS mitigation and $44 million for lead service line replacement. The majority of this funding will go toward replacing aging water mains and meeting increasingly stringent regulatory standards.
“The 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act is a moment to celebrate the progress we’ve made and reaffirm our commitment to delivering safe, reliable water to the communities we serve,” said Colleen Arnold, president of Aqua. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Every day, our team works diligently to ensure our water systems not only meet but exceed state and federal standards, protect public health, and adapt to future challenges.”
With its focus on innovation and infrastructure enhancements, Essential Utilities is reaffirming its commitment to ensuring safe and reliable water for the communities it serves for generations to come.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.