Aqua Pennsylvania gets $74.3M in PENNVEST funding for PFAS removal

Aqua Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG), has been awarded $74.3 million in loans and principal forgiveness through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to fund several PFAS water treatment projects across the state.

Nearly $61 million of the funding will support construction of a PFAS treatment system at Aqua's Neshaminy Water Treatment Plant in Bucks County. The system will use Granular Activated Carbon units to treat 15 million gallons of drinking water per day, serving approximately 62,000 customers in Montgomery and Bucks Counties. Construction is expected to be completed by late summer 2028.

The remaining approximately $13.5 million will fund PFAS treatment installations at three community well sites in Chester and Luzerne Counties, affecting nearly 5,700 customers. Those projects are expected to be completed by fall 2027. The additional treatment at these sites is intended to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's drinking water standards. Aqua Pennsylvania states it is already in compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection PFAS standards.

According to the company, PENNVEST has awarded Aqua Pennsylvania a total of $270.2 million since 2021, with more than $260 million of that coming since 2024.

"Our team has been aggressive in its commitment to pursue alternative funding to lessen the financial burden on our customers," said Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca.

Aqua Pennsylvania provides water and wastewater service to approximately 1.5 million people across 33 counties in Pennsylvania.

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