Aqua Pennsylvania acquires 40-mile water main system in Mercer County, Pa.

(UI) — Aqua Pennsylvania has finalized its $18 million acquisition of the Greenville Municipal Water Authority in Mercer County, Pa., adding a system that serves more than 2,900 customers in Greenville Borough and nearby Hempfield and West Salem townships.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved the transaction on Jan. 15, 2026. The purchase follows Aqua Pennsylvania’s 2025 acquisition of the Greenville Sanitary Authority’s wastewater system, expanding the company’s footprint in the community.

The Greenville system includes roughly 40 miles of water mains. Aqua Pennsylvania said it plans to invest approximately $10 million over the next decade to upgrade infrastructure, improve system operations and address regulatory, environmental and cybersecurity requirements.

“Our customers in Greenville and the surrounding communities already count on us for safe and reliable wastewater service,” said Essential Utilities Chairman & CEO Christopher Franklin. “Now, they’ll be able to count on us to provide them with the highest quality drinking water. We are committed to investing in upgrades to the water system in Greenville that will bring long-term benefits to our customers.”

Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca said the planned improvements are aimed at strengthening reliability and long-term service.

“Investing in water infrastructure is not optional; it is essential for drinking water quality,” Lucca said. “The repairs and upgrades planned for the water system in Greenville will improve reliability and service for our customers at the start and for years to come.”

Local officials said the sale follows decades of service by the municipal authority.

“The Greenville Water Authority has proudly served this community for over 100 years, and this decision was not made lightly,” said Greenville Water Authority Board Chairman Tom Strahler. “Our responsibility has always been to ensure safe, reliable water service for our residents — not just today, but for generations to come. After careful consideration, we believe this transition positions both our employees and the Borough for long-term stability and growth. We are grateful for the dedication of the Authority’s employees, past and present, who built and maintained this system with pride. As we move forward, we are confident that Aqua has the experience and resources to continue that legacy of service while investing in the future of Greenville’s water and wastewater infrastructure.”

Customer base rates will remain unchanged at closing. Any future adjustments would require approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

The transaction marks the seventh water or wastewater acquisition completed by Essential Utilities over the past 24 months, adding 9,655 customers, or about 12,420 equivalent dwelling units, to the company’s service portfolio.

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