Company Announcements

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

Since 2021, Aqua Pennsylvania awarded more than $190 million in PENNVEST funding

BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2025-- Aqua Pennsylvania announced it was awarded a combination of principal forgiveness loans and low-interest loans through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). The funding, totaling $35 million, will fund construction of a new PFAS treatment system at Aqua’s Ridley Water Treatment Plant which will meet federal regulatory requirements for drinking water. Aqua Pennsylvania is already in full compliance with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) PFAS drinking water standards.

“Aqua Pennsylvania has taken the lead on addressing and removing ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water for many years,” said Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca. “We also work diligently within the PENNVEST guidelines to receive funding opportunities which allow us to cost-effectively deliver high-quality drinking water. I am proud to share that PENNVEST has awarded us more than $190 million since 2021.”

The Ridley plant serves more than 15,700 customers in Media, Delaware County. Aqua Pennsylvania will install the new treatment, which involves the usage of fourteen (14) granular-activated carbon (GAC) pressure filters designed to remove PFAS compounds from drinking water. Construction is set to begin in March 2026 and is expected to be completed in early 2028.

State officials join Aqua Pennsylvania in highlighting the importance of removing PFAS from drinking water in the Commonwealth.

“Everyone deserves access to clean water,” said Pennsylvania State Representative Jennifer O’Mara. “Thanks to these funds, Aqua will be able to ensure that our community’s drinking water continues to be safe to drink. I’m grateful to PENNVEST for awarding these funds so Aqua can implement PFAS treatment to keep our water clean.”

In the last 4 years, Aqua Pennsylvania has worked diligently to obtain $191 million in PENNVEST loans and principal forgiveness loans for infrastructure improvement projects. More than $91 million in funding has been awarded for PFAS treatment projects. This support has helped Aqua Pennsylvania to add PFAS treatment to facilities across the state.

About Aqua Pennsylvania
Aqua Pennsylvania provides water and wastewater service to approximately 1.5 million people in 33 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, principal loan forgiveness 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

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Media Contact:
Amanda Burge
Regional Communications Specialist
M: 610.329.2015
O: 610.520.6440
AEBurge@aquawater.com

Source: Essential Utilities, Inc.