Press Release

LEESBURG, Fla., Jan 09, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aqua Utilities Florida, Inc. (Aqua) announced today that Troy Rendell will join the company as its chief liaison to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). Rendell comes to Aqua from the PSC where he spent more than 20 years, 14 of which he served as public utilities supervisor. Rendell's hire is the third made by the company from a state regulatory agency.

In his new position, Rendell will be the regulatory face of the company in Tallahassee on PSC related matters and will manage all regulatory filings associated with the company's growth and rates structure. Rendell's primary responsibility is to provide the PSC with the proper and timely information they need to regulate Aqua's operations in Florida.

"Troy's financial background combined with his 20 years of regulatory experience will bring our regulatory effort to a new level in Florida," said Christopher Franklin, president of Aqua's southern operations. "I have great confidence in Troy's ability to represent Aqua in Tallahassee."

Aqua's announcement follows the hiring, in 2007, of two former Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulators. Patrick Farris joined the company as manager of environmental compliance and Tricia Williams was hired as manager, engineering. The hiring of these former regulators underscores the company's commitment to make regulatory and environmental compliance its top priority.

Aqua has owned and operated water and wastewater utilities in Florida since 2003 when its parent company purchased the investor-owned water and wastewater systems previously owned by Aqua Source . The company expanded its operations in 2004 when it purchased additional water and wastewater systems from Florida Water Services Corporation. Aqua currently serves approximately 117,000 residents in Florida.

"We have spent the second half of 2007 building a strong leadership team and improving environmental compliance and operations throughout the many small water and wastewater systems we've purchased," explained Franklin. "Additionally, we've invested more than $30 million in capital improvements for things like pipes, plants and associated assets across the state since 2003. While there remains much to be done, our capital investment along with an experienced management team better positions us to resolve many of the issues we face in Florida," said Franklin.

Aqua Utilities Florida, Inc. is a subsidiary of Aqua America, Inc., one of the nation's largest U.S.-based publicly traded water and wastewater utility holding companies. Based in Leesburg, Lake County, Aqua Utilities Florida serves nearly 117,000 residents across the state. The company operates more than 100 water and wastewater systems in 19 counties, including highly populated areas of Brevard, Desoto, Citrus, Lake, Orange, Pasco, Putnam, Palm Beach, Sarasota and Volusia counties.

WTRG

SOURCE: Aqua Utilities Florida, Inc.

Aqua Utilities Florida, Inc.
Donna Alston
Director, Communications
610-645-1095
dpalston@aquaamerica.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008

News Provided by COMTEX