BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc., (Aqua) announced today that it has satisfied
the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) consent order agreement (COA) for its Emlenton water
system 17 months before the final completion date of July 1, 2012,
following two years and $4.5 million of capital investments in the
system.
"We are very happy to see that all of the work we have completed for the
Emlenton water system has resulted in the termination of the COA," said
Aqua Pennsylvania President Karl Kyriss. "From getting the
nine-month-old boil order lifted just three weeks after purchase to
managing the design and construction of a new water treatment plant, we
have worked diligently and invested a lot of money in the Emlenton water
system so these customers can get the water quality and reliability they
deserve. The termination of the COA was the icing on the cake."
Specific improvements Aqua has made to the Emlenton water system over
the two years it has owned the system include $2.8 million for
construction of a new 288,000-gallon per day water treatment plant;
$925,000 to replace 11,400 feet of old water main; and $392,000 of
improvements to the existing finished water reservoir, including the
installation of a dome roof.
Aqua entered the COA as a commitment to the DEP that the problems it
inherited from the Emlenton Water Company on December 31, 2008, would be
resolved on or before July 1, 2012. Emlenton had been under a boil
advisory for nine months. Immediately upon purchasing the system, Aqua
scrambled to make temporary improvements to lift the boil order in 23
days. "Early termination of the COA stands as final testament to Aqua's
aggressive actions and commitment to providing quality water and
reliable service for the customers of Emlenton who had suffered enough,"
said Kyriss.
The Emlenton water system serves approximately 1,200 people in portions
of Emlenton Borough and Richland Township, Venango County in western
Pennsylvania.
"Many historic small towns across Pennsylvania are experiencing an
economic resurgence due to Marcellus Shale exploration," Kyriss said.
"Having a modern infrastructure, especially a dependable public water
supply, is critical for communities such as Emlenton to take advantage
of opportunities for growth and development."
Aqua Pennsylvania serves approximately 1.4 million people in 30
counties throughout Pennsylvania. It is the largest operating subsidiary
of Aqua America, Inc., (NYSE:WTR) which serves approximately 3 million
people collectively in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois,
Texas, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Indiana, Virginia, Maine, Missouri
and Georgia, and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
ticker symbol WTR.
WTRG
Aqua America, Inc.
Gretchen Toner
Manager, Strategic
Communications
610-645-1175
gmtoner@aquaamerica.com
Source: Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
