Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1701 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2921
Tel. 215.963.5000
Fax: 215.963.5001
www.morganlewis.com
Brian C. Miner
215.963.5430
bminer@morganlewis.com
September 12, 2007
VIA EDGAR AND FACSIMILE (202.772.9361)
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attn: William Choi, Branch Chief, Division of Corporation Finance
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Re:
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Aqua America, Inc. |
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Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006 |
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Filed February 28, 2007 |
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Forms 10-Q for Fiscal Quarters Ended March 31, 2007 |
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and June 30, 2007 |
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Filed May 8, 2007 and August 6, 2007 |
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File No. 1-06659 |
Dear Mr. Choi:
This letter is being submitted in response to the comments given by the staff of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) as set forth in
your letter to Mr. David P. Smeltzer, dated August 28, 2007, with respect to the above-referenced
filings. We have been authorized by Aqua America to provide the responses contained in this letter
on its behalf.
For your convenience, we have set forth each comment in italicized typeface and included each
response below the relevant comment.
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006
Exhibit 13.1
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Contractual Obligations, page 15
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In future filings, please revise your presentation of the contractual obligations table to
conform exactly to the tabular format prescribed by paragraph (a)(5)(i) of Item 303 of Regulation
S-K. In this regard, we note that your Payments Due By Period categories of 2007, 2008, 2009,
2010, 2011 and thereafter do not comply with the prescribed requirements. |
Aqua America has authorized us to inform you that it will comply with this comment in future
filings.
Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, page 27
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We note from your disclosure on page 31 that you included stock-based employee compensation
expense of $290,000 and $266,000 in reported net income during the years ended December 31, 2005
and 2004. If applicable, please present these amounts in the Stock-based compensation
reconciling line item in your statements of cash flows in future filings. |
Aqua America has authorized us to inform you that in future filings it will present the amounts
described in this comment in the Stock-based compensation reconciling line item, and remove these
amounts from the amortization line, on its consolidated statements of cash flows. For
clarification purposes, the specific amounts described in this comment, as disclosed on page 31 of
Exhibit 13.1 of the Form 10-K, represent stock-based compensation expense that is net of tax. The
change in presentation on the consolidated statements of cash flow would actually reflect the
pre-tax amounts for the stock-based compensation of $495,000 and $439,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Goodwill, page 30
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Please explain the nature of the $1.8 million reclassification of goodwill to utility
plant acquisition adjustment made during fiscal 2006. |
Aqua America has indicated that the $1.8 million reclassification of goodwill to utility plan
acquisition adjustment is comprised of two components:
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One component is associated with the acquisition of Heater Utilities, Inc. in 2004 in
which Aqua America recorded goodwill of $18.8 million. During the regulatory approval
process for the Heater Utilities acquisition, the North Carolina Utilities Commission
(NCUC) approved a mechanism under which
Aqua America could recover up to two-thirds of the goodwill resulting from the Heater
Utilities transaction through customer rates in the future upon achieving certain
objectives based on future acquisitions of other utility systems in North Carolina. Since
there was no assurance that these objectives would be met, the goodwill potentially
affected by this mechanism was initially reported as goodwill. Based on the approved
mechanism, upon meeting specified objectives, an amount of the Heater Utilities transaction
goodwill would be transferred from goodwill into utility plant acquisition adjustment,
which is a component of utility plant. Upon meeting objectives associated with the
subsequent acquisition of eight other utility systems in North Carolina, Aqua America was
permitted to transfer from goodwill to utility plant acquisition adjustment an amount of
$202,500 based on the aggregate purchase price of these subsequent utility system
acquisitions. |
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The balance of the reclassification of $1,564,000 represents a correction of an
error. Amounts were recorded as goodwill in 2004, and during 2006, it was determined that
these amounts were utility plant acquisition adjustments that had been approved in state
regulatory orders that permitted the inclusion of these amounts in rate base. Aqua
America had determined that the error was immaterial, both quantitatively and
qualitatively, to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole. In addition,
the error had no impact on the consolidated statements of income or consolidated
statements of cash flows. |
Customers Advances for Construction and Contribution in Aid of Construction, page 30
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We note from your disclosure that contributed property is generally not depreciated but that
certain of your subsidiaries do depreciate contributed property and amortize contributions in aid
of construction at the composite rate of the related property. Please tell us and disclose in
future filings the underlying reasons for these differing practices. Please also tell us and
disclose the rate- making treatment for contributions in aid of construction and how that treatment
impacts your accounting. |
Most of Aqua Americas regulated utilities are subject to regulation by the public utility
commissions of the states in which they operate. The underlying reason for the different
accounting treatment for Contributions in Aid of Construction (CIAC) is that the public utility
commissions in the states where Aqua America operates have different conventions for the accounting
for CIAC.
Aqua Americas utility property is depreciated utilizing state specific accrual rates, via a debit
to depreciation expense and a credit to accumulated depreciation. Similarly, CIAC is amortized
against depreciation expense over a state specific period (generally representative of the
estimated life of the underlying property), however, the balance sheet aspects of that mechanism
fall into one of the following two methods preferred by state public utility commissions:
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In some states, Aqua Americas operating subsidiaries record the
accumulated amortization against the CIAC balance, thereby reducing the CIAC
balance over time in a manner consistent with the reduction in net property, plant
and equipment. |
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b. |
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In other states, the accumulated amortization is booked against
accumulated depreciation, effectively negating the accumulated depreciation
related to the contributed property. For example, the Pennsylvania Public Utility
Commission convention means that CIAC received by Aqua Americas Pennsylvania
operating subsidiary must remain on the consolidated balance sheet indefinitely as
a credit in long-term liabilities, with an equal and offsetting debit in net
property, plant and equipment within long-term assets. As a result, CIAC and the
net property, plant and equipment balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets
remain the same year-to-year. |
Aqua America has authorized us to inform you that in future filings it will disclose the underlying
reason for the differing practices by including the following disclosure in the Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies Customers Advances for Construction and Contribution in Aid of
Construction footnote to the financial statements:
Contributed property is generally not depreciated for rate-making purposes as
certain states regulatory guidelines provide that contributions in aid of
construction received must remain on the Companys consolidated balance sheet
indefinitely. Based on regulatory conventions in other states where the Company
operates, certain of the subsidiaries do depreciate contributed property and
amortize contributions in aid of construction at the composite rate of the related
property.
CIAC is deducted from Aqua Americas rate base, and therefore, no return is earned on property
financed with contributions. Aqua America has authorized us to inform you that in future filings
it will disclose the rate-making treatment and how that treatment impacts its accounting by
including the following disclosure in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Customers
Advances for Construction and Contribution in Aid of Construction footnote to the financial
statements:
Contributions in Aid of Construction are deducted from the Companys rate base for
rate-making purposes, and therefore, no return is earned on contributed property.
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits, page 45
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Please explain to us how you calculate the market related value of plan assets as that term is
defined in SFAS 87. Since there is an alternative to how you can calculate this item, and is has a
direct effect on pension expense, we believe you should disclose how you determine this amount in accordance with paragraph 12 of APB 22. |
Aqua Americas market related value of plan assets is equal to the fair market value of plan assets
as of a measurement date of the last day of its fiscal year, December 31.
Aqua America has authorized us to inform you that it will comply with this comment in future
filings by including the following disclosure in the Pension Plans and Other Postretirement
Benefits footnote to the financial statements:
The Companys market related value of plan assets is equal to the fair value of
the plan assets as of the last day of its fiscal year, and is a determinant for
the expected return on assets which is a component of net pension expense.
Segment Information, page 52
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We note from your Recognition of Revenues policy discussion on page 28 that your Regulated
segment includes non-regulated revenues that totaled $13,525 in 2006, $13,161 in 2005 and $11,556
in 2004. Please provide us with a description of the services underlying these revenues and
support the basis for your conclusion that these revenues should be reported as a component of the
Regulated segment. |
Aqua Americas Regulated segment includes non-regulated revenues that were earned from the
following: fees for operating and maintenance contracts (the management and/or operation of utility
systems that were owned by another party), fees for billing services, fees earned for providing
meter readings to third-parties, antennae lease revenues, the occasional sale of utility materials
and supplies, and other rental income.
Aqua Americas basis for concluding that these revenues are a component of its Regulated segment is
that these activities are an integral part of the operations of the regulated utility operating
companies which comprise the Regulated segment, and Aqua Americas chief operating decision maker
manages these activities and reviews the results for the reporting units comprising the Regulated
segment, inclusive of these non-regulated revenues and associated activities. Often, these
activities are closely associated with and integral with the operation of Aqua Americas regulated
utility operating companies. These regulated utility operating companies manage, staff, operate
and report the results of these activities collectively with their regulated operations. Discrete
financial information on these non-regulated activities are not routinely provided to Aqua
Americas chief operating decision maker, as the operating performance of the reporting units
comprising the Regulated segment are viewed inclusive of their respective non-regulated activities.
Exhibit 31.1 and 31.2
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We note that you replace the word report with the words annual report in paragraphs 2, 3,
and 4(a) of your certifications. In future filings, please revise your certifications to include
the exact language as set forth in Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K. This comment also applies to
your Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007 whereby your certifications refer to
your quarterly report. |
Aqua America has authorized us to inform you that it will comply with this comment in future
filings.
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We note that paragraph 4(d) of your certifications does not include the phrase, the
registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report. In future filings,
please revise paragraph 4(d) of your certifications to include this phrase. This comment
also applies to your Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007. |
Aqua America has authorized us to inform you that it will comply with this comment in future
filings.
* * * * *
Aqua Americas acknowledgement of its responsibility for its disclosures, in the form requested by
the Commission, signed by David P. Smeltzer, Chief Financial Officer of Aqua America, accompanies
this response.
Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at 215.963.5430 if you should have any questions
or comments with regard to these responses.
Sincerely,
/s/ Brian C. Miner
Brian C. Miner
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Cc:
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David P. Smeltzer |
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Roy H. Stahl |
Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
AQUA
Aqua America, Inc.
762 W. Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
David P. Smeltzer
Chief Financial Officer
T: 610.645.1079
F: 610.645.1141
dpsmeltzer@aquaamerica.com
www.aquaamerica.com
September 12, 2007
VIA EDGAR AND FAX (202.772.9361)
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attn: William Choi, Branch Chief, Division of Corporation Finance
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Re:
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Aqua America, Inc. |
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Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006 |
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Filed February 28, 2007 |
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Forms 10-Q for Fiscal Quarters Ended March 31, 2007 |
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and June 30, 2007 |
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Filed May 8, 2007 and August 6, 2007 |
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File No. 1-06659 |
Dear Mr. Choi:
In connection with the comment letter, dated August 28, 2007, sent by the staff of the Division of
Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission), with respect to
the above referenced filings, Aqua America hereby acknowledges:
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Aqua America is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the
above referenced filings; |
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staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff comments do not foreclose
the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filings; and |
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Aqua America may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by
the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States. |
We have authorized our counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, to prepare and submit, on behalf of
Aqua America, a response to your specific comments.
Sincerely,
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AQUA AMERICA, INC. |
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By:
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/s/ David P. Smeltzer |
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Name: David P. Smeltzer
Title: Chief Financial Officer |
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