BRYN MAWR, PA — Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) said its Aqua Pennsylvania subsidiary earlier this month completed an $18 million acquisition of the Greenville Municipal Water Authority in Mercer County, expanding its drinking water service to more than 2,900 customers.
The system serves customers in Greenville Borough as well as Hempfield and West Salem townships, according to the company.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved the transaction on January 15, 2026.
The acquisition follows Aqua Pennsylvania’s purchase last year of the Greenville Sanitary Authority’s wastewater system.
“Our customers in Greenville and the surrounding communities already count on us for safe and reliable wastewater service,” said Essential Utilities Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Franklin.
Franklin said the company plans to invest in upgrades to the local water system.
Aqua Pennsylvania said it expects to invest about $10 million in the system over the next decade.
The system includes about 40 miles of water mains, and planned improvements are intended to address operational, regulatory, environmental and cybersecurity requirements, according to the company.
Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca said the investment is intended to improve reliability and service for customers.
The Greenville Water Authority had served the community for more than 100 years, according to authority board Chairman Tom Strahler.
Strahler said the authority concluded that transferring the system to Aqua Pennsylvania would provide long-term stability and resources for infrastructure investment.
Customers’ base water rates will not change at the time of the transaction closing, according to the company.
Any future rate adjustments would require approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Customers will also have access to Aqua Pennsylvania assistance programs, including the Customer Assistance Program and the Aqua Aid hardship fund.
Essential Utilities said the acquisition is its seventh water or wastewater system purchase in the past 24 months.
Those acquisitions added 9,655 customers, or 12,420 equivalent dwelling units, to the company’s service base, according to the company.
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