Essential Utilities, Inc., formerly known as Aqua America, is a publicly traded water and natural gas utility holding company. Through its regulated water and wastewater subsidiaries, the company provides essential water services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. In addition, Essential Utilities delivers natural gas distribution services in Pennsylvania through its Peoples Gas subsidiary, offering integrated utility solutions under a unified corporate framework.
The company traces its roots to the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, founded in 1886 to serve growing communities outside Philadelphia. Over more than a century of operations, it expanded its footprint through strategic acquisitions and infrastructure investments, going public in 1990 under the Aqua America name. In July 2020, reflecting its widened scope beyond water, the firm rebranded as Essential Utilities to underscore its dual-service model.
Essential Utilities currently serves millions of water and wastewater customers across eight states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida. Its water and wastewater operations focus on treatment, distribution and system maintenance, while its gas subsidiary provides distribution, metering and safety programs to residential and commercial users in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Leadership at Essential Utilities is headed by President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher H. Franklin, who oversees corporate strategy, operations and regulatory affairs. The company’s executive team and board of directors bring extensive experience in utility management, engineering and environmental stewardship, guiding ongoing investments in infrastructure modernization and customer service enhancements.
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