DANVILLE — Aqua Illinois officials said customers shouldn’t expect huge changes when the recently announced merger of its parent company, Essential Utilities, and American Water closes in the first quarter of 2027.
“We anticipate many benefits for our customers all while probably not realizing anything has changed other than the name on the mailings,” according to Andy Price, area manager for Aqua Illinois’ East Central Division.
The combined company will be known as American Water.
“Until the actual close, we will continue to operate separately and as two different entities,” Price added.
According to the water companies, anticipated benefits for customers and communities include:
- No change in rates, and American Water and Essential Utilities will be better able to maintain an average water bill that is affordable.
- Combined best practices, knowledge and skills of both utilities.
- An expanded set of resources to help solve water and wastewater challenges for existing and new customers and communities.
- The new company will remain an active member in the communities it serves, supporting customers and stakeholders with a dedicated workforce and passionate employee base.
- Investments in infrastructure renewal, resiliency, water quality, technology and growth projects.
The merger, announced last month, will create a leading regulated water and wastewater public utility with a market capitalization of about $40 billion and combined enterprise value of about $63 billion.
“This combination brings together two industry leaders united by our shared mission to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to our customers,” American Water President and CEO John C. Griffith stated in a press release. “By joining forces with Essential, the combined company’s enhanced scale and operational efficiency will support continued investment in our critical infrastructure, enabling us to continue providing superior customer service at affordable rates.
“We look forward to bringing together the talented teams of both companies to help solve the many water and wastewater challenges across the country and expand our customer base,” Griffith said.
Christopher H. Franklin, chairman and CEO of Essential Utilities, echoed Griffith’s statement.
“Throughout Essential’s nearly 140-year history, we have consistently led with purpose to shape a future rooted in sustainability, innovation, resilience and best-in-class service for our customers,” he said. “We are confident that the combined company will build upon our longstanding track record of delivering safe and reliable services and be better positioned to solve today’s challenges while creating a sustainable future.
“Together, we will have expertise, financial strength and regulatory credibility to continuously improve our infrastructure and meet the evolving needs of our customers. American Water and Essential will continue to enable our communities to thrive.”
The combined company will serve more than 2,000 communities and will be headquartered in Camden, N.J.
