Aqua America's Ohio Subsidiary to Operate and Maintain New Wastewater System in Clinton County

August 10, 2004
Aqua America's Ohio Subsidiary to Operate and Maintain New Wastewater System in Clinton County BOARDMAN, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 10, 2004--Aqua America, Inc. (NYSE:WTR) announced today that its Ohio subsidiary, Aqua Ohio, Inc. (Aqua), has entered into a 20-year agreement with the Clinton County Board of Commissioners to operate and maintain a new county wastewater system that will serve approximately 455 customers in Jefferson Township and the Villages of Martinsville and Midland.

Aqua will oversee construction of the $8.4 million facility, which will be located on State Route 28. Construction is expected to begin in 2005 with completion of the facility scheduled for 2006.

Growth ventures like Clinton County play an important role in the company's growth-through-acquisition strategy. "Agreements like this can lead to additional growth opportunities by putting us in the strategic position to serve other nearby water and wastewater systems," said Aqua America Chairman Nicholas DeBenedictis. "This enables us to spread our fixed costs over a larger customer base, which ultimately benefits our existing and new customers."

"We are pleased with the idea of Aqua Ohio managing this project for us," said Mark Brooker, county administrator. "Aqua has a long history of water and wastewater plant management, and Clinton County is fortunate to be able to utilize that experience."

This agreement adds to Aqua's growing customer base and expands the company's operations into western Ohio. "Clinton County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state," said Aqua President Walter J. "Buzz" Pishkur. "Its strategic location off of Route 71 between Columbus and Cincinnati makes it an attractive community for both business and residential development."

This is the 19th growth venture for Aqua America and its subsidiaries this year. The company has completed acquisitions and other growth ventures this year in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida and Missouri.

Aqua America, Inc. is the largest U.S.-based publicly-traded water utility serving more than 2.5 million residents in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Maine, Missouri, New York, and South Carolina. Aqua America is listed on both the New York and Philadelphia Stock Exchanges under the ticker symbol WTR. The company has been committed to the preservation and improvement of the environment throughout its history, which spans more than 100 years.

CONTACT:
Aqua America, Inc.
Donna Alston, 610-645-1095
dpalston@aquaamerica.com


SOURCE: Aqua America, Inc.