Back to Contents

On May 6, 2004, based upon the recommendation and approval by the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors, Aqua America, Inc. (the “Company”), as the Plan Sponsor of the Aqua America, Inc. Employees 401(k) Savings Plan and Trust (the “Plan”), formerly known as Consumers Water Company Employees’ 401(k) Savings Plan and Trust, dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the independent public accountants for the Plan and engaged Beard Miller Company LLP to serve as the independent public accountants for the Plan for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. The decision to change independent public accountants for the Plan was not the result of any disagreement with PwC with respect to any reporting or disclosure requirements applicable to the Plan. The engagement of Beard Miller Company LLP relates only to the audit of the Plan’s financial statements. PwC will continue to act as the independent accountants with respect to the Company’s financial statements.

PwC’s reports on the Plan’s financial statements for each of the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 and through May 6, 2004, there were no disagreements with PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure which disagreements, if not resolved to PwC’s satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter in connection with their reports on the Plan’s financial statements for such years; and there were no reportable events as defined in Item 304(a) (1) (v) of Regulation S-K.

The Plan provided PwC with a copy of the foregoing disclosures. Attached as Exhibit 16.1 is a copy of PwC’s letter dated May 12, 2004, confirming its agreement with such statements.

During the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 and through May 6, 2004, neither the Plan nor the Company consulted Beard Miller Company LLP with respect to the application of accounting principles to a Plan specified transaction, either completed or proposed, the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Plan’s financial statements or any other matters or reportable events as set forth in Items 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

- 2 -

                                                                    Exhibit 16.1







May 12, 2004

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

Commissioners:

We have read the statements made by the Aqua America, Inc. Employees 401(k)
Savings Plan and Trust (the "Plan") (copy attached), which we understand will be
filed with the Commission, pursuant to Item 4 of Form 8-K, as part of the Plan's
Form 8-K report dated May 6, 2004. We agree with the statements concerning our
Firm in such Form 8-K.

Very truly yours,

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP