Essential Utilities Invests $1B+ in U.S. Infrastructure
As the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) unveils its 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, Essential Utilities, Inc. affirms its commitment to addressing the nation’s most pressing infrastructure challenges. With a multibillion-dollar capital improvement program in place, Essential is working across its nine-state service area to modernize aging water, wastewater, and natural gas infrastructure, contributing to safer and more resilient communities.
“The ASCE’s 2025 report reiterates a longstanding concern—America’s infrastructure is in dire need of continued investment,” said Christopher Franklin, Chairman and CEO of Essential Utilities. “At Essential, we recognize our role as one of the largest utility providers in the nation. We are committed to leading the charge in upgrading infrastructure, especially in communities where aging systems pose real risks. Our efforts over the past five years reflect a clear, forward-thinking investment in reliability, sustainability, and public health.”
Since 2020, Essential Utilities has invested over $5.4 billion in critical infrastructure projects, including more than $1.3 billion in 2024 alone. These projects have led to significant improvements such as:
- Replacing over 1,600 lead and galvanized water service lines to ensure safer drinking water.
- Modernizing approximately 410 miles of aging pipelines for water, wastewater, and natural gas systems.
- Allocating $4 million to replace 450 customer-owned lead service lines in Chester County, Pennsylvania at no cost to homeowners.
- Upgrading the Manakin Farms Wastewater Treatment Facility in Goochland County, Virginia to improve sustainability and reduce landfill waste.
- Building a 500,000-gallon water tower in Beau Rivage, North Carolina, improving water pressure and service reliability.
The 2025 ASCE Report Card assigns low grades to critical infrastructure sectors, including a “C” for hazardous waste, citing concerns about contaminants such as PFAS chemicals and lead. Drinking water systems received a “C-” and wastewater infrastructure a “D+”—a clear call for continuous investment in treatment systems and modern technology.
Essential Utilities has taken a proactive stance on such concerns, testing for PFAS in drinking water since 2017 and implementing advanced treatment solutions. In 2024, the company invested $27 million in PFAS mitigation efforts, including the pursuit of low-interest grants and loans to minimize financial impacts on customers. An additional $23 million was directed toward lead service line remediation.
On the energy front, the ASCE awarded a “D+” grade, highlighting the urgent demand for infrastructure capable of supporting increased energy needs driven by the rise in data centers and net-zero carbon goals. Essential is responding with continued upgrades to its natural gas infrastructure, recognizing the critical role of gas as a reliable and scalable energy source, particularly during peak demand periods.
The ASCE estimates a staggering $3.7 trillion gap between current infrastructure investment plans and what is needed to modernize aging systems. This shortfall emphasizes the importance of private and public collaboration to build more sustainable, resilient infrastructure.
Essential plans to invest over $1.4 billion in infrastructure improvements in 2025, with a projected total of $7.8 billion through 2029. These long-term investments are designed to directly impact service reliability, protect public health, and ensure regulatory compliance across all service areas.
The ASCE’s quadrennial report serves as a benchmark for the state of the nation’s infrastructure, providing essential insights for both public and private stakeholders. Essential Utilities remains a leader in modernizing critical infrastructure, delivering services that strengthen the quality of life for approximately five million people.
To learn more about Essential’s strategic initiatives and future investments, visit its 2024 Annual Report.
About Essential Utilities: Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) provides safe, clean, and reliable water, wastewater, and natural gas services that enhance quality of life across the communities it serves. With a commitment to sustainability, customer service, and responsible growth, Essential is a leading infrastructure provider across nine U.S. states. The company also actively protects over 7,600 acres of forests and natural habitats, underscoring its dedication to environmental stewardship and community well-being.
