Aqua North Carolina Installs 7 PFAS Treatment Systems to Protect Drinking Water for Thousands of Customers

Ribbon cutting showcases multiple treatments, including our innovative, small-footprint PFAS treatment technology, to address “Forever Chemicals” in water systems across the Tarheel State.

CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aqua North Carolina announced today the completion of seven new PFAS treatment facilities across its 51-county footprint.

With these seven projects, Aqua North Carolina marks a key milestone in the construction phase of its comprehensive statewide master plan to address PFAS and become compliant with the new federal drinking water quality standard.

Aqua hosted elected officials and industry leaders for a ribbon cutting that showcased an advanced PFAS treatment solution for large water systems, working in tandem with an existing iron and manganese filter system in its Bayleaf Master System, one of Aqua’s largest water systems, serving approximately 6,500 customers in North Raleigh.

The event also featured Aqua’s smaller modular anion exchange treatment system developed to effectively remove PFAS on small well sites. This treatment strategy has made it possible for Aqua North Carolina to permit and implement a rapidly deployable and repeatable solution statewide, while minimizing cost for our customers. More than 50 sites using this design are approved for construction in 2025, with another 80 sites planned in 2026.

“We knew PFAS remediation would be a challenge in North Carolina due to the many community-based well systems we serve. We took on the challenge with vigor and are proud of our innovative and scalable approach to installing treatment in those systems where an alternative source of water was not available,” said Aqua North Carolina President Shannon Becker.

Aqua was awarded $9.2 million from the State Revolving Fund administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure for fourteen separate PFAS projects to date. These funds are instrumental in the execution of Aqua’s statewide master plan for PFAS mitigation.

“This is a large price tag that will impact customer rates, which is why we are continuing our efforts to secure additional funding to help minimize the cost impact on our customers,” said Becker. “We will do this by seeking additional grants and low-interest loans to keep these necessary improvements from becoming a financial burden for our customers.”

Aqua President Colleen Arnold reiterated the company’s commitment to serving customers in the Tarheel State. “This is just the beginning of our work in North Carolina,” said Arnold. “Despite the challenges, we will let nothing stand in our way as we install these treatments across the state.”

State officials were also on hand to highlight the importance of removing PFAS from drinking water in the Tarheel State.

“It’s critical that North Carolinians have access to safe and clean drinking water,” said John Nicholson, Chief Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. “Aqua’s proactive work to address the challenges associated with PFAS in our drinking water systems will help protect communities across our state.”

About Aqua North Carolina

Aqua North Carolina serves approximately 323k people in 51 counties throughout the State of North Carolina. Visit AquaWater.com for more information or follow @MyAquaWater on Facebook and @MyAquaWater on X.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which generally include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimates” and similar expressions. The Company can give no assurance that any actual or future results or events discussed in these statements will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements represent its views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the statements contained in this release. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the capital to be invested in Aqua’s water and wastewater infrastructure, that it will continue to seek and receive grants and low-interest loans, and that it will receive its requested rate increase. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including the factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business, please refer to the Company’s annual, quarterly and other SEC filings. The Company is not under any obligation - and expressly disclaims any such obligation - to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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