Pennsylvania American Water Completes Acquisition of Manwalamink Water and Sewer Company Systems

MECHANICSBURG, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pennsylvania American Water announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Manwalamink Water and Sewer Company’s (Manwalamink) water and wastewater systems. The newly acquired systems serve approximately 1,260 water and 1,260 wastewater connections in Middle Smithfield and Smithfield townships in Monroe County.

“Pennsylvania American Water is pleased to welcome our new Manwalamink water and wastewater customers,” said Justin Ladner, President of Pennsylvania American Water. “We look forward to providing this community with safe, clean, reliable and affordable service by delivering on our technical expertise and decades of experience.”

The systems are directly adjacent to Pennsylvania American Water’s existing Lehman Pike water and wastewater systems. During the next five years, Pennsylvania American Water plans to invest more than $7 million in system improvements to meet regulatory, safety and security standards.

“We have owned and operated the Manwalamink water and sewer systems for over 45 years, and the owners and employees are well past retirement age,” said Bob Shebelsky, CEO of Manwalamink Water and Sewer Company. “It’s time to put the systems in the hands of a capable owner that will provide Manwalamink customers with safe and reliable service into the future.”

The purchase was approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) on March 27, 2025. In accordance with the PUC’s approval, Pennsylvania American Water will adopt the existing Manwalamink water and wastewater rates and will continue billing customers on a monthly basis. The PUC regulates the company’s rates, and rules and regulations of service; thereafter, any future rate changes will require review and approval by the PUC.

While many water and wastewater systems across Pennsylvania face challenges stemming from aging infrastructure, growing water quality and environmental regulations and, as seen with this acquisition, an aging workforce, regional consolidation has been identified as a viable solution. As the Commonwealth’s largest water and wastewater company, Pennsylvania American Water is uniquely positioned with scale and operating expertise to provide superior services and solutions to communities throughout the Commonwealth.

Pennsylvania American Water offers multiple customer assistance programs, including its longstanding H2O Help to Others Program™. For qualifying customers, the program offers grants of up to $500 per year for each water and wastewater service, a 30-90% discount on the monthly water service fee and a 20-80% discount on monthly volumetric water charges and a 37-85% discount on total wastewater charges.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Pennsylvania American Water
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people.