Businesswireยท2025-10-07 20:15Core Insights - New Jersey American Water has completed the acquisition of South Orange Village's water system for $19.7 million, adding approximately 5,000 new customer connections [1][2] - The acquisition was approved by 62% of South Orange voters in a referendum held in November 2024, highlighting community support for the sale [2] - The company plans to invest $50 million in infrastructure improvements over the first 10 years of ownership, focusing on modernizing the system and enhancing service reliability [3][5] Company Strategy - The acquisition aligns with New Jersey American Water's commitment to providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water services, as well as improving operational efficiency [2][5] - The company aims to replace lead and galvanized service lines, upgrade aging water mains and fire hydrants, and rehabilitate key infrastructure components [3][4] - New Jersey American Water has a proven track record of infrastructure investment, having completed eight acquisitions in the last five years, which added over 26,000 new water and/or wastewater customers [5] Community Engagement - Residents of South Orange Village will receive information about the transition and can access customer service benefits, including an online account management portal [4] - The partnership is expected to deliver long-term benefits and peace of mind for the community, as emphasized by local officials [4]