Illinois American Water Acquires Venice Wastewater Network, to Invest $2.6 Million Over Next Five Years

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 16, Illinois American Water completed its acquisition of the wastewater collection system of Venice, Illinois, for $770,000. The transaction adds approximately 500 wastewater collection service customers and further extends the company's wastewater operations in the eastern St. Louis metropolitan area to Venice.

The company filed an application with the Illinois Commerce Commission on January 13 of this year, seeking a certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide wastewater collection service in Venice and surrounding areas, as well as approval to acquire the city's related wastewater assets. The Commission approved the transaction on June 24, and the asset closing was completed on September 16.

Illinois American Water plans to invest approximately $2.6 million in capital expenditures in the Venice wastewater collection system over the next five years, focusing on the rehabilitation or replacement of wastewater mains and manholes, upgrades to lift station facilities, and improvements to pump station and lift station control and security systems.

Regulatory filings show that the original utility book value of the Venice wastewater collection assets was approximately $852,200, with accumulated depreciation and amortization of approximately $23,300, corresponding to net utility assets of approximately $828,900. Project regulatory filings had previously projected the transaction to close by the end of September 2026, with the final closing moved up to September 16.

Prior to the completion of this transaction, wastewater conveyance and downstream treatment for Venice residents and businesses had already been provided by Illinois American Water, while the city's wastewater collection system remained owned by the local government. Following the acquisition, the company will be responsible for the entire wastewater collection, conveyance, and treatment process.

Illinois American Water currently also provides wastewater service in Metro East communities including Alton, Granite City, Godfrey, Grafton, Jerseyville, Shiloh, and Madison. The company employs approximately 600 people in Illinois and provides water and wastewater service to approximately 1.3 million people.