Illinois American Water Completes Acquisition of Venice Wastewater System
Illinois American Water completed the acquisition of the City of Venice wastewater collection system on September 16, 2026, for $770,000, adding approximately 500 customers and expanding its Metro East utility operations. The purchase, approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission on June 24, 2026, brings a commitment from the utility to invest $2.6 million in capital improvements over the next five years.
Expanding Metro East Utility Infrastructure Operations
The transaction formally shifts control of the Venice municipal infrastructure into the hands of the state’s largest regulated water and wastewater utility. The acquired system serves roughly 500 wastewater collection accounts near St. Louis. Prior to this purchase, Venice customers relied on Illinois American Water solely for transportation and treatment services. The new arrangement consolidates collection, transportation, and treatment under a single corporate operator.
“This sale places our wastewater collections system into the professional hands of Illinois American Water,” said Venice Mayor Phillip White Jr. Mayor White noted that the company’s employees focus entirely on water and wastewater services, ensuring continuity in the working relationship between the municipality and the utility.
Capital Investment and Infrastructure Modernization Plans
Infrastructure upgrades form the core of the post-acquisition strategy. Illinois American Water plans to deploy $2.6 million toward targeted system overhauls across Venice over the next five years. Planned engineering tasks include the rehabilitation and replacement of aging wastewater mains and deteriorating manholes. Crews will also target pump and lift stations for comprehensive control and security enhancements.
Rebecca Losli, President of Illinois American Water, emphasized the regional scope of the project. Losli stated that the corporate team intends to leverage its operational expertise and local presence to enhance service reliability for residents. The utility already manages wastewater operations in several neighboring Metro East communities, including Alton, Granite City, Godfrey, Grafton, Jerseyville, Shiloh, and Madison.
Customer Integration and Regional Affordability Programs
Residents and business owners in Venice will receive direct notices detailing changes to their utility account management. Customers gain access to the utility’s self-service portal, MyWater, for online billing and account monitoring. To assist qualifying households with financial management, the utility maintains designated billing support initiatives. Eligible residential customers can apply for the Income-Based Discount Program administered by the Dollar Energy Fund, or seek one-time assistance through the Salvation Army-supported H2O Help to Others Program.
Municipal transactions of this scale frequently require complex operational transitions and adherence to strict regulatory frameworks.