The Essential Foundation Donating More Than $1.2 Million to Enhance Community Safety, Upgrade Public Library
Aqua Pennsylvania, an Essential Utilities company, announced today it is donating a combined $1.25 million to the Beaver Falls Fire Department and the Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls. The donation is made possible through the company’s Essential Foundation.
Aqua Pennsylvania provides wastewater service to approximately 3,200 customers in the City of Beaver Falls. The wastewater system also provides bulk transmission and treatment service in seven nearby municipalities including Patterson Township, Patterson Heights Borough, White Township, West Mayfield Borough, Big Beaver Borough, Eastvale Borough and North Sewickley Township. This donation highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to support the communities it serves through philanthropy.
“We pride ourselves in offering quality, continuous service to our customers every single day,” said Aqua Pennsylvania President Marc Lucca. “Part of that service also includes contributing to these great communities by giving back. It’s important that we play an active role in the everyday lives of our workers and customers so that the communities we serve can thrive.”
As part of Aqua’s donation, $1 million is going to the Beaver Falls Fire Department. The money will be used toward the purchase of a new aerial fire truck, which is used at every building fire to access upper floors and roofs, perform rescues and apply water from an elevated position. The department’s current aerial truck is 26 years old, surpassing the average 20-year life span of a typical fire truck.
“The Beaver Falls Fire Department’s primary mission is to protect the lives and property in the City of Beaver Falls and communities we are contracted to safeguard,” said Fire Chief Mark Stowe. “It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs to keep our aerial truck operational. With the cost of more than $2 million for a new truck, we had no idea how we were going to replace this vital piece of equipment. Because of this game-changing donation from Aqua, we are now able to replace our aerial truck. Our fire department is grateful, thankful and appreciative of this donation, which will allow us to better protect our community and those who depend on us.”
Aqua is donating an additional $250,000 to the Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls. The building, which is on the U.S. National Register of Historic places, was constructed 1899. This donation will go toward several necessary upgrades including window repairs, bathroom renovations, electrical work, and additional projects to beautify the historic building and make it more accessible for guests.
“The Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls provides critical services and resources to the people who call this city home,” said Vice Chair of the Library Board John Sanderbeck. “The building is more than a library; it’s a community center. I want to thank Aqua for recognizing our rich history and the need to preserve this prominent piece of culture in town.”
Beaver Falls Mayor Dr. Kenya Johns applauded the donation to the Fire Department and Library and stressed the impact it has on the Beaver Falls community.
“We appreciate Aqua investing in those things and understanding that a community that thrives together is a community that grows together, and we are really committed to doing just that,” said Johns.
State leaders joined in Aqua’s announcement and highlighted the importance of investing in communities like Beaver Falls.
"This funding allows these facilities to invest in our community's future and bolster the critical resources available to our residents," said State Senator Elder Vogel. "Thank you to Aqua for making it possible for the Beaver Falls Fire Department to acquire a new fire truck and for the Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls to make needed infrastructure updates. I am eager to see the success this will bring them moving forward."
State Representative Roman Kozak pointed out the Fire Department’s reputation both regionally and across the Commonwealth.
“Aqua, your donation here helps support an institution that’s known across the state to continue their mission and continue helping our city,” said State Representative Roman Kozak.
Representative Kozak, who is from Beaver Falls, also talked about the Library’s importance to him personally.
“My family uses it regularly. We are so thankful that the building is going to get the repairs it needs and it’s all thanks to Aqua’s help and donation,” said Kozak.
Since 2020, the Essential Foundation has donated more than $20 million and contributed thousands of volunteer hours to help strengthen communities within Essential Utilities’ service territory.