Camden-based American Water could acquire one of the largest municipal-owned water utilities in the country after confirming it’s one of 17 companies bidding to buy JEA in Jacksonville, Florida.

If American Water, the largest publicly traded water utility in the country, is successful in acquiring JEA’s water utilities, it would be one of its largest municipal deals to date, adding 357,000 water customers and 279,000 sewer customers to the 3.4 million its regulated utility business already serves.  

The deal would also mark the first time American Water’s (NYSE: AWK) regulated utility business enters Florida, where its market-based business already runs a desalination plant and offers home warranty services.

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