The National Association of Water Companies is a very powerful pro-privatization lobby. They are working systematically in states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania to reduce what they call “regulatory hurdles” to privatization. Big Water peddles the lie that only they can address water quality and aging infrastructure and that government utility professionals do inferior work. Essential Utilities, parent company of Aqua, and American Water Works, parent of California American, Illinois American, NJ American, Kentucky American, Pennsylvania American et al, are aggressively buying utilities around the country.