Essential Utilities (WTRG) 10-K 2018 FY Annual report

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333‑219545, 333-223306), on Form S-4 (No. 333-202393), and on Form S-8 (Nos. 033-52557, 033‑53689, 333-26613, 333-70859, 333-81085, 333-61768, 333-107673, 333-113502, 333-116776,  333‑126042, 333-148206, 333-156047, 333-159897, and 333-181389) of Aqua America, Inc. of our report dated February 26, 2019 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 26,  2019