EXHIBIT 23.1 The Board of Directors Philadelphia Suburban Corporation We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement (No. 333-81085) on Form S-8 of Philadelphia Suburban Corporation of our report dated June 25, 1999, relating to the statement of net assets available for plan benefits of Consumers Water Company Employees' 401(k) Savings Plan and Trust as of December 31, 1998, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the year then ended, and all related supplemental schedules, which report appears in the December 31, 1998, annual report on Form 11-K of Philadelphia Suburban Corporation. /s/ KPMG LLP Philadelphia, Pennsylvania June 29, 1999 4