Aqua America Inc. WTR reported third-quarter 2017 earnings per share of 43 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate and ahead of the year-ago quarter’s earnings of 41 cents by 4.9%.Total RevenuesThird-quarter revenues of $215 million lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $236 million by 8.9% and missed the year-ago quarter’s figure of $226.6 million by 5.1%.Highlights of the ReleaseThe company signed an agreement to acquire 3,800-connection municipal wastewater system to drive growth.Year to date, Aqua America's state subsidiaries in Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina and Ohio have received rate awards or infrastructure surcharges amounting $21.4 million. In addition, the company currently has rate proceedings pending in Illinois, North Carolina and Virginia worth $14.1 million.Consolidated operations and maintenance expenses were million for third-quarter 2017, compared with $79.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The year-over-year decline was due to divestitures in market-based activities, lower production expenses and employee-related expenses.Interest expenses increased 11.1% to $22.41 million from $20.17 million in the year-ago quarter.Financial HighlightsCurrent assets were $138.3 million as of Sep 30, up from $128.7 million as of Dec 31, 2016.Long-term debt was $1,952.5 million as of Sep 30, higher than $1,737.6 million as of Dec 31, 2016.GuidanceAqua America reiterated 2017 earnings guidance in the range of $1.34-$1.39 per share. It expects customer base to expand 1.5-2% in 2017.Aqua America’s same-system operations and maintenance expenses are expected to increase by less than 2%.The company also reaffirmed 2017 capital investment budget of $450 million. This is part of the 2017-2019 investment plan of nearly $1.2-billion.Aqua America, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Aqua America, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Aqua America, Inc. QuoteUpcoming Peer ReleasesAmerican States Water Company AWR is expected to report third-quarter 2017 results on Nov 6. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 58 cents.American Water Works Company AWK is expected to report third-quarter 2017 results on Nov 2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.08.Consolidated Water Company Ltd. CWCO is expected to report third-quarter 2017 results on Nov 9. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 14 cents.Zacks RankAqua America carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks hereMore Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.Click here for the 6 trades >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report American Water Works (AWK): Free Stock Analysis Report Consolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO): Free Stock Analysis Report Aqua America, Inc. (WTR): Free Stock Analysis Report American States Water Company (AWR): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research