# Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) — merger/definitive [pending]
Source: SEC API (secapi.ai) · situation sit_b284f66f156851c85a15 · retrieved 2026-08-11T16:16:03.495Z

## Overview
Essential Utilities, Inc. is a water supply utility company serving customers across multiple states.

Essential Utilities, Inc. and American Water Works Company, Inc. are pursuing a proposed merger. Essential Utilities filed a Definitive Proxy Statement (DEFM14A) on December 31, 2025 (New Year's Eve), and has scheduled a shareholder vote for February 10, 2026. American Water has similarly filed a definitive proxy statement and will hold its own shareholder meeting on the same date. Assuming shareholder approval on February 10, 2026, the merger cannot close until all required regulatory approvals are obtained, which is expected to occur by the end of the first quarter in 2027. The parties have made state regulatory filings in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, Kentucky, and Virginia.

## Terms
- Counterparty: American Water Works Company, Inc.

## Key dates
- Announced 2026-01-07 · Vote 2026-02-10 · Expected close 2027-03-31

## Timeline
- 2026-01-07 · 425 (0001552781-26-000003): 425 - Essential Utilities, Inc. — *Essential Utilities, Inc. is a water supply utility company serving customers across multiple states.* Essential Utilities, Inc. and American Water Works Company, Inc. are pursuing a proposed merger. Essential Utilities filed a Definitive Proxy Statement (DEFM14A) on December 31, 2025 (New Year's Eve), and has scheduled a shareholder vote for February 10, 2026. American Water has similarly filed a definitive proxy statement and will hold its own shareholder meeting on the same date. Assuming shareholder approval on February 10, 2026, the merger cannot close until all required regulatory approvals are obtained, which is expected to occur by the end of the first quarter in 2027. The parties have made state regulatory filings in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, Kentucky, and Virginia.
  https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78128/0001552781-26-000003.txt

## Citations
- 0001552781-26-000003 — https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&type=&dateb=&owner=include&count=40&search_text=000155278126000003