Merger vote advances Essential Utilities' expansion across regulated water, wastewater and natural gas operations

Merger vote advances Essential Utilities’ bid to broaden regulated water and gas operations

Essential Utilities and American Water secure overwhelming shareholder approval at special meetings, pushing forward a proposed merger that combines two of the United States’ large regulated water and wastewater operators. Shareholders at meetings in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and Camden, N.J., vote strongly in favor of the transaction, with the companies reporting nearly 95% support from Essential Utilities holders and about 99% of American Water shares present voting to approve the share issuance. The vote marks a key corporate milestone that moves the deal into the regulatory phase.

The proposed merger is framed as a strategic move to expand scale across water, wastewater and natural gas businesses and to leverage national capabilities for infrastructure investments and service reliability. Essential Utilities is emphasizing its focus on delivering safe, clean and reliable services and on sustainable growth and operational excellence across its water, wastewater and natural gas operations. American Water highlights its long history and its role providing drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people through regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations, noting the combined entity’s potential to coordinate resources and expertise.

Despite shareholder support, the companies underscore that the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory review. Management expects the deal to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, contingent on Hart‑Scott‑Rodino Act clearance and approvals from applicable state public utility commissions. Both firms emphasize ongoing engagement with regulators, customers and communities while the approval process continues, and they say operations and service commitments remain priorities during the transition.

Regulatory and filing specifics

The final voting results are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8‑K, and the companies point stakeholders to detailed transaction materials posted at americanwateressentialutilitiesmerger.com. The announcement is disseminated via PRNewswire and reflects the firms’ continued communication strategy as they navigate regulatory steps.

Shareholder outreach and community engagement

Executives note strong shareholder confidence at the special meetings and encourage customers, investors and community stakeholders to seek corporate information at amwater.com and to follow American Water on social channels. Both companies signal continued emphasis on transparency and stakeholder engagement through the remainder of the approval process.