Welcome to our dedicated page for Essential Utilities news (Ticker: WTRG), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Essential Utilities stock.
Essential Utilities, Inc. reports developments across regulated water, wastewater and natural gas distribution businesses operated under the Aqua and Peoples brands. The company serves communities across nine states and links its recurring updates to utility infrastructure modernization, pipeline replacement, treatment plant upgrades, monitoring technology and drinking water compliance.
Company news also covers PFAS-related capital planning, operating and financial results, quarterly dividend declarations, material agreements, shareholder matters, governance actions and capital-structure disclosures. These updates reflect a utility holding company whose business is shaped by regulated service territories, long-lived infrastructure assets and recurring investment in water, wastewater and natural gas systems.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) reported Q2 2026 GAAP EPS of $0.37 and non-GAAP EPS of $0.38, versus $0.38 a year earlier, on revenues of $530.9 million, up 3% year over year. GAAP net income was $105.7 million, down from $107.8 million.
First-half 2026 revenues were $1.39 billion, up 7.2%, while net income declined to $330.1 million, or $1.16 per share, from $1.41 per share. The board raised the quarterly dividend 5.25% to $0.3606 per share. Essential invested $662.2 million in infrastructure year-to-date and expects $1.7 billion in 2026, while affirming long-term adjusted EPS growth guidance of 5–7% CAGR through 2027.
The company received merger approvals for its planned combination with American Water from regulators in Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, with closing still targeted for Q1 2027. Rate awards and surcharges in multiple states are expected to add $56.6 million in annual revenues, with additional cases pending for roughly $242.9 million.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) is recognizing National Water Quality Month by highlighting 140 years of water stewardship and outlining major 2026 investments. Its water utility, Aqua, plans to invest approximately $955 million in water and wastewater infrastructure next year.
According to Essential Utilities, these projects will focus on replacing aging water mains, meeting evolving water quality regulations, and upgrading systems to address emerging contaminants such as PFAS and lead. The company emphasizes its long-term commitment to safe, reliable service and environmentally responsible water management.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) announced that its board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3606 per share, representing a 5.25% increase. The dividend is payable on September 1, 2026, to shareholders of record on August 11, 2026. The company reports over 80 years of consecutive quarterly dividends and 36 dividend increases in the past 35 years.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG), through the Essential Foundation’s Sure Splash program, awarded $118,500 in 2026 grants to 13 community water safety programs, expanding into Illinois, North Carolina and Virginia. Since launching in 2024, Sure Splash has invested over $245,000 and supported swim and safety training for more than 34,000 children and adults, including lifeguard training and American Red Cross services across Aqua’s 8‑state service territory.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) expects to report financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, after market close on August 4, 2026. Management will host an earnings conference call on August 5, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET, accessible via live webcast through the Investors section of Essential.co, with an archived replay and a separate replay link provided.
Aqua Pennsylvania (NYSE: WTRG) was awarded $74.3 million in principal-forgiveness and low-interest loans from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to fund multiple PFAS treatment projects across the state.
According to Aqua Pennsylvania, this brings its total PENNVEST funding since 2021 to $270.2 million, with more than $260 million obtained since 2024, supporting infrastructure upgrades aimed at reducing costs for customers.
Nearly $61 million will build a Granular Activated Carbon PFAS system at the Neshaminy Water Treatment Plant, treating 15 million gallons per day for about 62,000 customers by late summer 2028. About $13.5 million will fund PFAS systems at community wells in Chester and Luzerne Counties, benefiting nearly 5,700 customers by fall 2027.
American Water (NYSE: AWK) and Essential Utilities reported that the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved their proposed all-stock merger, following earlier approvals in Kentucky and Ohio and strong shareholder support. The combined company would serve over 4.7 million water and wastewater customer connections and 740,000 gas connections, operate under the American Water name from Camden, New Jersey, and is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, subject to Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance and remaining public utility commission approvals.
American Water (NYSE: AWK) and Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) reported that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved their proposed all-stock merger, following prior approval in Kentucky and strong shareholder support.
The combined company, to be named American Water and based in Camden, NJ, is expected to serve over 4.7 million water/wastewater and 740,000 gas customer connections, with closing targeted by Q1 2027, subject to remaining regulatory clearances.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) marked Drinking Water Week 2026 by reporting record infrastructure investment and high compliance. In 2025 the company invested $791 million in water and wastewater systems, achieved a 99.91% regulatory compliance rate for Aqua, and is accelerating a $450 million PFAS capital plan across eight states.
Essential also invested $1.4 billion across regulated water and natural gas in 2025 and committed $1.7 billion for infrastructure in 2026, supports 1.1 million customers, and operates a state-of-the-art environmental laboratory in Bryn Mawr.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) reported Q1 2026 GAAP EPS of $0.79 and adjusted EPS of $0.83, excluding $0.04 of merger transaction costs. Revenues rose 10% to $861.8M. Invested $269M in Q1 and remains on track for $1.7B of 2026 infrastructure spending. The company received Kentucky approval for its planned merger with American Water and reported ~95% shareholder approval; merger expected to close in Q1 2027.