Essential Utilities Honored Among America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026 by Newsweek; Announces Nearly $7.2 Million Community Giving in 2025

Recognition highlights Essential’s commitment to philanthropy, championing important causes and supporting the communities it serves

BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) announced today its inclusion on Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Charitable Companies. The recognition demonstrates how the company's mission extends beyond utility services, signifying industry leadership in corporate philanthropy through its Essential Foundation.

“Through our mission, Essential Utilities fulfills the basic needs of our customers by warming their homes and providing clean water,” said CEO and Chairman Christopher Franklin. “Complimenting that important work, our shareholders continue to provide substantial support for the communities we serve through the Essential Foundation. Our commitment to our communities begins with our dedicated team members who volunteer thousands of hours of their time. Coupled with our Foundation dollars – they continue to make an incredible impact in the areas we serve. I am so proud of the work we do with our communities, and we are honored to be recognized by Newsweek for our work.”

Essential celebrates this prestigious honor as it releases its latest Community Impact Report, spotlighting nearly $7.2 Million in community giving in 2025. More than 1,250 Essential volunteers spent 4,900 hours volunteering to support meaningful causes in their communities.

Each year, Essential gives back through various campaigns in line with the company’s mission, including:

• United Way and Fall for Food Banks
• Essential Earth Day
• Essential Sure Splash
• Peoples Eat, Drink, Help Program
• Peoples Sharing Appreciation for Fire Department Excellence (S.A.F.E.) Program

Since 2020, when Aqua and Peoples Natural Gas merged and Essential Utilities expanded its corporate philanthropy, the company has donated more than $29 million across its 9-state service area and built hundreds of community partnerships.

America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026 is presented by Newsweek in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. You can see the full award list on Newsweek’s website.

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) delivers safe, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve, donating more than $4 million from the Essential Foundation each year, and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting thousands of acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 9 states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. Learn more at www.essential.co.

About Statista

Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, business-relevant data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260311619413/en/

Media Contact:

Dave Kralle

Vice President of Public Affairs

Media Hotline: 1.877.325.3477

Media@Essential.co



Investor Contact:

Brian Dingerdissen

Vice President, Treasurer, FP&A and IR

O: 610.645.1191

BJDingerdissen@Essential.co

Source: Essential Utilities Inc.