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) will report full-year 2025 earnings after market close on February 25, 2026, with a conference call for analysts on February 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET.
The live webcast and presentation will be available at Essential.co; the call will be archived online and an audio replay will be available for seven days.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3426 per share, payable on March 2, 2026 to shareholders of record as of February 9, 2026.
The company has paid consecutive quarterly cash dividends for 80 years and has increased the dividend 35 times in the last 34 years.
Aqua Pennsylvania (NYSE:WTRG) received $16.9 million in PENNVEST principal-forgiveness and low-interest loans to build 5 PFAS treatment systems covering 9 community well sites in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties, serving nearly 16,000 customers. Construction is expected to be completed in late Winter 2027. Since 2021, Aqua Pennsylvania has secured approximately $207.9 million in PENNVEST funding, including nearly $108 million specifically for PFAS treatment projects, to help meet federal PFAS drinking water standards and reduce customer costs.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) named Alexis Rodriguez as Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development, effective January 16, 2026. Rodriguez, with Essential since 2020, will lead execution of the company’s strategic initiatives and Aqua growth opportunities and will report to Aqua President Colleen Arnold. He will continue as Chief of Staff to Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin. Rodriguez previously worked in investment banking at Credit Suisse and as an electrical engineer at Siemens Energy and holds degrees from the University of Florida and NYU Stern.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) announced it raised $1,277,325 from its 2025-2026 United Way campaign and the fifth annual Fall for Food Banks initiative on December 18, 2025. The totals include $755,000 from United Way efforts (employee pledges plus Essential Foundation match) and $520,000+ donated to hunger relief through Fall for Food Banks.
Key figures: 285 employees volunteered 1,000+ hours, more than 55,000 people helped, donations benefit nearly 480 organizations, and since 2020 the company has given >$4.6M to United Way.
Aqua Pennsylvania (NYSE:WTRG) completed a PFAS treatment system at its Edgely Water Treatment Facility in Bristol Township, Bucks County on December 15, 2025. The system uses six ion‑exchange filters to remove PFAS for nearly 11,000 customers and is the 10th PFAS facility Aqua Pennsylvania has put into operation since 2018.
Aqua secured a $5.7 million principal‑forgiveness loan from PENNVEST to fund construction at no direct cost to customers. Since 2021 the company has obtained $191 million in PENNVEST loans, including $91 million for PFAS projects. Aqua became PA DEP compliant in December 2024 and says it is progressing toward the federal PFAS standard.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) was named to Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies 2026 for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting its sustainability and community programs.
Key disclosed achievements include a 25%+ reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions versus 2019, fewer than 1.5% of 1,500+ water systems with health-based violations (vs ~12.5% national rate), 425 miles of pipeline replaced in the latest period (part of >1,400 gas and 725 water miles since 2020), 100,000 new gas meters installed, 720M+ gallons of treated wastewater recycled, $4.6M donated, and near-100% renewable electricity procurement across four states for water operations.
Aqua Indiana (WTRG) broke ground on a $28 million expansion of its Midwest Wastewater Treatment Plant in Fort Wayne, the company's largest capital improvement in Indiana. The project will increase capacity to serve Allen, Huntington, and Whitley counties, reduce sanitary sewer overflow risk, improve odor control, and upgrade sludge treatment to return cleaner water to local waterways. Construction began in 2025 with completion expected in 2027. The work is part of Aqua's broader infrastructure improvement program to replace decades-old water and wastewater systems.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) reported Q3 2025 net income $92.1M and EPS $0.33 vs. $69.4M and $0.25 in Q3 2024. Revenues were $477.0M, up 9.6% year-over-year.
The company invested $983M year-to-date and remains on track for $1.4–$1.5B in 2025 infrastructure spend, with a five-year plan of ~$7.8B through 2029. Essential announced a $26M data center investment in Greene County, PA, and a definitive all-stock merger agreement to combine with American Water, creating a pro forma market cap of ~$40B.
For 2025, the company expects GAAP EPS above prior guidance of $2.07–$2.11 due to non-recurring benefits, declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3426 payable Dec 1, 2025, and reaffirmed long-term growth and emissions reduction targets.
American Water (NYSE: AWK) and Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) will combine in an all‑stock, tax‑free merger to create a regulated U.S. water and wastewater utility with a pro forma market capitalization of ~$40 billion and enterprise value of ~$63 billion (as of Oct 24, 2025).
The combined company will serve ~4.7 million water/wastewater connections across 17 states, a combined water/wastewater rate base of ~$29.3 billion, and will include Peoples Natural Gas operations. Essential shareholders will receive 0.305 American Water shares per Essential share; post-close ownership is ~69% AWK / 31% Essential. Transaction expected accretive to AWK EPS in year one and to maintain 7–9% long‑term EPS and DPS growth.