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.
News about Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) focuses on its activities as a regulated water, wastewater and natural gas utility and on developments that affect its customers, investors and communities. The company’s releases highlight operational updates across its Aqua and Peoples brands, financial results, regulatory milestones and major capital projects.
Investors following WTRG news will see regular coverage of quarterly earnings announcements, dividend declarations and financing activities such as senior note issuances. These updates provide insight into Essential’s financial performance, infrastructure investment levels and capital structure as it pursues long-term utility projects.
Operational news often centers on infrastructure upgrades and water quality initiatives. Aqua Pennsylvania has reported multiple PFAS treatment projects supported by PENNVEST funding, as well as new treatment systems designed to meet state and federal drinking water standards. Aqua Indiana has announced major wastewater treatment plant expansions intended to increase capacity, protect local waterways and support regional growth.
Essential also issues news on strategic initiatives and partnerships, including its agreement to invest in a large data center project in Greene County, Pennsylvania, where Aqua will design and operate a water treatment plant and Peoples will provide natural gas-related services. Another key news theme is corporate transactions, such as the announced all-stock merger agreement with American Water Works Company, Inc., which would make Essential a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water if completed.
Community-focused stories describe the work of the Essential Foundation, United Way campaigns and the Fall for Food Banks initiative, documenting millions of dollars in donations and extensive employee volunteer hours dedicated to hunger relief and other local causes. For a comprehensive view of WTRG, readers can use this news feed to track financial updates, infrastructure projects, regulatory developments, community engagement and the progress of the planned merger with American Water.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) has scheduled its Q1 2025 earnings release for May 12, 2025, before the market opens. The company will host a conference call with financial analysts at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on the same day.
CEO Chris Franklin and CFO Dan Schuller will lead the presentation, which will include a discussion of first-quarter results followed by a Q&A session. Investors can access the live webcast through the company's website at Essential.co via the Investors section.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) has announced a major infrastructure investment program, committing $1.3 billion in 2024 and projecting $7.8 billion through 2029. This initiative aligns with the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) 2025 Report Card findings, which highlight critical infrastructure needs nationwide.
Key 2024 achievements include:
- Replacement of 1,600+ lead and galvanized water service lines
- Modernization of 410 miles of water, wastewater, and natural gas pipelines
- $4 million investment in Chester County, PA for 450 customer-owned lead service line replacements
- Upgrades to Manakin Farms Wastewater Treatment Facility in Goochland County, VA
- Construction of a 500,000-gallon water tower in Beau Rivage, NC
The company has invested $5.4 billion since 2020 and allocated $27 million for PFAS mitigation and $23 million for lead service line remediation in 2024. The program addresses ASCE's infrastructure grades: drinking water (C-), wastewater (D+), and energy sector (D+).
Essential Utilities (WTRG) emphasizes the importance of using the 811 One Call System during National Safe Digging Month. The company, along with its subsidiaries Aqua and Peoples Natural Gas, reminds all stakeholders that contacting 811 is legally required before any excavation project, regardless of size.
The safety protocol requires calling 811 at least three business days before digging, waiting for utility locators to mark underground lines, respecting these markings during excavation, and immediately reporting any damage to utility infrastructure. This applies to major construction work and smaller projects like planting trees, installing mailboxes, or setting up recreational equipment.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) celebrates its 5th anniversary as an integrated utility following the merger of Aqua and Peoples in 2020. Over this period, the company has invested $5.4 billion in infrastructure improvements across water, wastewater, and natural gas systems.
Key achievements include modernizing 2,100 miles of aging water mains and gas pipelines, reducing gas customer outages by 45%, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25%. The company has achieved nearly 100% renewable electricity usage in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Illinois, while maintaining almost perfect drinking water compliance in 2024.
The company has also strengthened community engagement through $20 million in donations via the Essential Foundation and over 15,000 volunteer hours within its service territory.
Aqua Pennsylvania, part of Essential Utilities, announces its Customer Assistance Program (CAP) for 2025, offering monthly discounts on water and wastewater bills to eligible customers. The program, administered through the Dollar Energy Fund (DEF), is available year-round to households meeting specific income criteria.
Customers can verify their eligibility using DEF's income calculator and apply through multiple channels, including phone (1-888-282-6816), online at www.hardshiptools.org/MyApp, or by visiting local community-based organizations. The initiative aims to ensure continued access to essential water and wastewater services for families facing financial challenges.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) has appointed Ed Vallejo as its new investor relations director. Vallejo brings over 30 years of experience, including more than 20 years in the water and wastewater industry. He most recently served as Managing Director-Investor Relations Advisory for INSPIR Group.
In his new role, Vallejo will be responsible for developing and maintaining shareholder relationships and creating investor-focused communications. He holds an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business and a BS from New York Institute of Technology.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) reported strong financial results for 2024, with net income reaching $595.3 million and earnings per share increasing 17% to $2.17. The company's revenues grew 1.6% to $2,086.1 million, while operations and maintenance expenses increased modestly by 2.0% to $587.3 million.
Key highlights include:
- Regulated water segment revenues up 5.9% to $1,221.9 million
- Regulated natural gas segment revenues at $843.0 million
- Capital investments of $1.3 billion in infrastructure improvements
- Successful completion of PFAS mitigation at 13 sites
The company affirmed its 2025 EPS guidance of $2.07-$2.11 and projects 5-7% earnings growth through 2027. Essential plans to invest approximately $7.8 billion in infrastructure improvements from 2025-2029, including $450 million for PFAS remediation projects. The company currently has six signed purchase agreements pending closure, representing over 210,000 equivalent retail customers and totaling over $344.0 million in purchase price.
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3255 per share, payable on June 2, 2025, to shareholders of record on May 13, 2025. This represents a 6.0% increase ($0.0184) compared to the June 2024 dividend payment of $0.3071 per share. The company has maintained its track record of paying consecutive quarterly cash dividends for 80 years.
Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) has completed the $18 million acquisition of Greenville Sanitary Authority's wastewater system in Mercer County, PA, through its subsidiary Aqua Pennsylvania. The system serves Greenville Borough, Hempfield and West Salem Townships.
The company plans to invest $20 million over the next decade in system improvements to address safety, operational, and environmental issues. These improvements will cost less than half of what the Greenville Sanitary Authority had planned to spend on addressing a Consent Order Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, resulting in $20 million in customer savings.
This marks Essential Utilities' fourth water and wastewater acquisition in the past 12 months, adding 2,600 customers or 4,520 equivalent dwelling units. Customer base rates will remain unchanged initially, and eligible customers will gain access to Aqua's assistance programs.
Aqua Pennsylvania has secured $28.9 million in combined grant and low-interest loan funding through PENNVEST to support PFAS removal from drinking water. The funding will enable 6 projects to install PFAS treatment systems at 15 community well sites across Chester, Montgomery, Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties.
The initiative aims to meet new EPA maximum contaminant levels for six PFAS chemicals in drinking water, set in April 2024, with a compliance deadline of 2028. The projects, expected to be completed by late 2025, will benefit nearly 12,000 customers across multiple townships including Upper Uwchlan, West Whiteland, Douglass, New Hanover, Perkiomen, Jefferson, Dallas, and Penn Lake Borough.
The company has already achieved compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection PFAS drinking water standards and is working toward meeting federal guidelines. The PENNVEST funding will help reduce the associated costs for customers while implementing these necessary treatment systems.