Vanguard reports 14.97M WTRG shares (5.28%) — institutional stake

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Essential Utilities Inc ownership filing: Vanguard Capital Management reports beneficial ownership of 14,971,772 shares of Common Stock, representing 5.28% of the class as of 03/31/2026. The filing lists sole voting power for 2,310,093 shares and sole dispositive power for 14,971,772 shares.

Insights

Institutional Ownership Analyst

Vanguard holds a >5% position in Essential Utilities, reported as passive ownership.

Vanguard Capital Management reports 14,971,772 shares (5.28%), a position size that triggers Schedule 13G reporting thresholds for institutional investors. The filing attributes dispositive authority to Vanguard and lists affiliated advisory entities in its explanatory footnote.

Impact depends on Vanguard's future trading decisions; this is a disclosure of ownership rather than an active corporate action. Subsequent filings would show any material changes.

Governance & Proxy Specialist

Voting and disposition powers are documented; proxy implications are routine.

The filing specifies sole voting power for 2,310,093 shares and dispositive power for the full 14,971,772 shares, and clarifies affiliate holdings per SEC Release No. 34-39538. This clarifies who may influence votes or disposition decisions at shareholder meetings.

For governance monitoring, watch for any Form 13D or Form 4 filings that would indicate activist intent or insider transactions.

Key Figures

Shares beneficially owned: 14,971,772 shares Percent of class: 5.28% Sole voting power: 2,310,093 shares +1 more

4 metrics

Shares beneficially owned 14,971,772 shares reported as of 03/31/2026

Percent of class 5.28% percent of Common Stock

Sole voting power 2,310,093 shares shares with sole power to vote

Sole dispositive power 14,971,772 shares shares with sole power to dispose

Key Terms

Schedule 13G, Beneficially owned, Sole dispositive power, Investment Company Act of 1940

4 terms

Schedule 13G regulatory

"Vanguard Capital Management reports beneficial ownership on Schedule 13G"

A Schedule 13G is a formal document that investors file with the government when they acquire a large ownership stake in a company, usually for investment purposes rather than control. It helps keep the public informed about who owns significant parts of a company's shares, which can influence how the company is managed and how investors make decisions. Filing this schedule is important for transparency and understanding the ownership landscape of publicly traded companies.

Beneficially owned regulatory

"this reflects the securities beneficially owned, or deemed to be beneficially owned"

Beneficially owned describes securities or assets where a person has the economic rights and control—such as the right to receive dividends and to direct voting—even if legal title is held in another name. Think of it like having the keys and using a car that’s registered to someone else: you get the benefits and make decisions. Investors care because beneficial ownership reveals who truly controls value and voting power, affecting corporate decisions and takeover dynamics.

Sole dispositive power financial

"Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 14971772"

Sole dispositive power is the exclusive legal authority to decide what happens to a security — for example, whether to sell, transfer, or retain shares — without needing anyone else’s permission. Investors care because it signals who truly controls the economic outcome of an investment: like holding the only key to a safe, the holder can realize gains or losses and may trigger regulatory reporting, insider rules, or influence over corporate ownership.

Investment Company Act of 1940 regulatory

"investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940"

A U.S. federal law that sets the rulebook for pooled investment vehicles such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and similar money managers, requiring them to register with regulators, disclose holdings and fees, limit conflicts of interest, and follow governance standards. It matters to investors because these protections and transparency rules act like a referee and scoreboard, helping people compare funds, trust that managers follow fair practices, and spot hidden costs or risks.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Essential Utilities Inc

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock

(Title of Class of Securities)

29670G102

(CUSIP Number)

03/31/2026

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

Rule 13d-1(b)

Rule 13d-1(c)

Rule 13d-1(d)

schemaVersion:

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP Number(s): 29670G102

1

Names of Reporting Persons

Vanguard Capital Management

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

PENNSYLVANIA

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 2,310,093.00
6	Shared Voting Power 0.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 14,971,772.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 0.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

14,971,772.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

5.28 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

IA

Comment for Type of Reporting Person: In accordance with SEC Release No. 34-39538 (January 12, 1998), this Schedule 13G reflects the securities beneficially owned, or deemed to be beneficially owned, by Vanguard Capital Management LLC and the following affiliates of Vanguard Capital Management LLC or business divisions of such affiliates: Vanguard Asset Management Limited, Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, Vanguard Global Advisers, LLC and Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd. This Schedule 13G includes securities held by Vanguard funds, or sleeves thereof, over which Vanguard Capital Management LLC exercises dispositive power, in addition to securities held by clients over which the affiliates or business divisions of such affiliates indicated above exercise dispositive and/or voting power. This Schedule 13G does not include securities, if any, beneficially owned by other subsidiaries or affiliates of Vanguard Capital Management LLC, or business divisions of such subsidiaries, whose ownership of securities is disaggregated from that of the reporting business unit in accordance with such release.

SCHEDULE 13G

Item 1.
(a)	Name of issuer: Essential Utilities Inc
(b)	Address of issuer's principal executive offices: 762 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA, 19010
Item 2.
(a)	Name of person filing: Vanguard Capital Management
(b)	Address or principal business office or, if none, residence: 100 Vanguard Blvd,, Malvern, PA, 19355
(c)	Citizenship: PA
(d)	Title of class of securities: Common Stock
(e)	CUSIP Number(s): 29670G102
Item 3.	If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)	Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)	Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)	Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)	Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)	An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)	An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)	A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)	A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)	A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)	A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:
(k)	Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.	Ownership
(a)	Amount beneficially owned: 14971772
(b)	Percent of class: 5.28 %
(c)	Number of shares as to which the person has:
	(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 2310093
	(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0
	(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 14971772
	(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0
Item 5.	Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
	Not Applicable
Item 6.	Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
	If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than 5 percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required. Vanguard Capital Management, including investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other managed accounts, have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the securities reported herein.No one other person's interest in the securities reported herein is more than 5%.
Item 7.	Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
	Not Applicable
Item 8.	Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
	Not Applicable
Item 9.	Notice of Dissolution of Group.
	Not Applicable

Item 10.

Certifications:

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Vanguard Capital Management

Signature:	Ashley Grim
Name/Title:	Head of Global Fund Administration
Date:	04/29/2026

FAQ

What stake does Vanguard Capital Management report in Essential Utilities (WTRG)?

Vanguard reports beneficial ownership of 14,971,772 shares, equal to 5.28% of Common Stock as of 03/31/2026. The filing is a Schedule 13G disclosure by the institutional investor showing passive beneficial ownership.

How much voting power does Vanguard have in WTRG according to the filing?

The filing states Vanguard has sole voting power for 2,310,093 shares. It also reports sole dispositive power for 14,971,772 shares, indicating control over disposition but smaller direct voting authority.

Does the Schedule 13G indicate Vanguard is an activist in Essential Utilities?

No explicit activist intent is stated; the Schedule 13G lists institutional/managed-account ownership and affiliated advisory roles. The filing describes ownership as managed across Vanguard funds and accounts without asserting an activist purpose.

Who signed the Schedule 13G for Vanguard and when was it signed?

The filing is signed by Ashley Grim, Head of Global Fund Administration, with the signature date of 04/29/2026. The ownership figures are reported as of 03/31/2026 in the filing text.