---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001552781-26-000049"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WTRG"
cik: "0000078128"
company_name: "Essential Utilities, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-02-10T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T03:44:39.616638+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.9
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.9
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Essential Utilities and American Water shareholders approve merger proposals; close expected by Q1 2027

## Summary
- Essential shareholders voted ~94.5% in favor (203.6M for) of merger agreement proposal.
- American Water shareholders voted ~99% in favor of share issuance proposal.
- Merger expected to close by end of Q1 2027, pending HSR clearance and utility commission approvals.
- Joint press release issued Feb 10, 2026 confirming approval at both special meetings.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001552781-26-000049
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WTRG
- cik: 0000078128
- company_name: Essential Utilities, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-02-10T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.9
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.9
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.07, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78128/000155278126000049/0001552781-26-000049-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78128/000155278126000049/e26053_wtrg-8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001552781-26-000049
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001552781-26-000049.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001552781-26-000049.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.