---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001552781-26-000266"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WTRG"
cik: "0000078128"
company_name: "Essential Utilities, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-04-22T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T04:59:02.175650+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.85
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Kentucky PSC approves Essential Utilities-American Water merger; first regulatory nod

## Summary
- Kentucky Public Service Commission approved the all-stock merger between Essential Utilities (WTRG) and American Water (AWK).
- First regulatory approval for the transaction, announced Oct 27, 2025; shareholders of both companies approved in Feb 2026.
- Combined co. to serve >4.7M water/wastewater + >740K gas connections, operate as American Water, HQ in Camden, NJ.
- Closing expected by end of Q1 2027; still subject to HSR clearance and other state utility commission approvals.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001552781-26-000266
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WTRG
- cik: 0000078128
- company_name: Essential Utilities, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-04-22T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.85
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78128/000155278126000266/0001552781-26-000266-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78128/000155278126000266/e26216_wtrg-8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001552781-26-000266
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001552781-26-000266.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001552781-26-000266.txt

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