---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001552781-26-000331"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WTRG"
cik: "0000078128"
company_name: "Essential Utilities, Inc."
filed_at: "2026-05-15T13:00:19+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T13:02:34.417016+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# PUCO approves Essential Utilities & American Water merger; second regulatory nod

## Summary
- PUCO issued order approving all-stock merger announced Oct 27, 2025.
- Kentucky approved the merger on April 21, 2026; shareholder approvals already obtained.
- Combined company to serve >4.7M water/wastewater and >740K gas connections; HQ in Camden, NJ.
- Expected close by end of Q1 2027, subject to HSR clearance and remaining utility commission approvals.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001552781-26-000331
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WTRG
- cik: 0000078128
- company_name: Essential Utilities, Inc.
- filed_at: 2026-05-15T13:00:19+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78128/000155278126000331/0001552781-26-000331-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/78128/000155278126000331/e26263_wtrg-8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001552781-26-000331
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001552781-26-000331.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001552781-26-000331.txt

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