Essential Utilities

Money Moves

Target in the pending merger; trades as WTRG

American Water agreed in October 2025 to buy Essential Utilities in an all-stock deal that would combine two of the largest private water utilities in the United States. On November 6, Illinois regulators became the fourth state commission to approve it.

Updated 3 days ago

Money Moves

As of June 2026: Merger target in the pending American Water combination

American Water paid $315 million on June 1 for 47,000 customer connections that Nexus Water Group held across eight states. The deal closes one mid-size piece of a broader sell-off: small water systems shedding compliance-heavy assets to investor-owned utilities.

Updated Jun 5