Virginia approves American Water and Essential Utilities merger

American Water Works Company (NYSE: AWK) and Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) announced that the Virginia State Corporation Commission has approved their proposed merger, marking the third regulatory approval the deal has received.

The Virginia approval is the first from a state where both companies have regulated water and wastewater operations. Earlier approvals came from the Kentucky Public Service Commission on April 21, 2026, and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on May 13, 2026. Shareholders of both companies also previously approved the transaction.

The all-stock merger was announced October 27, 2025. The combined company would serve more than 4.7 million water and wastewater customer connections and more than 740,000 gas customer connections. It would operate under the American Water name and be headquartered in Camden, New Jersey.

The merger is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, subject to remaining conditions including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and approval from additional public utility commissions.

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