American Water and Essential Utilities Clear Antitrust Hurdle

The expiration of the waiting period marks a milestone for the deal, which has already secured shareholder approval and a series of state-level regulatory clearances. Since April 2026, the companies have received green lights from utility commissions in Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia, alongside a settlement in principle in Texas. These approvals are essential to the merger’s progress, though the transaction remains subject to remaining regulatory reviews and customary closing conditions.

American Water and Essential Utilities expect to finalize the merger by the end of the first quarter of 2027. The deal combines two of the largest players in the U.S. water and wastewater sector, with American Water currently serving 14 million people and Essential Utilities reaching roughly 5.5 million across nine states. While the companies continue to navigate the final stages of the regulatory process, they maintain that the merger will proceed pending the satisfaction of all outstanding conditions.