American Water Works Company and Essential Utilities cleared a key regulatory hurdle on on June 22 as Virginia's utility regulator signed off on the proposed combination, advancing one of the largest water sector consolidations in recent years.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission's approval represents a significant milestone toward completion of the transaction, which combines two of North America's largest publicly traded water distribution operators.
Both companies have worked systematically through state-by-state approval processes required for utilities operating across multiple service territories. The transaction remains on track for completion, pending final regulatory approvals and customary closing procedures typical for utilities of this scale and complexity.
The merger is expected to complete by the end of the first quarter of 2027.