<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-26-246500.txt : 20260529
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-26-246500.hdr.sgml : 20260529
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20260529094650
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-26-246500
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	425
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
FILED AS OF DATE:		20260529
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20260529

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Essential Utilities, Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000078128
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WATER SUPPLY [4941]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	01 Energy & Transportation
		EIN:				231702594
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		425
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06659
		FILM NUMBER:		261039619

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		762 W. LANCASTER AVE
		CITY:			BRYN MAWR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19010-3489
		BUSINESS PHONE:		610-527-8000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		762 W. LANCASTER AVE
		CITY:			BRYN MAWR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19010-3489

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AQUA AMERICA INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20040120

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PHILADELPHIA SUBURBAN CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

FILED BY:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			American Water Works Company, Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001410636
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WATER SUPPLY [4941]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	01 Energy & Transportation
		EIN:				510063696
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		425

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 WATER STREET
		CITY:			CAMDEN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08102-1658
		BUSINESS PHONE:		856-955-4001

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 WATER STREET
		CITY:			CAMDEN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08102-1658
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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Filed by American Water Works Company, Inc. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act of 1933 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">and deemed filed <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">pursuant&nbsp;to&nbsp;Rule&nbsp;14a-6</FONT> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Subject Company: Essential Utilities, Inc. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Commission&nbsp;File&nbsp;No.:&nbsp;001-06659</FONT> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Date: May&nbsp;29, 2026 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>The following
communications regarding the merger between American Water Works Company, Inc. (&#8220;American Water&#8221;) and Essential Utilities, Inc. (&#8220;Essential Utilities&#8221;) were published on social media channels on May&nbsp;29, 2026. </I></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Paid Facebook and Instagram Post by Inquirer; tagged American Water as a partner </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Safe, clean water. Stronger infrastructure. Affordable service. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Leaders from American Water and Essential Utilities share how their announced merger is designed to improve water service, invest in communities, and help
keep water affordable for communities nationwide. Read more about their vision for the future of water infrastructure. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Paid LinkedIn Boosted Post by
Inquirer; tagged CEO profile and American Water as a partner </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">What does the future of water infrastructure look like? </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Chris Franklin, chairman and CEO of Essential Utilities, and John Griffith, president and CEO of American Water, discuss how the companies&#8217; announced
merger aims to strengthen infrastructure, improve service reliability, and help keep water affordable for communities nationwide. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Learn more about the
shared vision driving one of the nation&#8217;s leading regulated utility partnerships. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Link in comments


<IMG SRC="g314032g42z10.jpg" ALT="LOGO">
 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">#Infrastructure #WaterInfrastructure #Utilities #Leadership #CommunityImpact #AmericanWater #EssentialUtilities </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>LinkedIn Post from American Water </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In a recent
conversation with @The Philadelphia Inquirer, American Water President and CEO @John Griffith and Essential Utilities Chairman and CEO @Chris Franklin discussed how the proposed merger between American Water and Essential Utilities will build upon
both company&#8217;s longstanding track record of delivering safe, clean, reliable and affordable services and better positioned the combined company to solve water and wastewater challenges across the U.S. </P>
</DIV></Center>


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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#8220;People at American Water, and I know it&#8217;s the same at Essential, feel an extraordinary amount
of commitment to the mission in the work we do every day,&#8221; Griffith said. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Read more about our shared vision for the future of water and wastewater
services: [Clickable Link to Philadelphia Inquirer Changemaker Spotlight] </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>LinkedIn Post from John Griffith (President and Chief Executive Officer of
American Water) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">I recently joined @Chris Franklin, CEO of Essential Utilities, for a conversation with @The Philadelphia Inquirer about the proposed
merger between @American Water and @Essential Utilities, and the opportunity ahead for our customers, communities and employees. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">As water and wastewater
infrastructure challenges continue to grow, long-term investment and operational expertise matter more than ever. Together, we believe we can continue to strengthen infrastructure, enhance reliability and support affordability while delivering the
high-quality service our customers depend on every day. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">I appreciated the opportunity to discuss the future of water and wastewater infrastructure, the
importance of community investment and the dedicated people behind this vital work. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Read the article here: [Clickable Link to Philadelphia Inquirer
Changemaker Spotlight] </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Certain statements included in this communication are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section&nbsp;27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, Section&nbsp;21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words with prospective meanings such as
&#8220;intend,&#8221; &#8220;plan,&#8221; &#8220;estimate,&#8221; &#8220;believe,&#8221; &#8220;anticipate,&#8221; &#8220;expect,&#8221; &#8220;predict,&#8221; &#8220;project,&#8221; &#8220;propose,&#8221; &#8220;assume,&#8221;
&#8220;forecast,&#8221; &#8220;outlook,&#8221; &#8220;future,&#8221; &#8220;likely,&#8221; &#8220;pending,&#8221; &#8220;goal,&#8221; &#8220;objective,&#8221; &#8220;potential,&#8221; &#8220;continue,&#8221; &#8220;seek to,&#8221; &#8220;may,&#8221;
&#8220;can,&#8221; &#8220;will,&#8221; &#8220;should&#8221; and &#8220;could,&#8221; or the negative of such terms or other variations or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things: statements about the
benefits of the proposed merger, including future financial and operating results; the parties&#8217; respective plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the merger and related transactions;
the results of any strategic review; expected synergies of the proposed merger; the timing and result of various regulatory proceedings related to the proposed merger, and other general rate cases, filings for infrastructure surcharges and other
governmental agency authorizations and proceedings, and filings to address regulatory lag; the combined company&#8217;s ability to execute its current and long-term business, operational, capital expenditures and growth plans and strategies; the
amount, allocation and timing of projected capital expenditures and related funding requirements; the future impacts of increased or increasing transaction and financing costs associated with the proposed merger or otherwise, as well as inflation
and interest rates; each party&#8217;s ability to finance current and projected operations, capital expenditure needs and growth initiatives by accessing the debt and equity capital markets and sources of short-term liquidity; impacts of the
proposed merger on the future settlement or settlements of a party&#8217;s forward sale agreements, including potential adjustments to the forward sale price or other economic terms thereunder, and the amount of and the intended use of net proceeds
from any such future settlement or settlements; the outcome and impact on other governmental and regulatory investigations; the filing of class action lawsuits and other litigation and legal proceedings related to the proposed merger; the ability to
complete, and the timing and efficacy of, the design, development, implementation and improvement of technology and other strategic initiatives; each party&#8217;s ability to comply with new and changing environmental regulations; regulatory,
legislative, tax policy or legal developments; and impacts that future significant tax legislation may have on each such party and on its business, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity.</P>
</DIV></Center>


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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">These forward-looking statements are predictions based on currently available information, the
parties&#8217; current respective expectations and assumptions&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;future events that American Water Works Company, Inc. (&#8220;American Water&#8221;) and Essential Utilities, Inc. (&#8220;Essential Utilities&#8221;) believe to be
reasonable. They are not, however, guarantees or assurances of any outcomes, performance or achievements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon them. You should not regard any forward-looking statement as a representation or
warranty by American Water, Essential&nbsp;Utilities&nbsp;or any other person that the expectation,&nbsp;plan&nbsp;or&nbsp;objective&nbsp;expressed in such forward-looking statement will be successfully achieved in any specified&nbsp;time frame, or
at all. The forward-looking statements are subject to&nbsp;a number of&nbsp;estimates and assumptions, and known and unknown risks,&nbsp;uncertainties&nbsp;and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the
forward-looking statements included in this communication as a result of the factors discussed in American Water&#8217;s Annual Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> for the year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;SEC&#8221;) on February 18, 2026 (available at: ir.amwater.com), Essential Utilities&#8217; Annual Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> for the year ended December 31, 2025, as
filed with the SEC on February 26, 2026 (available at: essential.co), and each party&#8217;s other filings with the SEC, and additional risks and uncertainties, including with respect to (1) the parties&#8217; ability to consummate the proposed
merger pursuant to the terms of the definitive merger agreement or at all; (2) each party&#8217;s requirement to obtain required governmental and regulatory approvals required for the proposed merger (and/or that such approvals may result in the
imposition of burdensome or commercially undesirable conditions, including required dispositions, that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the proposed merger); (3) an event, change or other circumstance that
could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (4) the failure to satisfy or waive a condition to closing of the proposed merger on a timely basis or at all; (5) a delay in the timing to consummate the proposed merger; (6) the failure
to integrate the parties&#8217; businesses successfully; (7) the failure to fully realize benefits, efficiencies and cost savings from the proposed merger or that such benefits, efficiencies and cost savings may take longer to realize or be more
costly to achieve than expected; (8) negative or adverse impacts of the announcement of the proposed merger on the market price of American Water&#8217;s or Essential Utilities&#8217; common stock; (9) the risk of litigation, legal proceedings or
other challenges related to the proposed merger; (10) disruption from the proposed merger making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees, contractors, suppliers, regulators, vendors, elected officials, governmental
agencies, or other stakeholders; (11) the diversion of each party&#8217;s management&#8217;s time and attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities of such party on merger-related matters; (12) the challenging macroeconomic
environment, including disruptions in the water and wastewater utility industries; (13) the ability of each party to manage its respective existing operations and financing arrangements on favorable terms or at all, including with respect to future
capital expenditures and investments, operations, and maintenance costs; (14) changes in environmental laws and regulations regarding each party&#8217;s respective operations that may adversely impact such party&#8217;s businesses or increase the
cost of operations; (15) changes in each party&#8217;s key management and personnel; (16) changes in tax laws that could adversely affect beneficial tax treatment of the proposed merger; (17) regulatory, legislative, local or municipal actions
affecting the water and wastewater industries, which could adversely affect the parties&#8217; respective utility subsidiaries; and (18) other economic, business and other factors, including inflation, interest rate fluctuations or tariffs. The
foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive.</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">These forward-looking statements are qualified by, and should be read together with, the risks
and uncertainties set forth above and the risk factors included in American Water&#8217;s and Essential Utilities&#8217; respective annual and quarterly reports as filed with the SEC and in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, as filed
with the SEC on December 31, 2025 (available at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1410636/000119312525337598/d15683d424b3.htm), and readers should refer to such risks, uncertainties and risk factors in evaluating such forward-looking
statements. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date this communication is first used or given. Neither American Water nor Essential Utilities has any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statement,
whether&nbsp;as a result of&nbsp;new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws. New factors&nbsp;emerge&nbsp;from time to time, and it is not possible for American
Water or Essential Utilities to predict all such factors. Furthermore, it may not be possible to assess the impact of any such factor on American Water&#8217;s or Essential Utilities&#8217; businesses, viewed independently or together, or the extent
to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.</P>
</DIV></Center>


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<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Proposed Merger</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">For&nbsp;additional&nbsp;information&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;the proposed merger, please see American Water&#8217;s registration statement on Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> (Registration No. <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">333-292182),</FONT> which was declared effective by the SEC on December 30, 2025, and the other documents that American Water or Essential Utilities has filed
or may file with the SEC.</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>No Offer or Solicitation</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This communication is for informational purposes and is not intended to, and shall not, constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities, nor shall there be any offer or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of
securities shall be made except&nbsp;by means of&nbsp;a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.</P>
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