Consolidated Statements Of Capitalization - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Essential Utilities stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.50 par value	$ 133,486	$ 128,050
Capital in excess of par value	3,793,262	3,705,814
Retained earnings	1,534,331	1,434,201
Treasury stock, at cost	(83,693)	(83,615)
Total stockholders' equity	5,377,386	5,184,450
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt	3,062,395	3,061,887
Total long-term debt	6,617,395	5,947,357
Current portion of long-term debt	199,356	84,353
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	6,418,039	5,863,004
Less: debt issuance costs	46,982	35,707
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs	6,371,057	5,827,297
Total capitalization	11,748,443	11,011,747
Long Term Debt of Subsidiaries 0.00% to 0.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	1,875	2,341
Long Term Debt of Subsidiaries 1.00% to 1.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	8,369	9,341
Long Term Debt of Subsidiaries 2.00% to 2.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	209,755	312,751
Long Term Debt of Subsidiaries 3.00% to 3.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	1,351,432	1,359,284
Long Term Debt of Subsidiaries 4.00% to 4.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	1,403,313	1,286,024
Long Term Debt of Subsidiaries 5.00% to 5.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	14,357	16,119
Long Term Debt of Subsidiaries 6.00% to 6.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	31,000	32,475
Long Term Debt of Subsidiaries 7.00% to 7.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	28,378	28,980
Long Term Debt of Subsidiaries 8.00% to 8.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	2,116	2,772
Long Term Debt of Subsidiaries 9.00% to 9.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Debt instrument principal outstanding	11,800	11,800
Notes payable to bank under revolving credit agreement, variable rate, due 2027 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Notes payable to bank under revolving credit agreement, variable rate, due 2023	490,000	300,000
Amortizing Notes at 3.00% due 2022 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable		20,470
Bank note at 2.40% due 2031 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	400,000	400,000
Notes at 2.704% due 2030 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	500,000	500,000
Notes Ranging From 3.01% and 3.57% due 2029 and 2050 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	1,125,000	1,125,000
Notes at 4.28%, due 2049 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	500,000	500,000
Notes at 5.30%, due 2052
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	500,000
Notes at 5.95%, due 2023 through 2034 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	$ 40,000	$ 40,000