10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One) 

S QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

£ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. 

For the transition period from_______________ to _______________

Commission File Number 1-6659 

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Pennsylvania	23-1702594
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)
762 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania	19010 -3489
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)
(610) 527-8000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former Name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes S  No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes S  No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Exchange Act.:  

Large Accelerated Filer S	Accelerated Filer £
Non-Accelerated Filer £	Smaller Reporting Company £
Emerging Growth Company £

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £  No S

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.50 par value	WTRG	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of April 26, 2023: 264,379,508

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
Part I – Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) – March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022	2
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) – ‎Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022	4
Consolidated Statements of Capitalization (unaudited) – ‎March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022	5
Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) – ‎Three Months Ended March 31, 2023	6
Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) – ‎Three Months Ended March 31, 2022	7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (unaudited) – ‎Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022,	8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	9
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial ‎Condition and Results of Operations	29
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	39
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	39
Part II – Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	39
Item 1A. Risk Factors	39
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	40
Item 6. Exhibits	41
Signatures	42

1

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) 

(UNAUDITED)

	March 31,		December 31,
Assets	2023		2022
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$	13,961,209	$	13,737,387
Less: accumulated depreciation		2,666,629		2,606,441
Net property, plant and equipment		11,294,580		11,130,946
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		20,149		11,398
Accounts receivable, net		213,606		206,324
Unbilled revenues		117,610		170,504
Inventory - materials and supplies		48,401		46,592
Inventory - gas stored		47,506		153,143
Current assets held for sale		9,484		11,167
Prepayments and other current assets		37,301		39,759
Regulatory assets		15,715		19,272
Total current assets		509,772		658,159
Regulatory assets		1,429,165		1,342,753
Deferred charges and other assets, net		164,608		166,653
Funds restricted for construction activity		1,350		1,342
Goodwill		2,340,755		2,340,792
Non-current assets held for sale		32,959		32,124
Operating lease right-of-use assets		40,665		41,734
Intangible assets		4,412		4,604
Total assets	$	15,818,266	$	15,719,107
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

2

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) 

(UNAUDITED)

ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod

	March 31,		December 31,
Liabilities and Equity	2023		2022
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock at $0.50 par value, authorized 600,000,000 shares, issued 267,695,463 and 266,973,321 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022	$	133,848	$	133,486
Capital in excess of par value		3,819,804		3,793,262
Retained earnings		1,649,621		1,534,331
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,318,252 and 3,236,237 shares as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022		(87,331)		(83,693)
Total stockholders' equity		5,515,942		5,377,386
Long-term debt, excluding current portion		6,530,810		6,418,039
Less: debt issuance costs		46,294		46,982
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs		6,484,516		6,371,057
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 14)
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt		198,683		199,356
Loans payable		22,500		228,500
Accounts payable		155,722		238,843
Book overdraft		20,070		28,694
Accrued interest		81,089		47,063
Accrued taxes		29,992		34,393
Liabilities related to assets held for sale		2,355		3,263
Regulatory liabilities		102,802		35,276
Dividends payable		75,876		75,808
Other accrued liabilities		114,197		130,673
Total current liabilities		803,286		1,021,869
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits		1,413,661		1,345,766
Customers' advances for construction		118,269		114,732
Regulatory liabilities		765,949		778,754
Asset retirement obligations		846		843
Operating lease liabilities		38,629		37,666
Non-current liabilities related to assets held for sale		948		974
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities		31,427		31,244
Other		27,287		28,562
Total deferred credits and other liabilities		2,397,016		2,338,541
Contributions in aid of construction		617,506		610,254
Total liabilities and equity	$	15,818,266	$	15,719,107
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

3

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) 

(UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Operating revenues	$	726,450	$	699,275
Operating expenses:
Operations and maintenance		137,994		142,581
Purchased gas		256,315		227,712
Depreciation		82,923		77,878
Amortization		871		468
Taxes other than income taxes		22,878		23,007
Total operating expenses		500,981		471,646
Operating income		225,469		227,629
Other expense (income):
Interest expense		72,668		53,636
Interest income		(819)		(609)
Allowance for funds used during construction		(5,688)		(5,839)
Gain on sale of other assets		(249)		-
Other		(240)		(1,702)
Income before income taxes		159,797		182,143
Income tax benefit		(31,637)		(17,233)
Net income	$	191,434	$	199,376
Comprehensive income	$	191,434	$	199,376
Net income per common share:
Basic	$	0.72	$	0.76
Diluted	$	0.72	$	0.76
Average common shares outstanding during the period:
Basic		264,192		261,952
Diluted		264,751		262,431
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

4

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION 

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) 

(UNAUDITED)

		March 31,		December 31,
		2023		2022
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.50 par value		$	133,848	$	133,486
Capital in excess of par value			3,819,804		3,793,262
Retained earnings			1,649,621		1,534,331
Treasury stock, at cost			(87,331)		(83,693)
Total stockholders' equity			5,515,942		5,377,386
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Interest Rate Range	Maturity Date Range
0.00% to 0.99%	2023 to 2033		1,839		1,875
1.00% to 1.99%	2023 to 2039		8,120		8,369
2.00% to 2.99%	2023 to 2058		209,434		209,755
3.00% to 3.99%	2023 to 2056		1,349,200		1,351,432
4.00% to 4.99%	2023 to 2059		1,401,796		1,403,313
5.00% to 5.99%	2023 to 2052		89,114		14,357
6.00% to 6.99%	2026 to 2036		31,000		31,000
7.00% to 7.99%	2025 to 2027		28,314		28,378
8.00% to 8.99%	2025		1,876		2,116
9.00% to 9.99%	2026		11,800		11,800
			3,132,493		3,062,395
Notes payable to bank under revolving credit agreement, variable rate, due 2027			542,000		490,000
Unsecured notes payable:
Notes at 2.40% due 2031			400,000		400,000
Notes at 2.704% due 2030			500,000		500,000
Notes ranging from 3.01% to 3.59% due 2029 through 2050			1,125,000		1,125,000
Notes at 4.28%, due 2049			500,000		500,000
Notes at 5.30%, due 2052			500,000		500,000
Notes at 5.95%, due 2023 through 2034			30,000		40,000
Total long-term debt			6,729,493		6,617,395
Current portion of long-term debt			198,683		199,356
Long-term debt, excluding current portion			6,530,810		6,418,039
Less: debt issuance costs			46,294		46,982
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs			6,484,516		6,371,057
Total capitalization		$	12,000,458	$	11,748,443
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

5

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY 

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

			Capital in
	Common		Excess of		Retained		Treasury
	Stock		Par Value		Earnings		Stock		Total
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	133,486	$	3,793,262	$	1,534,331	$	(83,693)	$	5,377,386
Net income		-		-		191,434		-		191,434
Dividends of March 1, 2023 ($0.287 per share)		-		-		(1)		-		(1)
Dividends of June 1, 2023 declared ($0.287 per share)		-		-		(75,876)		-		(75,876)
Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan (97,315 shares)		49		4,068		-		-		4,117
Issuance of common stock from at-the-market sale agreements (399,128 shares)		200		19,094		-		-		19,294
Repurchase of stock (88,051 shares)		-		-		-		(3,911)		(3,911)
Equity compensation plan (222,782 shares)		111		(111)		-		-		-
Exercise of stock options (2,917 shares)		2		101		-		-		103
Stock-based compensation		-		3,410		(267)		-		3,143
Other		-		(20)		-		273		253
Balance at March 31, 2023	$	133,848	$	3,819,804	$	1,649,621	$	(87,331)	$	5,515,942
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

6

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY 

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

			Capital in
	Common		Excess of		Retained		Treasury
	Stock		Par Value		Earnings		Stock			Total
Balance at December 31, 2021	$	128,050	$	3,705,814	$	1,434,201	$	(83,615)	$	5,184,450
Net income		-		-		199,376		-		199,376
Dividends of March 1, 2022 ($0.2682 per share)		-		-		(67,821)		-		(67,821)
Dividends of June 1, 2022 declared ($0.2682 per share)		-		-		(67,863)		-		(67,863)
Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan (93,833 shares)		47		4,070		-		-		4,117
Repurchase of stock (21,290 shares)		-		-		-		(1,012)		(1,012)
Equity compensation plan (57,052 shares)		29		(29)		-		-		-
Exercise of stock options (28,516 shares)		14		998		-		-		1,012
Stock-based compensation		-		2,716		(136)		-		2,580
Other		-		(9)		-		270		261
Balance at March 31, 2022	$	128,140	$	3,713,560	$	1,497,757	$	(84,357)	$	5,255,100
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

7

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW 

(In thousands of dollars) 

(UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	191,434	$	199,376
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		83,794		78,346
Deferred income taxes		(33,257)		(19,774)
Provision for doubtful accounts		4,532		5,991
Stock-based compensation		3,422		2,732
Gain on sale of utility systems and other assets		(249)		(19)
Net change in receivables, deferred purchased gas costs, inventory and prepayments		219,624		49,050
Net change in payables, accrued interest, accrued taxes and other accrued liabilities		(58,361)		(5,354)
Other		(9,311)		256
Net cash flows from operating activities		401,628		310,604
Cash flows from investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions, including the debt component of allowance for funds used during construction of $1,428 and $1,449		(243,730)		(183,322)
Acquisitions of utility systems, net		(136)		(50,009)
Net proceeds from the sale of utility systems and other assets		337		19
Other		321		80
Net cash flows used in investing activities		(243,208)		(233,232)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Customers' advances and contributions in aid of construction		7,010		2,962
Repayments of customers' advances		(984)		(159)
Net proceeds (repayments) of short-term debt		(206,000)		14,744
Proceeds from long-term debt		229,770		165,000
Repayments of long-term debt		(114,889)		(67,023)
Change in cash overdraft position		(8,624)		(81,722)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan		4,117		4,117
Proceeds from issuance of common stock from at-the-market sale agreement		19,294		-
Proceeds from exercised stock options		103		1,012
Repurchase of common stock		(3,911)		(1,012)
Dividends paid on common stock		(75,808)		(67,821)
Other		253		261
Net cash flows used in financing activities		(149,669)		(29,641)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		8,751		47,731
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		11,398		10,567
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	20,149	$	58,298
Non-cash investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions purchased at the period end, but not yet paid for	$	86,136	$	74,451
Non-cash utility property contributions		13,126		1,829
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

8

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of capitalization of Essential Utilities, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) at March 31, 2023, and the unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, cash flows, and equity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim reporting and the rules and regulations for reporting on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Because they cover interim periods, the statements and related notes to the financial statements do not include all disclosures and notes normally provided in annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of only recurring accruals, which are necessary to present a fair statement of its consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of equity, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and consolidated cash flow for the periods presented, have been made.

The preparation of financial statements often requires the selection of specific accounting methods and policies. Significant estimates and judgments may be required in selecting and applying those methods and policies in the recognition of the assets and liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets, the revenues and expenses in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and the information that is contained in its summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements. Making these estimates and judgments requires the analysis of information concerning events that may not yet be complete and of facts and circumstances that may change over time. Furthermore, we are exposed to the uncertain state of the economy and macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and rising interest rates. As these continue to evolve, future events and effects related to these conditions cannot be determined with precision. Accordingly, actual amounts or future results can differ materially from those estimates that the Company includes currently in its consolidated financial statements, summary of significant accounting policies, and notes.

There have been no changes to the summary of significant accounting policies previously identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

9

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 2 – Revenue Recognition

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by major source and customer class:

	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2023								March 31, 2022
	Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues		Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Residential	$	147,252	$	33,490	$	292,230	$	-	$	131,288	$	26,495	$	285,106	$	-
Commercial		40,954		8,591		65,157		-		35,120		6,065		57,040		-
Fire protection		10,259		-		-		-		9,193		-		-		-
Industrial		7,857		578		1,789		-		7,181		344		1,842		-
Gas transportation & storage		-		-		67,653		-		-		-		79,174		-
Other water		8,844		-		-		-		17,351		-		-		-
Other wastewater		-		2,734		-		-		-		2,498		-		-
Other utility		-		-		13,077		6,159		-		-		23,226		2,915
Revenues from contracts with customers		215,166		45,393		439,906		6,159		200,133		35,402		446,388		2,915
Alternative revenue program		402		180		1,389		-		615		(27)		(176)		-
Other and eliminations		-		-		-		17,855		-		-		-		14,025
Consolidated	$	215,568	$	45,573	$	441,295	$	24,014	$	200,748	$	35,375	$	446,212	$	16,940

Note 3 – Acquisitions

Water and Wastewater Utility Acquisitions - Completed

In March 2023, the Company acquired the North Heidelberg Sewer Company in Berks County, Pennsylvania, which serves 273 customer connections for a cash purchase price of $136.

In November 2022, the Company acquired certain water utility assets of Oak Brook, Illinois, which serve 2,037 customers for a cash purchase price of $12,500.

In August 2022, the Company acquired the municipal wastewater assets of East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, which serves 4,018 customers, for a cash purchase price of $54,374.

In March 2022, the Company acquired the wastewater system of Lower Makefield Township, which serves 11,323 customer connections in Lower Makefield, Falls and Middletown townships, and Yardley Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for a cash purchase price of $53,000.

The purchase price allocation for these acquisitions consisted primarily of acquired property, plant and equipment.

The pro forma effect of the utility systems acquired is not material either individually or collectively to the Company’s results of operations.

10

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Water and Wastewater Utility Acquisitions – Pending Completion

In April 2023, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Greenville Sanitation Authority’s wastewater utility assets, which serves approximately 2,300 customers in Greenville, Pennsylvania for $18,000.

In January 2023, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the water utility assets of La Rue, an Ohio municipality, which serves approximately 300 customers for $2,250.

In December 2022, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the wastewater utility assets of Union Rome Sewer, which serves approximately 5,300 customers in the southeast corner of Lawrence County, Ohio, for $25,500.

In August 2022, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a portion of the water and wastewater utility assets of the Village of Frankfort, an Illinois municipality, which serves approximately 1,400 customers for $1,400.

In December 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the water utility assets of the Southern Oaks Water System, which serves approximately 740 customers in Texas for $3,300. In October 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the wastewater utility assets of the City of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania which consists of approximately 7,600 customers for $41,250. In July 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the water utility assets of Shenandoah Borough, Pennsylvania which consists of approximately 2,930 customers for $12,000. 

In January 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the wastewater utility system assets of Willistown Township, Pennsylvania, which consist of approximately 2,300 customers, for $17,500. On April 14, 2023, the Willistown Township supervisors exercised their right to terminate the agreement.

The purchase price for these pending acquisitions are subject to certain adjustments at closing, and are subject to regulatory approval, including the final determination of the fair value of the rate base acquired. We plan to finance the purchase price of these acquisitions by utilizing our revolving credit facility until permanent debt and common equity are secured. These pending acquisitions are expected to close in 2023 and in 2024. Closing for our utility acquisitions are subject to the timing of the respective regulatory approval processes.

DELCORA Purchase Agreement

In September 2019, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the wastewater utility system assets of the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (“DELCORA”), which consists of approximately 16,000 customers, or the equivalent of 198,000 retail customers, in 42 municipalities in Southeast Pennsylvania for $276,500. In May 2020, Delaware County, Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit alleging that DELCORA does not have the legal authority to establish and fund a customer trust with the net proceeds of the transaction. In December 2020, the judge in the Delaware County Court lawsuit issued an order that (1) the County cannot interfere with the purchase agreement between DELCORA and the Company; (2) the County cannot terminate DELCORA prior to the closing

11

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

of the transaction; and (3) the establishment of the customer trust was valid. Delaware County appealed this decision to Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. On March 3, 2022, the Commonwealth Court issued a decision finding that Delaware County can dissolve the Authority if it so chooses, but the purchase agreement must be upheld regardless of who is operating the system. The case was remanded back to the trial court for the entry of an order consistent with the Commonwealth Court’s opinion. This order was issued on September 8, 2022 (“Remand Order”). Since then, the County has challenged the Remand Order through two separate actions:

First, Delaware County filed an Application for Determination of Finality (“Application”) on October 13, 2022. The Company filed its opposition to the Application on October 27, 2022, and on November 2, 2022, the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas denied Delaware County’s Application for Determination of Finality indicating that its previous order already constituted a final order that addressed the claims of all parties. On December 2, 2022, following the denial of its Application, Delaware County filed a Petition for Permission to Appeal (“Petition”) the Remand Order in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. On December 16, 2022, the Company filed an Answer in opposition to the Petition. The Commonwealth Court issued an Order denying the County’s Petition on February 2, 2023. The County filed an Application for Reconsideration of the Commonwealth Court’s February 2 Order, which the Commonwealth Court granted on April 4, 2023.

Second, on November 2, 2022, Delaware County filed a Notice of Appeal (“Notice of Appeal”) from the Remand Order. On December 2, 2022, the Delaware County of Common Pleas issued an Opinion concluding that the County Court did not err in issuing the Remand Order. On January 13, 2023, Delaware County filed an Application in Commonwealth Court seeking confirmation of briefing deadlines with respect to the Notice of Appeal. In response, by Order dated January 24, 2023, the Commonwealth Court stated that “the record received from the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County is currently under review for finality. A briefing schedule will be issued upon completion of this review.” The Company filed an Application to quash the County’s Appeal on February 7, 2023. On April 4, 2023, the Commonwealth Court granted the Company’s Application and quashed the appeal.

On January 25, 2023, DELCORA filed in the Delaware Court of Common Pleas a complaint for Declaratory Judgment seeking resolution of whether the County Ordinance dissolving DELCORA is a final action prohibiting DELCORA from carrying out the material transaction of the Asset Purchase Agreement and, in the event that DELCORA retains the ability to close the transaction, whether DELCORA is permitted to exist as a trust.

Meanwhile, the administrative law judges (“ALJ”) in the regulatory approval process recommended that the Company’s application to acquire DELCORA be denied, and subsequently, the Company provided exceptions to the recommended decision. On March 30, 2021, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PUC”) ruled that the case be remanded back to the Office of Administrative Law Judge and vacated the original administrative law judges’ recommended decision (“2021 Order”). This 2021 Order was also appealed to the Commonwealth Court by Delaware County on April 29, 2021. A decision was issued by the Commonwealth Court on September 12, 2022, which dismissed the appeal of the County.

12

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

After the PUC issued the 2021 Order, on April 16, 2021, the ALJ issued an order staying the proceeding until the Delaware County Court lawsuit is final and unappealable. On March 25, 2022, the Company sent a letter notifying the PUC of the March 3, 2022 Commonwealth Court decision (that originated in Delaware County Court of Common Pleas) and requested that the PUC move forward with processing the application. On July 14, 2022, the Commission moved to lift the stay imposed by the ALJ, and required the ALJ to establish a schedule on remand for the proceeding. The published procedural schedule has the proceeding concluding in June 2023.

On January 26, 2023, several parties involved in the PUC case filed a joint motion for stay based on DELCORA’s filing of the January 25, 2023 Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and referenced the City of Chester’s bankruptcy filing in which the City of Chester has asserted reversionary contract interests regarding to DELCORA’s wastewater assets. On February 6, 2023, the ALJ stayed the PUC DELCORA application proceedings again

The purchase price for this pending acquisition is subject to certain adjustments at closing, and is subject to regulatory approval, including the final determination of the fair value of the rate base acquired. We plan to finance the purchase price of this acquisition by the issuance of common stock and by utilizing our revolving credit facility until permanent debt is secured. Closing of our acquisition of DELCORA is subject to the timing of the regulatory approval process and on-going litigation.

13

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 4 – Assets Held for Sale

In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company decided to market for sale the assets of its regulated natural gas system in West Virginia that serves approximately 13,000 customers and is part of the Company’s Regulated Natural Gas segment. On December 31, 2022, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Hope Gas, Inc. for the sale of its membership interests in its West Virginia assets for cash at closing of $37,000. The purchase price is subject to certain adjustments at closing and is subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Closing on the sale is expected in mid-2023, and completion of this transaction will conclude the Company’s operations in West Virginia. Based on an assessment of the sale price and the carrying value of the planned disposition, there is no anticipated impairment expected to be recognized because of this sale agreement. These assets and liabilities do not qualify as discontinued operations, are reported as held for sale in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, and consist of the following:

	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Inventory - gas stored	$	2	$	2,807
Other current assets		3,656		3,284
Regulatory assets		5,826		5,076
Current assets held for sale	$	9,484	$	11,167
Property, plant and equipment, net		30,807		30,267
Regulatory assets and other		2,152		1,857
Non-current assets held for sale	$	32,959	$	32,124
Current liabilities related to assets held for sale	$	2,355	$	3,263
Regulatory liabilities		648		649
Other long-term liabilities		300		325
Non-current liabilities related to assets held for sale	$	948	$	974

Note 5 – Goodwill 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s goodwill, by business segment:

	Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	58,504	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,792
Reclassification to utility plant acquisition adjustment		(37)		-		-		(37)
Balance at March 31, 2023	$	58,467	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,755

The reclassification of goodwill to utility plant acquisition adjustment results from a mechanism approved by the applicable utility commission. The mechanism provides for the transfer over time, and the recovery through customer rates, of goodwill associated with some acquisitions upon achieving specific objectives.

Note 6 – Capitalization

14

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

At-the-Market Offering

On October 14, 2022, the Company entered into at-the market sales agreements (“ATM”) with third-party sales agents, under which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock, from time to time, at its option, having an aggregate gross offering price of up to $500,000 pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-255235). The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sales of shares through the ATM for working capital, capital expenditures, water and wastewater utility acquisitions and repaying outstanding indebtedness. As of December 31, 2022, the Company issued 1,321,994 shares of common stock under the ATM for proceeds of $63,040, net of expenses. In January 2023, the Company issued 399,128 shares of common stock under the ATM for proceeds of $19,294, net of expenses.

Tangible Equity Units

On April 23, 2019, the Company issued $690,000, less expenses of $16,358, of its tangible equity units (the “Units”), with a stated amount of $50.00 per unit. This issuance was part of the permanent financing to close the Peoples Gas Acquisition. Each Unit consisted of a prepaid stock purchase contract and an amortizing note, each issued by the Company. The amortizing notes had an initial principal amount of $8.62909, or $119,081 in aggregate, and yielded interest at a rate of 3.00% per year, and paid equal quarterly per unit cash installments of $0.75 per amortizing note (except for the July 30, 2019 installment payment, which was $0.80833 per amortizing note), that constituted a payment of interest and a partial repayment of principal. This cash payment in the aggregate was equivalent to 6.00% per year with respect to each $50.00 stated amount of the Units. The amortizing notes represented unsecured senior obligations of the Company.

Certain holders of the tangible equity units had early settled their prepaid stock purchase contracts prior to the due date, and, in exchange, the Company issued shares of its common stock. During April 2022, 981,919 stock purchase contracts were early settled by the holders of the contracts, resulting in the issuance of 1,166,107 shares of the Company’s common stock. On May 2, 2022, the remaining 6,621,315 stock purchase contracts were each mandatorily settled for 1.18758 shares of the Company’s common stock, and in the aggregate the Company issued 7,863,354 shares of its common stock. Additionally, the final quarterly installment payment was made, which resulted in the complete pay-off of the amortizing notes.

Long-term Debt and Loans Payable

In January 2023 and October 2022, the Company’s subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania, issued $75,000 and $125,000 of first mortgage bonds, due in 2043 and 2052, and with interest rates of 5.60% and 4.50%, respectively. The proceeds from these bonds were used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

On May 20, 2022, the Company issued $500,000 of long-term debt (the “Senior Notes”), less expenses of $5,815, due in 2052 with an interest rate of 5.30%. The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of Senior Notes to (1) to repay $49,700 of borrowings under the Aqua Pennsylvania’s 364-day

15

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

revolving credit facility and $410,000 of borrowings under the Company’s existing five year unsecured revolving credit facility, and (2) for general corporate purposes.

On June 30, 2022, the following debt amendments were executed: (1) Peoples Natural Gas Companies amended its 364-day revolving credit agreement primarily to increase the amount of the facility from $100,000 to $300,000 and to update the termination date of the facility to June 29, 2023, and (2) Aqua Pennsylvania amended its 364-day revolving credit agreement primarily to update the termination date of the facility to June 29, 2023 to coincide with the term of the Peoples Natural Gas Companies’ facility.

On December 14, 2022, the Company entered into a five year $1,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility, which replaced the Company’s prior five year $1,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility. The Company’s new unsecured revolving credit facility was used to repay all indebtedness and fees under our prior unsecured revolving credit facility, and for other general corporate purposes. The facility includes a $100,000 sublimit for daily demand loan. Funds borrowed under this facility are classified as long-term debt and are used to provide working capital as well as support for letters of credit for insurance policies and other financing arrangements. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has the following sublimits and available capacity under the credit facility: $100,000 letter of credit sublimit, $82,362 of letters of credit available capacity, $0 borrowed under the swing-line commitment, $100,000 was available for borrowing under the swing-line commitment, $440,362 available for borrowing and $542,000 of funds borrowed under the agreement.

Note 7 – Financial Instruments 

Financial instruments are recorded at carrying value in the financial statements and approximate fair value as of the dates presented.  The fair value of these instruments is disclosed below in accordance with current accounting guidance related to financial instruments. There have been no changes in the valuation techniques used to measure fair value, or asset or liability transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. 

The fair value of loans payable is determined based on its carrying amount and utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amount of the Company’s loans payable was $22,500 and $228,500, respectively, which equates to their estimated fair value. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, is determined based on Level 1 methods and assumptions. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents was $20,149 and $11,398, respectively, which equates to their fair value. The Company’s assets underlying the deferred compensation and non-qualified pension plans are determined by the fair value of mutual funds, which are based on quoted market prices from active markets utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amount of these securities was $24,934 and $24,962, respectively, which equates to their fair value, and is reported in the consolidated balance sheet in deferred charges and other assets.

16

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Unrealized gain and losses on equity securities held in conjunction with our non-qualified pension plan is as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Net gain (loss) recognized during the period on equity securities	$	131	$	(278)
Less: net gain / loss recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period		-		-
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date	$	131	$	(278)

The net gain (loss) recognized on equity securities is presented on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income on the line item “Other.”

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term debt is as follows:

	March 31,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Carrying amount	$	6,729,493	$	6,617,395
Estimated fair value		5,684,609		5,528,131

The fair value of long-term debt has been determined by discounting the future cash flows using current market interest rates for similar financial instruments of the same duration utilizing Level 2 methods and assumptions.

The Company’s customers’ advances for construction have a carrying value of $118,269 as of March 31, 2023, and $114,732 as of December 31, 2022. Their relative fair values cannot be accurately estimated because future refund payments depend on several variables, including new customer connections, customer consumption levels, and future rates. Portions of these non-interest-bearing instruments are payable annually through 2032, and amounts not paid by the respective contract expiration dates become non-refundable. The fair value of these amounts would, however, be less than their carrying value due to the non-interest-bearing feature.

17

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 8 – Net Income per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the weighted average minimum number of shares issued upon settlement of the stock purchase contracts issued under the tangible equity units. Diluted net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive shares. The dilutive effect of employee stock-based compensation is included in the computation of diluted net income per common share. The dilutive effect of stock-based compensation is calculated using the treasury stock method and expected proceeds upon exercise of the stock-based compensation. The treasury stock method assumes that the proceeds from stock-based compensation is used to purchase the Company’s common stock at the average market price during the period. The following table summarizes the shares, in thousands, used in computing basic and diluted net income per common share: 

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023	2022
Average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation	264,192	261,952
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock-based compensation	559	479
Average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation	264,751	262,431

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation includes the weighted-average impact of 9,029,461 shares, based on the minimum number of shares to be issued upon settlement of the stock purchase contracts issued in April 2019 under the tangible equity units. On May 2, 2022, all of the remaining stock purchase contracts under the tangible equity units were mandatorily settled.

The number of outstanding employee stock options that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive was 152,138 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, all of the Company’s outstanding employee stock options were included in the calculations of diluted net income per share as the calculated cost to exercise employee stock options was less than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during this period. Additionally, the dilutive effect of performance share units and restricted share units granted are included in the Company’s calculation of diluted net income per share.

Note 9 – Stock-based Compensation 

Under the Company’s Amended and Restated Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 2, 2019, to replace the 2004 Equity Compensation Plan, stock options, stock units, stock awards, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards may be granted to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants and advisors. The Plan authorizes 6,250,000 shares for issuance under the Plan. A maximum of 3,125,000 shares under the

18

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Plan may be issued pursuant to stock awards, stock units and other stock-based awards, subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan. During any calendar year, no individual may be granted (i) stock options and stock appreciation rights under the Plan for more than 500,000 shares of Company stock in the aggregate or (ii) stock awards, stock units or other stock-based awards under the Plan for more than 500,000 shares of Company stock in the aggregate, subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan. Awards to employees and consultants under the Plan are made by a committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, except that with respect to awards to the Chief Executive Officer, the committee recommends those awards for approval by the non-employee directors of the Board of Directors. In the case of awards to non-employee directors, the Board of Directors makes such awards. At March 31, 2023, 1,506,059 shares were still available for issuance under the Plan. No further grants may be made under the Company’s 2004 Equity Compensation Plan.  

Performance Share Units – A performance share unit (“PSU”) represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock if specified performance goals are met over the three year performance period specified in the grant, subject to exceptions through the respective vesting period, which is generally three years. Each grantee is granted a target award of PSUs and may earn between 0% and 200% of the target amount depending on the Company’s performance against the performance goals. The following table provides compensation expense for PSUs:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	2,443	$	1,650
Income tax benefit		612		467

The following table summarizes the PSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2023:  

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Share Units	Fair Value
Nonvested share units at beginning of period	556,462	$	42.77
Granted	161,981		45.06
Actual vested	(157,862)		53.83
Forfeited	(1,310)		42.79
Nonvested share units at end of period	559,271		43.81

19

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

A portion of the fair value of PSUs was estimated at the grant date based on the probability of satisfying the market-based conditions using the Monte Carlo valuation method, which assesses probabilities of various outcomes of market conditions. The other portion of the fair value of the PSUs is based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the grant date, regardless of whether the market-based condition is satisfied. The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for PSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $45.06 and $42.31, respectively. The fair value of each PSU grant is amortized monthly into compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their respective vesting periods, generally 36 months. The accrual of compensation costs is based on the Company’s estimate of the final expected value of the award and is adjusted as required for the portion based on the performance-based condition. The Company assumes that forfeitures will be minimal, and recognizes forfeitures as they occur, which results in a reduction in compensation expense. As the payout of the PSUs includes dividend equivalents, no separate dividend yield assumption is required in calculating the fair value of the PSUs. The recording of compensation expense for PSUs has no impact on net cash flows.  

Restricted Stock Units – A restricted stock unit (“RSU”) represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock. RSUs are eligible to be earned at the end of a specified restricted period, which is generally three years, beginning on the date of grant. The Company assumes that forfeitures will be minimal and recognizes forfeitures as they occur, which results in a reduction in compensation expense. As the payout of the RSUs includes dividend equivalents, no separate dividend yield assumption is required in calculating the fair value of the RSUs. The following table provides the compensation expense and income tax benefit for RSUs:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	681	$	777
Income tax benefit		171		219

The following table summarizes the RSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2023: 

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Units	Fair Value
Nonvested stock units at beginning of period	180,306	$	45.94
Granted	73,696		45.61
Stock units vested and issued	(50,555)		49.44
Forfeited	(495)		43.29
Nonvested stock units at end of period	202,952		44.95

The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $45.61 and $45.10, respectively.  

20

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Stock Options – A stock option represents the option to purchase a number of shares of common stock of the Company as specified in the stock option grant agreement at the exercise price per share as determined by the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date. Stock options are exercisable in installments of 33% annually, starting one year from the grant date and expire 10 years from the grant date, subject to satisfaction of designated performance goals. The fair value of each stock option is amortized into compensation expense using the graded-vesting method, which results in the recognition of compensation costs over the requisite service period for each separately vesting tranche of the stock options as though the stock options were, in substance, multiple stock option grants. The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to stock options:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	77	$	100
Income tax benefit		19		28

The fair value of options was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The following assumptions were used in the application of this valuation model:

	2023
Expected term (years)		5.5
Risk-free interest rate		4.03%
Expected volatility		27.80%
Dividend yield		2.53%
Grant date fair value per option	$	11.37

Historical information was the principal basis for the selection of the expected term and dividend yield.  The expected volatility is based on a weighted-average combination of historical and implied volatilities over a time period that approximates the expected term of the option.  The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option.

21

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

The following table summarizes stock option transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2023:

		Weighted		Weighted
		Average		Average	Aggregate
		Exercise		Remaining	Intrinsic
	Shares	Price		Life (years)	Value
Outstanding at beginning of period	820,061	$	36.29
Granted	74,632		45.39
Exercised	(2,917)		35.21
Outstanding at end of period	891,776	$	37.05	6.3	$	6,130,820
Exercisable at end of period	766,704	$	35.71	5.8	$	6,130,820

Restricted Stock – Restricted stock awards provide the grantee with the rights of a shareholder, including the right to receive dividends and to vote such shares, but not the right to sell or otherwise transfer the shares during the restriction period. Restricted stock awards result in compensation expense that is equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of the grant and is amortized ratably over the restriction period. The Company expects forfeitures of restricted stock to be de minimis. The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to restricted stock:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	12	$	12
Income tax benefit		3		4

The following table summarizes restricted stock transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2023:

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Shares	Fair Value
Nonvested restricted stock at beginning of period	1,170	$	42.75
Granted	-		-
Vested	-		-
Nonvested restricted stock at end of period	1,170	$	42.75

There were no restricted stock awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

22

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Stock Awards – Stock awards represent the issuance of the Company’s common stock, without restriction. The issuance of stock awards results in compensation expense that is equal to the fair market value of the stock on the grant date and is expensed immediately upon grant. The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to stock awards:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	210	$	192
Income tax benefit		59		56

The following table summarizes stock award transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2023:

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Awards	Fair Value
Nonvested stock awards at beginning of period	-	$	-
Granted	4,914		42.77
Vested	(4,914)		(42.77)
Nonvested stock awards at end of period	-		-

The weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for stock awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $42.77 and $51.66, respectively.

Note 10 – Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits  

The Company maintains a qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Pension Plan”), a nonqualified pension plan, and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees.

The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans:

	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Service cost	$	401	$	707
Interest cost		4,308		3,201
Expected return on plan assets		(5,672)		(5,895)
Amortization of prior service cost		171		134
Amortization of actuarial loss		809		435
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	17	$	(1,418)

23

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

	Other
	Postretirement Benefits
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	2023		2022
Service cost	$	337	$	478
Interest cost		1,119		842
Expected return on plan assets		(1,093)		(1,125)
Amortization of actuarial loss		(329)		(334)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	34	$	(139)

The net periodic benefit cost (credit) is based on estimated values and an extensive use of assumptions about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, the rate of future compensation increases received by the Company’s employees, mortality, turnover, and medical costs. The Company presents the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than service cost in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income on the line item “Other”.

There were no cash contributions made to the Pension Plan during the first three months of 2023.

Note 11 – Rate Activity 

On March 28, 2023, the Company received authorization, in advance of the final order being approved, to implement infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $7,685 in its water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Texas effective on April 1, 2023. The additional revenue billed and collected prior to the final order is subject to refund based on the outcome of the ruling.

During the first three months of 2023, the Company’s two other water utility operating divisions in Ohio implemented base rate increases designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $1,569. Further, one of the Company’s wastewater divisions in Indiana implemented a base rate increase designed to increase operating revenues on an annual basis by $134. Lastly, during the first three months of 2023, the Company implemented infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $1,846 in its water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Illinois and by $1,483 in its natural gas operating division in Kentucky.

On December 30, 2022, our water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Ohio filed an application with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio designed to increase rates by $9,816 annually.

On September 21, 2022, our regulated water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Ohio received an order from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio which will increase operating revenues by $5,483 annually. New rates for water and sewer service went into effect on September 21, 2022.

On June 30, 2022, the Company’s regulated water and wastewater operating subsidiary in North Carolina, Aqua North Carolina, filed an application with the North Carolina Utilities Commission designed to increase rates by $18,064 in the first year of new rates being implemented, then an

24

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

additional $4,303 and $4,577 in the second and third years, respectively. In February 2023, the Company implemented interim rates which may be subject to refund for the difference between interim and final approved rates pending the final order.

On May 16, 2022, the Company’s regulated water and wastewater operating subsidiary in Pennsylvania, Aqua Pennsylvania, received an order from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission that allowed base rate increases that would increase total annual operating revenues by $69,251. New rates went into effect on May 19, 2022. At the time the rate order was received, the rates in effect also included $35,470 in Distribution System Improvement Charges (“DSIC”), which was 7.2% above prior base rates. Consequently, the aggregate base rates increased by $104,721 since the last base rate increase and DSIC was reset to zero.

On January 3, 2022, the Company’s natural gas operating division in Kentucky received an order from the Kentucky Public Service Commission resulting in an increase of $5,238 in annual revenues, and new rates went into effect on January 4, 2022. On June 7, 2022, an additional $260 was approved and made effective by the Commission, resulting from a rehearing requested by the operating division.

Note 12 – Taxes Other than Income Taxes 

The following table provides the components of taxes other than income taxes:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Property	$	8,104	$	8,014
Gross receipts, excise and franchise		4,030		4,100
Payroll		6,632		6,661
Regulatory assessments		1,684		1,765
Pumping fees		1,466		1,375
Other		962		1,092
Total taxes other than income	$	22,878	$	23,007

Note 13 – Segment Information 

The Company has eleven operating segments and two reportable segments. The Regulated Water segment is comprised of eight operating segments representing its water and wastewater regulated utility companies, which are organized by the states where the Company provides water and wastewater services. The eight water and wastewater utility operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment, because each of these operating segments has the following similarities: economic characteristics, nature of services, production processes, customers, water distribution or wastewater collection methods, and the nature of the regulatory environment. The Regulated Natural Gas segment is comprised of one operating segment representing natural gas utility companies, acquired in the Peoples Gas Acquisition, for which the Company provides natural gas distribution services.

25

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

In addition to the Company’s two reportable segments, we include two of our operating segments within the Other category below. These segments are not quantitatively significant and are comprised of our non-regulated natural gas operations and Aqua Resources. Our non-regulated natural gas operations consist of utility service line protection solutions and repair services to households and the operation of gas marketing and production entities. Aqua Resources offers, through a third party, water and sewer service line protection solutions and repair services to households. In addition to these segments, Other is comprised of business activities not included in the reportable segments, corporate costs that have not been allocated to the Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas segments, and intersegment eliminations. Corporate costs include general and administrative expenses, and interest expense. The Company reports these corporate costs within Other as they relate to corporate-focused responsibilities and decisions and are not included in internal measures of segment operating performance used by the Company to measure the underlying performance of the operating segments.

The following table presents information about the Company’s reportable segments:

	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2023								March 31, 2022
	Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated		Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated
Operating revenues	$	267,300	$	441,295	$	17,855	$	726,450	$	239,198	$	445,183	$	14,894	$	699,275
Operations and maintenance expense		82,802		57,150		(1,958)		137,994		86,088		59,452		(2,959)		142,581
Purchased gas		-		241,856		14,459		256,315		-		217,306		10,406		227,712
Depreciation and amortization		53,467		30,128		199		83,794		48,716		29,704		(74)		78,346
Interest expense, net (a)		29,713		27,507		14,629		71,849		27,554		20,652		4,821		53,027
Allowance for funds used during construction		(4,946)		(742)		-		(5,688)		(5,149)		(690)		-		(5,839)
Provision for income taxes (benefit)		13,514		(43,484)		(1,667)		(31,637)		7,499		(26,474)		1,742		(17,233)
Net income (loss)		77,402		123,546		(9,514)		191,434		60,543		139,486		(653)		199,376
Capital expenditures		159,394		81,669		2,667		243,730		100,803		82,122		397		183,322

^(a) The regulated water and regulated natural gas segments report interest expense that includes long-term debt that was pushed-down to the regulated operating subsidiaries from Essential Utilities, Inc.

	March 31,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Total assets:
Regulated water	$	8,893,947	$	8,792,633
Regulated natural gas		6,556,182		6,528,654
Other		368,137		397,820
Consolidated	$	15,818,266	$	15,719,107

26

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies 

The Company is routinely involved in various disputes, claims, lawsuits and other regulatory and legal matters, including both asserted and unasserted legal claims, in the ordinary course of business. The status of each such matter, referred to herein as a loss contingency, is reviewed and assessed in accordance with applicable accounting rules regarding the nature of the matter, the likelihood that a loss will be incurred, and the amounts involved. As of March 31, 2023, the aggregate amount of $19,500 is accrued for loss contingencies and is reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as other accrued liabilities and other liabilities. These accruals represent management’s best estimate of probable loss (as defined in the accounting guidance) for loss contingencies or the low end of a range of losses if no single probable loss can be estimated. For some loss contingencies, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of the probable loss or range of probable losses. Further, Essential Utilities has insurance coverage for certain of these loss contingencies, and as of March 31, 2023, estimates that approximately $1,476 of the amount accrued for these matters are probable of recovery through insurance, which amount is also reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as deferred charges and other assets, net.

During a portion of 2019, the Company initiated a do not consume advisory for some of its customers in one division served by the Company’s Illinois subsidiary. The do not consume advisory was lifted in 2019 and, in 2022, the water system was determined to be in compliance with the federal Lead and Copper Rule. During the second quarter of 2021, an amount was accrued for the portion of the fine or penalty that we determined to be probable and estimable of being incurred.  In addition, on September 3, 2019, two individuals, on behalf of themselves and those similarly situated, commenced an action against the Company’s Illinois subsidiary in the State court in Will County, Illinois related to this do not consume advisory. The complaint seeks class action certification, attorney's fees, and "damages, including, but not limited to, out of pocket damages, and discomfort, aggravation, and annoyance” based upon the water provided by the Company’s subsidiary to a discrete service area in University Park, Illinois. The complaint contains allegations of damages as a result of supplied water that exceeded the standards established by the federal Lead and Copper Rule. The complaint is in the discovery phase and class certification has not been granted. During the third quarter of 2022, the Company established an accrual for the amount of loss asserted in the complaint that we determined to be probable and estimable of being incurred. The Company is vigorously defending against this claim. The Company submitted a claim for the expenses incurred to its insurance carrier for potential recovery of a portion of these costs and is currently in litigation with one of its carriers seeking to enforce its claims. The Company continues to assess the potential loss contingency on this matter. While the final outcome of this claim cannot be predicted with certainty, and unfavorable outcomes could negatively impact the Company, at this time in the opinion of management, the final resolution of this matter is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Although the results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, other than disclosed above, there are no pending legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of its properties is the subject that are material or are expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In addition to the aforementioned loss contingencies, the Company self-insures a portion of its employee medical benefit program, and maintains stop-loss coverage to limit the exposure arising from these

27

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

claims. The Company’s reserve for these claims totaled $2,327 at March 31, 2023 and represents a reserve for unpaid claim costs, including an estimate for the cost of incurred but not reported claims.

Note 15 – Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was (19.8)% and (9.5)% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.   The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first quarter of the year is primarily attributed to the increase in income tax benefits associated with the tax deduction for qualifying infrastructure. In determining its interim tax provision, the Company reflects its estimated permanent and flow-through tax differences for the taxable year.

The statutory Federal tax rate is 21.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. For states with a corporate net income tax, the state corporate net income tax rates range from 2.5% to 8.99% for all periods presented. On July 8, 2022, Pennsylvania enacted House Bill 1342 into law, which among other things, reduces Pennsylvania’s corporate income tax rate from 9.99% to 8.99% beginning January 1, 2023, and an additional 0.5% annually through 2031, when it reaches to 4.99%. The Company evaluated the impacts of the tax rate change and recorded, in the year ended December 31, 2022, a reduction to our deferred tax liabilities of $244,537 with a corresponding reduction primarily to our regulatory assets.

The Company uses a method of tax accounting for certain qualifying infrastructure investments at its Peoples Natural Gas and Peoples Gas Company subsidiaries, its largest natural gas subsidiaries in Pennsylvania, that allows a tax deduction for qualifying utility infrastructure. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company applied the same method of tax accounting for its Aqua New Jersey subsidiary. Consistent with the Company’s accounting for differences between book and tax expenditures in Pennsylvania in its other regulated subsidiaries, the Company uses the flow-through method to account for this timing difference. In April 2023, the Internal Revenue Service issued Revenue Procedure 2023-15 which provides a safe harbor method of accounting that taxpayers may use to determine whether expenses to repair, maintain, replace, or improve natural gas transmission and distribution property must be capitalized for tax purposes. The Company is evaluating this guidance to determine the impact, if any, on the Company’s tax position.

Note 16 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements  

Pronouncement adopted during the year:

In October 2021, the FASB issued accounting guidance on accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination. The guidance specifies for all acquired revenue contracts, regardless of their timing of payment, the circumstances in which the acquirer should recognize contract assets and contract liabilities that are acquired in a business combination, as well as how to measure those contract assets and contract liabilities. The updated accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2023, and will apply it prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after that date.

28

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

Forward-looking Statements

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Quarterly Report contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements address, among other things: the expected timing of closing of our acquisitions; the projected impact of various legal proceedings; the projected effects of recent accounting pronouncements; prospects, plans, objectives, expectations and beliefs of management, as well as information contained in this report where statements are preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “future,” “potential,” “probably,” “predictions,” “intends,” “will,” “continue,” “in the event” or the negative of such terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions concerning future events, and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the effects of regulation, abnormal weather, geopolitical forces, the impact of inflation and supply chain pressures, changes in capital requirements and funding, our ability to close acquisitions, changes to the capital markets, the COVID-19 pandemic, and our ability to assimilate acquired operations, as well as those risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in such report and those included under the captions “Risk Factors” and this Quarterly Report. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  

General Information

Essential Utilities, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”), a Pennsylvania corporation, is the holding company for regulated utilities providing water, wastewater, or natural gas services to an estimated five million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky under the Aqua and Peoples brands. One of our largest operating subsidiaries, Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. (“Aqua Pennsylvania”), provides water or wastewater services to approximately one-half of the total number of water or wastewater customers we serve, who are located in the suburban areas in counties north and west of the City of Philadelphia and in 27 other counties in Pennsylvania. Our other regulated water or wastewater utility subsidiaries provide similar services in seven additional states. Additionally, commencing on March 16, 2020, with the completion of the Peoples Gas Acquisition, the Company began to provide natural gas distribution services to customers in western Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Approximately 93% of the total number of natural gas utility customers we serve are in western Pennsylvania. The Company also operates market-based businesses, conducted through its non-regulated subsidiaries, that provide utility service line protection solutions and repair services to households and gas marketing and production activities. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company signed an agreement to sell its regulated natural gas utility assets in

29

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

West Virginia, which represent approximately two percent of the Company’s regulated natural gas customers.

For many years, starting in the early 1990s, our business strategy was primarily directed toward the regulated water and wastewater utility industry, where we have more than quadrupled the number of regulated customers we serve, and have extended our regulated operations from southeastern Pennsylvania to include our current regulated utility operations throughout Pennsylvania and in seven additional states.   On March 16, 2020, we completed the Peoples Gas Acquisition, a natural gas distribution utility, expanding the Company’s regulated utility business to include natural gas. Currently, the Company seeks to acquire businesses in the U.S. regulated sector, focusing on water and wastewater utilities and to opportunistically pursue growth ventures in select market-based activities, such as infrastructure opportunities that are supplementary and complementary to our regulated water utility businesses.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes.

Recent Developments

Macroeconomic Factors

Macroeconomic factors and uncertainties continue to affect the overall business climate as well as our business. Inflation, higher interest rates, and supply chain pressures resulted to an increase in our operating and capital spending requirements in 2022, which we expect to continue through 2023. We continue to pursue enhancements to our regulatory practices to facilitate the efficient recovery of the increased cost of providing services and infrastructure improvements in our rates and mitigate the inherent regulatory lag associated with traditional rate making processes.

Environmental Compliance

Provision of water and wastewater services is subject to regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, and related state laws, and under federal and state regulations issued under these laws. These laws and regulations establish criteria and standards for drinking water and for wastewater discharges. On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced the proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (“NPDWR”) for the treatment of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or compounds (“PFAS”).

The proposed NPDWR was issued for public comment and EPA expects to finalize the regulation by early 2024. We are currently reviewing the provisions of the proposed regulation as compared to our current treatment standards and expect that the regulation, once finalized, will result in changes to or addition of certain treatment processes that will require increased capital expenditures and operating expenses. The Company will submit comments on the proposed rulemaking to EPA by May 30, 2023. Both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Departments of Environmental Protection have already established enforceable drinking water standards for several of the same PFAS compounds proposed by

30

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

EPA, and the proposed federal regulation would set limits lower than currently enforced in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Company continues to advocate for actions to hold polluters accountable and is part of the Multi-District Litigation and other legal actions against multiple PFAS manufacturers and polluters to attempt to ensure that the ultimate responsibility for the cleanup of these contaminants is attributed to the polluters. Capital expenditures and operating costs required as a result of water quality standards have been traditionally recognized by state utility commissions as appropriate for inclusion in establishing rates.

Financial Condition

Our regulated water and gas business is capital intensive and requires a significant level of capital spending. The liquidity required to fund our working capital, capital expenditures and other cash needs is provided from a combination of internally generated cash flows and external debt and equity financing. The Company’s consolidated balance sheet historically has had a negative working capital position whereby our current liabilities routinely exceed our current assets. Management believes that internally generated funds along with existing credit facilities, and the proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and equity will be adequate to provide sufficient working capital to maintain normal operations and to meet our financing requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Our operating cash flow can be significantly affected by changes in operating working capital, especially during periods with significant changes in natural gas commodity prices and also the timing of our natural gas inventory purchases.  Cash flow from operations was $401,628 for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $310,604 for the first quarter of 2022. The net change in working capital and other assets and liabilities resulted in an increase in cash from operations of $151,952 for the first quarter of 2023 compared to an increase of $43,952 for the first quarter of 2022. The net change in working capital for the first quarter of 2023 as compared to the first quarter of 2022 was primarily due to a larger change in inventory – gas stored during the first quarter of 2023 as a result of a higher cost of gas.

During the first three months of 2023, we incurred $243,730 of capital expenditures, expended $136 for the acquisition of a wastewater utility system, issued $229,770 of long-term debt, repaid short-term debt, and made sinking fund contributions and other long-term debt repayments in aggregate of $320,889. The capital expenditures were related to new and replacement water, wastewater, and natural gas mains, improvements to treatment plants, tanks, hydrants, and service lines, well and booster improvements, information technology improvements, and other enhancements and improvements. The proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, including borrowings from our revolving credit facility, were used for capital expenditures, repayment of existing indebtedness, general corporate purposes, and acquisitions. Cash flows used in financing activities were higher during the first quarter of 2023 principally as a result of a greater amount for the paydown of loans payable associated with the financing of inventory.

In January 2023 and October 2022, Aqua Pennsylvania issued $75,000 and $125,000 of first mortgage bonds, due in 2043 and 2052, and with interest rates of 5.60% and 4.50%, respectively. The proceeds from these bonds were used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

31

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

On October 14, 2022, the Company entered into at-the market sales agreements (“ATM”) with third-party sales agents, under which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock, from time to time, at its option, having an aggregate gross offering price of up to $500,000 pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-255235). The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sales of shares through the ATM for working capital, capital expenditures, water and wastewater utility acquisitions and repaying outstanding indebtedness. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had issued 1,321,994 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $63,040 under the ATM. In January 2023, the Company issued 399,128 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $19,294 under the ATM.

On May 20, 2022, the Company issued $500,000 of long-term debt (the “Senior Notes”), less expenses of $5,815, due in 2052 with an interest rate of 5.30%. The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of Senior Notes to (1) to repay $49,700 of borrowings under the Aqua Pennsylvania’s 364-day revolving credit facility and $410,000 of borrowings under the Company’s existing five-year unsecured revolving credit facility, and (2) for general corporate purposes.

At March 31, 2023, we had $20,149 of cash and cash equivalents compared to $11,398 at December 31, 2022. During the first three months of 2023, we used the proceeds from long-term debt and the issuance of common stock, as well as internally generated funds to fund the cash requirements discussed above and to pay dividends.

At March 31, 2023 our $1,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2027, had $440,362 available for borrowing. Additionally, at March 31, 2023, we had short-term lines of credit of $435,500, primarily used for working capital, of which $413,000 was available for borrowing. Our short-term lines of credit of $435,500 are subject to renewal on an annual basis. Although we believe we will be able to renew these facilities, there is no assurance that they will be renewed, or what the terms of any such renewal will be.

32

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Results of Operations

Consolidated Results of Operations

Consolidated financial and operational highlights for the three month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are presented below.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022		Increase (Decrease)		% change
Operating revenues	$	726,450	$	699,275	$	27,175	3.9%
Operations and maintenance expense	$	137,994	$	142,581	$	(4,587)	-3.2%
Purchased gas	$	256,315	$	227,712	$	28,603	12.6%
Net income	$	191,434	$	199,376	$	(7,942)	-4.0%
Operating Statistics
Selected operating results as a percentage of operating revenues:
Operations and maintenance		19.0%		20.4%
Purchased gas		35.3%		32.6%
Depreciation and amortization		11.5%		11.2%
Taxes other than income taxes		3.1%		3.3%
Interest expense, net of interest income		9.9%		7.6%
Net income		26.4%		28.5%
Effective tax rate		-19.8%		-9.5%

Consolidated operating revenues increased by $27,175 or 3.9% as compared to the same period in 2022. Revenues from our Regulated Water segment and Other business segment increased by $28,102 and $2,961, respectively. Revenues from our Regulated Natural Gas segment decreased by $3,888. A detailed discussion of the factors contributing to the changes in segment revenue is included below under the section, Segment Results of Operations. The increase in our Other business segment revenue is due to higher revenues from our non-regulated natural gas operations.

33

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Consolidated operations and maintenance expense decreased by $4,587 or 3.2%, primarily due to:

increase in production costs for water and wastewater operations of $2,894, primarily due to higher chemical prices and increased purchased water costs;

additional operating costs resulting from acquired water and wastewater utility systems and higher customer base of $1,630;

increase in legal expenses of $1,320; offset by,

a decrease in customer assistance surcharge costs of $2,539 in our Regulated Natural Gas segment, which has an equivalent offsetting amount in revenues;

lower weather-related water main break activity during the first quarter of 2023 compared to the prior period that resulted in $2,170 reduction in related expenses;

decrease in postretirement benefit expense of $2,100;

an asset impairment charge recognized in the first quarter of 2022 of $1,801 to write down a portion of the right of use asset of our Regulated Natural Gas segment’s office space to fair value;

decrease in bad debt expense of $1,459; and

expenses of $112, associated with remediating an advisory for some of our water utility customers served by our Illinois subsidiary. We expect the expenses associated with remediating the advisory to continue through 2023.

Purchased gas increased by $28,603 or 12.6%. Purchased gas represents the cost of gas sold by Peoples, which for the regulated gas business has a corresponding offset in revenue. The expense increased primarily due to higher average cost of gas withdrawn from storage during the first quarter of 2023 as compared to the same period in the prior year.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $5,448 or 7.0% principally due to continued capital expenditures to expand and improve our utility facilities and our acquisitions of new utility systems.

Taxes other than income taxes decreased by $129 or 0.6%.

Other expense, net - Interest expense, net of interest income increased by $18,822 or 35.5% for the quarter primarily due to the increase in average borrowings and higher interest rates on our revolving lines of credit and our 2022 and 2023 long term borrowings.

Allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) decreased by $151 or by 2.6%.

34

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Other income, inclusive of gain on sale of other assets, decreased by $1,213 primarily due to lower net pension and post-retirement non-service benefit during the first quarter of 2023 compared to 2022.

Income tax benefit - Our effective income tax rate was (19.8)% in the first quarter of 2023 and (9.5)% in the first quarter of 2022. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first quarter of the year is primarily attributed to the decrease in pretax income, with an increase in year-over-year income tax benefit associated with the tax deduction for qualifying infrastructure.

Segment Results of Operations

Regulated Water Segment

Our Regulated Water segment is comprised of eight operating segments representing its water and wastewater regulated utility companies which are organized by the states where the Company provides water and wastewater services. The Regulated Water segment is aggregated into one reportable segment.

The following tables present selected operating results and statistics for our Regulated Water segment for the three months ended March 31:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022		Increase (Decrease)		% change
Operating revenues	$	267,300	$	239,198	$	28,102	11.7%
Operations and maintenance expense	$	82,802	$	86,088	$	(3,286)	-3.8%
Segment net income	$	77,402	$	60,543	$	16,859	27.8%
Operating Statistics
Selected operating results as a percentage of operating revenues:
Operations and maintenance		31.0%		36.0%
Depreciation and amortization		20.0%		20.4%
Taxes other than income taxes		5.9%		6.6%
Interest expense, net of interest income		11.1%		11.5%
Segment net income		29.0%		25.3%
Effective tax rate		14.9%		11.0%

Revenues from our Regulated Water segment increased by $28,102 or 11.7% for the first quarter of 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022, mainly due to the following:

an increase in water and wastewater rates, including infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges, of $19,298;

additional water and wastewater revenues of $4,895 associated with a larger customer base due to utility acquisitions and organic growth; and,

increase in non-utility revenue of $3,595, primarily due to additional developer fees earned.

35

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Operations and maintenance expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 decreased by $3,286 or 3.8% was primarily due to the following:

increase in production costs for water and wastewater operations of $2,894, primarily due to higher chemical prices and increased purchased water costs;

increase in legal expenses of $1,503;

additional operating costs resulting from acquired water and wastewater utility systems and higher customer base of $1,630; offset by,

lower weather-related water main break activity during the first quarter of 2022 compared to the prior period that resulted in $2,170 reduction in related expenses;

lower bad debt expenses of $2,077;

decrease in postretirement benefit expense of $2,100;

lower maintenance and contractor outside services expenses; and,

expenses of $112, associated with remediating an advisory for some of our water utility customers served by our Illinois subsidiary. We expect the expenses associated with remediating the advisory to continue through 2023.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $4,751 or 9.8% primarily due to continued capital spend.

Other expense, net – Interest expense, net, increased by $2,159 or 7.8% for the quarter primarily due to an increase in average borrowings and increased borrowing costs.

AFUDC decreased by $203 due to the decrease in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress, to which AFUDC is applied.

Other income, inclusive of gain on sale of other assets, decreased by $1,485 or by 76.4% primarily due to lower net pension and post-retirement non-service benefit during the first quarter of 2023 compared to 2022.

Provision for income tax – Our effective income tax rate for our Regulated Water Segment was an expense of 14.9% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to an expense of 11.0% in the first quarter of 2022. The change in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the decrease in the amortization of certain regulatory liabilities associated with deferred taxes.

Regulated Natural Gas Segment

Our Regulated Natural Gas segment recognizes revenues by selling gas directly to customers at approved rates or by transporting gas through our pipelines at approved rates to customers that have purchased gas directly from other producers, brokers, or marketers. Natural gas sales to residential, commercial and industrial customers are seasonal, which results in higher demand for natural gas for heating purposes during the colder months.

36

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

The following tables present selected operating results and statistics for our Regulated Natural Gas segment, for the three months ended March 31:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022		Increase (Decrease)		% change
Operating revenues	$	441,295	$	445,183	$	(3,888)	-0.9%
Operations and maintenance expense	$	57,150	$	59,452	$	(2,302)	-3.9%
Purchased gas	$	241,856	$	217,306	$	24,550	11.3%
Segment net income	$	123,546	$	139,486	$	(15,940)	-11.4%
Operating Statistics
Selected operating results as a percentage of operating revenues:
Operations and maintenance		13.0%		13.4%
Purchased gas		54.8%		48.8%
Depreciation and amortization		6.8%		6.7%
Taxes other than income taxes		1.3%		1.4%
Segment net income		28.0%		31.3%
Effective tax rate		-54.3%		-23.4%

Operating revenues from the Regulated Natural Gas segment decreased by $3,888 or by 0.9% due to:

lower gas usage of $30,488, primarily due to milder winter weather conditions during the first quarter of 2023 compared to the prior period;

decrease in customer assistance surcharge of $2,539, which has an equivalent offsetting amount in operations and maintenance expense; offset by,

impact of higher gas cost of $24,550 during the quarter as compared to the prior period; and,

increase of $3,608 due to higher rates and other surcharges.

The Regulated Natural Gas segment is subject to seasonal fluctuations with the peak usage period occurring in the heating season which generally runs from October to March.  A heating degree day (HDD) is each degree that the average of the high and low temperatures for a day is below 65 degrees Fahrenheit in a specific geographic location.  Particularly during the heating season, this measure is used to reflect the demand for natural gas needed for heating based on the extent to which the average temperature falls below a reference temperature above which no heating is required (65 degrees Fahrenheit).  During the first quarter of 2023, we experienced actual HDDs of 2,330 days, which was warmer by 19.0% than the actual HDDs of 2,878 days in the first quarter of 2022 for Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, which we use as a proxy for our western Pennsylvania service territory.  As a result, the operating revenue impact of the lower demand for gas volume was $30,488 and is largely attributed to the warmer winter weather experienced in 2023.

37

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Operations and maintenance expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 decreased by $2,302 or 3.9% primarily due to the following:

decrease in customer assistance surcharge costs of $2,539, which has an equivalent offsetting amount in revenues; and,

an asset impairment charge recognized in the first quarter of 2022 of $1,801 to write down a portion of the right of use asset of our Regulated Natural Gas segment’s office space to fair value; offset by,

increase in material and supplies of $1,324.

Our Regulated Natural Gas segment is affected by the cost of natural gas, which is passed through to customers using a purchased gas adjustment clause and includes commodity price, transportation and storage costs. These costs are reflected in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income as purchased gas expenses. Fluctuations in the cost of purchased gas impact operating revenues on a dollar-for-dollar basis, but do not impact gross margin. Purchased gas increased by $24,550 or 11.3%. The increase is largely due to higher average cost of gas withdrawn from storage in the first quarter of 2023 as compared to the prior period.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $424 or 1.4% primarily due to continued capital spend, offset by lower depreciation due to an increase in assets that are fully depreciated as of the current quarter.

Taxes other than income taxes decreased by $570 or 9.2%.

Other expense, net – Interest expense, net, increased by $6,855 or 33.2% for the quarter due to an increase in average borrowings, reflecting higher natural gas commodity costs, and an increase in average interest rates.

AFUDC increased by $52 or by 7.5%.

Income tax benefit – Our effective income tax rate was a benefit of 54.3% in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a benefit of 23.4% in the first quarter of 2022. The change in the effective tax rate is primarily attributed to an increase in the income tax benefit associated with the tax deduction for qualifying infrastructure in our Regulated Natural Gas segment.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We describe the impact of recent accounting pronouncements in Note 16, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, to the consolidated financial statements in this report.

38

Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

We are subject to market risks in the normal course of business, including changes in interest rates and equity prices. Refer to Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed March 1, 2023, for additional information on market risks.

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures 

(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report are effective such that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.  

(b)Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. Other Information

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings 

We are party to various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Although the results of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, there are no pending legal proceedings to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party or to which any of our properties is the subject that we believe are material or are expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A – Risk Factors 

Please review the risks disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, under “Part 1, Item 1A – Risk Factors” as supplemented by the following:

Risks Related to the Operation of our Business

Inflation could adversely impact our ability to control costs, including operating expenses and capital costs.

Although inflation has been relatively low in recent years, it rose significantly in the second half of 2021 and through 2022. In addition, global and industry-wide supply chain disruptions have resulted in shortages in labor, materials and services. Such shortages have resulted in inflationary cost increases for labor, materials and services and could continue to cause costs to increase, as well as a scarcity of certain products and raw materials. Inflation, higher interest rates and supply chain pressures resulted in an increase in our operating

39

and capital spending requirements in 2022, which we expect will continue in 2023. To the extent inflation remains elevated, we may experience further cost increases for our operations, as well as increased labor costs. We cannot predict any future trends in the rate of inflation and interest rates, and a significant increase in inflation, to the extent we are unable to recover higher costs through rate cases, could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operation.

Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table summarizes the Company’s purchases of its common stock for the quarter ended March 31, 2023:

	Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
				Total	Maximum
				Number of	Number of
				Shares	Shares
				Purchased	that May
				as Part of	Yet be
	Total			Publicly	Purchased
	Number	Average		Announced	Under the
	of Shares	Price Paid		Plans or	Plan or
Period	Purchased (1)	per Share		Programs	Programs
January 1 - 31, 2023	183	$	47.55	-	-
February 1 - 28, 2023	87,061	$	44.43	-	-
March 1 - 31, 2023	807	$	42.85	-	-
Total	88,051	$	44.42	-	-

(1)These amounts consist of 88,051 shares we acquired from employees associated with the withholding of shares to pay certain withholding taxes upon the vesting of stock-based compensation. This feature of our equity compensation plan is available to all employees who receive stock-based compensation under the plan. We purchased these shares at their fair market value, as determined by reference to the closing price of our common stock on the day prior to the award vesting.

‎

40

Item 6 – Exhibits  

Exhibit No.	Description
31.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer, filed pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
31.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer, filed pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
32.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer, furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
32.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer, furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document – The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRES	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104	The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101)

*Filed herewith

‎

41

SIGNATURES 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be executed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 

May 9, 2023

Essential Utilities, Inc.                  

Registrant

/s/ Christopher H. Franklin

Christopher H. Franklin

Chairman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Daniel J. Schuller

Daniel J. Schuller

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

42

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A) UNDER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

I, Christopher H. Franklin, certify that: 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Essential Utilities, Inc.; 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: 

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; 

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; 

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting, and 

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and 

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. 

/s/ Christopher H. Franklin

Christopher H. Franklin 

President and Chief Executive Officer 

May 9, 2023

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-14(A) UNDER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  

I, Daniel J. Schuller, certify that: 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Essential Utilities, Inc.; 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: 

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;  

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; 

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting, and 

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and 

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. 

/s/ Daniel J. Schuller

Daniel J. Schuller

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

May 9,  2023

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO 

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023of Essential Utilities, Inc. (the “Company”) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Christopher H. Franklin,  President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge: 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. Section 78m or Section 78o(d)); and 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. 

/s/ Christopher H. Franklin

Christopher H. Franklin

President and Chief Executive Officer 

May 9, 2023

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023of Essential Utilities, Inc. (the “Company”) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Daniel J. Schuller, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge: 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. Section 78m or Section 78o(d)); and 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. 

/s/ Daniel J. Schuller

Daniel J. Schuller

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

May 9, 2023

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Apr. 26, 2023
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2023
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-6659
Entity Registrant Name	ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	PA
Entity Tax Identification Number	23-1702594
Entity Address, Address Line One	762 W. Lancaster Avenue
Entity Address, City or Town	Bryn Mawr
Entity Address, State or Province	PA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	19010 -3489
City Area Code	610
Local Phone Number	527-8000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.50 par value
Trading Symbol	WTRG
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		264,379,508
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0000078128

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 13,961,209	$ 13,737,387
Less: accumulated depreciation	2,666,629	2,606,441
Net property, plant and equipment	11,294,580	11,130,946
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	20,149	11,398
Accounts receivable, net	213,606	206,324
Unbilled revenues	117,610	170,504
Inventory - materials and supplies	48,401	46,592
Inventory - gas stored	47,506	153,143
Prepayments and other current assets	37,301	39,759
Regulatory assets	15,715	19,272
Current assets held for sale	9,484	11,167
Total current assets	509,772	658,159
Regulatory assets	1,429,165	1,342,753
Deferred charges and other assets, net	164,608	166,653
Funds restricted for construction activity	1,350	1,342
Goodwill	2,340,755	2,340,792
Non-current assets held for sale	32,959	32,124
Operating lease right-of-use assets	40,665	41,734
Intangible assets	4,412	4,604
Total assets	15,818,266	15,719,107
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock at $0.50 par value, authorized 600,000,000 shares, issued 267,695,463 and 266,973,321 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022	133,848	133,486
Capital in excess of par value	3,819,804	3,793,262
Retained earnings	1,649,621	1,534,331
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,318,252 and 3,236,237 shares as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022	(87,331)	(83,693)
Total stockholders' equity	5,515,942	5,377,386
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	6,530,810	6,418,039
Less: debt issuance costs	46,294	46,982
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs	6,484,516	6,371,057
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 14)
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	198,683	199,356
Loans payable	22,500	228,500
Accounts payable	155,722	238,843
Book overdraft	20,070	28,694
Accrued interest	81,089	47,063
Accrued taxes	29,992	34,393
Liabilities related to assets held for sale	2,355	3,263
Regulatory liabilities	102,802	35,276
Dividends payable	75,876	75,808
Other accrued liabilities	114,197	130,673
Total current liabilities	803,286	1,021,869
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits	1,413,661	1,345,766
Customers' advances for construction	118,269	114,732
Regulatory liabilities	765,949	778,754
Asset retirement obligations	846	843
Operating lease liabilities	38,629	37,666
Non-current liabilities related to assets held for sale	948	974
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities	31,427	31,244
Other	27,287	28,562
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	2,397,016	2,338,541
Contributions in aid of construction	617,506	610,254
Total liabilities and equity	$ 15,818,266	$ 15,719,107

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.50	$ 0.50
Common stock, shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	267,695,463	266,973,321
Treasury stock, shares	3,318,252	3,236,237

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 726,450	$ 699,275
Operating expenses:
Operations and maintenance	137,994	142,581
Purchased gas	256,315	227,712
Depreciation	82,923	77,878
Amortization	871	468
Taxes other than income taxes	22,878	23,007
Total operating expenses	500,981	471,646
Operating income	225,469	227,629
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	72,668	53,636
Interest income	(819)	(609)
Allowance for funds used during construction	(5,688)	(5,839)
Gain on sale of other assets	(249)
Other	(240)	(1,702)
Income before income taxes	159,797	182,143
Income tax benefit	(31,637)	(17,233)
Net income (loss)	191,434	199,376
Comprehensive income	$ 191,434	$ 199,376
Net income per common share:
Basic	$ 0.72	$ 0.76
Diluted	$ 0.72	$ 0.76
Average common shares outstanding during the period:
Basic	264,192	261,952
Diluted	264,751	262,431

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Capitalization - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.50 par value	$ 133,848	$ 133,486
Capital in excess of par value	3,819,804	3,793,262
Retained earnings	1,649,621	1,534,331
Treasury stock, at cost	(87,331)	(83,693)
Total stockholders' equity	5,515,942	5,377,386
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	3,132,493	3,062,395
Total long-term debt	6,729,493	6,617,395
Current portion of long-term debt	198,683	199,356
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	6,530,810	6,418,039
Less: debt issuance costs	46,294	46,982
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs	6,484,516	6,371,057
Total capitalization	12,000,458	11,748,443
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 0.00% To 0.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	1,839	1,875
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 1.00% To 1.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	8,120	8,369
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 2.00% To 2.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	209,434	209,755
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 3.00% To 3.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	1,349,200	1,351,432
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 4.00% To 4.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	1,401,796	1,403,313
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 5.00% To 5.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	89,114	14,357
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 6.00% To 6.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	31,000	31,000
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 7.00% To 7.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	28,314	28,378
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 8.00% To 8.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	1,876	2,116
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 9.00% To 9.99% [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	11,800	11,800
Revolving Credit Agreement, Due 2027 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Notes payable to bank under revolving credit agreement, variable rate, due Dec 2023	542,000	490,000
Notes 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% to 3.59% due 2029 through 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	500,000
Notes ranging at 5.95%, due 2022 through 2034 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	$ 30,000	$ 40,000

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Consolidated Statements Of Capitalization (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Common stock, par value	$ 0.50	$ 0.50
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 8.00% To 8.99% [Member]
Maturity date	2025	2025
Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 9.00% To 9.99% [Member]
Maturity date	2026	2026
Revolving Credit Agreement, Due 2027 [Member]
Maturity date	2027	2027
Notes at 2.40% due 2031 [Member]
Interest rate	2.40%	2.40%
Maturity date	2031	2031
Notes at 2.704% due 2030 [Member]
Interest rate	2.704%	2.704%
Maturity date	2030	2030
Notes at 4.28%, due 2049 [Member]
Interest rate	4.28%	4.28%
Maturity date	2049	2049
Notes at 5.30%, due 2052
Interest rate	5.30%	5.30%
Maturity date	2052	2052
Notes at 5.95%, due 2023 through 2034 [Member]
Interest rate	5.95%	5.95%
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 0.00% To 0.99% [Member]
Interest rate	0.00%	0.00%
Maturity date	2023	2023
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 1.00% To 1.99% [Member]
Interest rate	1.00%	1.00%
Maturity date	2023	2023
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 2.00% To 2.99% [Member]
Interest rate	2.00%	2.00%
Maturity date	2023	2023
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 3.00% To 3.99% [Member]
Interest rate	3.00%	3.00%
Maturity date	2023	2023
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 4.00% To 4.99% [Member]
Interest rate	4.00%	4.00%
Maturity date	2023	2023
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 5.00% To 5.99% [Member]
Interest rate	5.00%	5.00%
Maturity date	2023	2023
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 6.00% To 6.99% [Member]
Interest rate	6.00%	6.00%
Maturity date	2026	2026
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 7.00% To 7.99% [Member]
Interest rate	7.00%	7.00%
Maturity date	2025	2025
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 8.00% To 8.99% [Member]
Interest rate	8.00%	8.00%
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 9.00% To 9.99% [Member]
Interest rate	9.00%	9.00%
Minimum [Member] | Notes ranging from 3.01% to 3.59% due 2029 through 2050 [Member]
Interest rate	3.01%	3.01%
Maturity date	2029	2029
Minimum [Member] | Notes at 5.95%, due 2023 through 2034 [Member]
Maturity date	2023	2023
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 0.00% To 0.99% [Member]
Interest rate	0.99%	0.99%
Maturity date	2033	2033
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 1.00% To 1.99% [Member]
Interest rate	1.99%	1.99%
Maturity date	2039	2039
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 2.00% To 2.99% [Member]
Interest rate	2.99%	2.99%
Maturity date	2058	2058
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 3.00% To 3.99% [Member]
Interest rate	3.99%	3.99%
Maturity date	2056	2056
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 4.00% To 4.99% [Member]
Interest rate	4.99%	4.99%
Maturity date	2059	2059
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 5.00% To 5.99% [Member]
Interest rate	5.99%	5.99%
Maturity date	2052	2052
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 6.00% To 6.99% [Member]
Interest rate	6.99%	6.99%
Maturity date	2036	2036
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 7.00% To 7.99% [Member]
Interest rate	7.99%	7.99%
Maturity date	2027	2027
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 8.00% To 8.99% [Member]
Interest rate	8.99%	8.99%
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 9.00% To 9.99% [Member]
Interest rate	9.99%	9.99%
Maximum [Member] | Notes ranging from 3.01% to 3.59% due 2029 through 2050 [Member]
Interest rate	3.59%	3.59%
Maturity date	2050	2050
Maximum [Member] | Notes at 5.95%, due 2023 through 2034 [Member]
Maturity date	2034	2034

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Consolidated Statements Of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess Of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 128,050	$ 3,705,814	$ 1,434,201	$ (83,615)	$ 5,184,450
Net income			199,376		199,376
Dividends declared and paid			(67,821)		(67,821)
Dividends declared			(67,863)		(67,863)
Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan	47	4,070			4,117
Repurchase of stock				(1,012)	(1,012)
Equity compensation plan	29	(29)
Exercise of stock options	14	998			1,012
Stock-based compensation		2,716	(136)		2,580
Other		(9)		270	261
Balance at Mar. 31, 2022	128,140	3,713,560	1,497,757	(84,357)	5,255,100
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	133,486	3,793,262	1,534,331	(83,693)	5,377,386
Net income			191,434		191,434
Dividends declared and paid			(1)		(1)
Dividends declared			(75,876)		(75,876)
Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan	49	4,068			4,117
Issuance of common stock from at-the-market sale agreements	200	19,094			19,294
Repurchase of stock				(3,911)	(3,911)
Equity compensation plan	111	(111)
Exercise of stock options	2	101			103
Stock-based compensation		3,410	(267)		3,143
Other		(20)		273	253
Balance at Mar. 31, 2023	$ 133,848	$ 3,819,804	$ 1,649,621	$ (87,331)	$ 5,515,942

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Consolidated Statements Of Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Consolidated Statements Of Equity (Parenthetical) [Abstract]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.287	$ 0.2682
Dividend declared per common share	$ 0.287	$ 0.2682
Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan, shares	97,315	93,833
Issuance of common stock from at-the-market sale agreements, shares	399,128
Repurchase of stock, shares	88,051	21,290
Equity compensation plan, shares	222,782	57,052
Exercise of stock options, shares	2,917	28,516

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flow - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 191,434	$ 199,376
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	83,794	78,346
Deferred income taxes	(33,257)	(19,774)
Provision for doubtful accounts	4,532	5,991
Stock-based compensation	3,422	2,732
Gain on sale of utility systems and other assets	(249)	(19)
Net change in receivables, deferred purchased gas costs, inventory and prepayments	219,624	49,050
Net change in payables, accrued interest, accrued taxes and other accrued liabilities	(58,361)	(5,354)
Other	(9,311)	256
Net cash flows from operating activities	401,628	310,604
Cash flows from investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions, including the debt component of allowance for funds used during construction of $1,428 and $1,449	(243,730)	(183,322)
Acquisitions of utility systems, net	(136)	(50,009)
Net proceeds from the sale of utility systems and other assets	337	19
Other	321	80
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(243,208)	(233,232)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Customers' advances and contributions in aid of construction	7,010	2,962
Repayments of customers' advances	(984)	(159)
Net proceeds (repayments) of short-term debt	(206,000)	14,744
Proceeds from long-term debt	229,770	165,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(114,889)	(67,023)
Change in cash overdraft position	(8,624)	(81,722)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan	4,117	4,117
Proceeds from issuance of common stock from at-the-market sale agreement	19,294
Proceeds from exercised stock options	103	1,012
Repurchase of common stock	(3,911)	(1,012)
Dividends paid on common stock	(75,808)	(67,821)
Other	253	261
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(149,669)	(29,641)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	8,751	47,731
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	11,398	10,567
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	20,149	58,298
Non-cash investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions purchased at the period end, but not yet paid for	86,136	74,451
Non-cash utility property contributions	$ 13,126	$ 1,829

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flow (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flow [Abstract]
Debt component of allowance for funds used during construction	$ 1,428	$ 1,449

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Basis Of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023
Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation	Note 1 – Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of capitalization of Essential Utilities, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) at March 31, 2023, and the unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, cash flows, and equity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim reporting and the rules and regulations for reporting on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Because they cover interim periods, the statements and related notes to the financial statements do not include all disclosures and notes normally provided in annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of only recurring accruals, which are necessary to present a fair statement of its consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of equity, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and consolidated cash flow for the periods presented, have been made. The preparation of financial statements often requires the selection of specific accounting methods and policies. Significant estimates and judgments may be required in selecting and applying those methods and policies in the recognition of the assets and liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets, the revenues and expenses in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and the information that is contained in its summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements. Making these estimates and judgments requires the analysis of information concerning events that may not yet be complete and of facts and circumstances that may change over time. Furthermore, we are exposed to the uncertain state of the economy and macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and rising interest rates. As these continue to evolve, future events and effects related to these conditions cannot be determined with precision. Accordingly, actual amounts or future results can differ materially from those estimates that the Company includes currently in its consolidated financial statements, summary of significant accounting policies, and notes. There have been no changes to the summary of significant accounting policies previously identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

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Revenue Recognition

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

Note 2 – Revenue Recognition

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by major source and customer class:

	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2023								March 31, 2022
	Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues		Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Residential	$	147,252	$	33,490	$	292,230	$	-	$	131,288	$	26,495	$	285,106	$	-
Commercial		40,954		8,591		65,157		-		35,120		6,065		57,040		-
Fire protection		10,259		-		-		-		9,193		-		-		-
Industrial		7,857		578		1,789		-		7,181		344		1,842		-
Gas transportation & storage		-		-		67,653		-		-		-		79,174		-
Other water		8,844		-		-		-		17,351		-		-		-
Other wastewater		-		2,734		-		-		-		2,498		-		-
Other utility		-		-		13,077		6,159		-		-		23,226		2,915
Revenues from contracts with customers		215,166		45,393		439,906		6,159		200,133		35,402		446,388		2,915
Alternative revenue program		402		180		1,389		-		615		(27)		(176)		-
Other and eliminations		-		-		-		17,855		-		-		-		14,025
Consolidated	$	215,568	$	45,573	$	441,295	$	24,014	$	200,748	$	35,375	$	446,212	$	16,940

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Acquisitions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Acquisitions [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Note 3 – Acquisitions

Water and Wastewater Utility Acquisitions - Completed

In March 2023, the Company acquired the North Heidelberg Sewer Company in Berks County, Pennsylvania, which serves 273 customer connections for a cash purchase price of $136.

In November 2022, the Company acquired certain water utility assets of Oak Brook, Illinois, which serve 2,037 customers for a cash purchase price of $12,500.

In August 2022, the Company acquired the municipal wastewater assets of East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, which serves 4,018 customers, for a cash purchase price of $54,374.

In March 2022, the Company acquired the wastewater system of Lower Makefield Township, which serves 11,323 customer connections in Lower Makefield, Falls and Middletown townships, and Yardley Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for a cash purchase price of $53,000.

The purchase price allocation for these acquisitions consisted primarily of acquired property, plant and equipment.

The pro forma effect of the utility systems acquired is not material either individually or collectively to the Company’s results of operations.

Water and Wastewater Utility Acquisitions – Pending Completion

In April 2023, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Greenville Sanitation Authority’s wastewater utility assets, which serves approximately 2,300 customers in Greenville, Pennsylvania for $18,000.

In January 2023, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the water utility assets of La Rue, an Ohio municipality, which serves approximately 300 customers for $2,250.

In December 2022, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the wastewater utility assets of Union Rome Sewer, which serves approximately 5,300 customers in the southeast corner of Lawrence County, Ohio, for $25,500.

In August 2022, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a portion of the water and wastewater utility assets of the Village of Frankfort, an Illinois municipality, which serves approximately 1,400 customers for $1,400.

In December 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the water utility assets of the Southern Oaks Water System, which serves approximately 740 customers in Texas for $3,300. In October 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the wastewater utility assets of the City of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania which consists of approximately 7,600 customers for $41,250. In July 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the water utility assets of Shenandoah Borough, Pennsylvania which consists of approximately 2,930 customers for $12,000. 

In January 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the wastewater utility system assets of Willistown Township, Pennsylvania, which consist of approximately 2,300 customers, for $17,500. On April 14, 2023, the Willistown Township supervisors exercised their right to terminate the agreement.

The purchase price for these pending acquisitions are subject to certain adjustments at closing, and are subject to regulatory approval, including the final determination of the fair value of the rate base acquired. We plan to finance the purchase price of these acquisitions by utilizing our revolving credit facility until permanent debt and common equity are secured. These pending acquisitions are expected to close in 2023 and in 2024. Closing for our utility acquisitions are subject to the timing of the respective regulatory approval processes.

DELCORA Purchase Agreement

In September 2019, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the wastewater utility system assets of the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (“DELCORA”), which consists of approximately 16,000 customers, or the equivalent of 198,000 retail customers, in 42 municipalities in Southeast Pennsylvania for $276,500. In May 2020, Delaware County, Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit alleging that DELCORA does not have the legal authority to establish and fund a customer trust with the net proceeds of the transaction. In December 2020, the judge in the Delaware County Court lawsuit issued an order that (1) the County cannot interfere with the purchase agreement between DELCORA and the Company; (2) the County cannot terminate DELCORA prior to the closing

of the transaction; and (3) the establishment of the customer trust was valid. Delaware County appealed this decision to Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. On March 3, 2022, the Commonwealth Court issued a decision finding that Delaware County can dissolve the Authority if it so chooses, but the purchase agreement must be upheld regardless of who is operating the system. The case was remanded back to the trial court for the entry of an order consistent with the Commonwealth Court’s opinion. This order was issued on September 8, 2022 (“Remand Order”). Since then, the County has challenged the Remand Order through two separate actions:

First, Delaware County filed an Application for Determination of Finality (“Application”) on October 13, 2022. The Company filed its opposition to the Application on October 27, 2022, and on November 2, 2022, the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas denied Delaware County’s Application for Determination of Finality indicating that its previous order already constituted a final order that addressed the claims of all parties. On December 2, 2022, following the denial of its Application, Delaware County filed a Petition for Permission to Appeal (“Petition”) the Remand Order in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. On December 16, 2022, the Company filed an Answer in opposition to the Petition. The Commonwealth Court issued an Order denying the County’s Petition on February 2, 2023. The County filed an Application for Reconsideration of the Commonwealth Court’s February 2 Order, which the Commonwealth Court granted on April 4, 2023.

Second, on November 2, 2022, Delaware County filed a Notice of Appeal (“Notice of Appeal”) from the Remand Order. On December 2, 2022, the Delaware County of Common Pleas issued an Opinion concluding that the County Court did not err in issuing the Remand Order. On January 13, 2023, Delaware County filed an Application in Commonwealth Court seeking confirmation of briefing deadlines with respect to the Notice of Appeal. In response, by Order dated January 24, 2023, the Commonwealth Court stated that “the record received from the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County is currently under review for finality. A briefing schedule will be issued upon completion of this review.” The Company filed an Application to quash the County’s Appeal on February 7, 2023. On April 4, 2023, the Commonwealth Court granted the Company’s Application and quashed the appeal.

On January 25, 2023, DELCORA filed in the Delaware Court of Common Pleas a complaint for Declaratory Judgment seeking resolution of whether the County Ordinance dissolving DELCORA is a final action prohibiting DELCORA from carrying out the material transaction of the Asset Purchase Agreement and, in the event that DELCORA retains the ability to close the transaction, whether DELCORA is permitted to exist as a trust.

Meanwhile, the administrative law judges (“ALJ”) in the regulatory approval process recommended that the Company’s application to acquire DELCORA be denied, and subsequently, the Company provided exceptions to the recommended decision. On March 30, 2021, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (“PUC”) ruled that the case be remanded back to the Office of Administrative Law Judge and vacated the original administrative law judges’ recommended decision (“2021 Order”). This 2021 Order was also appealed to the Commonwealth Court by Delaware County on April 29, 2021. A decision was issued by the Commonwealth Court on September 12, 2022, which dismissed the appeal of the County.

After the PUC issued the 2021 Order, on April 16, 2021, the ALJ issued an order staying the proceeding until the Delaware County Court lawsuit is final and unappealable. On March 25, 2022, the Company sent a letter notifying the PUC of the March 3, 2022 Commonwealth Court decision (that originated in Delaware County Court of Common Pleas) and requested that the PUC move forward with processing the application. On July 14, 2022, the Commission moved to lift the stay imposed by the ALJ, and required the ALJ to establish a schedule on remand for the proceeding. The published procedural schedule has the proceeding concluding in June 2023.

On January 26, 2023, several parties involved in the PUC case filed a joint motion for stay based on DELCORA’s filing of the January 25, 2023 Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and referenced the City of Chester’s bankruptcy filing in which the City of Chester has asserted reversionary contract interests regarding to DELCORA’s wastewater assets. On February 6, 2023, the ALJ stayed the PUC DELCORA application proceedings again

The purchase price for this pending acquisition is subject to certain adjustments at closing, and is subject to regulatory approval, including the final determination of the fair value of the rate base acquired. We plan to finance the purchase price of this acquisition by the issuance of common stock and by utilizing our revolving credit facility until permanent debt is secured. Closing of our acquisition of DELCORA is subject to the timing of the regulatory approval process and on-going litigation.

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Assets Held for Sale

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Assets Held for Sale [Abstract]

Assets Held for Sale

Note 4 – Assets Held for Sale

In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company decided to market for sale the assets of its regulated natural gas system in West Virginia that serves approximately 13,000 customers and is part of the Company’s Regulated Natural Gas segment. On December 31, 2022, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Hope Gas, Inc. for the sale of its membership interests in its West Virginia assets for cash at closing of $37,000. The purchase price is subject to certain adjustments at closing and is subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Closing on the sale is expected in mid-2023, and completion of this transaction will conclude the Company’s operations in West Virginia. Based on an assessment of the sale price and the carrying value of the planned disposition, there is no anticipated impairment expected to be recognized because of this sale agreement. These assets and liabilities do not qualify as discontinued operations, are reported as held for sale in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, and consist of the following:

	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Inventory - gas stored	$	2	$	2,807
Other current assets		3,656		3,284
Regulatory assets		5,826		5,076
Current assets held for sale	$	9,484	$	11,167
Property, plant and equipment, net		30,807		30,267
Regulatory assets and other		2,152		1,857
Non-current assets held for sale	$	32,959	$	32,124
Current liabilities related to assets held for sale	$	2,355	$	3,263
Regulatory liabilities		648		649
Other long-term liabilities		300		325
Non-current liabilities related to assets held for sale	$	948	$	974

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Goodwill

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Goodwill [Abstract]

Goodwill

Note 5 – Goodwill 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s goodwill, by business segment:

	Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	58,504	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,792
Reclassification to utility plant acquisition adjustment		(37)		-		-		(37)
Balance at March 31, 2023	$	58,467	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,755

The reclassification of goodwill to utility plant acquisition adjustment results from a mechanism approved by the applicable utility commission. The mechanism provides for the transfer over time, and the recovery through customer rates, of goodwill associated with some acquisitions upon achieving specific objectives.

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Capitalization

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Capitalization [Abstract]

Capitalization

Note 6 – Capitalization

At-the-Market Offering

On October 14, 2022, the Company entered into at-the market sales agreements (“ATM”) with third-party sales agents, under which the Company may offer and sell shares of its common stock, from time to time, at its option, having an aggregate gross offering price of up to $500,000 pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-255235). The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sales of shares through the ATM for working capital, capital expenditures, water and wastewater utility acquisitions and repaying outstanding indebtedness. As of December 31, 2022, the Company issued 1,321,994 shares of common stock under the ATM for proceeds of $63,040, net of expenses. In January 2023, the Company issued 399,128 shares of common stock under the ATM for proceeds of $19,294, net of expenses.

Tangible Equity Units

On April 23, 2019, the Company issued $690,000, less expenses of $16,358, of its tangible equity units (the “Units”), with a stated amount of $50.00 per unit. This issuance was part of the permanent financing to close the Peoples Gas Acquisition. Each Unit consisted of a prepaid stock purchase contract and an amortizing note, each issued by the Company. The amortizing notes had an initial principal amount of $8.62909, or $119,081 in aggregate, and yielded interest at a rate of 3.00% per year, and paid equal quarterly per unit cash installments of $0.75 per amortizing note (except for the July 30, 2019 installment payment, which was $0.80833 per amortizing note), that constituted a payment of interest and a partial repayment of principal. This cash payment in the aggregate was equivalent to 6.00% per year with respect to each $50.00 stated amount of the Units. The amortizing notes represented unsecured senior obligations of the Company.

Certain holders of the tangible equity units had early settled their prepaid stock purchase contracts prior to the due date, and, in exchange, the Company issued shares of its common stock. During April 2022, 981,919 stock purchase contracts were early settled by the holders of the contracts, resulting in the issuance of 1,166,107 shares of the Company’s common stock. On May 2, 2022, the remaining 6,621,315 stock purchase contracts were each mandatorily settled for 1.18758 shares of the Company’s common stock, and in the aggregate the Company issued 7,863,354 shares of its common stock. Additionally, the final quarterly installment payment was made, which resulted in the complete pay-off of the amortizing notes.

Long-term Debt and Loans Payable

In January 2023 and October 2022, the Company’s subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania, issued $75,000 and $125,000 of first mortgage bonds, due in 2043 and 2052, and with interest rates of 5.60% and 4.50%, respectively. The proceeds from these bonds were used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.

On May 20, 2022, the Company issued $500,000 of long-term debt (the “Senior Notes”), less expenses of $5,815, due in 2052 with an interest rate of 5.30%. The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of Senior Notes to (1) to repay $49,700 of borrowings under the Aqua Pennsylvania’s 364-day

revolving credit facility and $410,000 of borrowings under the Company’s existing five year unsecured revolving credit facility, and (2) for general corporate purposes.

On June 30, 2022, the following debt amendments were executed: (1) Peoples Natural Gas Companies amended its 364-day revolving credit agreement primarily to increase the amount of the facility from $100,000 to $300,000 and to update the termination date of the facility to June 29, 2023, and (2) Aqua Pennsylvania amended its 364-day revolving credit agreement primarily to update the termination date of the facility to June 29, 2023 to coincide with the term of the Peoples Natural Gas Companies’ facility.

On December 14, 2022, the Company entered into a five year $1,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility, which replaced the Company’s prior five year $1,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility. The Company’s new unsecured revolving credit facility was used to repay all indebtedness and fees under our prior unsecured revolving credit facility, and for other general corporate purposes. The facility includes a $100,000 sublimit for daily demand loan. Funds borrowed under this facility are classified as long-term debt and are used to provide working capital as well as support for letters of credit for insurance policies and other financing arrangements. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has the following sublimits and available capacity under the credit facility: $100,000 letter of credit sublimit, $82,362 of letters of credit available capacity, $0 borrowed under the swing-line commitment, $100,000 was available for borrowing under the swing-line commitment, $440,362 available for borrowing and $542,000 of funds borrowed under the agreement.

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Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

Note 7 – Financial Instruments 

Financial instruments are recorded at carrying value in the financial statements and approximate fair value as of the dates presented.  The fair value of these instruments is disclosed below in accordance with current accounting guidance related to financial instruments. There have been no changes in the valuation techniques used to measure fair value, or asset or liability transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. 

The fair value of loans payable is determined based on its carrying amount and utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amount of the Company’s loans payable was $22,500 and $228,500, respectively, which equates to their estimated fair value. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, is determined based on Level 1 methods and assumptions. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents was $20,149 and $11,398, respectively, which equates to their fair value. The Company’s assets underlying the deferred compensation and non-qualified pension plans are determined by the fair value of mutual funds, which are based on quoted market prices from active markets utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying amount of these securities was $24,934 and $24,962, respectively, which equates to their fair value, and is reported in the consolidated balance sheet in deferred charges and other assets.

Unrealized gain and losses on equity securities held in conjunction with our non-qualified pension plan is as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Net gain (loss) recognized during the period on equity securities	$	131	$	(278)
Less: net gain / loss recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period		-		-
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date	$	131	$	(278)

The net gain (loss) recognized on equity securities is presented on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income on the line item “Other.”

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term debt is as follows:

	March 31,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Carrying amount	$	6,729,493	$	6,617,395
Estimated fair value		5,684,609		5,528,131

The fair value of long-term debt has been determined by discounting the future cash flows using current market interest rates for similar financial instruments of the same duration utilizing Level 2 methods and assumptions.

The Company’s customers’ advances for construction have a carrying value of $118,269 as of March 31, 2023, and $114,732 as of December 31, 2022. Their relative fair values cannot be accurately estimated because future refund payments depend on several variables, including new customer connections, customer consumption levels, and future rates. Portions of these non-interest-bearing instruments are payable annually through 2032, and amounts not paid by the respective contract expiration dates become non-refundable. The fair value of these amounts would, however, be less than their carrying value due to the non-interest-bearing feature.

 

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Net Income Per Common Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Common Share

Note 8 – Net Income per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the weighted average minimum number of shares issued upon settlement of the stock purchase contracts issued under the tangible equity units. Diluted net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive shares. The dilutive effect of employee stock-based compensation is included in the computation of diluted net income per common share. The dilutive effect of stock-based compensation is calculated using the treasury stock method and expected proceeds upon exercise of the stock-based compensation. The treasury stock method assumes that the proceeds from stock-based compensation is used to purchase the Company’s common stock at the average market price during the period. The following table summarizes the shares, in thousands, used in computing basic and diluted net income per common share: 

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023	2022
Average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation	264,192	261,952
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock-based compensation	559	479
Average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation	264,751	262,431

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation includes the weighted-average impact of 9,029,461 shares, based on the minimum number of shares to be issued upon settlement of the stock purchase contracts issued in April 2019 under the tangible equity units. On May 2, 2022, all of the remaining stock purchase contracts under the tangible equity units were mandatorily settled.

The number of outstanding employee stock options that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive was 152,138 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, all of the Company’s outstanding employee stock options were included in the calculations of diluted net income per share as the calculated cost to exercise employee stock options was less than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during this period. Additionally, the dilutive effect of performance share units and restricted share units granted are included in the Company’s calculation of diluted net income per share.

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Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Note 9 – Stock-based Compensation 

Under the Company’s Amended and Restated Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 2, 2019, to replace the 2004 Equity Compensation Plan, stock options, stock units, stock awards, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards may be granted to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants and advisors. The Plan authorizes 6,250,000 shares for issuance under the Plan. A maximum of 3,125,000 shares under the

Plan may be issued pursuant to stock awards, stock units and other stock-based awards, subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan. During any calendar year, no individual may be granted (i) stock options and stock appreciation rights under the Plan for more than 500,000 shares of Company stock in the aggregate or (ii) stock awards, stock units or other stock-based awards under the Plan for more than 500,000 shares of Company stock in the aggregate, subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan. Awards to employees and consultants under the Plan are made by a committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, except that with respect to awards to the Chief Executive Officer, the committee recommends those awards for approval by the non-employee directors of the Board of Directors. In the case of awards to non-employee directors, the Board of Directors makes such awards. At March 31, 2023, 1,506,059 shares were still available for issuance under the Plan. No further grants may be made under the Company’s 2004 Equity Compensation Plan.  

Performance Share Units – A performance share unit (“PSU”) represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock if specified performance goals are met over the three year performance period specified in the grant, subject to exceptions through the respective vesting period, which is generally three years. Each grantee is granted a target award of PSUs and may earn between 0% and 200% of the target amount depending on the Company’s performance against the performance goals. The following table provides compensation expense for PSUs:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	2,443	$	1,650
Income tax benefit		612		467

The following table summarizes the PSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2023:  

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Share Units	Fair Value
Nonvested share units at beginning of period	556,462	$	42.77
Granted	161,981		45.06
Actual vested	(157,862)		53.83
Forfeited	(1,310)		42.79
Nonvested share units at end of period	559,271		43.81

A portion of the fair value of PSUs was estimated at the grant date based on the probability of satisfying the market-based conditions using the Monte Carlo valuation method, which assesses probabilities of various outcomes of market conditions. The other portion of the fair value of the PSUs is based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the grant date, regardless of whether the market-based condition is satisfied. The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for PSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $45.06 and $42.31, respectively. The fair value of each PSU grant is amortized monthly into compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their respective vesting periods, generally 36 months. The accrual of compensation costs is based on the Company’s estimate of the final expected value of the award and is adjusted as required for the portion based on the performance-based condition. The Company assumes that forfeitures will be minimal, and recognizes forfeitures as they occur, which results in a reduction in compensation expense. As the payout of the PSUs includes dividend equivalents, no separate dividend yield assumption is required in calculating the fair value of the PSUs. The recording of compensation expense for PSUs has no impact on net cash flows.  

Restricted Stock Units – A restricted stock unit (“RSU”) represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock. RSUs are eligible to be earned at the end of a specified restricted period, which is generally three years, beginning on the date of grant. The Company assumes that forfeitures will be minimal and recognizes forfeitures as they occur, which results in a reduction in compensation expense. As the payout of the RSUs includes dividend equivalents, no separate dividend yield assumption is required in calculating the fair value of the RSUs. The following table provides the compensation expense and income tax benefit for RSUs:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	681	$	777
Income tax benefit		171		219

The following table summarizes the RSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2023: 

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Units	Fair Value
Nonvested stock units at beginning of period	180,306	$	45.94
Granted	73,696		45.61
Stock units vested and issued	(50,555)		49.44
Forfeited	(495)		43.29
Nonvested stock units at end of period	202,952		44.95

The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $45.61 and $45.10, respectively.  

Stock Options – A stock option represents the option to purchase a number of shares of common stock of the Company as specified in the stock option grant agreement at the exercise price per share as determined by the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date. Stock options are exercisable in installments of 33% annually, starting one year from the grant date and expire 10 years from the grant date, subject to satisfaction of designated performance goals. The fair value of each stock option is amortized into compensation expense using the graded-vesting method, which results in the recognition of compensation costs over the requisite service period for each separately vesting tranche of the stock options as though the stock options were, in substance, multiple stock option grants. The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to stock options:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	77	$	100
Income tax benefit		19		28

The fair value of options was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The following assumptions were used in the application of this valuation model:

	2023
Expected term (years)		5.5
Risk-free interest rate		4.03%
Expected volatility		27.80%
Dividend yield		2.53%
Grant date fair value per option	$	11.37

Historical information was the principal basis for the selection of the expected term and dividend yield.  The expected volatility is based on a weighted-average combination of historical and implied volatilities over a time period that approximates the expected term of the option.  The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option.

The following table summarizes stock option transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2023:

		Weighted		Weighted
		Average		Average	Aggregate
		Exercise		Remaining	Intrinsic
	Shares	Price		Life (years)	Value
Outstanding at beginning of period	820,061	$	36.29
Granted	74,632		45.39
Exercised	(2,917)		35.21
Outstanding at end of period	891,776	$	37.05	6.3	$	6,130,820
Exercisable at end of period	766,704	$	35.71	5.8	$	6,130,820

Restricted Stock – Restricted stock awards provide the grantee with the rights of a shareholder, including the right to receive dividends and to vote such shares, but not the right to sell or otherwise transfer the shares during the restriction period. Restricted stock awards result in compensation expense that is equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of the grant and is amortized ratably over the restriction period. The Company expects forfeitures of restricted stock to be de minimis. The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to restricted stock:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	12	$	12
Income tax benefit		3		4

The following table summarizes restricted stock transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2023:

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Shares	Fair Value
Nonvested restricted stock at beginning of period	1,170	$	42.75
Granted	-		-
Vested	-		-
Nonvested restricted stock at end of period	1,170	$	42.75

There were no restricted stock awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Stock Awards – Stock awards represent the issuance of the Company’s common stock, without restriction. The issuance of stock awards results in compensation expense that is equal to the fair market value of the stock on the grant date and is expensed immediately upon grant. The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to stock awards:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	210	$	192
Income tax benefit		59		56

The following table summarizes stock award transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2023:

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Awards	Fair Value
Nonvested stock awards at beginning of period	-	$	-
Granted	4,914		42.77
Vested	(4,914)		(42.77)
Nonvested stock awards at end of period	-		-

The weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for stock awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $42.77 and $51.66, respectively.

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Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits

Note 10 – Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits  

The Company maintains a qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Pension Plan”), a nonqualified pension plan, and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees.

The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) for the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans:

	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Service cost	$	401	$	707
Interest cost		4,308		3,201
Expected return on plan assets		(5,672)		(5,895)
Amortization of prior service cost		171		134
Amortization of actuarial loss		809		435
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	17	$	(1,418)

	Other
	Postretirement Benefits
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	2023		2022
Service cost	$	337	$	478
Interest cost		1,119		842
Expected return on plan assets		(1,093)		(1,125)
Amortization of actuarial loss		(329)		(334)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	34	$	(139)

The net periodic benefit cost (credit) is based on estimated values and an extensive use of assumptions about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, the rate of future compensation increases received by the Company’s employees, mortality, turnover, and medical costs. The Company presents the components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than service cost in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income on the line item “Other”.

There were no cash contributions made to the Pension Plan during the first three months of 2023.

 

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Rate Activity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Rate Activity [Abstract]

Rate Activity

Note 11 – Rate Activity 

On March 28, 2023, the Company received authorization, in advance of the final order being approved, to implement infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $7,685 in its water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Texas effective on April 1, 2023. The additional revenue billed and collected prior to the final order is subject to refund based on the outcome of the ruling.

During the first three months of 2023, the Company’s two other water utility operating divisions in Ohio implemented base rate increases designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $1,569. Further, one of the Company’s wastewater divisions in Indiana implemented a base rate increase designed to increase operating revenues on an annual basis by $134. Lastly, during the first three months of 2023, the Company implemented infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $1,846 in its water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Illinois and by $1,483 in its natural gas operating division in Kentucky.

On December 30, 2022, our water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Ohio filed an application with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio designed to increase rates by $9,816 annually.

On September 21, 2022, our regulated water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Ohio received an order from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio which will increase operating revenues by $5,483 annually. New rates for water and sewer service went into effect on September 21, 2022.

On June 30, 2022, the Company’s regulated water and wastewater operating subsidiary in North Carolina, Aqua North Carolina, filed an application with the North Carolina Utilities Commission designed to increase rates by $18,064 in the first year of new rates being implemented, then an

additional $4,303 and $4,577 in the second and third years, respectively. In February 2023, the Company implemented interim rates which may be subject to refund for the difference between interim and final approved rates pending the final order.

On May 16, 2022, the Company’s regulated water and wastewater operating subsidiary in Pennsylvania, Aqua Pennsylvania, received an order from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission that allowed base rate increases that would increase total annual operating revenues by $69,251. New rates went into effect on May 19, 2022. At the time the rate order was received, the rates in effect also included $35,470 in Distribution System Improvement Charges (“DSIC”), which was 7.2% above prior base rates. Consequently, the aggregate base rates increased by $104,721 since the last base rate increase and DSIC was reset to zero.

On January 3, 2022, the Company’s natural gas operating division in Kentucky received an order from the Kentucky Public Service Commission resulting in an increase of $5,238 in annual revenues, and new rates went into effect on January 4, 2022. On June 7, 2022, an additional $260 was approved and made effective by the Commission, resulting from a rehearing requested by the operating division.

 

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Taxes Other Than Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes [Abstract]

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes

Note 12 – Taxes Other than Income Taxes 

The following table provides the components of taxes other than income taxes:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Property	$	8,104	$	8,014
Gross receipts, excise and franchise		4,030		4,100
Payroll		6,632		6,661
Regulatory assessments		1,684		1,765
Pumping fees		1,466		1,375
Other		962		1,092
Total taxes other than income	$	22,878	$	23,007

 

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Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Segment Information [Abstract]

Segment Information

Note 13 – Segment Information 

The Company has eleven operating segments and two reportable segments. The Regulated Water segment is comprised of eight operating segments representing its water and wastewater regulated utility companies, which are organized by the states where the Company provides water and wastewater services. The eight water and wastewater utility operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment, because each of these operating segments has the following similarities: economic characteristics, nature of services, production processes, customers, water distribution or wastewater collection methods, and the nature of the regulatory environment. The Regulated Natural Gas segment is comprised of one operating segment representing natural gas utility companies, acquired in the Peoples Gas Acquisition, for which the Company provides natural gas distribution services.

In addition to the Company’s two reportable segments, we include two of our operating segments within the Other category below. These segments are not quantitatively significant and are comprised of our non-regulated natural gas operations and Aqua Resources. Our non-regulated natural gas operations consist of utility service line protection solutions and repair services to households and the operation of gas marketing and production entities. Aqua Resources offers, through a third party, water and sewer service line protection solutions and repair services to households. In addition to these segments, Other is comprised of business activities not included in the reportable segments, corporate costs that have not been allocated to the Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas segments, and intersegment eliminations. Corporate costs include general and administrative expenses, and interest expense. The Company reports these corporate costs within Other as they relate to corporate-focused responsibilities and decisions and are not included in internal measures of segment operating performance used by the Company to measure the underlying performance of the operating segments.

The following table presents information about the Company’s reportable segments:

	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2023								March 31, 2022
	Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated		Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated
Operating revenues	$	267,300	$	441,295	$	17,855	$	726,450	$	239,198	$	445,183	$	14,894	$	699,275
Operations and maintenance expense		82,802		57,150		(1,958)		137,994		86,088		59,452		(2,959)		142,581
Purchased gas		-		241,856		14,459		256,315		-		217,306		10,406		227,712
Depreciation and amortization		53,467		30,128		199		83,794		48,716		29,704		(74)		78,346
Interest expense, net (a)		29,713		27,507		14,629		71,849		27,554		20,652		4,821		53,027
Allowance for funds used during construction		(4,946)		(742)		-		(5,688)		(5,149)		(690)		-		(5,839)
Provision for income taxes (benefit)		13,514		(43,484)		(1,667)		(31,637)		7,499		(26,474)		1,742		(17,233)
Net income (loss)		77,402		123,546		(9,514)		191,434		60,543		139,486		(653)		199,376
Capital expenditures		159,394		81,669		2,667		243,730		100,803		82,122		397		183,322

^(a) The regulated water and regulated natural gas segments report interest expense that includes long-term debt that was pushed-down to the regulated operating subsidiaries from Essential Utilities, Inc.

	March 31,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Total assets:
Regulated water	$	8,893,947	$	8,792,633
Regulated natural gas		6,556,182		6,528,654
Other		368,137		397,820
Consolidated	$	15,818,266	$	15,719,107

 

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Commitments And Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies 

The Company is routinely involved in various disputes, claims, lawsuits and other regulatory and legal matters, including both asserted and unasserted legal claims, in the ordinary course of business. The status of each such matter, referred to herein as a loss contingency, is reviewed and assessed in accordance with applicable accounting rules regarding the nature of the matter, the likelihood that a loss will be incurred, and the amounts involved. As of March 31, 2023, the aggregate amount of $19,500 is accrued for loss contingencies and is reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as other accrued liabilities and other liabilities. These accruals represent management’s best estimate of probable loss (as defined in the accounting guidance) for loss contingencies or the low end of a range of losses if no single probable loss can be estimated. For some loss contingencies, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of the probable loss or range of probable losses. Further, Essential Utilities has insurance coverage for certain of these loss contingencies, and as of March 31, 2023, estimates that approximately $1,476 of the amount accrued for these matters are probable of recovery through insurance, which amount is also reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as deferred charges and other assets, net.

During a portion of 2019, the Company initiated a do not consume advisory for some of its customers in one division served by the Company’s Illinois subsidiary. The do not consume advisory was lifted in 2019 and, in 2022, the water system was determined to be in compliance with the federal Lead and Copper Rule. During the second quarter of 2021, an amount was accrued for the portion of the fine or penalty that we determined to be probable and estimable of being incurred.  In addition, on September 3, 2019, two individuals, on behalf of themselves and those similarly situated, commenced an action against the Company’s Illinois subsidiary in the State court in Will County, Illinois related to this do not consume advisory. The complaint seeks class action certification, attorney's fees, and "damages, including, but not limited to, out of pocket damages, and discomfort, aggravation, and annoyance” based upon the water provided by the Company’s subsidiary to a discrete service area in University Park, Illinois. The complaint contains allegations of damages as a result of supplied water that exceeded the standards established by the federal Lead and Copper Rule. The complaint is in the discovery phase and class certification has not been granted. During the third quarter of 2022, the Company established an accrual for the amount of loss asserted in the complaint that we determined to be probable and estimable of being incurred. The Company is vigorously defending against this claim. The Company submitted a claim for the expenses incurred to its insurance carrier for potential recovery of a portion of these costs and is currently in litigation with one of its carriers seeking to enforce its claims. The Company continues to assess the potential loss contingency on this matter. While the final outcome of this claim cannot be predicted with certainty, and unfavorable outcomes could negatively impact the Company, at this time in the opinion of management, the final resolution of this matter is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Although the results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, other than disclosed above, there are no pending legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of its properties is the subject that are material or are expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In addition to the aforementioned loss contingencies, the Company self-insures a portion of its employee medical benefit program, and maintains stop-loss coverage to limit the exposure arising from these

claims. The Company’s reserve for these claims totaled $2,327 at March 31, 2023 and represents a reserve for unpaid claim costs, including an estimate for the cost of incurred but not reported claims.

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Note 15 – Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was (19.8)% and (9.5)% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.   The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first quarter of the year is primarily attributed to the increase in income tax benefits associated with the tax deduction for qualifying infrastructure. In determining its interim tax provision, the Company reflects its estimated permanent and flow-through tax differences for the taxable year.

The statutory Federal tax rate is 21.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. For states with a corporate net income tax, the state corporate net income tax rates range from 2.5% to 8.99% for all periods presented. On July 8, 2022, Pennsylvania enacted House Bill 1342 into law, which among other things, reduces Pennsylvania’s corporate income tax rate from 9.99% to 8.99% beginning January 1, 2023, and an additional 0.5% annually through 2031, when it reaches to 4.99%. The Company evaluated the impacts of the tax rate change and recorded, in the year ended December 31, 2022, a reduction to our deferred tax liabilities of $244,537 with a corresponding reduction primarily to our regulatory assets.

The Company uses a method of tax accounting for certain qualifying infrastructure investments at its Peoples Natural Gas and Peoples Gas Company subsidiaries, its largest natural gas subsidiaries in Pennsylvania, that allows a tax deduction for qualifying utility infrastructure. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company applied the same method of tax accounting for its Aqua New Jersey subsidiary. Consistent with the Company’s accounting for differences between book and tax expenditures in Pennsylvania in its other regulated subsidiaries, the Company uses the flow-through method to account for this timing difference. In April 2023, the Internal Revenue Service issued Revenue Procedure 2023-15 which provides a safe harbor method of accounting that taxpayers may use to determine whether expenses to repair, maintain, replace, or improve natural gas transmission and distribution property must be capitalized for tax purposes. The Company is evaluating this guidance to determine the impact, if any, on the Company’s tax position.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Note 16 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements  

Pronouncement adopted during the year:

In October 2021, the FASB issued accounting guidance on accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination. The guidance specifies for all acquired revenue contracts, regardless of their timing of payment, the circumstances in which the acquirer should recognize contract assets and contract liabilities that are acquired in a business combination, as well as how to measure those contract assets and contract liabilities. The updated accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2023, and will apply it prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after that date.

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Basis Of Presentation (Policy)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of capitalization of Essential Utilities, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) at March 31, 2023, and the unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, cash flows, and equity for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim reporting and the rules and regulations for reporting on Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Because they cover interim periods, the statements and related notes to the financial statements do not include all disclosures and notes normally provided in annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of only recurring accruals, which are necessary to present a fair statement of its consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of equity, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and consolidated cash flow for the periods presented, have been made.

The preparation of financial statements often requires the selection of specific accounting methods and policies. Significant estimates and judgments may be required in selecting and applying those methods and policies in the recognition of the assets and liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets, the revenues and expenses in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and the information that is contained in its summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements. Making these estimates and judgments requires the analysis of information concerning events that may not yet be complete and of facts and circumstances that may change over time. Furthermore, we are exposed to the uncertain state of the economy and macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and rising interest rates. As these continue to evolve, future events and effects related to these conditions cannot be determined with precision. Accordingly, actual amounts or future results can differ materially from those estimates that the Company includes currently in its consolidated financial statements, summary of significant accounting policies, and notes.

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Revenue Recognition (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Schedule Of Disaggregation Of Revenue

	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2023								March 31, 2022
	Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues		Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Residential	$	147,252	$	33,490	$	292,230	$	-	$	131,288	$	26,495	$	285,106	$	-
Commercial		40,954		8,591		65,157		-		35,120		6,065		57,040		-
Fire protection		10,259		-		-		-		9,193		-		-		-
Industrial		7,857		578		1,789		-		7,181		344		1,842		-
Gas transportation & storage		-		-		67,653		-		-		-		79,174		-
Other water		8,844		-		-		-		17,351		-		-		-
Other wastewater		-		2,734		-		-		-		2,498		-		-
Other utility		-		-		13,077		6,159		-		-		23,226		2,915
Revenues from contracts with customers		215,166		45,393		439,906		6,159		200,133		35,402		446,388		2,915
Alternative revenue program		402		180		1,389		-		615		(27)		(176)		-
Other and eliminations		-		-		-		17,855		-		-		-		14,025
Consolidated	$	215,568	$	45,573	$	441,295	$	24,014	$	200,748	$	35,375	$	446,212	$	16,940

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Assets Held for Sale (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Assets Held for Sale [Abstract]

Schedule Of Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations

	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Inventory - gas stored	$	2	$	2,807
Other current assets		3,656		3,284
Regulatory assets		5,826		5,076
Current assets held for sale	$	9,484	$	11,167
Property, plant and equipment, net		30,807		30,267
Regulatory assets and other		2,152		1,857
Non-current assets held for sale	$	32,959	$	32,124
Current liabilities related to assets held for sale	$	2,355	$	3,263
Regulatory liabilities		648		649
Other long-term liabilities		300		325
Non-current liabilities related to assets held for sale	$	948	$	974

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Goodwill (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Goodwill [Abstract]

Schedule Of Goodwill

	Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	58,504	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,792
Reclassification to utility plant acquisition adjustment		(37)		-		-		(37)
Balance at March 31, 2023	$	58,467	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,755

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Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Summary Of Unrealized Gain And Losses

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Net gain (loss) recognized during the period on equity securities	$	131	$	(278)
Less: net gain / loss recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period		-		-
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date	$	131	$	(278)

Schedule Of Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Long-Term Debt

	March 31,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Carrying amount	$	6,729,493	$	6,617,395
Estimated fair value		5,684,609		5,528,131

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Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]

Schedule Of Earnings Per Share

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023	2022
Average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation	264,192	261,952
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock-based compensation	559	479
Average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation	264,751	262,431

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Summary Of PSU Transactions

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Share Units	Fair Value
Nonvested share units at beginning of period	556,462	$	42.77
Granted	161,981		45.06
Actual vested	(157,862)		53.83
Forfeited	(1,310)		42.79
Nonvested share units at end of period	559,271		43.81

Summary Of RSU Transactions

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Units	Fair Value
Nonvested stock units at beginning of period	180,306	$	45.94
Granted	73,696		45.61
Stock units vested and issued	(50,555)		49.44
Forfeited	(495)		43.29
Nonvested stock units at end of period	202,952		44.95

Summary Of Stock Option Transactions

		Weighted		Weighted
		Average		Average	Aggregate
		Exercise		Remaining	Intrinsic
	Shares	Price		Life (years)	Value
Outstanding at beginning of period	820,061	$	36.29
Granted	74,632		45.39
Exercised	(2,917)		35.21
Outstanding at end of period	891,776	$	37.05	6.3	$	6,130,820
Exercisable at end of period	766,704	$	35.71	5.8	$	6,130,820

Performance Share Units [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Summary Of Compensation Costs

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	2,443	$	1,650
Income tax benefit		612		467

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Summary Of Compensation Costs

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	681	$	777
Income tax benefit		171		219

Stock Options [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Summary Of Compensation Costs

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	77	$	100
Income tax benefit		19		28

Assumptions Used In The Pricing Model

	2023
Expected term (years)		5.5
Risk-free interest rate		4.03%
Expected volatility		27.80%
Dividend yield		2.53%
Grant date fair value per option	$	11.37

Restricted Stock [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Summary Of Compensation Costs

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	12	$	12
Income tax benefit		3		4

Summary Of Restricted Stock Transactions

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Shares	Fair Value
Nonvested restricted stock at beginning of period	1,170	$	42.75
Granted	-		-
Vested	-		-
Nonvested restricted stock at end of period	1,170	$	42.75

Stock Awards [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Summary Of Compensation Costs

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	210	$	192
Income tax benefit		59		56

Summary Of Nonvested Share Activity

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Awards	Fair Value
Nonvested stock awards at beginning of period	-	$	-
Granted	4,914		42.77
Vested	(4,914)		(42.77)
Nonvested stock awards at end of period	-		-

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Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Costs

	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Service cost	$	401	$	707
Interest cost		4,308		3,201
Expected return on plan assets		(5,672)		(5,895)
Amortization of prior service cost		171		134
Amortization of actuarial loss		809		435
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	17	$	(1,418)

	Other
	Postretirement Benefits
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	2023		2022
Service cost	$	337	$	478
Interest cost		1,119		842
Expected return on plan assets		(1,093)		(1,125)
Amortization of actuarial loss		(329)		(334)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	34	$	(139)

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Taxes Other Than Income Taxes (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes [Abstract]

Components Of Taxes Other Than Income Taxes

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023		2022
Property	$	8,104	$	8,014
Gross receipts, excise and franchise		4,030		4,100
Payroll		6,632		6,661
Regulatory assessments		1,684		1,765
Pumping fees		1,466		1,375
Other		962		1,092
Total taxes other than income	$	22,878	$	23,007

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Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Segment Information [Abstract]

Company's Segment Information, Continuing Operations

	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2023								March 31, 2022
	Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated		Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated
Operating revenues	$	267,300	$	441,295	$	17,855	$	726,450	$	239,198	$	445,183	$	14,894	$	699,275
Operations and maintenance expense		82,802		57,150		(1,958)		137,994		86,088		59,452		(2,959)		142,581
Purchased gas		-		241,856		14,459		256,315		-		217,306		10,406		227,712
Depreciation and amortization		53,467		30,128		199		83,794		48,716		29,704		(74)		78,346
Interest expense, net (a)		29,713		27,507		14,629		71,849		27,554		20,652		4,821		53,027
Allowance for funds used during construction		(4,946)		(742)		-		(5,688)		(5,149)		(690)		-		(5,839)
Provision for income taxes (benefit)		13,514		(43,484)		(1,667)		(31,637)		7,499		(26,474)		1,742		(17,233)
Net income (loss)		77,402		123,546		(9,514)		191,434		60,543		139,486		(653)		199,376
Capital expenditures		159,394		81,669		2,667		243,730		100,803		82,122		397		183,322

^(a) The regulated water and regulated natural gas segments report interest expense that includes long-term debt that was pushed-down to the regulated operating subsidiaries from Essential Utilities, Inc.

Company's Segment Information, Assets

	March 31,		December 31,
	2023		2022
Total assets:
Regulated water	$	8,893,947	$	8,792,633
Regulated natural gas		6,556,182		6,528,654
Other		368,137		397,820
Consolidated	$	15,818,266	$	15,719,107

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Revenue Recognition (Schedule Of Disaggregation Of Revenue) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 726,450	$ 699,275
Water [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	215,166	200,133
Revenue	215,568	200,748
Water [Member] | Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	147,252	131,288
Water [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	40,954	35,120
Water [Member] | Fire Protection [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	10,259	9,193
Water [Member] | Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	7,857	7,181
Water [Member] | Other Water [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	8,844	17,351
Water [Member] | Alternative Revenue Program [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	402	615
Wastewater [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	45,393	35,402
Revenue	45,573	35,375
Wastewater [Member] | Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	33,490	26,495
Wastewater [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	8,591	6,065
Wastewater [Member] | Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	578	344
Wastewater [Member] | Other Wastewater [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	2,734	2,498
Wastewater [Member] | Alternative Revenue Program [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	180	(27)
Natural Gas [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	439,906	446,388
Revenue	441,295	446,212
Natural Gas [Member] | Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	292,230	285,106
Natural Gas [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	65,157	57,040
Natural Gas [Member] | Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	1,789	1,842
Natural Gas [Member] | Gas Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	67,653	79,174
Natural Gas [Member] | Other Utility [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	13,077	23,226
Natural Gas [Member] | Alternative Revenue Program [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	1,389	(176)
Other [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	6,159	2,915
Revenue	24,014	16,940
Other [Member] | Other Utility [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	6,159	2,915
Other [Member] | Other And Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 17,855	$ 14,025

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Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2023 USD ($) customer	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($) customer	Jan. 31, 2023 USD ($) customer	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) customer	Nov. 30, 2022 USD ($) customer	Aug. 31, 2022 USD ($) customer	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($) customer	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) customer	Oct. 31, 2021 USD ($) customer	Jul. 31, 2021 USD ($) customer	Jan. 31, 2021 USD ($) customer	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) customer item
North Heidelberg Sewer Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers		273
Total purchase price | $		$ 136,000
Water And Wastewater Utility Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers			300	5,300		1,400
Total purchase price | $			$ 2,250	$ 25,500		$ 1,400
Oaks Water System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers								740
Total purchase price | $								$ 3,300
Oak Brook Illinois [Member] | Water And Wastewater Utility Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers					2,037
Total purchase price | $					$ 12,500
Delaware [Member] | Water Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers												16,000
Total purchase price | $												$ 276,500
Retail customers												198,000
Number of municipalities | item												42
East Whiteland Township [Member] | Water And Wastewater Utility Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers						4,018
Total purchase price | $						$ 54,374
Lower Makefield Township [Member] | Water And Wastewater Utility Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers							11,323
Total purchase price | $							$ 53,000
Beaver Falls Pennsylvania [Member] | Water Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers									7,600
Total purchase price | $									$ 41,250
Shenandoah Borough Pennsylvania [Member] | Water Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers										2,930
Total purchase price | $										$ 12,000
Pennsylvania [Member] | Water And Wastewater Utility Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers											2,300
Total purchase price | $											$ 17,500
Subsequent Event [Member] | Water And Wastewater Utility Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers	2,300
Total purchase price | $	$ 18,000

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Assets Held for Sale (Narrative) (Details) - West Virginia [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) customer
Discontinued Operations And Other Dispositions [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer	13,000
Cash [Member]
Discontinued Operations And Other Dispositions [Line Items]
Total purchase price | $	$ 37,000

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Assets Held for Sale (Schedule Of Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Assets Held for Sale [Abstract]
Inventory - gas stored	$ 2	$ 2,807
Other current assets	3,656	3,284
Regulatory assets	5,826	5,076
Current assets held for sale	9,484	11,167
Property, plant and equipment, net	30,807	30,267
Regulatory assets and other	2,152	1,857
Non-current assets held for sale	32,959	32,124
Current liabilities related to assets held for sale	2,355	3,263
Regulatory liabilities	648	649
Other long-term liabilities	300	325
Non-current liabilities related to assets held for sale	$ 948	$ 974

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Goodwill (Schedule Of Goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	$ 2,340,792
Reclassification to utility plant acquisition adjustment	(37)
Balance	2,340,755
Water [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	58,504
Reclassification to utility plant acquisition adjustment	(37)
Balance	58,467
Natural Gas [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	2,277,447
Balance	2,277,447
Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	4,841
Balance	$ 4,841

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Capitalization (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)						1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 14, 2022	Oct. 14, 2022	May 20, 2022	May 02, 2022	Apr. 23, 2019	Jan. 31, 2023	Oct. 31, 2022	Apr. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of common stock from forward equity sale agreement		$ 500,000,000
Stock purchase contracts early settled by holders of the contracts								981,919
Shares settled				6,621,315				1,166,107
Issuance of common stock from stock purchase contracts , shares				7,863,354
Conversion to shares				$ 1.18758
At Market Sales Agreements [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sale of stock, shares						399,128				1,321,994
Common stock issued						$ 19,294,000				$ 63,040,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term			5 years
Repayment of line of credit			$ 410,000,000
Notes at 5.30%, due 2052
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate			5.30%						5.30%	5.30%		5.30%
Maturity date									2052			2052
Debt issuance expense			$ 5,815,000
Maturity Year			2052
Unsecured notes payable			$ 500,000,000						$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000		$ 500,000,000
Amended Unsecured Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity											Jun. 29, 2023
Debt term											364 days
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount borrowed	$ 1,000,000												$ 1,000,000
Debt term	5 years												5 years
Sublimit for daily demand loans	$ 100,000								82,362
Available barrowing capacity credit sublimit									100,000
Available capacity borrowed									542,000
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Swing Line Commitment [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Available barrowing capacity credit sublimit									100,000
Swing-line commitment									0
Available capacity borrowed									$ 440,362
Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate						5.60%	4.50%
Face Amount						$ 75,000,000	$ 125,000,000
Maturity Year						2043	2052
Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of line of credit			$ 49,700,000
Minimum [Member] | Amended Unsecured Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount borrowed											$ 100,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Amended Unsecured Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount borrowed											$ 300,000,000
LDC Funding LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Private placement, per share					$ 50.00
Proceeds from tangible equity units					$ 690,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate					3.00%
Initial principal amount					$ 119,081,000
Initial principal amount per share					$ 8.62909
Cash installment					$ 0.75
Cash installment rate					6.00%
Debt issuance expense					$ 16,358,000
LDC Funding LLC [Member] | July 30, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash installment					$ 0.80833

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Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,149	$ 11,398
Customers' advances for construction	118,269	114,732
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Loans payable	22,500	228,500
Mutual funds	24,934	24,962
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,149	$ 11,398

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Financial Instruments (Summary Of Unrealized Gain And Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Net gain (loss) recognized during the period on equity securities	$ 131	$ (278)
Less: net gain / loss recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date	$ 131	$ (278)

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Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 6,729,493	$ 6,617,395
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 5,684,609	$ 5,528,131

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Net Income Per Common Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]
Weighted average impact		9,029,461
Employee stock options excluded from calculations of diluted net income per share	152,138

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Net Income Per Common Share (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]
Average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation	264,192	261,952
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock-based compensation	559	479
Average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation	264,751	262,431

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Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance period specified in grant, in years	3 years
Granted	222,782	57,052
2004 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for issuance	0
Amended and Restated Equity Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance	6,250,000
Maximum number of shares may be issued pursuant to stock awards, stock units and other stock-based awards	3,125,000
Maximum number of shares subject to grants to any one individual in any one year	500,000
Shares available for issuance	1,506,059
Performance Share Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period, in years	3 years
Granted	161,981
Weighted average fair value of stock awards granted	$ 45.06	$ 42.31
Amortization period of fair value of shares, in months	36 months
Performance Share Units [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of target award amount the grantee may earn	0.00%
Performance Share Units [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of target award amount the grantee may earn	200.00%
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted period	3 years
Granted	73,696
Weighted average fair value of stock awards granted	$ 45.61	45.10
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Shares	74,632
Vesting period, start, in years	1 year
Vesting period, in years	10 years
Stock Options [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	33.00%
Stock Options [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	33.00%
Stock Options [Member] | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche Three [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	33.00%
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	0
Weighted average fair value of stock awards granted	$ 0
Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted	4,914
Weighted average fair value of stock awards granted	$ 42.77	$ 51.66

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Compensation Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$ 77	$ 100
Income tax benefit	19	28
Performance Share Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	2,443	1,650
Income tax benefit	612	467
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	681	777
Income tax benefit	171	219
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	12	12
Income tax benefit	3	4
Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	210	192
Income tax benefit	$ 59	$ 56

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of PSU Transactions) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Number of Share Units	222,782	57,052
Performance Share Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Number of Share Units	556,462
Granted, Number of Share Units	161,981
Forfeited, Number of Share Units	(1,310)
Actual vested, Number of share Units	(157,862)
Nonvested share units at end of period, Number of Share Units	559,271
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 42.77
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value	45.06	$ 42.31
Forfeited, Weighted Average Fair Value	42.79
Actual vested, Weighted Average Fair Value	53.83
Nonvested share units at end of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 43.81

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of RSU Transactions) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Number of Share Units	222,782	57,052
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Number of Share Units	180,306
Granted, Number of Share Units	73,696
Actual vested, Number of share Units	(50,555)
Forfeited, Number of Share Units	(495)
Nonvested share units at end of period, Number of Share Units	202,952
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 45.94
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value	45.61	$ 45.10
Actual vested, Weighted Average Fair Value	49.44
Forfeited, Weighted Average Fair Value	43.29
Nonvested share units at end of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 44.95

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Stock-Based Compensation (Assumptions Used In The Pricing Model) (Details) - Stock Options [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023 $ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (years)	5 years 6 months
Risk-free interest rate	4.03%
Expected volatility	27.80%
Dividend yield	2.53%
Grant date fair value per option	$ 11.37

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Option Transactions) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercised, Shares	(2,917)	(28,516)
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding at beginning of period, Shares	820,061
Granted, Shares	74,632
Exercised, Shares	(2,917)
Outstanding at end of period, Shares	891,776
Exercisable at end of period, Shares	766,704
Outstanding at beginning of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 36.29
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	45.39
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	35.21
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	37.05
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 35.71
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Life (years)	6 years 3 months 18 days
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Life (years)	5 years 9 months 18 days
Outstanding at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 6,130,820
Exercisable at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 6,130,820

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Restricted Stock Transactions) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity compensation plan, shares	(222,782)	(57,052)
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Number of Share Units	1,170
Equity compensation plan, shares	0
Vested, number of shares
Nonvested share units at end of period, Number of Share Units	1,170
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 42.75
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value	0
Actual vested, Weighted Average Fair Value
Nonvested share units at end of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 42.75

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Nonvested Share Activity) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Number of Share Units	(222,782)	(57,052)
Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Number of Share Units
Granted, Number of Share Units	(4,914)
Actual vested, Number of share Units	(4,914)
Nonvested share units at end of period, Number of Share Units
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Weighted Average Fair Value
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value	42.77	$ 51.66
Actual vested, Weighted Average Fair Value	42.77
Nonvested share units at end of period, Weighted Average Fair Value

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Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits (Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 401	$ 707
Interest cost	4,308	3,201
Expected return on plan assets	(5,672)	(5,895)
Amortization of prior service cost	171	134
Amortization of actuarial loss	809	435
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	17	(1,418)
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	337	478
Interest cost	1,119	842
Expected return on plan assets	(1,093)	(1,125)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(329)	(334)
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$ 34	$ (139)

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Rate Activity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands								3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2023	Dec. 30, 2022	Sep. 21, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 07, 2022	May 16, 2022	Jan. 03, 2022	Mar. 31, 2023
Illinois [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Base rate increase (decrease)								$ 1,846
Texas [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis	$ 7,685
Indiana [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Base rate increase (decrease)								$ 134
Pennsylvania [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Authorized increase in revenue						$ 69,251
Base rate increase (decrease)						$ 104,721
Base rate increase designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis						7.20%		0.00%
Distribution system improvement charges reset level upon new base rates						$ 35,470
Ohio [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Base rate increase (decrease)		$ 9,816	$ 5,483					$ 1,569
Kentucky [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Base rate increase (decrease)					$ 260		$ 5,238	$ 1,483
Year 1 [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Base rate increase (decrease)				$ 18,064
Year 2 [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Base rate increase (decrease)				4,303
Year 3 [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Base rate increase (decrease)				$ 4,577

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Taxes Other Than Income Taxes (Components Of Taxes Other Than Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	$ 22,878	$ 23,007
Property [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	8,104	8,014
Gross Receipts, Excise And Franchise [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	4,030	4,100
Payroll [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	6,632	6,661
Regulatory Assessments [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	1,684	1,765
Pumping Fees [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	1,466	1,375
Other [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	$ 962	$ 1,092

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Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023 segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Segments	11
Reportable Segments	2
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Segments	2
Water And Wastewater Utility Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Segments	8
Reportable Segments	1
Natural Gas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Segments	1

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Segment Information (Company's Segment Information, Continuing Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 726,450	$ 699,275
Operations and maintenance expense	137,994	142,581
Purchased gas	256,315	227,712
Depreciation and amortization	83,794	78,346
Taxes other than income taxes	22,878	23,007
Operating income	225,469	227,629
Interest expense, net	71,849	53,027
Allowance for funds used during construction	(5,688)	(5,839)
Income before income taxes	159,797	182,143
Provision for income taxes (benefit)	(31,637)	(17,233)
Net income (loss)	191,434	199,376
Capital expenditures	243,730	183,322
Total assets	15,818,266		$ 15,719,107
Water [Member] | Regulated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	267,300	239,198
Operations and maintenance expense	82,802	86,088
Depreciation and amortization	53,467	48,716
Interest expense, net	29,713	27,554
Allowance for funds used during construction	(4,946)	(5,149)
Provision for income taxes (benefit)	13,514	7,499
Net income (loss)	77,402	60,543
Capital expenditures	159,394	100,803
Total assets	8,893,947		8,792,633
Natural Gas [Member] | Regulated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	441,295	445,183
Operations and maintenance expense	57,150	59,452
Purchased gas	241,856	217,306
Depreciation and amortization	30,128	29,704
Interest expense, net	27,507	20,652
Allowance for funds used during construction	(742)	(690)
Provision for income taxes (benefit)	(43,484)	(26,474)
Net income (loss)	123,546	139,486
Capital expenditures	81,669	82,122
Total assets	6,556,182		6,528,654
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	17,855	14,894
Operations and maintenance expense	(1,958)	(2,959)
Purchased gas	14,459	10,406
Depreciation and amortization	199	(74)
Interest expense, net	14,629	4,821
Provision for income taxes (benefit)	(1,667)	1,742
Net income (loss)	(9,514)	(653)
Capital expenditures	2,667	$ 397
Total assets	$ 368,137		$ 397,820

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Segment Information (Company's Segment Information, Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 15,818,266	$ 15,719,107
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	368,137	397,820
Regulated [Member] | Water [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	8,893,947	8,792,633
Regulated [Member] | Natural Gas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 6,556,182	$ 6,528,654

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Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2023 USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Aggregate amount accrued for loss contingencies	$ 19,500
Amount probable of recovery through insurance	1,476
Insurance reserve for employee medical benefit program	$ 2,327

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Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Jul. 08, 2022	Mar. 31, 2023	Mar. 31, 2022
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate		(19.80%)	(9.50%)
Corporate federal income tax rate		21.00%	21.00%
Decrease in deferred income tax liability		$ 244,537
Minimum [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at State Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	0.50%
Minimum [Member] | State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at State Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent		2.50%
Maximum [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at State Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	4.99%
Maximum [Member] | State [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at State Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent		8.99%
Pennsylvania [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at State Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent		8.99%	8.99%
Pennsylvania [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at State Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent		9.99%	9.99%