<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><own:edgarSubmission xmlns:own="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <!-- Generated by Workiva -->
  <own:headerData>
    <own:submissionType>144</own:submissionType>
    <own:filerInfo>
      <own:filer>
        <own:filerCredentials>
          <own:cik>0001957696</own:cik>
          <own:ccc>XXXXXXXX</own:ccc>
        </own:filerCredentials>
      </own:filer>
      <own:liveTestFlag>LIVE</own:liveTestFlag>



    </own:filerInfo>
  </own:headerData>
  <own:formData>
    <own:issuerInfo>
      <own:issuerCik>0000078128</own:issuerCik>
      <own:issuerName>Essential Utilities</own:issuerName>
      <own:issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>762 W Lancaster Ave</com:street1>
        <com:city>Bryn Mawr</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>PA</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>19010</com:zipCode>
      </own:issuerAddress>
      <own:issuerContactPhone>5127390332</own:issuerContactPhone>
      <own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>Colleen Arnold</own:nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <own:relationshipsToIssuer>
        <own:relationshipToIssuer>Officer</own:relationshipToIssuer>
      </own:relationshipsToIssuer>
    </own:issuerInfo>
    <own:securitiesInformation>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>Common</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <own:name>MERRILL LYNCH</own:name>
        <own:address>
          <com:street1>224 VALLEY CREEK BLVD SUITE 200</com:street1>
          <com:city>EXTON</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>PA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>19341</com:zipCode>
        </own:address>
      </own:brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <own:noOfUnitsSold>2885</own:noOfUnitsSold>
      <own:aggregateMarketValue>118285</own:aggregateMarketValue>
      <own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>283778605</own:noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <own:approxSaleDate>08/07/2026</own:approxSaleDate>
      <own:securitiesExchangeName>NY</own:securitiesExchangeName>
    </own:securitiesInformation>
    <own:securitiesToBeSold>
      <own:securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</own:securitiesClassTitle>
      <own:acquiredDate>02/26/2023</own:acquiredDate>
      <own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>STOCK BONUS</own:natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Essential</own:nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <own:isGiftTransaction>N</own:isGiftTransaction>
      <own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>2885</own:amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <own:paymentDate>02/26/2023</own:paymentDate>
      <own:natureOfPayment>CASH</own:natureOfPayment>
    </own:securitiesToBeSold>
    <own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</own:nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <own:noticeSignature>
      <own:noticeDate>08/07/2026</own:noticeDate>
      <own:signature>Libby Smith</own:signature>
    </own:noticeSignature>
  </own:formData>
</own:edgarSubmission>
