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, 2022

£ 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
6.00% Tangible Equity Units	WTRU	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of April 18, 2022: 253,716,494

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
Part I – Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) – March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021	2
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) – ‎Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021	4
Consolidated Statements of Capitalization (unaudited) – ‎March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021	5
Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) – ‎Three Months Ended March 31, 2022	6
Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) – ‎Three Months Ended March 31, 2021	7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (unaudited) – ‎Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 and 2021,	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	38
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	38
Part II – Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	38
Item 1A. Risk Factors	38
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	39
Item 6. Exhibits	40
Signatures	41

1

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts) 

(UNAUDITED)

	March 31,		December 31,
Assets	2022		2021
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$	12,836,605	$	12,610,376
Less: accumulated depreciation		2,441,921		2,358,510
Net property, plant and equipment		10,394,684		10,251,866
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		58,298		10,567
Accounts receivable, net		182,587		141,025
Unbilled revenues		104,540		119,896
Inventory - materials and supplies		38,560		33,756
Inventory - gas stored		20,502		75,804
Prepayments and other current assets		29,856		36,597
Regulatory assets		9,172		20,150
Total current assets		443,515		437,795
Regulatory assets		1,505,211		1,429,840
Deferred charges and other assets, net		139,608		141,955
Funds restricted for construction activity		1,313		1,313
Goodwill		2,340,815		2,340,815
Operating lease right-of-use assets		46,305		48,930
Intangible assets		5,572		5,764
Total assets	$	14,877,023	$	14,658,278
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)

	March 31,		December 31,
Liabilities and Equity	2022		2021
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock at $0.50 par value, authorized 600,000,000 shares, issued 256,281,789 and 256,102,388 as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021	$	128,140	$	128,050
Capital in excess of par value		3,713,560		3,705,814
Retained earnings		1,497,757		1,434,201
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,250,261 and 3,234,765 shares as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021		(84,357)		(83,615)
Total stockholders' equity		5,255,100		5,184,450
Long-term debt, excluding current portion		5,910,363		5,815,211
Less: debt issuance costs		38,403		35,707
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs		5,871,960		5,779,504
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 13)
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt		131,746		132,146
Loans payable		79,743		65,000
Accounts payable		161,511		192,932
Book overdraft		-		81,722
Accrued interest		66,133		40,815
Accrued taxes		37,130		37,924
Dividends payable		67,863		-
Regulatory liabilities		17,241		384
Other accrued liabilities		116,811		124,140
Total current liabilities		678,178		675,063
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits		1,481,253		1,406,537
Customers' advances for construction		104,403		103,619
Regulatory liabilities		759,661		769,617
Asset retirement obligations		1,262		1,256
Operating lease liabilities		43,946		48,230
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities		48,864		50,226
Other		35,998		43,666
Total deferred credits and other liabilities		2,475,387		2,423,151
Contributions in aid of construction		596,398		596,110
Total liabilities and equity	$	14,877,023	$	14,658,278
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,
	2022		2021
Operating revenues	$	699,275	$	583,565
Operating expenses:
Operations and maintenance		142,581		125,075
Purchased gas		227,712		132,153
Depreciation		77,878		71,637
Amortization		468		1,307
Taxes other than income taxes		23,007		21,041
Total operating expenses		471,646		351,213
Operating income		227,629		232,352
Other expense (income):
Interest expense		53,636		50,769
Interest income		(609)		(387)
Allowance for funds used during construction		(5,839)		(2,934)
Gain on sale of other assets		-		(80)
Other		(1,702)		(3,471)
Income before income taxes		182,143		188,455
Provision for income taxes (benefit)		(17,233)		4,766
Net income	$	199,376	$	183,689
Comprehensive income	$	199,376	$	183,689
Net income per common share:
Basic	$	0.76	$	0.72
Diluted	$	0.76	$	0.72
Average common shares outstanding during the period:
Basic		261,952		254,565
Diluted		262,431		254,969
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,
		2022		2021
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.50 par value		$	128,140	$	128,050
Capital in excess of par value			3,713,560		3,705,814
Retained earnings			1,497,757		1,434,201
Treasury stock, at cost			(84,357)		(83,615)
Total stockholders' equity			5,255,100		5,184,450
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Interest Rate Range	Maturity Date Range
0.00% to 0.99%	2023 to 2033		2,302		2,341
1.00% to 1.99%	2023 to 2039		9,157		9,341
2.00% to 2.99%	2022 to 2058		311,863		312,751
3.00% to 3.99%	2022 to 2056		1,357,393		1,359,284
4.00% to 4.99%	2023 to 2059		1,284,508		1,286,024
5.00% to 5.99%	2023 to 2043		15,917		16,119
6.00% to 6.99%	2022 to 2036		32,446		32,475
7.00% to 7.99%	2022 to 2027		28,799		28,980
8.00% to 8.99%	2025 to 2025		2,651		2,772
9.00% to 9.99%	2026 to 2026		11,800		11,800
			3,056,836		3,061,887
Notes payable to bank under revolving credit agreement, variable rate, due Dec 2023			410,000		300,000
Unsecured notes payable:
Amortizing notes at 3.00% due 2022			10,273		20,470
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 ranging from 5.64% to 5.95%, due 2022 through 2034			40,000		40,000
Total long-term debt			6,042,109		5,947,357
Current portion of long-term debt			131,746		132,146
Long-term debt, excluding current portion			5,910,363		5,815,211
Less: debt issuance costs			38,403		35,707
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs			5,871,960		5,779,504
Total capitalization		$	11,127,060	$	10,963,954
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)

(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 declared and paid ($0.2682 per share)		-		-		(67,821)		-		(67,821)
Dividends 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

‎

6

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY 

(In thousands of dollars)

(UNAUDITED)

			Capital in
	Common		Excess of		Retained		Treasury
	Stock		Par Value		Earnings		Stock			Total
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	124,285	$	3,379,057	$	1,261,862	$	(81,327)	$	4,683,877
Net income		-		-		183,689		-		183,689
Dividends declared and paid ($0.2507 per share)		-		-		(61,520)		-		(61,520)
Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan (98,904 shares)		49		4,112		-		-		4,161
Repurchase of stock (76,105 shares)		-		-		-		(3,262)		(3,262)
Equity compensation plan (192,407 shares)		97		(97)		-		-		-
Exercise of stock options (20,201 shares)		10		704		-		-		714
Stock-based compensation		-		2,631		(174)		-		2,457
Other		-		(31)		-		256		225
Balance at March 31, 2021	$	124,441	$	3,386,376	$	1,383,857	$	(84,333)	$	4,810,341
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,
	2022		2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	199,376	$	183,689
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		78,346		72,944
Deferred income taxes		(19,774)		19,335
Provision for doubtful accounts		5,991		8,921
Stock-based compensation		2,732		2,724
Gain on sale of utility systems and other assets		(19)		(91)
Net change in receivables, inventory and prepayments		49,050		30,261
Net change in payables, accrued interest, accrued taxes and other accrued liabilities		(5,354)		(53,756)
Pension and other postretirement benefits contributions		-		(6,363)
Other		256		(2,183)
Net cash flows from operating activities		310,604		255,481
Cash flows from investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions, including the debt component of allowance for funds used during construction of $1,449 and $170		(183,322)		(178,009)
Acquisitions of utility systems, net		(50,009)		-
Net proceeds from the sale of other assets		19		100
Other		80		197
Net cash flows used in investing activities		(233,232)		(177,712)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Customers' advances and contributions in aid of construction		2,962		4,716
Repayments of customers' advances		(159)		(971)
Net proceeds (repayments) of short-term debt		14,744		(3,305)
Proceeds from long-term debt		165,000		85,000
Repayments of long-term debt		(67,023)		(46,305)
Change in cash overdraft position		(81,722)		(44,003)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan		4,117		4,161
Proceeds from exercised stock options		1,012		714
Repurchase of common stock		(1,012)		(3,262)
Dividends paid on common stock		(67,821)		(61,520)
Other		261		225
Net cash flows used in financing activities		(29,641)		(64,550)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		47,731		13,219
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		10,567		4,827
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	58,298	$	18,046
Non-cash investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions purchased at the period end, but not yet paid for	$	74,451	$	73,014
Non-cash customer advances and contributions in aid of construction		1,829		8,997
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, 2022, and the unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, of cash flows, and of equity for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, 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, 2021. 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. Further, 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. 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.

In the preparation of these financial statements and related disclosures, we have assessed the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our estimates, assumptions, forecasts, and accounting policies. Because of the essential nature of our business, we do not believe the COVID-19 pandemic had a material impact on our estimates, assumptions and forecasts used in the preparation of our financial statements, although we continue to monitor this closely. As the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to evolve, future events and effects related to the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be determined with precision, and actual results could significantly differ from our estimates or forecasts.

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, 2021.

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, 2022								March 31, 2021
	Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues		Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Residential	$	131,288	$	26,495	$	285,106	$	-	$	132,856	$	24,361	$	214,194	$	-
Commercial		35,120		6,065		57,040		-		33,188		4,995		41,021		-
Fire protection		9,193		-		-		-		9,045		-		-		-
Industrial		7,181		344		1,842		-		6,989		445		957		-
Gas transportation & storage		-		-		79,174		-		-		-		77,803		-
Other water		17,351		-		-		-		10,443		-		-		-
Other wastewater		-		2,498		-		-		-		1,750		-		-
Other utility		-		-		23,226		2,915		-		-		9,179		3,826
Revenues from contracts with customers		200,133		35,402		446,388		2,915		192,521		31,551		343,154		3,826
Alternative revenue program		615		(27)		(176)				409		46		211		-
Other and eliminations								14,025		-		-		-		11,847
Consolidated	$	200,748	$	35,375	$	446,212	$	16,940	$	192,930	$	31,597	$	343,365	$	15,673

Revenues from Contracts with Customers – These revenues are composed of four main categories: water, wastewater, natural gas, and other. Water revenues represent revenues earned for supplying customers with water service. Wastewater revenues represent revenues earned for treating wastewater and releasing it into the environment. Natural gas revenues represent revenues earned for the gas commodity and delivery of natural gas to customers. Other revenues are associated fees that relate to our utility businesses but are not water, wastewater, or natural gas revenues. Refer to the description below for a discussion of the performance obligation for each of these revenue streams.

Tariff Revenues – These revenues are categorized by customer class: residential, commercial, fire protection, industrial, gas transportation, other water and other wastewater. The rates that generate these revenues are approved by the respective state utility commission, and revenues are billed cyclically and accrued for when unbilled. The regulated natural gas rates are set and adjusted for increases or decreases in our purchased gas costs through purchased gas adjustment mechanisms. Purchased gas adjustment mechanisms provide us with a means to recover purchased gas costs on an ongoing basis without filing a rate case. Other water and other wastewater revenues consist primarily of fines, penalties, surcharges, and availability lot fees. Our performance obligation for tariff revenues is to provide potable water, wastewater treatment service, or delivery and sale of natural gas to customers. This performance obligation is satisfied over time as the services are rendered. The amounts that the Company has a right to invoice for tariff revenues reflect the right to consideration from the customers in an amount that corresponds directly with the value transferred to the customer for the performance completed to date.

10

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Other Utility Revenues – Other utility revenues represent revenues earned primarily from: antenna revenues, which represents fees received from telecommunication operators that have put cellular antennas on our water towers; billing contracts, which represent fees earned from municipalities for performing billing services; fees earned from developers for accessing our water mains; miscellaneous service revenue from gas distribution operations; gas processing and handling revenue; sales of natural gas at market-based rates and contracted fixed prices; sales of gas purchased from third parties; and other gas marketing activities. The performance obligations vary for these revenues, but all are primarily recognized over time as the service is delivered.

Alternative Revenue Program:

Water / Wastewater Revenues: These revenues represent the difference between the actual billed utility volumetric water and wastewater revenues for Aqua Illinois and the revenues set in the last Aqua Illinois rate case. In accordance with the Illinois Commerce Commission, we recognize revenues based on the target amount established in the last rate case, and then record either a regulatory asset or liability based on the cumulative annual difference between the target and actual amounts billed, which results in either a payment from customers or a refund due to customers. The cumulative annual difference is either refunded to customers or collected from customers over a nine-month period.

Natural Gas Revenues: These revenues represent the weather-normalization adjustment (“WNA”) mechanism in place for our natural gas customers served in Kentucky. The WNA serves to minimize the effects of weather on the Company’s results for its residential and small commercial natural gas customers. This regulatory mechanism adjusts revenues earned for the variance between actual and normal weather and can have either positive (warmer than normal) or negative (colder than normal) effects on revenues. Customer bills are adjusted in the December through April billing months, with rates adjusted for the difference between actual revenues and revenues calculated under this mechanism billed to the customers.

These revenue programs represent a contract between the utility and its regulators, not customers, and therefore are not within the scope of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) accounting guidance for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers.

Other and Eliminations – Other and eliminations consist of our non-regulated market-based revenues and intercompany eliminations for revenue billed between our subsidiaries. Our non-regulated operations consist of utility service line protection solutions and repair services to households and gas marketing and production activities. Revenues are primarily recognized over time as service is delivered.
‎

11

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 3 – Acquisitions

Water and Wastewater Utility Acquisitions - Completed

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

In August 2021, the Company acquired the water utility system assets of The Commons Water Supply, Inc., which serves 992 customers in Harris County, Texas, and the wastewater utility system assets of the Village of Bourbonnais, which serves approximately 6,500 customers in Kankakee County, Illinois. The total cash purchase prices for these utility systems were $4,000 and $32,100, respectively.

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 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 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 April 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire certain water or wastewater utility assets of Oak Brook, Illinois which consists of approximately 4,000 customers for $12,500. In January 2021, the Company entered into purchase agreements to acquire, in separate transactions, the wastewater utility system assets of East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania and Willistown Township, Pennsylvania which consist of approximately 10,500 customers for $72,400.

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. The closings of our acquisitions of East Whiteland Township, Willistown Township, and Oak Brook are expected to occur in the second half of 2022. The closings of our Shenandoah Borough, Beaver Falls, and Southern Oaks acquisitions are expected to occur in the first quarter of 2023.   Closing for our utility acquisitions are subject to the timing of the respective regulatory approval processes.

12

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

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.

The administrative law judges in the regulatory approval process recommended that the Company’s application 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, and a decision is expected in the next several months.

After the PUC issued the 2021 Order, on April 16, 2021, the administrative law judge 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 and requested that the PUC move forward with processing the application. Several parties responded to the Company’s letter and referenced the issues in the second appeal before Commonwealth Court regarding the 2021 Order.

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 expected to occur in late 2022 or early 2023, subject to the timing of the regulatory approval process and Delaware County’s 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 – 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, 2021	$	58,527	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,815
Goodwill acquired		-		-		-		-
Balance at March 31, 2022	$	58,527	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,815

Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually, or more often, if circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company may assess qualitative factors, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, and entity specific events, for some or all of our reporting units to determine whether it’s more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Alternatively, based on our assessment of the qualitative factors previously noted or on a voluntary basis, we may perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test by determining the fair value of a reporting unit. If we perform a quantitative test and determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we would record an impairment loss for the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.

Note 5 – Capitalization

Forward Equity Sale

In August 2020, the Company entered into a forward equity sale agreement for 6,700,000 shares of common stock with a third party (the “forward purchaser”). In connection with the forward equity sale agreement, the forward purchaser borrowed an equal number of shares of the Company’s common stock from stock lenders and sold the borrowed shares to the public. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of its common stock by the forward purchaser until settlement of the shares underlying the forward equity sale agreement. The actual proceeds to be received by the Company would have varied depending upon the settlement date, the number of shares designated for settlement on that settlement date, and the method of settlement. The forward equity sale agreement was accounted for as an equity instrument and was recorded at a fair value of $0 at inception. The fair value was not adjusted as the Company continued to meet the accounting requirements for equity instruments.

14

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

On August 9, 2021, the Company settled the forward equity sale agreement in full by physical share settlement. The Company issued 6,700,000 shares and received cash proceeds of $299,739 at a forward price of $44.74 per share. Pursuant to the agreement, the forward price was computed based upon the initial forward price of $46.00 per share, adjusted for a floating interest rate factor equal to a specified daily rate less a spread and scheduled dividends during the term of the agreement. The Company used the proceeds received upon settlement of the forward equity sale agreement to fund general corporate purposes, including for water and wastewater utility acquisitions, working capital and capital expenditures. The forward equity sale agreement has now been completely settled, and there are no additional shares subject to the forward equity sale agreement.

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. As of March 31, 2022, the balance of the stock purchase contracts was 7,603,234. 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 settled for 1.18758 shares of the Company’s common stock for each stock purchase contract, and in aggregate the Company issued 7,863,354 shares of its common stock. 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 cash installments of $0.75000 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, and which 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 represent unsecured senior obligations of the Company. The final quarterly installment payment was made on May 2, 2022, which resulted in the complete pay-off of the amortizing notes.

Long-term Debt and Loans Payable

On April 15, 2021, the Company’s operating subsidiary, Aqua Ohio, Inc., issued $100,000 of first mortgage bonds, of which $50,000 is due in 2031 and $50,000 is due in 2051, with interest rates of 2.37% and 3.35%, respectively. The proceeds from these bonds were used for general corporate purposes and to repay existing indebtedness. Further, on April 19, 2021, the Company issued $400,000 of long-term debt, less expenses of $4,010, which is due in 2031, with an interest rate of 2.40%. The Company used the proceeds from this issuance to repay $50,000 of borrowings under the Aqua Pennsylvania revolving credit facility, and the balance was used to repay in full the borrowings under its existing five year unsecured revolving credit agreement.

15

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 6 – Financial Instruments 

The Company follows the FASB’s accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, which defines fair value and establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

l	Level 1: unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access;
l	Level 2: inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; or
l	Level 3: inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. 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 quarter ended March 31, 2022. 

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. 

The fair value of loans payable is determined based on its carrying amount and utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying amount of the Company’s loans payable was $79,743 and $65,000, 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, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents was $58,298 and $10,567, 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, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying amount of these securities was $27,282 and $28,576, 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,
	2022		2021
Net gain (loss) recognized during the period on equity securities	$	(278)	$	248
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	$	(278)	$	248

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,
	2022		2021
Carrying amount	$	6,042,109	$	5,947,357
Estimated fair value		5,903,235		6,482,499

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 $104,403 as of March 31, 2022, and $103,619 as of December 31, 2021. 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 7 – 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 to be 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, potentially dilutive shares, and the expected number of shares to be issued upon settlement of the stock purchase contracts issued under the tangible equity units, based on the applicable market value of our common stock. The dilutive effect of employee stock-based compensation and shares issuable under the forward equity sale agreement (from the date the Company entered into the forward equity sale agreement to the settlement date) are included in the computation of diluted net income per common share. The dilutive effect of stock-based compensation and shares issuable under the forward equity sale agreement are calculated using the treasury stock method and expected proceeds upon exercise or issuance of the stock-based compensation and settlement of the forward equity sale agreement. The treasury stock method assumes that the proceeds from stock-based compensation and settlement of the forward equity sale agreement are 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,
	2022	2021
Average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation	261,952	254,565
Effect of dilutive securities:
Forward equity sale agreement	-	3
Employee stock-based compensation	479	401
Average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation	262,431	254,969

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation includes the weighted-average impact of 9,029,461 and 9,091,179 shares, respectively, based on the minimum number of shares to be issued in April 2022 upon settlement of the stock purchase contracts issued in April 2019 under the tangible equity units.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, 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 these periods. 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.

18

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 8 – 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, 2022, 1,785,479 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,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	1,650	$	1,641
Income tax benefit		467		462

The following table summarizes the PSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2022:  

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Share Units	Fair Value
Nonvested share units at beginning of period	355,384	$	42.19
Granted	160,245		42.31
Forfeited	(3,161)		46.39
Nonvested share units at end of period	512,468		42.20

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, 2022 and 2021 was $42.31 and $43.23, 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,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	777	$	604
Income tax benefit		219		169

The following table summarizes the RSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2022: 

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Units	Fair Value
Nonvested stock units at beginning of period	193,687	$	43.76
Granted	71,570		45.10
Stock units vested and issued	(54,079)		36.63
Forfeited	(653)		43.77
Nonvested stock units at end of period	210,525		46.08

The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $45.10 and $44.44, 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,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	100	$	211
Income tax benefit		28		60

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:

	2022
Expected term (years)		5.48
Risk-free interest rate		1.92%
Expected volatility		26.50%
Dividend yield		2.37%
Grant date fair value per option	$	9.34

The Company did not grant stock options during the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

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, 2022:

		Weighted		Weighted
		Average		Average	Aggregate
		Exercise		Remaining	Intrinsic
	Shares	Price		Life (years)	Value
Outstanding at beginning of period	813,492	$	35.37
Granted	84,296		45.19
Forfeited	(863)		35.94
Expired	(125)		35.94
Exercised	(28,516)		35.48
Outstanding at end of period	868,284	$	36.33	7.0	$	12,853,795
Exercisable at end of period	783,723	$	35.37	6.6	$	12,351,503

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,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	12	$	93
Income tax benefit		4		27

The following table summarizes restricted stock transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Shares	Fair Value
Nonvested restricted stock at beginning of period	1,068	$	46.83
Granted	-		-
Vested	-		-
Nonvested restricted stock at end of period	1,068	$	46.83

The Company did not grant restricted stock for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

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,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	192	$	175
Income tax benefit		56		51

The following table summarizes stock award transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Awards	Fair Value
Nonvested stock awards at beginning of period	-	$	-
Granted	3,724		51.66
Vested	(3,724)		(51.66)
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, 2022 and 2021 was $51.66 and $44.54, respectively.

Note 9 – 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 (credit) cost for the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans:

	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Service cost	$	707	$	1,078
Interest cost		3,201		3,061
Expected return on plan assets		(5,895)		(5,907)
Amortization of prior service cost		134		140
Amortization of actuarial loss		435		1,071
Net periodic benefit credit	$	(1,418)	$	(557)

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,
	2022		2021
Service cost	$	478	$	698
Interest cost		842		840
Expected return on plan assets		(1,125)		(1,039)
Amortization of prior service credit		-		(108)
Amortization of actuarial loss		(334)		55
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$	(139)	$	446

The net periodic benefit (credit) cost 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 (credit) cost 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 2022.

Note 10 – Rate Activity 

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 August 20, 2021, the Company’s regulated water and wastewater operating subsidiary in Pennsylvania, Aqua Pennsylvania, filed an application with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission designed to increase rates by $97,685 or 17.9% on an annual basis. The Company anticipates a final order to be issued by May 2022.

Base rate cases are also underway for our water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Ohio.

During the first three months of 2022, the Company’s two other water utility operating divisions in Ohio were granted base rate increases designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $1,378. Further, during the first three months of 2022, the Company received approval to bill infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $6,789 in its water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Illinois.

24

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 11 – Taxes Other than Income Taxes 

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Property	$	8,014	$	7,714
Gross receipts, excise and franchise		4,100		3,684
Payroll		6,661		6,756
Regulatory assessments		1,765		838
Pumping fees		1,375		1,126
Other		1,092		923
Total taxes other than income	$	23,007	$	21,041

Note 12 – Segment Information 

The Company has twelve 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 three 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, Aqua Infrastructure, 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. Prior to the October 30, 2020 sale of our investment in joint venture, Aqua Infrastructure provided non-utility raw water supply services for firms in the natural gas drilling industry. 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 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.

25

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

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

	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2022								March 31, 2021
	Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated		Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated
Operating revenues	$	239,198	$	445,183	$	14,894	$	699,275	$	228,353	$	343,115	$	12,097	$	583,565
Operations and maintenance expense		86,088		59,452		(2,959)		142,581		78,347		51,326		(4,598)		125,075
Purchased gas		-		217,306		10,406		227,712		-		122,888		9,265		132,153
Depreciation and amortization		48,716		29,704		(74)		78,346		45,138		27,590		216		72,944
Taxes other than income taxes		15,891		6,191		925		23,007		15,421		4,447		1,173		21,041
Operating income (loss)		88,503		132,530		6,596		227,629		89,447		136,864		6,041		232,352
Interest expense, net (a)		27,554		20,652		4,821		53,027		26,460		17,296		6,626		50,382
Allowance for funds used during construction		(5,149)		(690)		-		(5,839)		(3,247)		313		-		(2,934)
Other		(1,944)		(444)		686		(1,702)		(1,429)		(428)		(1,694)		(3,551)
Income before income taxes		68,042		113,012		1,089		182,143		67,663		119,683		1,109		188,455
Provision for income taxes (benefit)		7,499		(26,474)		1,742		(17,233)		3,633		432		701		4,766
Net income (loss)	$	60,543	$	139,486	$	(653)	$	199,376	$	64,030	$	119,251	$	408	$	183,689
Capital expenditures	$	100,803	$	82,122	$	397	$	183,322	$	113,793	$	64,114	$	102	$	178,009

^(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,
	2022		2021
Total assets:
Regulated water	$	8,487,684	$	8,403,586
Regulated natural gas		6,090,675		5,960,602
Other		298,664		294,090
Consolidated	$	14,877,023	$	14,658,278

26

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 13 – 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, 2022, the aggregate amount of $16,577 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, the Company has insurance coverage for certain of these loss contingencies, and as of March 31, 2022, estimates that approximately $2,385 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 water customers in one division served by the Company’s Illinois subsidiary. During the second quarter of 2021, an immaterial 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. The Company is vigorously defending against this claim. A claim for the expenses incurred has been submitted to the Company’s insurance carrier for potential recovery of a portion of these costs, and on August 3, 2020, the Company received $2,874 in insurance proceeds. 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 other 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 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 $2,470 at March 31, 2022 and represents a reserve for unpaid claim costs, including an estimate for the cost of incurred but not reported claims.

27

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 14 – Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was (9.5)% and 2.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.   The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first quarter is primarily attributed to an increase in our income tax benefit associated with the tax deduction for qualifying infrastructure and the amortization of the customer surcredit tax repair catch-up adjustment during the first quarter of 2022 in our Regulated Natural Gas segment.  The statutory Federal tax rate is 21% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. For states with a corporate net income tax, the state corporate net income tax rates range from 2.5% to 9.99% for all periods presented. In determining its interim tax provision, the Company reflects its estimated permanent and flow-through tax differences for the taxable year, including the basis difference for the adoption of the tangible property regulations. Qualifying utility asset improvement costs and the amortization of excess deferred income taxes caused the year-to-date effective tax rate to be significantly different from the statutory rate in both 2021 and 2022.

On March 16, 2020, the Company completed the Peoples Gas Acquisition. On March 31, 2020, the Company changed the method of tax accounting for certain qualifying infrastructure investments at its Peoples Natural Gas subsidiary, its largest natural gas subsidiary in Pennsylvania. This change allows a tax deduction for qualifying utility asset improvement costs that were formerly capitalized for tax purposes. Consistent with the Company’s accounting for differences between book and tax expenditures in Pennsylvania, the Company is utilizing the flow-through method to account for this timing difference. In addition, the Company calculated the income tax benefits for qualifying capital expenditures made prior to March 16, 2020 (“catch-up adjustment”) and has recorded a regulatory liability for $160,655 for these income tax benefits. On May 6, 2021, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved a settlement order which stipulates, among other points, that the catch-up adjustment be provided to utility customers over a five-year period, and the Company can continue to use flow-through accounting for the current tax repair benefit until its next base rate case. The five-year customer surcredit for the catch-up adjustment was initiated in August 2021. During the first quarter of 2022, $12,487 of income tax benefits were amortized as refunds were being made to Peoples Natural Gas customers. In addition, the Company contributed $500 to a customer-bill payment assistance program in July 2021 and in December 2021 provided $5,000 in relief to past-due accounts for natural gas customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through a rate credit fulfilling this requirement.

28

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Note 15 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements  

Pronouncements to be adopted upon the effective date:

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 is evaluating the requirements of the updated guidance to determine the impact of adoption.

Pronouncement adopted during the year:

In August 2020, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on accounting for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The updated guidance reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt and convertible preferred stock instruments and makes certain disclosure amendments intended to improve the information provided to users. Additionally, the guidance also amends the derivative guidance for the “own stock” scope exception, which exempts qualifying instruments from being accounted for as derivatives if certain criteria are met. Further, the standard changes the way certain convertible instruments are treated when calculating earnings per share. As permitted, we adopted this updated guidance on January 1, 2022, which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

29

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 the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of regulation, abnormal weather, geopolitical forces, changes in capital requirements and funding, our ability to close acquisitions, changes to the capital markets, 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, 2021 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, pursuant to the Company’s growth strategy, 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.

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)

Essential Utilities, Inc., which prior to its name change in February 2020 was known as Aqua America, Inc., was formed in 1968 as a holding company for its primary subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania, formerly known as Philadelphia Suburban Water Company. For many years, starting in the early 1990s, our business strategy has been 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 in seven other states.   On March 16, 2020, the Company completed the Peoples Gas Acquisition, a natural gas distribution utility, marking its entrance into the regulated natural gas business. The Company seeks to acquire businesses in the U.S. regulated sector, which includes water and wastewater utilities, and other regulated utilities, and to opportunistically pursue growth ventures in select market-based activities, such as infrastructure opportunities that are supplementary and complementary to our regulated 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.

COVID-19 Pandemic

We provide a critical service to our customers, which means that it is paramount that we keep our employees who operate the business safe and informed while supporting our customers and assuring the continuity of our operations. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and take steps to mitigate the potential risks to our business. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented protective measures in the field, our plants, and within our offices, which we continuously update for changes in conditions and emerging trends and align with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Federal, State and local health authorities. Our office employees returned to the workplace safely in 2021 and remain working in a hybrid flex schedule as positions allow. We also encouraged employees to become vaccinated. In addition, we are monitoring collections of customer utility accounts, risks present in our supply chain, and increased expenses for costs associated with workforce-related supplies, security and cleaning of company offices and operating facilities, as well as other one-time expenses above the expense amounts included in general rates.

Inflationary Cost Environment

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we experienced inflationary cost increases in our materials, labor and other operating costs, as well as supply chain pressures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and global uncertainties associated with the current conflict in Ukraine and sanctions imposed in response to this conflict. The price of natural gas substantially increased during the first quarter of 2022 and resulted in the significant increase in the revenue and expenses of our Regulated Natural Gas business during the three month period ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the same three month period a year earlier. We expect these pressures to continue throughout 2022. We continue to review the adequacy of our rates as approved by public utility commissions in relation to the increasing cost of providing services and the inherent regulatory lag in adjusting those rates. We also continue to work with our suppliers to monitor and address the risks present in our supply chain. While we have experienced

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)

some delays in certain materials, we have been able to adjust our purchasing procedures to secure and stock the necessary materials without materially impacting our operations or capital investment program.

Financial Condition

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.

During the first three months of 2022, we incurred $183,322 of capital expenditures, expended $50,009 for the acquisition of a wastewater utility system, issued $165,000 of long-term debt, and repaid debt and made sinking fund contributions and other loan repayments of $67,023. 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 issuance of long-term debt was for funds borrowed under our revolving credit facility and used for capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including a municipal acquisition.

On April 15, 2021, the Company’s operating subsidiary Aqua Ohio, Inc. issued $100,000 of first mortgage bonds, of which $50,000 is due in 2031 and $50,000 is due in 2051, with interest rates of 2.37% and 3.35%, respectively. The proceeds from these bonds were used for general corporate purposes and to repay existing indebtedness. Further on April 19, 2021, the Company issued $400,000 of long-term debt, less expenses of $4,010, which is due in 2031 with an interest rate of 2.40%. The Company used the proceeds from this issuance to repay $50,000 of borrowings under our Aqua Pennsylvania five- year revolving credit facility, and the balance was used to repay in full the borrowings under its existing five-year unsecured revolving credit agreement.

At March 31, 2022, we had $58,298 of cash and cash equivalents compared to $10,567 at December 31, 2021. During the first three months of 2022, we used the proceeds from long-term debt and internally generated funds to fund the cash requirements discussed above and to pay dividends.

At March 31, 2022 our $1,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2023, had $570,267 available for borrowing. Additionally, at March 31, 2022, we had short-term lines of credit of $235,500, of which $155,757 was available for borrowing. One of our short-term lines of credit is an Aqua Pennsylvania $100,000 364-day unsecured revolving credit facility with four banks, which is used to provide working capital, and as of March 31, 2022, $50,257 was available for borrowing. Another one of our short-term lines of credit is a Peoples Natural Gas Companies $100,000 364-day unsecured revolving credit facility with two banks, which is used to provide working capital, and as of March 31, 2022, $70,000 was available for borrowing. Our short-term lines of credit of $235,500 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)

Consolidated Results of Operations

Consolidated financial and operational highlights for the three month period ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 are presented below.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022	2021	Increase (Decrease)	% change
Operating revenues	$              699,275	$            583,565	$              115,710	19.8%
Operations and maintenance expense	$              142,581	$            125,075	$                17,506	14.0%
Purchased gas	$              227,712	$            132,153	$                95,559	72.3%
Net income	$              199,376	$            183,689	$                15,687	8.5%
Operating Statistics
Selected operating results as a percentage of operating revenues:
Operations and maintenance	20.4%	21.4%
Purchased gas	32.6%	22.6%
Depreciation and amortization	11.2%	12.5%
Taxes other than income taxes	3.3%	3.6%
Interest expense, net of interest income	7.6%	8.6%
Net income	28.5%	31.5%
Effective tax rate	-9.5%	2.5%

Consolidated operating revenues increased by $115,710 or 19.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the same period in 2021. Revenues from our Regulated Water segment, Regulated Natural Gas segment and Other business segment increased by $10,845, $102,068 and $2,797, respectively. Refer below for further details on the changes on Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas segment revenues. The increase in our Other business segment revenue is due to higher revenues from our non-regulated natural gas operations.

Consolidated operations and maintenance increased by $17,506 or 14.0%, primarily due to:

increase in employee related costs of $8,448;

increase in production costs for water and wastewater operations of $1,526;

increase in customer assistance surcharge costs of $6,761 in our Regulated Natural Gas segment, which has an equivalent offsetting amount in revenues. These revenues and offsetting expenses increased mainly due to the increase in average gas prices during the first quarter of 2022 compared to the prior period;

additional operating costs associated with acquired and pending acquisitions of water and wastewater utility systems of $1,343;

increase in insurance expense of $3,261, which includes the impact of a favorable insurance reserve adjustment of $2,426 during the first quarter of 2021;   

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)

expenses of $392 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 2022; and,

offset by the decrease in bad debt expense of $2,930.

Purchased gas increased by $95,559 or 72.3%. Purchased gas represents the cost of gas sold by Peoples for the regulated and non-regulated gas business and has a corresponding offset in revenue. The expense increased primarily due to the 46.9% increase in the average gas commodity prices as compared to the same period in the prior year.

Depreciation expense increased by $6,241 or 8.7% principally due to continued capital expenditures to expand and improve our utility facilities and our acquisitions of new utility systems. Amortization decreased by $839 or 64.2% due to a change in the amortization of a regulatory liability in 2022 in our Regulated Water segment.

Taxes other than income taxes increased by $1,966 or 9.3% largely due to an increase in property, utility, and sales and use taxes in our Regulated Natural Gas segment.

Interest expense, net of interest income increased by $2,645 or 5.2% for the quarter primarily due to the increase in average borrowings.

Allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) increased by $2,905 due to an increase in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress, to which AFUDC is applied.

Other income decreased by $1,769 compared to the same period in the prior year. The first quarter of 2021 included a recovery of a previously incurred cost of $1,917 that resulted in a recognition of a regulatory asset in the prior period.

Our effective income tax rate was (9.5)% in the first quarter of 2022 and 2.5% in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily attributed to the income tax benefit associated with the tax deduction for qualifying infrastructure and the amortization of the customer surcredit tax repair catch-up adjustment during the first quarter of 2022 in our Regulated Natural Gas segment.

Net income increased by $15,687 or 8.5% primarily as a result of the factors described above.

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.

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)

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,
	2022		2021		Increase (Decrease)	% change
Operating revenues	$          239,198		$            228,353		$              10,845	4.7%
Operations and maintenance expense	$            86,088		$              78,347		$                7,741	9.9%
Net income	$            60,543		$              64,030		$               (3,487)	-5.4%
Operating Statistics
Selected operating results as a percentage of operating revenues:
Operations and maintenance		36.0%		34.3%
Depreciation and amortization, net		20.4%		19.8%
Taxes other than income taxes		6.6%		6.8%
Interest expense, net of interest income		11.5%		11.6%
Net income		25.3%		28.0%
Effective tax rate		11.0%		5.4%

Revenues increased by $10,845 or 4.7% for the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021, mainly due to the following:

an increase in water and wastewater rates, including infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges, of $5,860; and,

additional water and wastewater revenues of $4,342 associated with a larger customer base due to utility acquisitions and organic growth.

Operations and maintenance expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased by $7,741 or 9.9% was primarily due to the following:

additional operating costs resulting from acquired water and wastewater utility systems and higher customer base of $1,343;

increase in employee related costs of $3,641;

increase in production costs for water and wastewater operations of $1,526;

expenses of $392 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 2022; and,

offset by a decrease in bad debt expense of $729.

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)

Depreciation and amortization increased by $3,578 or 7.9% primarily due to continued capital spend, offset by a change in the amortization of a regulated liability in 2022.

Taxes other than income taxes increased by $470 or 3.0%.

Interest expense, net, increased by $1,094 or 4.1% for the quarter primarily due to an increase in average borrowings.

AFUDC increased by $1,902 due to the increase in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress, to which AFUDC is applied.

Other income increased by $515 or by 36.0%.

Our effective income tax rate for our Regulated Water Segment was 11.0% in the first quarter of 2022 and 5.4% in the first quarter of 2021. The increase the effective tax rate is primarily the result of lower income tax benefit associated with the tax deduction for qualifying infrastructure in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to 2021.

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,
	2022	2021	Increase (Decrease)	% change
Operating revenues	$              445,183	$                343,115	$                102,068	29.7%
Operations and maintenance expense	$                59,452	$                  51,326	$                    8,126	15.8%
Purchased gas	$              217,306	$                122,888	$                  94,418	76.8%
Net income	$              139,486	$                119,251	$                  20,235	17.0%
Operating Statistics
Selected operating results as a percentage of operating revenues:
Operations and maintenance	13.4%	15.0%
Purchased gas	48.8%	35.8%
Depreciation and amortization	6.7%	8.0%
Taxes other than income taxes	1.4%	1.3%
Net income	31.3%	34.8%
Effective tax rate	-23.4%	0.4%

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. Therefore, fluctuations in the cost of purchased gas impact operating revenues on a dollar-for-dollar basis, but do not impact gross margin. Management uses gross margin, a non-GAAP financial measure, defined as operating revenues less purchased gas expense, to analyze the financial performance of our Regulated Natural Gas segment, as management believes gross margin provides a meaningful basis for evaluating our natural gas utility operations since purchased gas expenses are included in operating revenues and passed through to customers. The following table shows the reconciliation of gross margin (non-GAAP) to operating revenues (GAAP):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Operating revenues (GAAP)	$	445,183	$	343,115
Purchased gas		217,306		122,888
Gross margin (non-GAAP)	$	227,877	$	220,227

The term gross margin is not intended to represent operating revenues, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, as an indicator of operating performance. In addition, our measurement of gross margin is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Operating revenues from the Regulated Natural Gas segment increased by $102,068 or 29.7% due to:

impact of higher gas cost of $94,418 during the quarter as compared to the prior quarter;

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)

higher usage of $7,812 due to colder weather during the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021;

increase in customer assistance surcharge of $6,761, which has an equivalent offsetting amount in operations and maintenance expense. These revenues and offsetting expenses increased mainly due to the increase in average gas prices during the first quarter of 2022 compared to the prior period;

increase of $4,737 due to higher rates and other surcharges; and,

offset by the tax repair surcredits to customers of $12,487.

Operations and maintenance expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased by $8,126 or 15.8% primarily due to the following:

increase in employee related costs of $4,183;

increase in customer assistance surcharge costs of $6,761, which has an equivalent offsetting amount in revenues; and,

offset by a decrease in bad debt expense of $629.

Purchased gas increased by $94,418 or 76.8%. The increase is largely due to the 46.9% increase in the average gas commodity prices in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the prior period.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $2,114 or 7.7% primarily due to continued capital spend.

Taxes other than income taxes increased by $1,744 or 39.2% mainly due to an increase in property, utility, and sales and use taxes during the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021.

Interest expense, net, increased by $3,356 or 19.4% for the quarter due to additional borrowings pushed down by Essential Utilities, Inc.

AFUDC increased by $1,003 due to the increase in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress, to which AFUDC is applied.

Other income increased by $16 or by 3.7%.

Our effective income tax rate was (23.4)% in the first quarter of 2022 and 0.4% in the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily attributed to the decrease in the income tax benefit associated with the tax deduction for qualifying infrastructure and the amortization of the catch-up adjustment during the first quarter of 2022 in our Regulated Natural Gas segment.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We describe the impact of recent accounting pronouncements in Note 15, 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, 2021, filed March 1, 2022, 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 

We are in the process of implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for our Regulated Water business segment that enhances our business and financial processes and standardizes some of our information technology systems with our other segments.  In connection with this new ERP implementation, we have updated our internal controls over financial reporting, as necessary, to accommodate modifications in our Regulated Water business processes and accounting procedures. The next phase of the ERP implementation will address the Regulated Water business segment’s customer information system, which includes customer billing, and is expected to go live in the second half of 2023.   

Except as described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are 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, 2021, under “Part 1, Item 1A – Risk Factors.”

39

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, 2022:

	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, 2022	256	$	53.61	-	-
February 1 - 28, 2022	21,004	$	47.48	-	-
March 1 - 31, 2022	30	$	47.93	-	-
Total	21,290	$	47.56	-	-

(1)These amounts consist of 21,290 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, 2022, 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 10, 2022

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 10, 2022

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 10, 2022

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, 2022 of 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 10, 2022

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, 2022 of 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 10, 2022

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Apr. 18, 2022
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
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
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		253,716,494
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0000078128
Common Stock [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.50 par value
Trading Symbol	WTRG
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Tangible Equity Units [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.00% Tangible Equity Units
Trading Symbol	WTRU
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Assets
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 12,836,605	$ 12,610,376
Less: accumulated depreciation	2,441,921	2,358,510
Net property, plant and equipment	10,394,684	10,251,866
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	58,298	10,567
Accounts receivable, net	182,587	141,025
Unbilled revenues	104,540	119,896
Inventory - materials and supplies	38,560	33,756
Inventory - gas stored	20,502	75,804
Prepayments and other current assets	29,856	36,597
Regulatory assets	9,172	20,150
Total current assets	443,515	437,795
Regulatory assets	1,505,211	1,429,840
Deferred charges and other assets, net	139,608	141,955
Funds restricted for construction activity	1,313	1,313
Goodwill	2,340,815	2,340,815
Operating lease right-of-use assets	46,305	48,930
Intangible assets	5,572	5,764
Total assets	14,877,023	14,658,278
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock at $0.50 par value, authorized 600,000,000 shares, issued 256,281,789 and 256,102,388 as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021	128,140	128,050
Capital in excess of par value	3,713,560	3,705,814
Retained earnings	1,497,757	1,434,201
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,250,261 and 3,234,765 shares as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021	(84,357)	(83,615)
Total stockholders' equity	5,255,100	5,184,450
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	5,910,363	5,815,211
Less: debt issuance costs	38,403	35,707
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs	5,871,960	5,779,504
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 13)
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	131,746	132,146
Loans payable	79,743	65,000
Accounts payable	161,511	192,932
Book overdraft		81,722
Accrued interest	66,133	40,815
Accrued taxes	37,130	37,924
Regulatory liabilities	17,241	384
Dividends payable	67,863
Other accrued liabilities	116,811	124,140
Total current liabilities	678,178	675,063
Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits	1,481,253	1,406,537
Customers' advances for construction	104,403	103,619
Regulatory liabilities	759,661	769,617
Asset retirement obligations	1,262	1,256
Operating lease liabilities	43,946	48,230
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities	48,864	50,226
Other	35,998	43,666
Total deferred credits and other liabilities	2,475,387	2,423,151
Contributions in aid of construction	596,398	596,110
Total liabilities and equity	$ 14,877,023	$ 14,658,278

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
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	256,281,789	256,102,388
Treasury stock, shares	3,250,261	3,234,765

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 699,275	$ 583,565
Operating expenses:
Operations and maintenance	142,581	125,075
Purchased gas	227,712	132,153
Depreciation	77,878	71,637
Amortization	468	1,307
Taxes other than income taxes	23,007	21,041
Total operating expenses	471,646	351,213
Operating income	227,629	232,352
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	53,636	50,769
Interest income	(609)	(387)
Allowance for funds used during construction	(5,839)	(2,934)
Gain on sale of other assets		(80)
Other	(1,702)	(3,471)
Income before income taxes	182,143	188,455
Provision for income taxes (benefit)	(17,233)	4,766
Net income	199,376	183,689
Comprehensive income	$ 199,376	$ 183,689
Net income per common share:
Basic	$ 0.76	$ 0.72
Diluted	$ 0.76	$ 0.72
Average common shares outstanding during the period:
Basic	261,952	254,565
Diluted	262,431	254,969

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Capitalization - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.50 par value	$ 128,140	$ 128,050
Capital in excess of par value	3,713,560	3,705,814
Retained earnings	1,497,757	1,434,201
Treasury stock, at cost	(84,357)	(83,615)
Total stockholders' equity	5,255,100	5,184,450
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Long-term debt of subsidiaries	3,056,836	3,061,887
Total long-term debt	6,042,109	5,947,357
Current portion of long-term debt	131,746	132,146
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	5,910,363	5,815,211
Less: debt issuance costs	38,403	35,707
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs	5,871,960	5,779,504
Total capitalization	11,127,060	10,963,954
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	2,302	2,341
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	9,157	9,341
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	311,863	312,751
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	1,357,393	1,359,284
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	1,284,508	1,286,024
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	15,917	16,119
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	32,446	32,475
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	28,799	28,980
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	2,651	2,772
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 2023 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Notes payable to bank under revolving credit agreement, variable rate, due Dec 2023	410,000	300,000
Amortizing notes at 3.00% due 2022 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	10,273	20,470
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 ranging from 5.64% to 5.95%, due 2022 through 2034 [Member]
Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Unsecured notes payable	$ 40,000	$ 40,000

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Capitalization (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Common stock, par value	$ 0.50	$ 0.50
Revolving Credit Agreement, Due 2023 [Member]
Maturity date	2023	2023
Amortizing notes at 3.00% due 2022 [Member]
Interest rate	3.00%	3.00%
Maturity date	2022	2022
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 3.01% due 2029 [Member]
Interest rate	3.01%	3.01%
Maturity date	2029	2029
Notes at 3.59% due 2050 [Member]
Interest rate	3.59%	3.59%
Maturity date	2050	2050
Notes at 4.28%, due 2049 [Member]
Interest rate	4.28%	4.28%
Maturity date	2049	2049
Notes at 5.64% due 2022 [Member]
Interest rate	5.64%	5.64%
Maturity date	2022	2022
Notes at 5.95% due 2034 [Member]
Interest rate	5.95%	5.95%
Maturity date	2034	2034
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	2022	2022
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 3.00% To 3.99% [Member]
Interest rate	3.00%	3.00%
Maturity date	2022	2022
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	2022	2022
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 7.00% To 7.99% [Member]
Interest rate	7.00%	7.00%
Maturity date	2022	2022
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 8.00% To 8.99% [Member]
Interest rate	8.00%	8.00%
Maturity date	2025	2025
Minimum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 9.00% To 9.99% [Member]
Interest rate	9.00%	9.00%
Maturity date	2026	2026
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	2043	2043
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%
Maturity date	2025	2025
Maximum [Member] | Long-Term Debt Of Subsidiaries 9.00% To 9.99% [Member]
Interest rate	9.99%	9.99%
Maturity date	2026	2026

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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, 2020	$ 124,285	$ 3,379,057	$ 1,261,862	$ (81,327)	$ 4,683,877
Net income			183,689		183,689
Dividends declared and paid			(61,520)		(61,520)
Issuance of common stock from private placement	49	4,112			4,161
Repurchase of stock				(3,262)	(3,262)
Equity compensation plan	97	(97)
Exercise of stock options	10	704			714
Stock-based compensation		2,631	(174)		2,457
Other		(31)		256	225
Balance at Mar. 31, 2021	124,441	3,386,376	1,383,857	(84,333)	4,810,341
Retained earnings					1,434,201
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
Retained earnings					$ 1,497,757

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Consolidated Statements Of Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Consolidated Statements Of Equity (Parenthetical) [Abstract]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.2682	$ 0.2507
Dividend declared per common share	$ 0.2682
Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan, shares	93,833	98,904
Repurchase of stock, shares	21,290	76,105
Equity compensation plan, shares	57,052	192,407
Exercise of stock options, shares	28,516	20,201

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flow - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 199,376	$ 183,689
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	78,346	72,944
Deferred income taxes	(19,774)	19,335
Provision for doubtful accounts	5,991	8,921
Stock-based compensation	2,732	2,724
Gain on sale of utility systems and other assets	(19)	(91)
Net change in receivables, inventory and prepayments	49,050	30,261
Net change in payables, accrued interest, accrued taxes and other accrued liabilities	(5,354)	(53,756)
Pension and other postretirement benefits contributions		(6,363)
Other	256	(2,183)
Net cash flows from operating activities	310,604	255,481
Cash flows from investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions, including the debt component of allowance for funds used during construction of $1,449 and $170	(183,322)	(178,009)
Acquisitions of utility systems, net	(50,009)
Net proceeds from the sale of other assets	19	100
Other	80	197
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(233,232)	(177,712)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Customers' advances and contributions in aid of construction	2,962	4,716
Repayments of customers' advances	(159)	(971)
Net proceeds (repayments) of short-term debt	14,744	(3,305)
Proceeds from long-term debt	165,000	85,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(67,023)	(46,305)
Change in cash overdraft position	(81,722)	(44,003)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan	4,117	4,161
Proceeds from exercised stock options	1,012	714
Repurchase of common stock	(1,012)	(3,262)
Dividends paid on common stock	(67,821)	(61,520)
Other	261	225
Net cash flows from financing activities	(29,641)	(64,550)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	47,731	13,219
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,567	4,827
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	58,298	18,046
Non-cash investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions purchased at the period end, but not yet paid for	74,451	73,014
Non-cash customer advances and contributions in aid of construction	$ 1,829	$ 8,997

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Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flow (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flow [Abstract]
Debt component of allowance for funds used during construction	$ 1,449	$ 170

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Basis Of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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, 2022, and the unaudited consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, of cash flows, and of equity for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, 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, 2021. 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. Further, 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. 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. In the preparation of these financial statements and related disclosures, we have assessed the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our estimates, assumptions, forecasts, and accounting policies. Because of the essential nature of our business, we do not believe the COVID-19 pandemic had a material impact on our estimates, assumptions and forecasts used in the preparation of our financial statements, although we continue to monitor this closely. As the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to evolve, future events and effects related to the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be determined with precision, and actual results could significantly differ from our estimates or forecasts. 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, 2021.

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Revenue Recognition

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

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, 2022								March 31, 2021
	Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues		Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Residential	$	131,288	$	26,495	$	285,106	$	-	$	132,856	$	24,361	$	214,194	$	-
Commercial		35,120		6,065		57,040		-		33,188		4,995		41,021		-
Fire protection		9,193		-		-		-		9,045		-		-		-
Industrial		7,181		344		1,842		-		6,989		445		957		-
Gas transportation & storage		-		-		79,174		-		-		-		77,803		-
Other water		17,351		-		-		-		10,443		-		-		-
Other wastewater		-		2,498		-		-		-		1,750		-		-
Other utility		-		-		23,226		2,915		-		-		9,179		3,826
Revenues from contracts with customers		200,133		35,402		446,388		2,915		192,521		31,551		343,154		3,826
Alternative revenue program		615		(27)		(176)				409		46		211		-
Other and eliminations								14,025		-		-		-		11,847
Consolidated	$	200,748	$	35,375	$	446,212	$	16,940	$	192,930	$	31,597	$	343,365	$	15,673

Revenues from Contracts with Customers – These revenues are composed of four main categories: water, wastewater, natural gas, and other. Water revenues represent revenues earned for supplying customers with water service. Wastewater revenues represent revenues earned for treating wastewater and releasing it into the environment. Natural gas revenues represent revenues earned for the gas commodity and delivery of natural gas to customers. Other revenues are associated fees that relate to our utility businesses but are not water, wastewater, or natural gas revenues. Refer to the description below for a discussion of the performance obligation for each of these revenue streams.

Tariff Revenues – These revenues are categorized by customer class: residential, commercial, fire protection, industrial, gas transportation, other water and other wastewater. The rates that generate these revenues are approved by the respective state utility commission, and revenues are billed cyclically and accrued for when unbilled. The regulated natural gas rates are set and adjusted for increases or decreases in our purchased gas costs through purchased gas adjustment mechanisms. Purchased gas adjustment mechanisms provide us with a means to recover purchased gas costs on an ongoing basis without filing a rate case. Other water and other wastewater revenues consist primarily of fines, penalties, surcharges, and availability lot fees. Our performance obligation for tariff revenues is to provide potable water, wastewater treatment service, or delivery and sale of natural gas to customers. This performance obligation is satisfied over time as the services are rendered. The amounts that the Company has a right to invoice for tariff revenues reflect the right to consideration from the customers in an amount that corresponds directly with the value transferred to the customer for the performance completed to date.

Other Utility Revenues – Other utility revenues represent revenues earned primarily from: antenna revenues, which represents fees received from telecommunication operators that have put cellular antennas on our water towers; billing contracts, which represent fees earned from municipalities for performing billing services; fees earned from developers for accessing our water mains; miscellaneous service revenue from gas distribution operations; gas processing and handling revenue; sales of natural gas at market-based rates and contracted fixed prices; sales of gas purchased from third parties; and other gas marketing activities. The performance obligations vary for these revenues, but all are primarily recognized over time as the service is delivered.

Alternative Revenue Program:

Water / Wastewater Revenues: These revenues represent the difference between the actual billed utility volumetric water and wastewater revenues for Aqua Illinois and the revenues set in the last Aqua Illinois rate case. In accordance with the Illinois Commerce Commission, we recognize revenues based on the target amount established in the last rate case, and then record either a regulatory asset or liability based on the cumulative annual difference between the target and actual amounts billed, which results in either a payment from customers or a refund due to customers. The cumulative annual difference is either refunded to customers or collected from customers over a nine-month period.

Natural Gas Revenues: These revenues represent the weather-normalization adjustment (“WNA”) mechanism in place for our natural gas customers served in Kentucky. The WNA serves to minimize the effects of weather on the Company’s results for its residential and small commercial natural gas customers. This regulatory mechanism adjusts revenues earned for the variance between actual and normal weather and can have either positive (warmer than normal) or negative (colder than normal) effects on revenues. Customer bills are adjusted in the December through April billing months, with rates adjusted for the difference between actual revenues and revenues calculated under this mechanism billed to the customers.

These revenue programs represent a contract between the utility and its regulators, not customers, and therefore are not within the scope of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) accounting guidance for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers.

Other and Eliminations – Other and eliminations consist of our non-regulated market-based revenues and intercompany eliminations for revenue billed between our subsidiaries. Our non-regulated operations consist of utility service line protection solutions and repair services to households and gas marketing and production activities. Revenues are primarily recognized over time as service is delivered.
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Acquisitions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Acquisitions [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Note 3 – Acquisitions

Water and Wastewater Utility Acquisitions - Completed

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

In August 2021, the Company acquired the water utility system assets of The Commons Water Supply, Inc., which serves 992 customers in Harris County, Texas, and the wastewater utility system assets of the Village of Bourbonnais, which serves approximately 6,500 customers in Kankakee County, Illinois. The total cash purchase prices for these utility systems were $4,000 and $32,100, respectively.

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 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 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 April 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire certain water or wastewater utility assets of Oak Brook, Illinois which consists of approximately 4,000 customers for $12,500. In January 2021, the Company entered into purchase agreements to acquire, in separate transactions, the wastewater utility system assets of East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania and Willistown Township, Pennsylvania which consist of approximately 10,500 customers for $72,400.

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. The closings of our acquisitions of East Whiteland Township, Willistown Township, and Oak Brook are expected to occur in the second half of 2022. The closings of our Shenandoah Borough, Beaver Falls, and Southern Oaks acquisitions are expected to occur in the first quarter of 2023.   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.

The administrative law judges in the regulatory approval process recommended that the Company’s application 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, and a decision is expected in the next several months.

After the PUC issued the 2021 Order, on April 16, 2021, the administrative law judge 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 and requested that the PUC move forward with processing the application. Several parties responded to the Company’s letter and referenced the issues in the second appeal before Commonwealth Court regarding the 2021 Order.

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 expected to occur in late 2022 or early 2023, subject to the timing of the regulatory approval process and Delaware County’s on-going litigation.
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Goodwill

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Goodwill [Abstract]

Goodwill

Note 4 – 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, 2021	$	58,527	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,815
Goodwill acquired		-		-		-		-
Balance at March 31, 2022	$	58,527	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,815

Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually, or more often, if circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company may assess qualitative factors, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, and entity specific events, for some or all of our reporting units to determine whether it’s more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Alternatively, based on our assessment of the qualitative factors previously noted or on a voluntary basis, we may perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test by determining the fair value of a reporting unit. If we perform a quantitative test and determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we would record an impairment loss for the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.

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Capitalization

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Capitalization [Abstract]

Capitalization

Note 5 – Capitalization

Forward Equity Sale

In August 2020, the Company entered into a forward equity sale agreement for 6,700,000 shares of common stock with a third party (the “forward purchaser”). In connection with the forward equity sale agreement, the forward purchaser borrowed an equal number of shares of the Company’s common stock from stock lenders and sold the borrowed shares to the public. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of its common stock by the forward purchaser until settlement of the shares underlying the forward equity sale agreement. The actual proceeds to be received by the Company would have varied depending upon the settlement date, the number of shares designated for settlement on that settlement date, and the method of settlement. The forward equity sale agreement was accounted for as an equity instrument and was recorded at a fair value of $0 at inception. The fair value was not adjusted as the Company continued to meet the accounting requirements for equity instruments.

On August 9, 2021, the Company settled the forward equity sale agreement in full by physical share settlement. The Company issued 6,700,000 shares and received cash proceeds of $299,739 at a forward price of $44.74 per share. Pursuant to the agreement, the forward price was computed based upon the initial forward price of $46.00 per share, adjusted for a floating interest rate factor equal to a specified daily rate less a spread and scheduled dividends during the term of the agreement. The Company used the proceeds received upon settlement of the forward equity sale agreement to fund general corporate purposes, including for water and wastewater utility acquisitions, working capital and capital expenditures. The forward equity sale agreement has now been completely settled, and there are no additional shares subject to the forward equity sale agreement.

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. As of March 31, 2022, the balance of the stock purchase contracts was 7,603,234. 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 settled for 1.18758 shares of the Company’s common stock for each stock purchase contract, and in aggregate the Company issued 7,863,354 shares of its common stock. 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 cash installments of $0.75000 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, and which 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 represent unsecured senior obligations of the Company. The final quarterly installment payment was made on May 2, 2022, which resulted in the complete pay-off of the amortizing notes.

Long-term Debt and Loans Payable

On April 15, 2021, the Company’s operating subsidiary, Aqua Ohio, Inc., issued $100,000 of first mortgage bonds, of which $50,000 is due in 2031 and $50,000 is due in 2051, with interest rates of 2.37% and 3.35%, respectively. The proceeds from these bonds were used for general corporate purposes and to repay existing indebtedness. Further, on April 19, 2021, the Company issued $400,000 of long-term debt, less expenses of $4,010, which is due in 2031, with an interest rate of 2.40%. The Company used the proceeds from this issuance to repay $50,000 of borrowings under the Aqua Pennsylvania revolving credit facility, and the balance was used to repay in full the borrowings under its existing five year unsecured revolving credit agreement.

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Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

Note 6 – Financial Instruments 

The Company follows the FASB’s accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, which defines fair value and establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

l	Level 1: unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access;
l	Level 2: inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; or
l	Level 3: inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. 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 quarter ended March 31, 2022. 

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. 

The fair value of loans payable is determined based on its carrying amount and utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying amount of the Company’s loans payable was $79,743 and $65,000, 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, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents was $58,298 and $10,567, 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, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying amount of these securities was $27,282 and $28,576, 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,
	2022		2021
Net gain (loss) recognized during the period on equity securities	$	(278)	$	248
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	$	(278)	$	248

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,
	2022		2021
Carrying amount	$	6,042,109	$	5,947,357
Estimated fair value		5,903,235		6,482,499

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 $104,403 as of March 31, 2022, and $103,619 as of December 31, 2021. 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, 2022

Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Common Share

Note 7 – 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 to be 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, potentially dilutive shares, and the expected number of shares to be issued upon settlement of the stock purchase contracts issued under the tangible equity units, based on the applicable market value of our common stock. The dilutive effect of employee stock-based compensation and shares issuable under the forward equity sale agreement (from the date the Company entered into the forward equity sale agreement to the settlement date) are included in the computation of diluted net income per common share. The dilutive effect of stock-based compensation and shares issuable under the forward equity sale agreement are calculated using the treasury stock method and expected proceeds upon exercise or issuance of the stock-based compensation and settlement of the forward equity sale agreement. The treasury stock method assumes that the proceeds from stock-based compensation and settlement of the forward equity sale agreement are 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,
	2022	2021
Average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation	261,952	254,565
Effect of dilutive securities:
Forward equity sale agreement	-	3
Employee stock-based compensation	479	401
Average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation	262,431	254,969

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation includes the weighted-average impact of 9,029,461 and 9,091,179 shares, respectively, based on the minimum number of shares to be issued in April 2022 upon settlement of the stock purchase contracts issued in April 2019 under the tangible equity units.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, 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 these periods. 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, 2022

Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Note 8 – 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, 2022, 1,785,479 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,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	1,650	$	1,641
Income tax benefit		467		462

The following table summarizes the PSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2022:  

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Share Units	Fair Value
Nonvested share units at beginning of period	355,384	$	42.19
Granted	160,245		42.31
Forfeited	(3,161)		46.39
Nonvested share units at end of period	512,468		42.20

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, 2022 and 2021 was $42.31 and $43.23, 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,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	777	$	604
Income tax benefit		219		169

The following table summarizes the RSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2022: 

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Units	Fair Value
Nonvested stock units at beginning of period	193,687	$	43.76
Granted	71,570		45.10
Stock units vested and issued	(54,079)		36.63
Forfeited	(653)		43.77
Nonvested stock units at end of period	210,525		46.08

The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $45.10 and $44.44, 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,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	100	$	211
Income tax benefit		28		60

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:

	2022
Expected term (years)		5.48
Risk-free interest rate		1.92%
Expected volatility		26.50%
Dividend yield		2.37%
Grant date fair value per option	$	9.34

The Company did not grant stock options during the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

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, 2022:

		Weighted		Weighted
		Average		Average	Aggregate
		Exercise		Remaining	Intrinsic
	Shares	Price		Life (years)	Value
Outstanding at beginning of period	813,492	$	35.37
Granted	84,296		45.19
Forfeited	(863)		35.94
Expired	(125)		35.94
Exercised	(28,516)		35.48
Outstanding at end of period	868,284	$	36.33	7.0	$	12,853,795
Exercisable at end of period	783,723	$	35.37	6.6	$	12,351,503

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,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	12	$	93
Income tax benefit		4		27

The following table summarizes restricted stock transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Shares	Fair Value
Nonvested restricted stock at beginning of period	1,068	$	46.83
Granted	-		-
Vested	-		-
Nonvested restricted stock at end of period	1,068	$	46.83

The Company did not grant restricted stock for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

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,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	192	$	175
Income tax benefit		56		51

The following table summarizes stock award transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2022:

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Awards	Fair Value
Nonvested stock awards at beginning of period	-	$	-
Granted	3,724		51.66
Vested	(3,724)		(51.66)
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, 2022 and 2021 was $51.66 and $44.54, respectively.

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Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits

Note 9 – 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 (credit) cost for the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans:

	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Service cost	$	707	$	1,078
Interest cost		3,201		3,061
Expected return on plan assets		(5,895)		(5,907)
Amortization of prior service cost		134		140
Amortization of actuarial loss		435		1,071
Net periodic benefit credit	$	(1,418)	$	(557)

	Other
	Postretirement Benefits
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
	2022		2021
Service cost	$	478	$	698
Interest cost		842		840
Expected return on plan assets		(1,125)		(1,039)
Amortization of prior service credit		-		(108)
Amortization of actuarial loss		(334)		55
Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$	(139)	$	446

The net periodic benefit (credit) cost 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 (credit) cost 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 2022.

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Rate Activity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Rate Activity [Abstract]

Rate Activity

Note 10 – Rate Activity 

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 August 20, 2021, the Company’s regulated water and wastewater operating subsidiary in Pennsylvania, Aqua Pennsylvania, filed an application with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission designed to increase rates by $97,685 or 17.9% on an annual basis. The Company anticipates a final order to be issued by May 2022.

Base rate cases are also underway for our water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Ohio.

During the first three months of 2022, the Company’s two other water utility operating divisions in Ohio were granted base rate increases designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $1,378. Further, during the first three months of 2022, the Company received approval to bill infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $6,789 in its water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Illinois.

 

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Taxes Other Than Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes [Abstract]

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes

Note 11 – Taxes Other than Income Taxes 

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Property	$	8,014	$	7,714
Gross receipts, excise and franchise		4,100		3,684
Payroll		6,661		6,756
Regulatory assessments		1,765		838
Pumping fees		1,375		1,126
Other		1,092		923
Total taxes other than income	$	23,007	$	21,041

 

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Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Segment Information [Abstract]

Segment Information

Note 12 – Segment Information 

The Company has twelve 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 three 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, Aqua Infrastructure, 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. Prior to the October 30, 2020 sale of our investment in joint venture, Aqua Infrastructure provided non-utility raw water supply services for firms in the natural gas drilling industry. 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 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.

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

	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2022								March 31, 2021
	Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated		Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated
Operating revenues	$	239,198	$	445,183	$	14,894	$	699,275	$	228,353	$	343,115	$	12,097	$	583,565
Operations and maintenance expense		86,088		59,452		(2,959)		142,581		78,347		51,326		(4,598)		125,075
Purchased gas		-		217,306		10,406		227,712		-		122,888		9,265		132,153
Depreciation and amortization		48,716		29,704		(74)		78,346		45,138		27,590		216		72,944
Taxes other than income taxes		15,891		6,191		925		23,007		15,421		4,447		1,173		21,041
Operating income (loss)		88,503		132,530		6,596		227,629		89,447		136,864		6,041		232,352
Interest expense, net (a)		27,554		20,652		4,821		53,027		26,460		17,296		6,626		50,382
Allowance for funds used during construction		(5,149)		(690)		-		(5,839)		(3,247)		313		-		(2,934)
Other		(1,944)		(444)		686		(1,702)		(1,429)		(428)		(1,694)		(3,551)
Income before income taxes		68,042		113,012		1,089		182,143		67,663		119,683		1,109		188,455
Provision for income taxes (benefit)		7,499		(26,474)		1,742		(17,233)		3,633		432		701		4,766
Net income (loss)	$	60,543	$	139,486	$	(653)	$	199,376	$	64,030	$	119,251	$	408	$	183,689
Capital expenditures	$	100,803	$	82,122	$	397	$	183,322	$	113,793	$	64,114	$	102	$	178,009

^(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,
	2022		2021
Total assets:
Regulated water	$	8,487,684	$	8,403,586
Regulated natural gas		6,090,675		5,960,602
Other		298,664		294,090
Consolidated	$	14,877,023	$	14,658,278

 

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Commitments And Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

Note 13 – 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, 2022, the aggregate amount of $16,577 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, the Company has insurance coverage for certain of these loss contingencies, and as of March 31, 2022, estimates that approximately $2,385 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 water customers in one division served by the Company’s Illinois subsidiary. During the second quarter of 2021, an immaterial 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. The Company is vigorously defending against this claim. A claim for the expenses incurred has been submitted to the Company’s insurance carrier for potential recovery of a portion of these costs, and on August 3, 2020, the Company received $2,874 in insurance proceeds. 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 other 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 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 $2,470 at March 31, 2022 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, 2022

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Note 14 – Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was (9.5)% and 2.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.   The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first quarter is primarily attributed to an increase in our income tax benefit associated with the tax deduction for qualifying infrastructure and the amortization of the customer surcredit tax repair catch-up adjustment during the first quarter of 2022 in our Regulated Natural Gas segment.  The statutory Federal tax rate is 21% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. For states with a corporate net income tax, the state corporate net income tax rates range from 2.5% to 9.99% for all periods presented. In determining its interim tax provision, the Company reflects its estimated permanent and flow-through tax differences for the taxable year, including the basis difference for the adoption of the tangible property regulations. Qualifying utility asset improvement costs and the amortization of excess deferred income taxes caused the year-to-date effective tax rate to be significantly different from the statutory rate in both 2021 and 2022.

On March 16, 2020, the Company completed the Peoples Gas Acquisition. On March 31, 2020, the Company changed the method of tax accounting for certain qualifying infrastructure investments at its Peoples Natural Gas subsidiary, its largest natural gas subsidiary in Pennsylvania. This change allows a tax deduction for qualifying utility asset improvement costs that were formerly capitalized for tax purposes. Consistent with the Company’s accounting for differences between book and tax expenditures in Pennsylvania, the Company is utilizing the flow-through method to account for this timing difference. In addition, the Company calculated the income tax benefits for qualifying capital expenditures made prior to March 16, 2020 (“catch-up adjustment”) and has recorded a regulatory liability for $160,655 for these income tax benefits. On May 6, 2021, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission approved a settlement order which stipulates, among other points, that the catch-up adjustment be provided to utility customers over a five-year period, and the Company can continue to use flow-through accounting for the current tax repair benefit until its next base rate case. The five-year customer surcredit for the catch-up adjustment was initiated in August 2021. During the first quarter of 2022, $12,487 of income tax benefits were amortized as refunds were being made to Peoples Natural Gas customers. In addition, the Company contributed $500 to a customer-bill payment assistance program in July 2021 and in December 2021 provided $5,000 in relief to past-due accounts for natural gas customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through a rate credit fulfilling this requirement.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Note 15 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements  

Pronouncements to be adopted upon the effective date:

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 is evaluating the requirements of the updated guidance to determine the impact of adoption.

Pronouncement adopted during the year:

In August 2020, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance on accounting for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The updated guidance reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt and convertible preferred stock instruments and makes certain disclosure amendments intended to improve the information provided to users. Additionally, the guidance also amends the derivative guidance for the “own stock” scope exception, which exempts qualifying instruments from being accounted for as derivatives if certain criteria are met. Further, the standard changes the way certain convertible instruments are treated when calculating earnings per share. As permitted, we adopted this updated guidance on January 1, 2022, which did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Revenue Recognition (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Schedule Of Disaggregation Of Revenue

	Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2022								March 31, 2021
	Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues		Water Revenues		Wastewater Revenues		Natural Gas Revenues		Other Revenues
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Residential	$	131,288	$	26,495	$	285,106	$	-	$	132,856	$	24,361	$	214,194	$	-
Commercial		35,120		6,065		57,040		-		33,188		4,995		41,021		-
Fire protection		9,193		-		-		-		9,045		-		-		-
Industrial		7,181		344		1,842		-		6,989		445		957		-
Gas transportation & storage		-		-		79,174		-		-		-		77,803		-
Other water		17,351		-		-		-		10,443		-		-		-
Other wastewater		-		2,498		-		-		-		1,750		-		-
Other utility		-		-		23,226		2,915		-		-		9,179		3,826
Revenues from contracts with customers		200,133		35,402		446,388		2,915		192,521		31,551		343,154		3,826
Alternative revenue program		615		(27)		(176)				409		46		211		-
Other and eliminations								14,025		-		-		-		11,847
Consolidated	$	200,748	$	35,375	$	446,212	$	16,940	$	192,930	$	31,597	$	343,365	$	15,673

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Goodwill (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Goodwill [Abstract]

Schedule Of Goodwill

	Regulated Water		Regulated Natural Gas		Other		Consolidated
Balance at December 31, 2021	$	58,527	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,815
Goodwill acquired		-		-		-		-
Balance at March 31, 2022	$	58,527	$	2,277,447	$	4,841	$	2,340,815

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Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Summary Of Unrealized Gain And Losses

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Net gain (loss) recognized during the period on equity securities	$	(278)	$	248
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	$	(278)	$	248

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

	March 31,		December 31,
	2022		2021
Carrying amount	$	6,042,109	$	5,947,357
Estimated fair value		5,903,235		6,482,499

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Net Income Per Common Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]

Schedule Of Earnings Per Share

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022	2021
Average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation	261,952	254,565
Effect of dilutive securities:
Forward equity sale agreement	-	3
Employee stock-based compensation	479	401
Average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation	262,431	254,969

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

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	355,384	$	42.19
Granted	160,245		42.31
Forfeited	(3,161)		46.39
Nonvested share units at end of period	512,468		42.20

Summary Of RSU Transactions

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Units	Fair Value
Nonvested stock units at beginning of period	193,687	$	43.76
Granted	71,570		45.10
Stock units vested and issued	(54,079)		36.63
Forfeited	(653)		43.77
Nonvested stock units at end of period	210,525		46.08

Summary Of Stock Option Transactions

		Weighted		Weighted
		Average		Average	Aggregate
		Exercise		Remaining	Intrinsic
	Shares	Price		Life (years)	Value
Outstanding at beginning of period	813,492	$	35.37
Granted	84,296		45.19
Forfeited	(863)		35.94
Expired	(125)		35.94
Exercised	(28,516)		35.48
Outstanding at end of period	868,284	$	36.33	7.0	$	12,853,795
Exercisable at end of period	783,723	$	35.37	6.6	$	12,351,503

Performance Share Units [Member]

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

Summary Of Compensation Costs

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	1,650	$	1,641
Income tax benefit		467		462

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

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

Summary Of Compensation Costs

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	777	$	604
Income tax benefit		219		169

Stock Options [Member]

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

Summary Of Compensation Costs

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	100	$	211
Income tax benefit		28		60

Assumptions Used In The Pricing Model

	2022
Expected term (years)		5.48
Risk-free interest rate		1.92%
Expected volatility		26.50%
Dividend yield		2.37%
Grant date fair value per option	$	9.34

Restricted Stock [Member]

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

Summary Of Compensation Costs

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	12	$	93
Income tax benefit		4		27

Summary Of Restricted Stock Transactions

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Shares	Fair Value
Nonvested restricted stock at beginning of period	1,068	$	46.83
Granted	-		-
Vested	-		-
Nonvested restricted stock at end of period	1,068	$	46.83

Stock Awards [Member]

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

Summary Of Compensation Costs

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$	192	$	175
Income tax benefit		56		51

Summary Of Nonvested Share Activity

	Number	Weighted
	of	Average
	Stock Awards	Fair Value
Nonvested stock awards at beginning of period	-	$	-
Granted	3,724		51.66
Vested	(3,724)		(51.66)
Nonvested stock awards at end of period	-		-

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Taxes Other Than Income Taxes (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes [Abstract]

Components Of Taxes Other Than Income Taxes

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2022		2021
Property	$	8,014	$	7,714
Gross receipts, excise and franchise		4,100		3,684
Payroll		6,661		6,756
Regulatory assessments		1,765		838
Pumping fees		1,375		1,126
Other		1,092		923
Total taxes other than income	$	23,007	$	21,041

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Revenue Recognition (Schedule Of Disaggregation Of Revenue) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 699,275	$ 583,565
Water [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	200,133	192,521
Revenue	200,748	192,930
Water [Member] | Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	131,288	132,856
Water [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	35,120	33,188
Water [Member] | Fire Protection [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	9,193	9,045
Water [Member] | Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	7,181	6,989
Water [Member] | Other Water [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	17,351	10,443
Water [Member] | Alternative Revenue Program [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	615	409
Wastewater [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	35,402	31,551
Revenue	35,375	31,597
Wastewater [Member] | Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	26,495	24,361
Wastewater [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	6,065	4,995
Wastewater [Member] | Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	344	445
Wastewater [Member] | Other Wastewater [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	2,498	1,750
Wastewater [Member] | Alternative Revenue Program [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(27)	46
Natural Gas [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	446,388	343,154
Revenue	446,212	343,365
Natural Gas [Member] | Residential [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	285,106	214,194
Natural Gas [Member] | Commercial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	57,040	41,021
Natural Gas [Member] | Industrial [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	1,842	957
Natural Gas [Member] | Gas Transportation [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	79,174	77,803
Natural Gas [Member] | Other Utility [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	23,226	9,179
Natural Gas [Member] | Alternative Revenue Program [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	(176)	211
Other [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	2,915	3,826
Revenue	16,940	15,673
Other [Member] | Other Utility [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues from contracts with customers	2,915	3,826
Other [Member] | Other And Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 14,025	$ 11,847

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Acquisitions (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended						3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 06, 2021 USD ($) customer	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($) customer	Oct. 31, 2021 USD ($) customer	Jul. 31, 2021 USD ($) customer	Apr. 30, 2021 USD ($) customer	Jan. 31, 2021 USD ($) customer	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) item customer	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) customer
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 2,340,815						$ 2,340,815		$ 2,340,815
Operating revenues								699,275	$ 583,565
Net income								$ 199,376	$ 183,689
Illinois [Member] | Water Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer	6,500
Total purchase price	$ 32,100
Illinois [Member] | Water And Wastewater Utility Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer					4,000
Total purchase price					$ 12,500
Illinois [Member] | Wastewater Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer			7,600
Total purchase price			$ 41,250
Pennsylvania [Member] | Water Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer				2,930
Total purchase price				$ 12,000
Pennsylvania [Member] | Wastewater Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer						10,500
Total purchase price						$ 72,400
Delaware [Member] | Wastewater Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer							16,000
Retail customers | customer							198,000
Municipalities | item							42
Total purchase price							$ 276,500
Texas [Member] | Water Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer	992
Total purchase price	$ 4,000
Lower Makefield Township [Member] | Wastewater Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer		11,000
Total purchase price		$ 53,000
Southern Oaks [Member] | Water Utility System [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer										740
Total purchase price										$ 3,300

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Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	$ 2,340,815
Goodwill acquired
Balance	2,340,815
Water [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	58,527
Goodwill acquired
Balance	58,527
Natural Gas [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	2,277,447
Goodwill acquired
Balance	2,277,447
Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	4,841
Goodwill acquired
Balance	$ 4,841

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Capitalization (Details)					1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	May 02, 2022 $ / shares shares	Aug. 09, 2021 USD ($) $ / agreement shares	Apr. 19, 2021 USD ($)	Apr. 23, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares	Apr. 30, 2022 shares	Aug. 31, 2020 USD ($) shares	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 $ / shares shares	Apr. 15, 2021 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Common stock, par value | $ / shares							$ 0.50		$ 0.50
Common stock, shares authorized | shares							600,000,000		600,000,000
Issuance of common stock from forward equity sale agreement		$ 299,739,000
Issuance of common stock from forward equity sale agreement , shares | shares		6,700,000
Stock Purchase Contracts | shares							7,603,234
Repayments of long-term debt							$ 67,023,000	$ 46,305,000
Initial Forward Equity Sale Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Forward price | $ / agreement		46.00
Forward Equity Sale Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from private placement						$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized | shares						6,700,000
Forward price | $ / agreement		44.74
Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stock purchase contracts early settled by holders of the contracts | shares					981,919
Shares settled | shares	6,621,315				1,166,107
Issuance of common stock from stock purchase contracts , shares | shares	7,863,354
Conversion to shares | $ / shares	$ 1.18758
Long-Term Debts [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face Amount			$ 400,000,000
Debt issuance expense			$ 4,010,000
Interest Rate			2.40%
Aqua Ohio, Inc [Member] | Mortgage Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face Amount										$ 100,000,000
Aqua Ohio, Inc [Member] | Mortgage Bonds Due 2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face Amount										$ 50,000,000
Interest Rate										2.37%
Aqua Ohio, Inc [Member] | Mortgage Bonds Due 2051 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face Amount										$ 50,000,000
Interest Rate										3.35%
Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term			5 years
Repayments of long-term debt			$ 50,000,000
LDC Funding LLC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Private placement, per share | $ / shares				$ 50.00
Proceeds from tangible equity units				$ 690,000,000
Initial principal amount				$ 119,081,000
Initial principal amount per share | $ / shares				$ 8.62909
Cash installment | $ / shares				$ 0.75000
Cash installment rate				6.00%
Debt issuance expense				$ 16,358,000
Interest Rate				3.00%
LDC Funding LLC [Member] | July 30, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash installment | $ / shares				$ 0.80833

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Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 58,298	$ 10,567
Customers' advances for construction	104,403	103,619
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Loans payable	79,743	65,000
Mutual funds	27,282	28,576
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 58,298	$ 10,567

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Financial Instruments (Summary Of Unrealized Gain And Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Net gain recognized during the period on equity securities	$ (278)	$ 248
Less: net gain / loss recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period
Unrealized gain recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date	$ (278)	$ 248

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Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Carrying Amounts And Estimated Fair Values Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 6,042,109	$ 5,947,357
Estimated Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 5,903,235	$ 6,482,499

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Net Income Per Common Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]
Average common shares outstanding, included in computation	9,029,461	9,091,179

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Net Income Per Common Share (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Net Income Per Common Share [Abstract]
Average common shares outstanding during the period for basic computation	261,952	254,565
Effect of dilutive securities:
Forward equity sale agreement		3
Employee stock-based compensation	479	401
Average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation	262,431	254,969

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Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance period specified in grant, in years	3 years
Granted	57,052	192,407
2004 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Underlying stock option and restricted stock awards available for grant	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
Underlying stock option and restricted stock awards available for grant	1,785,479
Performance Share Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period, in years	3 years
Granted	160,245
Weighted average fair value of stock awards granted	$ 42.31	$ 43.23
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	71,570
Weighted average fair value of stock awards granted	$ 45.10	$ 44.44
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Shares	84,296	0
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	3,724
Weighted average fair value of stock awards granted	$ 51.66	$ 44.54

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of PSU Transactions) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Number of Share Units	57,052	192,407
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	355,384
Granted, Number of Share Units	160,245
Forfeited, Number of Share Units	(3,161)
Nonvested share units at end of period, Number of Share Units	512,468
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 42.19
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value	42.31	$ 43.23
Forfeited, Weighted Average Fair Value	46.39
Nonvested share units at end of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 42.20

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of RSU Transactions) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Number of Share Units	57,052	192,407
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	193,687
Granted, Number of Share Units	71,570
Stock units vested and issued, Number of Share Units	(54,079)
Forfeited, Number of Share Units	(653)
Nonvested share units at end of period, Number of Share Units	210,525
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 43.76
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value	45.10	$ 44.44
Share units vested, Weighted Average Fair Value	36.63
Forfeited, Weighted Average Fair Value	43.77
Nonvested share units at end of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 46.08

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Compensation Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	$ 100	$ 211
Income tax benefit	28	60
Performance Share Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	1,650	1,641
Income tax benefit	467	462
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	777	604
Income tax benefit	219	169
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	12	93
Income tax benefit	4	27
Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation within operations and maintenance expenses	192	175
Income tax benefit	$ 56	$ 51

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Stock-Based Compensation (Assumptions Used In The Pricing Model) (Details) - Stock Options [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022 $ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (years)	5 years 5 months 23 days
Risk-free interest rate	1.92%
Expected volatility	26.50%
Dividend yield	2.37%
Grant date fair value per option	$ 9.34

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Option Transactions) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercised, Shares	(28,516)	(20,201)
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding at beginning of period, Shares	813,492
Granted, Shares	84,296	0
Forfeited, Shares	(863)
Expired, Shares	(125)
Exercised, Shares	(28,516)
Outstanding at end of period, Shares	868,284
Exercisable at end of period, Shares	783,723
Outstanding at beginning of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 35.37
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	45.19
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price	35.94
Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	35.94
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	35.48
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	36.33
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 35.37
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Life (years)	7 years
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted Average Remaining Life (years)	6 years 7 months 6 days
Outstanding at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 12,853,795
Exercisable at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 12,351,503

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Nonvested Share Activity) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Number of Share Units	57,052	192,407
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	3,724
Stock units vested and issued, Number of Share Units	(3,724)
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	51.66	$ 44.54
Share units vested, Weighted Average Fair Value	51.66
Nonvested share units at end of period, Weighted Average Fair Value

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Restricted Stock Transactions) (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted, Number of Share Units	57,052	192,407
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	1,068
Granted, Number of Share Units	0
Stock units vested and issued, Number of Share Units
Nonvested share units at end of period, Number of Share Units	1,068
Nonvested share units at beginning of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 46.83
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value	0
Share units vested, Weighted Average Fair Value
Nonvested share units at end of period, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 46.83

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Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Pension Plans And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Cash contributions made by the Company	$ 0

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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, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 707	$ 1,078
Interest cost	3,201	3,061
Expected return on plan assets	(5,895)	(5,907)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	134	140
Amortization of actuarial loss	435	1,071
Net periodic benefit cost	(1,418)	(557)
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	478	698
Interest cost	842	840
Expected return on plan assets	(1,125)	(1,039)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		(108)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(334)	55
Net periodic benefit cost	$ (139)	$ 446

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Rate Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2022	Aug. 20, 2021	Mar. 31, 2022
Illinois And North Carolina [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Base rate increase (decrease)			$ 6,789
New Jersey, Ohio And Indiana [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Base rate increase (decrease)			$ 1,378
Pennsylvania [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Requested rate increase		$ 97,685
Base rate increase designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis		17.90%
Kentucky [Member]
Water And Wastewater Rates [Line Items]
Base rate increase (decrease)	$ 5,238

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Taxes Other Than Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	$ 23,007	$ 21,041
Property [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	8,014	7,714
Gross Receipts, Excise And Franchise [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	4,100	3,684
Payroll [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	6,661	6,756
Regulatory Assessments [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	1,765	838
Pumping Fees [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	1,375	1,126
Other [Member]
Taxes Other Than Income [Line Items]
Total taxes other than income	$ 1,092	$ 923

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Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022 segment item
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Segments	12
Reportable Segments	2
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Segments | item	3
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, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 699,275	$ 583,565
Operations and maintenance expense	142,581	125,075
Purchased gas	227,712	132,153
Depreciation and amortization	78,346	72,944
Taxes other than income taxes	23,007	21,041
Operating income	227,629	232,352
Interest expense, net	53,027	50,382
Allowance for funds used during construction	(5,839)	(2,934)
Other	(1,702)	(3,551)
Income before income taxes	182,143	188,455
Provision for income taxes	(17,233)	4,766
Net income	199,376	183,689
Capital expenditures	183,322	178,009
Total assets	14,877,023		$ 14,658,278
Water [Member] | Regulated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	239,198	228,353
Operations and maintenance expense	86,088	78,347
Depreciation and amortization	48,716	45,138
Taxes other than income taxes	15,891	15,421
Operating income	88,503	89,447
Interest expense, net	27,554	26,460
Allowance for funds used during construction	(5,149)	(3,247)
Other	(1,944)	(1,429)
Income before income taxes	68,042	67,663
Provision for income taxes	7,499	3,633
Net income	60,543	64,030
Capital expenditures	100,803	113,793
Total assets	8,487,684		8,403,586
Natural Gas [Member] | Regulated [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	445,183	343,115
Operations and maintenance expense	59,452	51,326
Purchased gas	217,306	122,888
Depreciation and amortization	29,704	27,590
Taxes other than income taxes	6,191	4,447
Operating income	132,530	136,864
Interest expense, net	20,652	17,296
Allowance for funds used during construction	(690)	313
Other	(444)	(428)
Income before income taxes	113,012	119,683
Provision for income taxes	(26,474)	432
Net income	139,486	119,251
Capital expenditures	82,122	64,114
Total assets	6,090,675		5,960,602
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	14,894	12,097
Operations and maintenance expense	(2,959)	(4,598)
Purchased gas	10,406	9,265
Depreciation and amortization	(74)	216
Taxes other than income taxes	925	1,173
Operating income	6,596	6,041
Interest expense, net	4,821	6,626
Other	686	(1,694)
Income before income taxes	1,089	1,109
Provision for income taxes	1,742	701
Net income	(653)	408
Capital expenditures	397	$ 102
Total assets	$ 298,664		$ 294,090

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Segment Information (Company's Segment Information, Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 14,877,023	$ 14,658,278
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	298,664	294,090
Regulated [Member] | Water [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	8,487,684	8,403,586
Regulated [Member] | Natural Gas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 6,090,675	$ 5,960,602

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Commitments And Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 03, 2020	Mar. 31, 2022
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Aggregate amount accrued for loss contingencies		$ 16,577
Amount probable of recovery through insurance		2,385
Insurance reserve for employee medical benefit program		$ 2,470
Insurance proceeds	$ 2,874

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Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Jul. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 15, 2020
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate			(9.50%)	2.50%
Corporate federal income tax rate			21.00%	21.00%
Regulatory Liabilities					$ 160,655
Natural Gas Accounts Receivable [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Refunded payments			$ 12,487
Payment Assistance Program [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Refunded payments	$ 5,000	$ 500
Minimum [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			9.99%