SEC Filing | Essential Utilities, Inc.

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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 29, 2024

Registration No. 333-______

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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 (610) 527-8000 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Christopher P. Luning Essential Utilities, Inc. Executive Vice President, General Counsel 762 W. Lancaster Avenue Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010-3489 (610) 527-8000 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

*Copies to:*
Stephen A. Jannetta Thomas P. Giblin, Jr. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 2222 Market Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2921 (215) 963-5000	Mary J. Mullany Ballard Spahr LLP 1735 Market Street, 51st Floor Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-7599 (215) 665-8500

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

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 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	x	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 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. o

PROSPECTUS

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC.

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Common Stock Purchase Contracts
Warrants
Units
Depositary Shares
Debt Securities

Essential Utilities, Inc. may, from time to time, in one or more offerings, offer and sell common stock, preferred stock, common stock purchase contracts, warrants, units, depositary shares and debt securities. The debt securities and preferred stock may be convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for other securities. We will provide specific terms of any offering and the offered securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents, directly to purchasers or through a combination of these methods. If an offering of securities involves any underwriters, dealers or agents, then the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents and the terms of the arrangements with such entities will be stated in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WTRG.” The last reported sale of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on February 28, 2024 was $34.81 per share. We have not yet determined whether any of the other securities that may be offered by this prospectus will be listed on any exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market. If we decide to seek listing of any such securities upon issuance, an accompanying prospectus supplement will disclose the exchange, quotation system or market on which the securities will be listed.

The prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves risk. Before you invest, you should carefully read and evaluate the risk factors and other information included in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is March 1, 2024.

Table of Contents

	Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	1

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	1

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC.	4

RISK FACTORS	4

USE OF PROCEEDS	4

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK	5

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS	9

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	9

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS	10

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITORY SHARES	11

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	11

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	19

LEGAL MATTERS	20

EXPERTS	20

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	21

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This document is called a prospectus and is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) using a “shelf’ registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, in one or more offering, offer and sell common stock, preferred stock, common stock purchase contracts, warrants, units, depositary shares and debt securities. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell any securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the offered securities. That prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and the exhibits filed with our registration statement together with the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before you decide whether to invest in the securities.

The registration statement (including the exhibits) of which this prospectus is a part contains additional information about us and the securities we may offer by this prospectus. Specifically, we have filed certain legal documents that control the terms of the securities offered by this prospectus as exhibits to the registration statement. We will file certain other legal documents that will control the terms of the securities we may offer by this prospectus as exhibits to the registration statement or to reports we file with the SEC. The registration statement and the reports can be read at the SEC website or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplements or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this document is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “Essential Utilities,” “we”, “us”, “our”, “Registrant” or the “Company” refer to Essential Utilities, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. In addition, references to “Aqua Pennsylvania” refer to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc., and its subsidiaries, and references to “Peoples” refer to our wholly-owned subsidiaries Peoples Natural Gas Company LLC, Peoples Gas Company LLC, Peoples Gas Kentucky, Inc., and Delta Natural Gas Company Inc., and their subsidiaries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this prospectus, or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that are made based upon, among other things, our current assumptions, expectations, plans, and beliefs concerning future events and their potential effect on us. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements 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 in this prospectus, or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:

opportunities for future acquisitions, both within and outside the water and wastewater industries, the success of pending acquisitions and the impact of future acquisitions;

acquisition-related costs and synergies;

the impact of decisions of governmental and regulatory bodies, including decisions to raise or lower rates and decisions regarding potential acquisitions;

the sale of water, wastewater, and gas subsidiaries;

the impact of conservation awareness of customers and more efficient fixtures and appliances on water and natural gas usage per customer;

the impact of our business on the environment, and our ability to meet our environmental, social, and governance goals;

our authority to carry on our business without unduly burdensome restrictions;

our capability to pursue timely rate increase requests;

the capacity of our water supplies, water facilities, wastewater facilities, and natural gas supplies and storage facilities;

the impact of public health threats, or the measures implemented by the Company as a result of these threats;

the impact of cybersecurity attacks or other cyber-related events;

developments, trends and consolidation in the water, wastewater, and natural gas utility and infrastructure industries;

the impact of changes in and compliance with governmental laws, regulations and policies, including those dealing with the environment, health and water quality, taxation, and public utility regulation;

the development of new services and technologies by us or our competitors;

the availability of qualified personnel;

the condition of our assets;

recovery of capital expenditures and expenses in rates;

projected capital expenditures and related funding requirements;

the availability and cost of capital financing, including impacts of increasing financing costs and interest rates;

dividend payment projections;

the impact of geographic diversity on our exposure to unusual weather;

the continuation of investments in strategic ventures;

our ability to obtain fair market value for condemned assets;

the impact of fines and penalties;

the impact of legal proceedings;

general economic conditions, including inflation;

the impairment of goodwill resulting in a non-cash charge to earnings;

the impact of federal and/or state tax policies and the regulatory treatment of the effects of those policies; and

the amount of income tax deductions for qualifying utility asset improvements and the Internal Revenue Service’s ultimate acceptance of the deduction methodology.

Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to:

the success in the closing of, and the profitability of future acquisitions;

changes in general economic, business, credit and financial market conditions;

our ability to manage the expansion of our business;

changes in environmental conditions, including the effects of climate change;

our ability to integrate and otherwise realize all of the anticipated benefits of businesses, technologies or services which we may acquire;

the decisions of governmental and regulatory bodies, including decisions on regulatory filings, including rate increase requests and decisions regarding potential acquisitions;

our ability to file rate cases on a timely basis to minimize regulatory lag;

the impact of inflation on our business and on our customers;

abnormal weather conditions, including those that result in water use restrictions or reduced or elevated natural gas consumption;

the seasonality of our business;

our ability to treat and supply water or collect and treat wastewater;

our ability to source sufficient natural gas to meet customer demand in a timely manner;

the continuous and reliable operation of our information technology systems, including the impact of cybersecurity attacks or other cyber-related events, and risks associated with new systems implementation or integration;

impacts from public health threats, including on consumption, usage, supply chain, and collections;

changes in governmental laws, regulations and policies, including those dealing with taxation, the environment, health and water quality, and public utility regulation;

the extent to which we are able to develop and market new and improved services;

the effect of the loss of major customers;

our ability to retain the services of key personnel and to hire qualified personnel as we expand;

labor disputes;

increasing difficulties in obtaining insurance and increased cost of insurance;

cost overruns relating to improvements to, or the expansion of, our operations;

inflation in the costs of goods and services;

the effect of natural gas price volatility, including the potential impact of high commodity prices on usage or rate case outcomes;

civil disturbance or terroristic threats or acts;

changes to the rules or our assumptions underlying our determination of what qualifies for an income tax deduction for qualifying utility asset improvements;

changes in, or unanticipated, capital requirements;

changes in our credit rating or the market price of our common stock;

changes in valuation of strategic ventures;

changes in accounting pronouncements;

litigation and claims; and

restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to make dividends and other distributions.

Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should read this prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus completely and with the understanding that our actual future results, performance and achievements may be materially different from what we expect. These forward-looking statements represent assumptions, expectations, plans and beliefs only as of the date of this prospectus, the date of the document containing the applicable statement or the date specified in such statement, as applicable. Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose certain information under the federal securities laws, we are not obligated, and assume no obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future. For further information or other factors which could affect our financial results and such forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors.” We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC.

Essential Utilities, Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation and the holding company for regulated utilities providing water, wastewater or natural gas services to an estimated 5.5 million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, and Kentucky under the Aqua and Peoples brands.

Our principal executive office is located at 762 W. Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010-3489, and our telephone number is 610-527-8000. Our website may be accessed at www.essential.co. The references to our website and the SEC’s website are intended to be inactive textual references only, and the contents of those websites are not incorporated by reference herein and should not be considered part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Please see the risk factors described under the section captioned “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in filings we make with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement (which includes information contained in certain filings we make with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof as set forth in the section below captioned “Where You Can Find More Information”). Please also refer to the section above captioned “Forward-Looking Statements.”

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities we may offer by this prospectus to fund our capital expenditures, to provide capital for our growth strategy, which includes potential future acquisitions of municipally owned and investor-owned water and wastewater systems, regulated utilities and infrastructure projects, and market-based activities complementary to

our regulated business, to fund the integration of any businesses that we acquire into our existing business, and to purchase and maintain plant equipment, as well as for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Our management will have broad discretion in the allocation of net proceeds from the sale of any securities sold by us.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

As of February 23, 2024, our authorized capital stock was 601,770,819 shares, consisting of:

600,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.50 per share, of which 273,298,409 shares were outstanding; and

1,770,819 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, of which no shares were outstanding.

The following summary of certain terms of our common stock and preferred stock is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part.

Common Stock

This section describes the general terms of our common stock. For more detailed information, you should refer to our articles of incorporation and bylaws, including any amendments thereto, copies of which have been filed with the SEC. These documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Voting Rights

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held by them at all meetings of the shareholders and are not entitled to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.

Dividend Rights and Limitations

Holders of our common stock may receive dividends when declared by our board of directors. Because we are a holding company, the funds we use to pay any dividends on our common stock are derived predominantly from the dividends that we receive from our direct and indirect subsidiaries. Therefore, our ability to pay dividends to holders of our common stock depends upon the subsidiaries’ earnings, financial condition and ability to pay dividends. Most of our subsidiaries are subject to regulation by state utility commissions and the amounts of their earnings and dividends are affected by the manner in which they are regulated. In addition, they are subject to restrictions on the payment of dividends contained in their various debt agreements. Under the most restrictive debt agreements, the amount available for payment of dividends to us as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $2,393,249,000 of Aqua Pennsylvania’s retained earnings and $335,892,000 of the retained earnings of certain other subsidiaries. Payment of dividends on common stock is also subject to the preferential rights of the holders of any outstanding preferred stock.

Liquidation Rights

In the event that we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all of the assets that remain after we pay our liabilities. This right is subject, however, to the prior distribution rights of any outstanding preferred stock.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “WTRG.”

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors has the authority, from time to time and without further action by our shareholders, to divide our unissued capital stock into one or more classes and one or more series within any class and to make determinations of the designation and number of shares of any class or series and determinations of the voting rights, preferences, limitations and special rights, if any, of the shares of any class or series. The rights, preferences, limitations and special rights of different classes of capital stock may differ with respect to dividend rates, amounts payable on liquidation, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption provisions, sinking fund provisions and other matters. The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of each series may be fixed by the designations of that series set forth in either a restated version of our articles of incorporation or a certificate of designations relating to that series, which will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part.

The issuance of preferred stock may be perceived by some as possibly having the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us without further action by our shareholders. The issuance of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights may also adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock. In certain circumstances, an issuance of preferred stock could possibly have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock.

Whenever preferred stock is to be sold pursuant to this prospectus, we will file a prospectus supplement relating to that sale which will specify:

the number of shares in the series of preferred stock;

the designation for the series of preferred stock by number, letter or title that will distinguish the series from any other series of preferred stock;

the dividend rate, if any, and whether dividends on that series of preferred stock will be cumulative, noncumulative or partially cumulative;

the voting rights of that series of preferred stock, if any;

any conversion provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock;

any redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock;

any preemptive rights provisions applicable to that series of preferred stock;

the liquidation preference per share of that series of preferred stock; and

the terms of any other preferences or rights, if any, applicable to that series of preferred stock.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Pennsylvania State Law Provisions

Under Section 1712 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, or the PBCL, which is applicable to us, directors stand in a fiduciary relation to their corporation and, as such, are required to perform their duties in good faith, in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the corporation and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, skill and diligence, as a person of ordinary prudence would use under similar circumstances. Under Section 1715 of the PBCL, in discharging their duties, directors may, in considering the best interests of their corporation, consider various constituencies, including, shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers and creditors of the corporation, and upon communities in which offices or other establishments of the corporation are located. Directors are not required to give prominent consideration to the interests of any particular constituency. Absent a breach of fiduciary duty, a lack of good faith or self-dealing, any act of the board of directors, a committee thereof or an individual director is presumed to be in the best

interests of the corporation. Actions by directors relating to an acquisition or potential acquisition of control of the corporation are not subject to any greater obligation to justify, or higher burden of proof, than is applied to any other acts of directors. The PBCL expressly provides that the fiduciary duty of directors does not require them to (i) redeem or otherwise render inapplicable outstanding rights issued under any shareholder rights plan; (ii) render inapplicable the anti-takeover statutes set forth in Chapter 25 of the PBCL (described below); or (iii) take any action solely because of the effect it may have on a proposed acquisition or the consideration to be received by shareholders in such a transaction. In addition, Section 2513 of the PBCL specifically validates shareholder rights plans, or “poison pills,” and the discriminatory dilution provisions contained in such plans.

Chapter 25 of the PBCL contains several anti-takeover statutes applicable to publicly-traded corporations. Corporations may opt-out of such anti-takeover statutes under certain circumstances. We have not opted-out of any of such statutes.

Section 2538 of Subchapter 25D of the PBCL requires certain transactions with an “interested shareholder” to be approved by a majority of disinterested shareholders. “Interested shareholder” is defined broadly to include any shareholder who is a party to the transaction or who is treated differently than other shareholders and affiliates of the interested shareholder.

Subchapter 25E of the PBCL requires a person or group of persons acting in concert which acquires 20% or more of the voting shares of the corporation to offer to purchase the shares of any other shareholder at “fair value.” “Fair value” means the value not less than the highest price paid per share by the controlling person or group during the 90-day period prior to the control transaction, plus a control premium. Among other exceptions, Subchapter 25E does not apply to shares acquired directly from the corporation in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, or to a one-step merger.

Subchapter 25F of the PBCL generally establishes a 5-year moratorium on a “business combination” with an “interested shareholder.” “Interested shareholder” is defined generally to be any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the corporation’s voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation that at any time within the prior five-year period was a beneficial owner of 20% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. “Business combination” is defined broadly to include mergers, consolidations, asset sales and certain self-dealing transactions. Certain restrictions apply to business combination following the 5-year period. Among other exceptions, Subchapter 25F will be rendered inapplicable if the board of directors approves the proposed business combination, or approves the interested shareholder’s acquisition of 20% of the voting shares, in either case prior to the date on which the shareholder first becomes an interested shareholder.

Subchapter 25G of the PBCL provides that “control shares” lose voting rights unless such rights are restored by the affirmative vote of a majority of (i) the disinterested shares (generally, shares held by persons other than the acquiror, executive officers of the corporation and certain employee stock plans) and (ii) the outstanding voting shares of the corporation. “Control shares” are defined as shares which, upon acquisition, will result in a person or group acquiring for the first time voting control over (a) 20%, (b) 33 1/3% or (c) 50% or more of the outstanding shares, together with shares acquired within 180 days of attaining the applicable threshold and shares purchased with the intention of attaining such threshold. A corporation may redeem control shares if the acquiring person does not request restoration of voting rights as permitted by Subchapter 25G. Among other exceptions, Subchapter 25G does not apply to a merger, consolidation or a share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction agreement.

Subchapter 25H of the PBCL provides in certain circumstances for the recovery by the corporation of profits realized from the sale of its stock by a controlling person or group if the sale occurs within 18 months after the controlling person or group became a controlling person or group, and the stock was acquired during such 18-month period or within 24 months before such period. A controlling person or group is a person or group that has acquired, offered to acquire, or publicly disclosed an intention to acquire 20% or more of the voting shares of the corporation or a person or group that has otherwise publicly disclosed or caused to be disclosed that it may

seek to acquire control of the corporation through any means. Among other exceptions, Subchapter 25H does not apply to transactions approved by both the board of directors and the shareholders prior to the acquisition or distribution, as appropriate.

Subchapter 25I of the PBCL mandates severance compensation for eligible employees who are terminated within 24 months after the approval of a control-share acquisition. Eligible employees generally are all employees employed in Pennsylvania for at least two years prior to the control-share approval. Severance equals the weekly compensation of the employee multiplied by the employee’s years of service (up to 26 years), less payments made due to the termination.

Subchapter 25J of the PBCL requires the continuation of certain labor contracts relating to business operations owned at the time of a control-share approval.

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions

Certain provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of discouraging unilateral tender offers or other attempts to take over and acquire our business. These provisions might discourage some potentially interested purchaser from attempting a unilateral takeover bid for us on terms which some shareholders might favor. Our articles of incorporation require that certain fundamental transactions must be approved by the holders of 75% of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote on the matter unless at least a majority of the members of the board of directors has approved the transaction, in which case the required shareholder approval will be the minimum approval required by applicable law. The fundamental transactions that are subject to this provision are those transactions that require approval by shareholders under applicable law or the articles of incorporation. These transactions include certain amendments of our articles of incorporation or bylaws, certain sales or other dispositions of our assets, certain issuances of our capital stock, or certain transactions involving our merger, consolidation, division, reorganization, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that:

a special meeting of shareholders may only be called by the chairman, the president, the board of directors or shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast at the particular meeting;

nominations for election of directors may be made by any shareholder entitled to vote for election of directors if the name of the nominee and certain information relating to the nominee is filed with our corporate secretary not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days before any meeting of shareholders to elect directors; and

certain advance notice procedures must be met for shareholder proposals to be made at annual meetings of shareholders. These advance notice procedures generally require a notice to be delivered not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue stock purchase contracts, representing contracts entitling or obligating holders to purchase from us, and us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares or amount of common stock at a future date or dates. The price per share of common stock may be fixed at the time each contract is issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the contract. Each common stock purchase contract may be issued separately or as a part of a unit, each consisting of a common stock purchase contract and, as security for the holder’s obligation to purchase the common stock under the contract, the following:

our senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities described under “Description of Debt Securities;”

debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities;

any other asset as security described in the applicable prospectus supplement; or

any combination of the foregoing.

Each common stock purchase contract may require us to make periodic payments to the holder of the unit or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each common stock purchase contract may require holders to secure their obligations thereunder in a specified manner and, in certain circumstances, we may deliver a newly issued prepaid common stock purchase contract, which is referred to as a “prepaid security,” upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any common stock purchase contract and, if applicable, prepaid security. The description in the prospectus supplement will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the contracts, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such contracts and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the documents pursuant to which such prepaid securities will be issued. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the common stock purchase contracts.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

General

The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such warrants.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as the Company’s agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

Debt Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of debt warrants will describe the terms of such debt warrants, including the following: (a) the title of such debt warrants; (b) the offering price for such debt warrants, if any; (c) the aggregate number of such debt warrants; (d) the designation and terms of the debt securities

purchasable upon exercise of such debt warrants; (e) if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities with which such debt warrants are issued and the number of such debt warrants issued with each such debt security; (f) if applicable, the date from and after which such debt warrants and any debt securities issued therewith will be separately transferable; (g) the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of a debt warrant and the price at which such principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise (which price may be payable in cash, securities, or other property); (h) the date on which the right to exercise such debt warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; (i) if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time; (j) whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the debt warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form; (k) information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; (1) the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; (m) if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations; (n) the anti-dilution provisions of such debt warrants, if any; (o) the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such debt warrants; (p) any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price for the debt warrants and (q) any additional terms of such debt warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such debt warrants.

Stock Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issue of preferred stock warrants or common stock warrants will describe the terms of such warrants, including the following: (a) the title of such warrants; (b) the offering price for such warrants, if any; (c) the aggregate number of such warrants; (d) the designation and terms of the common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of such warrants; (e) if applicable, the designation and terms of the offered securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such offered security; (f) if applicable, the date from and after which such warrants and any offered securities issued therewith will be separately transferable; (g) the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which such shares may be purchased upon exercise; (h) the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; (i) if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time; (j) the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable, (k) if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations; (I) the anti-dilution provisions of such warrants, if any; (m) the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such warrants; (m) any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price for the stock warrants and (n) any additional terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may, from time to time, issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any unit. The description in the prospectus supplement will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to units, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the documents pursuant to which such prepaid securities will be issued. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITORY SHARES

We may, at our option, offer fractional shares of our preferred stock, rather than whole shares of our preferred stock. In the event we do so, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to offering of the depositary shares) of a share of the related series of preferred stock.

The shares of our preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us having its principal office in the United States and that meets certain other requirements. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock, represented by the depositary share to all of the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares (including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights).

The above description of depositary shares is only a summary, is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by the description in the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the deposit agreement, which will contain the form of depository receipt. A copy of the deposit agreement will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Please note that in this section entitled “Description of Debt Securities,” references to “we,” “us,” “ours” or “our” refer only to Essential Utilities, Inc. and not to its consolidated subsidiaries. Also, in this section, references to “holders” mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names, on the books that we maintain or the trustee maintains for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries. Owners of beneficial interests in the debt securities should read the section below entitled “Book-Entry Procedures and Settlement.”

General

The debt securities offered by this prospectus will be our unsecured obligations, except as otherwise set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, and will be either senior or subordinated debt. We will issue senior debt securities under an Indenture dated as of April 23, 2019, between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee (as amended and supplemented to date, the “senior debt indenture”). We will issue subordinated debt under a subordinated debt indenture. We sometimes refer to the senior debt indenture and the subordinated debt indenture, individually, as an indenture and, collectively, as the indentures. We have filed the senior debt indenture and a form of the subordinated debt indenture with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You can obtain copies of the indentures by following the directions outlined in “Where You Can Find More Information,” or by contacting the applicable indenture trustee.

A form of each debt security, reflecting the particular terms and provisions of a series of offered debt securities, will be filed with the SEC at the time of the offering and incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

The following briefly summarizes certain material provisions that may be included in the indentures. Other terms, including pricing and related terms, will be disclosed for a particular issuance in an accompanying prospectus supplement. You should read the more detailed provisions of the applicable indenture, including the defined terms, for provisions that may be important to you. You should also read the particular terms of a series of debt securities, which will be described in more detail in an accompanying prospectus supplement. So that you may easily locate the more detailed provisions, the numbers in parentheses below refer to sections in the applicable

indenture are referred to, such sections or defined terms are incorporated into this prospectus by reference, and the statement in this prospectus is qualified by that reference.

The trustee under each indenture will be determined at the time of issuance of debt securities, and the name of the trustee will be provided in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

The indentures provide that our senior or subordinated debt securities may be issued in one or more series, with different terms, in each case as we authorize from time to time. We also have the right to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt securities by issuing additional debt securities of such series without the consent of the holders of debt securities of the series being reopened or any other series. Any additional debt securities of the series being reopened will have the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms as the previously issued debt securities of that series. These additional debt securities, together with the previously issued debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the terms of the applicable indenture.

Types of Debt Securities

We may issue fixed or floating rate debt securities. Fixed rate debt securities will bear interest at a fixed rate described in the prospectus supplement. This type includes zero coupon debt securities, which bear no interest and are often issued at a price lower than the principal amount. United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any debt securities issued at a discount will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Upon the request of the holder of any floating rate debt security, the calculation agent will provide the interest rate then in effect for that debt security, and, if determined, the interest rate that will become effective on the next interest reset date. The calculation agent’s determination of any interest rate, and its calculation of the amount of interest for any interest period, will be final and binding in the absence of manifest error.

In determining the base rate that applies to a floating rate debt security during a particular interest period, the calculation agent may obtain rate quotes from various banks or dealers active in the relevant market, as described in the prospectus supplement. Those reference banks and dealers may include the calculation agent itself and its affiliates, as well as any underwriter, dealer or agent participating in the distribution of the relevant floating rate debt securities and its affiliates.

Information in the Prospectus Supplement

The prospectus supplement for any offered series of debt securities will describe the following terms, as applicable:

the title;

whether the debt is senior or subordinated;

whether the debt securities are secured or unsecured and, if secured, the collateral securing the debt;

the total principal amount offered;

the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be sold and, if applicable, the method of determining the price;

the maturity date or dates;

whether the debt securities are fixed rate debt securities or floating rate debt securities;

if the debt securities are fixed rate debt securities, the yearly rate at which the debt security will bear interest, if any, and the interest payment dates;

if the debt security is an original issue discount debt security, the yield to maturity;

if the debt securities are floating rate debt securities, the interest rate basis; any applicable index currency or maturity, spread or spread multiplier or initial, maximum or minimum rate; the interest reset, determination, calculation and payment dates, and the day count used to calculate interest payments for any period;

the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or how such date or dates will be determined, and the interest payment dates and any related record dates;

if other than in U.S. dollars, the currency or currency unit in which payment will be made;

the denominations in which the currency or currency unit of the securities will be issuable if other than denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof;

the terms and conditions on which the debt securities may be redeemed at our option;

any obligation we may have to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities at the option of a holder upon the happening of any event and the terms and conditions of redemption, purchase or repayment;

the names and duties of the trustee and any co-trustees, depositaries, authenticating agents, calculation agents, paying agents, transfer agents or registrars for the debt securities;

any material provisions of the applicable indenture described in this prospectus that do not apply to the debt securities;

a discussion of United States federal income tax, accounting and special considerations, procedures and limitations with respect to the debt securities;

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts to holders in respect of any tax assessment or government charge, and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts; and

any other specific terms of the debt securities that are consistent with the provisions of the indenture.

The terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for other of our securities or any other entity will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. Such terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. The terms may include provisions pursuant to which the number of other securities to be received by the holders of such series of debt securities may be adjusted.

We will issue the debt securities only in registered form. As currently anticipated, debt securities of a series will trade in book-entry form, and global notes will be issued in physical (paper) form, as described below under “Book-Entry Procedures and Settlement.” Unless otherwise provided in the accompanying prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

The prospectus supplement relating to offered debt securities denominated in a foreign or composite currency will specify the denomination of the offered debt securities.

The debt securities may be presented for exchange, and debt securities other than a global security may be presented for registration of transfer, at the principal corporate trust office of the trustee named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Holders will not have to pay any service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with such registration of transfer (Section 3.05).

Payment and Paying Agents

Distributions on the debt securities other than those represented by global notes will be made in the designated currency against surrender of the debt securities at the principal corporate trust office of the trustee named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Payment will be made to the registered holder at the close of business on the record date for such payment. Interest payments will be made at the principal corporate trust office of the trustee named in the applicable prospectus supplement, or by a check mailed to the holder at his registered address. Payments in any other manner will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Calculation Agents

Calculations relating to floating rate debt securities and indexed debt securities will be made by the calculation agent, an institution that we appoint as our agent for this purpose. We may appoint one of our affiliates as calculation agent. We may appoint a different institution to serve as calculation agent from time to time after the original issue date of the debt security without your consent and without notifying you of the change. The initial calculation agent will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Senior Debt

We may issue senior debt securities under the senior debt indenture. Senior debt will constitute our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank on a basis equal in priority with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

Subordinated Debt

We may issue subordinated debt securities under the subordinated debt indenture. Subordinated debt will constitute our unsecured and subordinated obligations and will be junior in right of payment to our senior debt (including senior debt securities), which is defined as “senior indebtedness” in the subordinated debt indenture (Section 16.01 of the subordinated debt indenture).

If we default in the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any senior debt when it becomes due and payable after any applicable grace period, then, unless and until the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, we cannot make a payment on account of or redeem or otherwise acquire the subordinated debt securities (Section 16.04 of the subordinated debt indenture).

If there is any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or other similar proceeding relating to us or our property, then all senior debt must be paid in full before any payment may be made to any holders of subordinated debt securities (Section 16.02 of the subordinated debt indenture).

Furthermore, if we default in the payment of the principal of and accrued interest on any subordinated debt securities that is declared due and payable upon an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture, holders of all our senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash before holders of such subordinated debt can receive any payments (Section 16.03 of the subordinated debt indenture).

Except as may be otherwise set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, senior debt means:

the principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of indebtedness for money borrowed and indebtedness evidenced by securities, notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued, including, as to us, the senior debt securities;

all capitalized lease obligations;

all obligations representing the deferred purchase price of property; and

all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of obligations of the type referred to above (Section 1.01 of the subordinated debt indenture).

However, senior debt does not include:

the subordinated debt securities (Section 16.01 of the subordinated debt indenture);

any indebtedness that by its terms is subordinated to, or ranks in priority on an equal basis with, subordinated debt securities (Section 1.01 of the subordinated debt indenture); and

items of indebtedness (other than capitalized lease obligations) that would not appear as liabilities on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Covenants

The accompanying prospectus supplement will contain any covenants applicable to the debt securities.

Modification of the Indentures

The indentures will provide that we and the relevant trustee may enter into supplemental indentures to establish the form and terms of any new series of debt securities without obtaining the consent of any holder of debt securities (Section 9.01).

We and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of a series, modify the applicable indenture or the rights of the holders of the securities of such series (Section 9.02).

No such modification may, without the consent of each holder of an affected security:

extend the fixed maturity of any such security;

reduce the rate or change the time of payment of interest on such security;

reduce the principal amount of such securities or the premium, if any, on such security;

change any obligation of ours to pay additional amounts with respect to such security;

reduce the amount of the principal payable on acceleration of such security if issued originally at a discount;

adversely affect the right of repayment or repurchase of such security at the option of the holder;

reduce or postpone any sinking fund or similar provision with respect to such security;

change the currency or currency unit in which such security is payable or the right of selection thereof;

impair the right to sue for the enforcement of any payment with respect to such security on or after the maturity of such security;

reduce the percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of debt securities of the series referred to above whose holders need to consent to the modification or a waiver without the consent of such holders; or

change any obligation of ours with respect to such security to maintain an office or agency.

Defaults

Except as may be otherwise set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, each indenture will provide that events of default regarding any series of debt securities will be:

our failure to pay for 30 days required interest on any debt security of such series;

our failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt security of such series when due;

our failure to make any required scheduled installment payment for 30 days on debt securities of such series;

our failure to perform for 90 days after notice any other covenant in the relevant indenture other than a covenant included in the relevant indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than such series; and

certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, whether voluntary or not (Section 5.01).

Except as may be otherwise set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, if an event of default regarding debt securities of any series issued under the indentures should occur and be continuing, either the trustee or the holders of 25% in the principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series may declare each debt security of that series due and payable (Section 5.02). We may be required to file annually with the trustee a statement of an officer as to the fulfillment by us of our obligations under the indenture during the preceding year.

No event of default regarding one series of debt securities issued under an indenture is necessarily an event of default regarding any other series of debt securities.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will be entitled to control certain actions of the trustee under the indentures and to waive past defaults regarding such series (Sections 5.12 and 5.13). The holders of debt securities generally will not be able to require the trustee to take any action, unless one or more of such holders provides to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity (Section 6.02).

If an event of default occurs and is continuing regarding a series of debt securities, the trustee may use any sums that it holds under the relevant indenture for its own reasonable compensation and expenses incurred prior to paying the holders of debt securities of such series (Section 5.06).

Before any holder of any series of debt securities may institute action for any remedy, except payment on such holder’s debt security when due, the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of that series outstanding must request the trustee to take action. Holders must also offer and give the satisfactory security and indemnity against liabilities incurred by the trustee for taking such action (Section 5.07).

Defeasance

Except as may otherwise be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement, after we have deposited with the trustee, cash or government securities, in trust for the benefit of the holders sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of such series when due, and satisfied certain other conditions, including receipt of an opinion of counsel that holders will not recognize taxable gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes, then:

we will be deemed to have paid and satisfied our obligations on all outstanding debt securities of such series, which is known as defeasance and discharge (Section 14.02); or

we will cease to be under any obligation, other than to pay when due the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such debt securities, relating to the debt securities of such series, which is known as covenant defeasance (Section 14.03).

When there is a defeasance and discharge, the applicable indenture will no longer govern the debt securities of such series, we will no longer be liable for payments required by the terms of the debt securities of such series and the holders of such debt securities will be entitled only to the deposited funds. When there is a covenant defeasance, however, we will continue to be obligated to make payments when due if the deposited funds are not sufficient.

Governing Law

Unless otherwise stated in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities and the indentures will be governed by New York law (Section 1.12).

Concerning the Trustee Under the Indentures

We may have banking and other business relationships with the trustee named in the prospectus supplement, or any subsequent trustee, in the ordinary course of business.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

We will issue debt securities only in registered form; no debt securities will be issued in bearer form (Section 2.03). We will issue each debt security in book-entry form only, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will issue any common stock issuable upon conversion of any debt security being offered in both certificated and book-entry form, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the debt securities represented by the global security (Section 2.04). Those who own beneficial interests in a global security will do so through participants in the depositary’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. Only the depositary will be entitled to transfer or exchange a debt security in global form, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security (Section 3.05). These book-entry securities are described below under “Book-Entry Procedures and Settlement.”

If any debt securities are issued in non-global form or cease to be book-entry securities (in the circumstances described in the next section), the following will apply to them:

The debt securities will be issued in fully registered form in denominations stated in the prospectus supplement. You may exchange debt securities for debt securities of the same series in smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of the same series of larger denominations, as long as the total amount is not changed (Section 3.05).

You may exchange, transfer, present for payment or exercise debt securities at the office of the relevant trustee or agent indicated in the prospectus supplement (Section 3.05). You may also replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated debt securities at that office. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or may perform them (Section 3.06).

You will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange the debt securities, but you may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange (Sections 3.05 and 3.06). The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with your proof of legal ownership. The transfer agent may also require an indemnity before replacing any debt securities (Section 3.06).

If we have the right to redeem, accelerate or settle any debt securities before their maturity or expiration, and we exercise that right as to less than all those debt securities, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of exercise and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers of or exchange any debt security selected for early settlement, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unsettled portion of any debt security being partially settled (Section 3.05).

If fewer than all of the debt securities represented by a certificate that are payable or exercisable in part are presented for payment or exercise, a new certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of securities (Section 15.02).

Book-Entry Procedures and Settlement

Most offered debt securities will be book-entry (global) securities. Upon issuance, all book-entry securities will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities, without coupons (Section 3.02). Each global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, a securities depository, and will be registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC (Section 3.01). DTC will thus be the only registered holder of these debt securities.

Purchasers of debt securities may only hold interests in the global notes through DTC if they are participants in the DTC system. Purchasers may also hold interests through a securities intermediary—banks, brokerage houses and other institutions that maintain securities accounts for customers—that has an account with DTC or its nominee. DTC will maintain accounts showing the security holdings of its participants, and these participants will in turn maintain accounts showing the security holdings of their customers. Some of these customers may themselves be securities intermediaries holding securities for their customers. Thus, each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will hold that debt security indirectly through a hierarchy of intermediaries, with DTC at the top and the beneficial owner’s own securities intermediary at the bottom.

The debt securities of each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will be evidenced solely by entries on the books of the beneficial owner’s securities intermediary. The actual purchaser of the debt securities will generally not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by the global securities registered in its name and will not be considered the owner under the declaration. In most cases, a beneficial owner will also not be able to obtain a paper certificate evidencing the holder’s ownership of debt securities. The book-entry system for holding securities eliminates the need for physical movement of certificates and is the system through which most publicly traded common stock is held in the United States. However, the laws of some jurisdictions require some purchasers of securities to take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer book-entry securities.

A beneficial owner of book-entry securities represented by a global security may exchange the securities for definitive (paper) securities only if:

DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such global security and we do not appoint a qualified replacement for DTC within 90 days; or

we in our sole discretion decide to allow some or all book-entry securities to be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form (Section 3.05).

Unless we indicate otherwise, any global security that is exchangeable will be exchangeable in whole for definitive securities in registered form, with the same terms and of an equal aggregate principal amount. Definitive securities will be registered in the name or names of the person or persons specified by DTC in a written instruction to the registrar of the securities (Section 3.05). DTC may base its written instruction upon directions that it receives from its participants.

In this prospectus, for book-entry securities, references to actions taken by security holders will mean actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and references to payments and notices of redemption to security holders will mean payments and notices of redemption to DTC as the registered holder of the securities for distribution to participants in accordance with DTC’s procedures.

DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a clearing agency registered under section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

We will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interest in the book-entry securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell any of the securities being offered by this prospectus separately or together:

through agents;

to or through underwriters who may act directly or through a syndicate represented by one or more managing underwriters;

through dealers;

through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

through “at the market” offerings, within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market on an exchange or otherwise;

in exchange for our outstanding indebtedness;

directly to purchasers, through a specific bidding, auction or other process; or

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

If the securities offered under this prospectus are issued in exchange for our outstanding securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the exchange, and the identity and the terms of sale of the securities offered under this prospectus by the selling security holders.

The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

Agents designated by us from time to time may solicit offers to purchase the securities. We will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any commissions payable by us to an agent in the prospectus supplement for that transaction. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an “underwriter” of the securities as that term is defined in the Securities Act.

If we utilize an underwriter or underwriters in the sale of securities, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters at the time we reach an agreement for sale. We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other

underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers. This compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters and others participating in any offering of securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of securities. We will describe any of these activities in the prospectus supplement.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. The prospectus supplement will set forth the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities, and we may sell directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any direct sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized.

Agreements we enter into with agents, underwriters and dealers may entitle them to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of these liabilities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of indemnification or contribution.

Certain of the agents, underwriters and dealers that we sell the securities offered under this prospectus to or through, and certain of their affiliates, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of business. We may enter into hedging transactions in connection with any particular issue of the securities offered under this prospectus, including forwards, futures, options, interest rate or exchange rate swaps and repurchase or reverse repurchase transactions with, or arranged by, the applicable agent, underwriter or dealer, an affiliate of that agent, underwriter or dealer or an unrelated entity. We, the applicable agent, underwriter or dealer or other parties may receive compensation, trading gain or other benefits in connection with these transactions. We are not required to engage in any of these transactions. If we commence these transactions, we may discontinue them at any time. Counterparties to these hedging activities also may engage in market transactions involving the securities offered under this prospectus.

No securities may be sold under this prospectus without delivery (in paper format, in electronic format, in electronic format on the Internet, or by other means) of the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters, including the validity of the debt securities that may be offered, will be passed upon for us by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, New York, New York. If legal matters in connection with the offering made by this prospectus are passed on by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains periodic and current reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that are filed electronically with the SEC. These documents are also available, free of charge, through the Investors section of our website, which is located at http://www.essential.co. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus.

We have filed with the SEC a “shelf’ registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act relating to the securities that may be offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, but does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. We have omitted certain parts of the registration statement in accordance with rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements made in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other documents are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, we refer you to a copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, or otherwise filed with the SEC. For more detail about us and any securities that may be offered by this prospectus, you may examine the registration statement on Form S-3 and the exhibits filed with it at the locations listed in the previous paragraph.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. When we file information with the SEC in the future, that information will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act until we sell all of the securities covered by this prospectus; provided, however, that we are not incorporating, in each case, any documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules:

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024;

our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 8, 2024; and

the description of our common stock contained in the Description of Securities of Essential Utilities, Inc. filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and any further Description of Securities of Essential Utilities, Inc. filed thereafter for the purpose of updating such description.

These documents contain important business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus. You may request a copy of any or all documents that we incorporate by reference at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:

Essential Utilities, Inc.
762 W. Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3489
Telephone: 610-527-8000
Attention: Corporate Secretary

We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplements or any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should not assume that the information provided in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus or the date of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

If you find inconsistencies between the documents, or between the documents and this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the most recent document, prospectus or prospectus supplement.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth an estimate of the costs and expenses payable by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions.

SEC registration fee	$	*
Legal fees and expenses		**
Accounting fees and expenses		**
Transfer Agent and Registrar, Trustee and Depository fees		**
Printing fees		**
Rating agencies’ fees		**
Miscellaneous		**
Total	$	**

Under SEC Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the SEC registration fee will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under this registration statement and is therefore not currently determinable.

Because an indeterminate amount of securities is being registered, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities are not currently determinable. An estimate of these expenses for each offering under this registration statement will be reflected in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

ITEM 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The Registrant is a Pennsylvania corporation. Sections 1741 and 1742 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, or the PBCL, provide that, unless otherwise restricted in its bylaws, a business corporation may indemnify directors and officers against liabilities they may incur as such, provided that the particular person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In general, the power to indemnify under these sections does not exist in the case of actions against a director or officer by or in the right of the corporation if the person otherwise entitled to indemnification shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless it is judicially determined that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for specified expenses. Section 1743 of the PBCL requires a business corporation to indemnify directors and officers against expenses they may incur in defending actions against them in such capacities if they are successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of such actions.

Section 1713 of the PBCL permits the shareholders to adopt a bylaw provision relieving a director (but not an officer) of personal liability for monetary damages except where (i) the director has breached or failed to perform the duties of directorship in accordance with the applicable standard of care, and (ii) such conduct constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness. Section 1713 also provides that a director may not be relieved of liability for the payment of taxes pursuant to any federal, state or local law or of liability or responsibility under a criminal statute. Section 4.01 of the Registrant’s bylaws limits the liability of any director of the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by Section 1713 of the PBCL.

Section 1746 of the PBCL grants a corporation broad authority to indemnify its directors, officers and other agents for liabilities and expenses incurred in such capacity, except in circumstances where the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness. Article VII of the Registrant’s bylaws provides indemnification of directors, officers and other agents of the Registrant, which is broader than the indemnification permitted by Section 1741 of the PBCL and pursuant to the authority of Section 1746 of the PBCL.

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Article VII of the Registrant’s bylaws provides, except as expressly prohibited by law, an unconditional right to indemnification for expenses and any liability paid or incurred by any director or officer of the Registrant, or any other person designated by the board of directors as an indemnified representative, in connection with any actual or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding (including derivative suits) in which he or she may be involved by reason of being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant or, at the request of the Registrant, of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity. The bylaws specifically authorize indemnification against both judgments and amounts paid in settlement of derivative suits, unlike Section 1742 of the PBCL which authorizes indemnification only of expenses incurred in defending and in settlement of a derivative action. In addition, Article VII of the bylaws also allows indemnification for punitive damages and liabilities incurred under the federal securities laws.

Unlike the provisions of PBCL Sections 1741 and 1742, Article VII does not require the Registrant to determine the availability of indemnification by the procedures or the standard of conduct specified in Sections 1741 or 1742 of the PBCL. A person who has incurred an indemnifiable expense or liability has a right to be indemnified independent of any procedures or determinations that would otherwise be required, and that right is enforceable against the Registrant as long as indemnification is not prohibited by law. To the extent indemnification is permitted only for a portion of a liability, the bylaw provisions require the Registrant to indemnify such portion. If the indemnification provided for in Article VII is unavailable for any reason in respect of any liability or portion thereof, the bylaws require the Registrant to make a contribution toward the liability. Indemnification rights under the bylaws do not depend upon the approval of any future board of directors.

Section 7.04 of the Registrant’s bylaws also authorizes the Registrant to further effect or secure its indemnification obligations by entering into indemnification agreements, maintaining insurance, creating a trust fund, granting a security interest in its assets or property, establishing a letter of credit, or using any other means that may be available from time to time. Section 1747 of the PBCL also enables a business corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a person who is or was serving as a representative of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a representative of another entity against any liability asserted against that representative in his capacity as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against that liability under the PBCL. The Registrant maintains, on behalf of its directors and officers, insurance protection against certain liabilities arising out of the discharge of their duties, as well as insurance covering the Registrant for indemnification payments made to its directors and officers for certain liabilities. The premiums for such insurance are paid by the Registrant.

ITEM 16. Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description

1.1**	Form of Underwriting Agreement.

4.1	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference, File No. 1-06659).

4.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference, File No. 1-06659).

4.3	Senior Securities Indenture, dated as of April 23, 2019, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank N.A., as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference, File No. 1-06659).

4.4	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 23, 2019, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank N.A., as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference, File No. 1-06659).

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Exhibit No.	Description

4.5	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 23, 2019, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank N.A., as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference, File No. 1-06659).

4.6	Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 26, 2019, between the Registrant and U.S. Bank N.A., as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference, File No. 1-06659).

4.7	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated April 13, 2020, by and between Essential Utilities, Inc. and U.S. Bank N.A. (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference, File No. 1-06659).

4.8	Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated April 19, 2021, between Essential Utilities, Inc. and U.S. Bank N.A., as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference, File No. 1-06659).

4.9	Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 20, 2022, between Essential Utilities, Inc. and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 20, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference, File No. 1-06659).

4.10	Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 8, 2024 between Essential Utilities, Inc. and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2024 and incorporated herein by reference, File No. 1-06659).

4.11	Form of Senior Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.3).

4.12	Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture (filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-255235 and incorporated herein by reference).

4.13*	Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.12).

4.14**	Form of Certificate of Designation.

4.15**	Form of Stock Purchase Contract Agreement.

4.16**	Form of Warrant Agreement.

4.17**	Form of Warrant.

4.18**	Form of Unit Certificate.

4.19**	Form of Depository Agreement.

4.20**	Form of Depository Receipt.

5.1*	Opinion of Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP.

23.1*	Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

23.2*	Consent of Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

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Exhibit No.	Description

24.1*	Power of Attorney (See page II-6 of this Registration Statement).

25.1*	Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association for Senior Securities Indenture.

25.2*	Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association for Subordinated Debt Indenture.

107*	Filing Fee Table.

Filed herewith.

To be filed, if necessary, as an exhibit to a post-effective amendment to this registration statement or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 17. Undertakings

(a)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)

to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)

to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii)

to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii)

to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement;

provided, however, that: paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;

(2)

that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

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(3)

to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

(4)

that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(A)

each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and

(B)

each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in this registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of this registration statement relating to the securities in this registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or a prospectus that is part of this registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or prospectus that is part of this registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this registration statement or prospectus that was part of this registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; and

(5)

that, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)

any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)

any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;

(iii)

the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(iv)

any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(b)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

II-5

(c)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

II-6

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bryn Mawr, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on this 29th day of February, 2024.

	ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC.

	By:	/s/ Christopher H. Franklin
		Christopher H. Franklin
		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below hereby appoints Daniel J. Schuller, Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, and Christopher P. Luning, Executive Vice President, General Counsel of the Registrant, and each of them acting individually, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, with the authority to execute in the name of each such person, and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, together with any exhibits thereto and other documents therewith, any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments and all other related documents) necessary or advisable to enable the registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, which amendments may make such changes in the registration statement as the aforesaid attorney-in-fact executing the same deems appropriate. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date

/s/ Christopher H. Franklin	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	February 29, 2024
Christopher H. Franklin	(Principal Executive Officer) and Director

/s/ Daniel J. Schuller	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	February 29, 2024
Daniel J. Schuller	(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Robert A. Rubin	Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief	February 29, 2024
Robert A. Rubin	Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Elizabeth B. Amato	Director	February 29, 2024
Elizabeth B. Amato

/s/ David A. Ciesinski	Director	February 29, 2024
David A. Ciesinski

/s/ Daniel J. Hilferty	Director	February 29, 2024
Daniel J. Hilferty

/s/ Edwina Kelly	Director	February 29, 2024
Edwina Kelly

/s/ W. Bryan Lewis	Director	February 29, 2024
W. Bryan Lewis

/s/ Ellen T. Ruff	Director	February 29, 2024
Ellen T. Ruff

/s/ Lee C. Stewart	Director	February 29, 2024
Lee C. Stewart

/s/ Roderick K. West	Director	February 29, 2024
Roderick K. West

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Exhibit 5.1

February 29, 2024

Essential Utilities, Inc.

762 W Lancaster Avenue

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Essential Utilities, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the registration under the Securities Act of (a) shares of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”), (b) shares of preferred stock of the Company (“Preferred Stock”), (c) contracts to purchase Common Stock (“Purchase Contracts”), (d) warrants of the Company to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Common Stock (“Warrants”), (e) units of the Company consisting of one or more of the other Securities (as defined below) (“Units”), (f) depositary shares representing fractional shares of the Preferred Stock (“Depositary Shares”) and (g) debt securities of the Company (“Debt Securities,” together with the securities specified in clauses (a) through (f) above, the “Securities”) to be issued in one or more series, with respect to senior debt securities of the Company, under the Indenture, dated as of April 23, 2019, as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 23, 2019, each between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee (together, the “Senior Indenture”), and, with respect to subordinated debt securities, under a subordinated debt indenture to be entered into (the “Subordinated Indenture” and the Senior Indenture, each an “Indenture”).

In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined the Registration Statement and originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, records, and other instruments as we have deemed appropriate for the purposes of the opinions set forth herein.

We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of the documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, facsimile or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. As to any facts material to the opinions hereinafter expressed that have not been independently established, we have relied upon certificates or comparable documents of officers and representatives of the Company and documents furnished to us by the Company, without independent verification of their accuracy.

Essential Utilities, Inc.

February 29, 2024

Page 2

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and assuming that: (i) the Registration Statement will be effective at the time the Securities are offered and issued as contemplated pursuant to the Registration Statement; (ii) a prospectus supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby; (iii) none of the terms of any Security, nor the issuance and delivery of such Security, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Security will violate any applicable law; (iv) the Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement; (v) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered and issued will have been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (vi) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered or issued will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise, we are of the opinion that:

With respect to shares of Common Stock, when (A) the board of directors or a duly constituted and acting committee thereof (such Board of Directors or committee being hereinafter referred to as the “Board”) of the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the shares of Common Stock and (B) the shares of Common Stock have been duly issued and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of the Company upon payment of the consideration therefor (which shall not be less than the par value of Common Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any other Security in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board of the Company for the consideration approved by the Board of the Company (which shall not be less than the par value of Common Stock), then the shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

With respect to shares of Preferred Stock, when (A) the Board of the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the shares of Preferred Stock, including the adoption of an Articles of Designations (the “Articles”) relating to such Preferred Stock and the filing of the Articles with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and (B) the shares of Preferred Stock have been duly issued and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of the Company upon payment of the consideration therefor (which shall not be less than the par value of Preferred Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any other Security in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion or exercise as approved by the Board of the Company for the consideration approved by the Board of the Company (which shall not be less than the par value of Preferred Stock), then the shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;

Essential Utilities, Inc.

February 29, 2024

Page 3

With respect to Purchase Contracts, when (A) the purchase contract agreement for the Purchase Contracts has been duly authorized and validly executed by the parties thereto, (B) the Board of the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the Purchase Contracts and (C) the Purchase Contracts have been duly executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the purchase contract agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of the Company upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, then the Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, except as may be limited or affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally and general principles of equity (the “Exceptions”);

With respect to Warrants, when (A) the Board of the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the Warrants, (B) the warrant agreement or agreements relating to Warrants have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the warrant agent appointed by the Company and (C) the Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the applicable warrant agreement or agreements and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of the Company, upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, then the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, except as may be limited or affected by the Exceptions;

With respect to Units, when (A) the purchase unit agreement for the Units has been duly authorized and validly executed by the parties thereto, (B) the Board of the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of the Units and (C) the Units have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the purchase unit agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of the Company, then upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, then the Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, except as may be limited or affected by the Exceptions;

Essential Utilities, Inc.

February 29, 2024

Page 4

With respect to Depositary Shares, when (A) a deposit agreement relating to the Depositary Shares has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and each other party thereto, (B) the underlying Preferred Stock for the Depositary Shares that is not fixed in the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation has been fixed by the Board of the Company by appropriate corporate action and (C) the Depositary Shares have been issued and delivered in accordance with the deposit agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement against the receipt of requisite consideration therefor provided therein, the Depositary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and

With respect to Debt Securities, when (A) the Board of the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the offering of such Debt Securities, (B) the Subordinated Indenture has been duly executed and delivered and the trustee under the Subordinated Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, with respect to the subordinated debt securities, (C) the supplemental indenture or other instrument under the applicable Indenture establishing the terms of such Debt Securities has been duly executed and delivered and (D) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture, any supplemental indenture or other instrument under the applicable Indenture establishing the terms of such Debt Securities and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board of the Company upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, then the Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, except as may be limited or affected by the Exceptions.

The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States insofar as they bear on matters covered hereby. Although the Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, the opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws, including rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to us in the Registration Statement, including under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement. In giving the foregoing consents, we do not hereby admit that we are acting within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Essential Utilities, Inc. of our report dated February 29, 2024 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Essential Utilities, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, PA

February 29, 2024

Exhibit 25.1

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER
THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of
a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) x

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

91-1821036

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota	55402
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Gregory P. Guim

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
50 S. 16^th Street, Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19102

(215) 761-9315

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

Essential Utilities, Inc.

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)

Pennsylvania	23-1702594
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

762 W. Lancaster Avenue Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania	19010
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Senior Securities

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

FORM T-1

Item 1.

GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.

Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency
Washington, D.C.

Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes

Item 2.

AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None

Items 3-15

Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.

Item 16.

LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.

A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 1.

A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2.

A copy of the authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, included as Exhibit 2.

A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 4.

A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable.

The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.

Report of Condition of the Trustee as of December 31, 2023, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania on the 22nd of February, 2024.

	By:	/s/ Gregory P. Guim
		Gregory P. Guim
		Vice President

Exhibit 1

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF

U. S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

For the purpose of organizing an association (the “Association”) to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned enter into the following Articles of Association:

FIRST. The title of this Association shall be U. S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.

SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, state of Oregon. The business of the Association will be limited to fiduciary powers and the support of activities incidental to the exercise of those powers. The Association may not expand or alter its business beyond that stated in this article without the prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.

THIRD. The board of directors of the Association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the Association or of a holding company owning the Association, with an aggregate par, fair market, or equity value of not less than $1,000, as of either (i) the date of purchase, (ii) the date the person became a director, or (iii) the date of that person’s most recent election to the board of directors, whichever is more recent. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the Association or holding company may be used.

Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may increase the number of directors up to the maximum permitted by law. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.

Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the Association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determined the number of directors of the Association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.

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FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the Bylaws, or if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the Association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases, at least 10 days’ advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.

In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares he or she owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.

A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the Association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

A director may be removed by the shareholders at a meeting called to remove him or her, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove him or her is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.

FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of the Association shall be 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of ten dollars ($10) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States. The Association shall have only one class of capital stock.

No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the Association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the Association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.

Transfers of the Association’s stock are subject to the prior written approval of a federal depository institution regulatory agency. If no other agency approval is required, the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency must be obtained prior to any such transfers.

Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the Articles of Association must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.

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Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval.

Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.

The Association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether subordinated, which may be issued by the Association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.

SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this Association and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the Association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this Association. A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the Bylaws.

The board of directors shall have the power to:

(1)	Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the Association.

(2)	Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the Association.

(3)	Fix the compensation and enter employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law.

(4)	Dismiss officers and employees.

(5)	Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof.

(6)	Ratify written policies authorized by the Association’s management or committees of the board.

(7)

Regulate the manner any increase or decrease of the capital of the Association shall be made; provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the Association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital.

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(8)	Manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association.

(9)	Adopt initial Bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the Articles of Association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the Association.

(10)	Amend or repeal Bylaws, except to the extent that the Articles of Association reserve this power in whole or in part to the shareholders.

(11)	Make contracts.

(12)	Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform.

SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any authorized branch within the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of the Association for a location outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, but not more than thirty miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any office or offices of the Association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.

EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.

NINTH. The board of directors of the Association, or any shareholder owning, in the aggregate, not less than 25 percent of the stock of the Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws or the laws of the United States, or waived by shareholders, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at least 10, and no more than 60, days prior to the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record at his/her address as shown upon the books of the Association. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.

TENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount; provided, that the scope of the Association’s activities and services may not be expanded without the prior written approval of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the Articles of Association for submission to theshareholders.

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In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 11^th of June, 1997.

/s/ Jeffrey T. Grubb
Jeffrey T. Grubb

/s/ Robert D. Sznewajs
Robert D. Sznewajs

/s/ Dwight V. Board
Dwight V. Board

/s/ P. K. Chatterjee
P. K. Chatterjee

/s/ Robert Lane
Robert Lane

Exhibit 4

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

Meetings of Shareholders

Section 1.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of directors and the transaction of any other proper business, shall be held at a time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. Notice of such meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days prior to the date thereof, to each shareholder of the Association, unless the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) determines that an emergency circumstance exists. In accordance with applicable law, the sole shareholder of the Association is permitted to waive notice of the meeting. If, for any reason, an election of directors is not made on the designated day, the election shall be held on some subsequent day, as soon thereafter as practicable, with prior notice thereof. Failure to hold an annual meeting as required by these Bylaws shall not affect the validity of any corporate action or work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association.

Section 1.2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose, at any time by a majority of the board of directors (the “Board”), or by any shareholder or group of shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding stock. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called upon not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior notice stating the purpose of the meeting.

Section 1.3. Nominations for Directors. Nominations for election to the Board may be made by the Board or by any shareholder.

Section 1.4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting and any adjournments of such meeting and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.

Section 1.5. Record Date. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting will be thirty days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise determined by the Board.

Section 1.6. Quorum and Voting. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Association.

Section 1.7. Inspectors. The Board may, and in the event of its failure so to do, the Chairman of the Board may appoint Inspectors of Election who shall determine the presence of quorum, the validity of proxies, and the results of all elections and all other matters voted upon by shareholders at all annual and special meetings of shareholders.

Section 1.8. Waiver and Consent. The shareholders may act without notice or a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all shareholders.

Section 1.9. Remote Meetings. The Board shall have the right to determine that a shareholder meeting not be held at a place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication in the manner and to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE II

Directors

Section 2.1. Board of Directors. The Board shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board.

Section 2.2. Term of Office. The directors of this Association shall hold office for one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.

Section 2.3. Powers. In addition to the foregoing, the Board shall have and may exercise all of the powers granted to or conferred upon it by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws and by law.

Section 2.4. Number. As provided in the Articles of Association, the Board of this Association shall consist of no less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the Association from the twenty-five- member limit. The Board shall consist of a number of members to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of the Board or the shareholders at any meeting thereof, in accordance with the Articles of Association. Between meetings of the shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, the Board by a majority vote of the full Board may increase the size of the Board but not to more than a total of twenty-five directors, and fill any vacancy so created in the Board; provided that the Board may increase the number of directors only by up to two directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was fifteen or fewer, and by up to four directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or more. Each director shall own a qualifying equity interest in the Association or a company that has control of the Association in each case as required by applicable law. Each director shall own such qualifying equity interest in his or her own right and meet any minimum threshold ownership required by applicable law.

Section 2.5. Organization Meeting. The newly elected Board shall meet for the purpose of organizing the new Board and electing and appointing such officers of the Association as may be appropriate. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within thirty days thereafter, at such time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained.

Section 2.6. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Board shall be held, without notice, as the Chairman or President may designate and deem suitable.

Section 2.7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time, at any place and for any purpose by the Chairman of the Board or the President of the Association, or upon the request of a majority of the entire Board. Notice of every special meeting of the Board shall be given to the directors at their usual places of business, or at such other addresses as shall have been furnished by them for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at least twelve hours (three hours if meeting is to be conducted by conference telephone) before the meeting by telephone or by being personally delivered, mailed, or electronically delivered. Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.

Section 2.8. Quorum and Necessary Vote. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board, except when otherwise provided by law; but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Unless otherwise provided by law or the Articles or Bylaws of this Association, once a quorum is established, any act by a majority of those directors present and voting shall be the act of the Board.

Section 2.9. Written Consent. Except as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, the Board may act without a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all directors, to be filed with the Secretary of the Association as part of the corporate records.

Section 2.10. Remote Meetings. Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone, video or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 2.11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, the remaining members of the Board may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

ARTICLE III

Committees

Section 3.1. Advisory Board of Directors. The Board may appoint persons, who need not be directors, to serve as advisory directors on an advisory board of directors established with respect to the business affairs of either this Association alone or the business affairs of a group of affiliated organizations of which this Association is one. Advisory directors shall have such powers and duties as may be determined by the Board, provided, that the Board’s responsibility for the business and affairs of this Association shall in no respect be delegated or diminished.

Section 3.2. Trust Audit Committee. At least once during each calendar year, the Association shall arrange for a suitable audit (by internal or external auditors) of all significant fiduciary activities under the direction of its trust audit committee, a function that will be fulfilled by the Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association. The Association shall note the results of the audit (including significant actions taken as a result of the audit) in the minutes of the Board. In lieu of annual audits, the Association may adopt a continuous audit system in accordance with 12 C.F.R. § 9.9(b).

The Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association, fulfilling the function of the trust audit committee:

(1) Must not include any officers of the Association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the Association’s fiduciary activities; and

(2) Must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the Association.

Section 3.3. Executive Committee. The Board may appoint an Executive Committee which shall consist of at least three directors and which shall have, and may exercise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all the powers of the Board between meetings of the Board or otherwise when the Board is not meeting.

Section 3.4. Trust Management Committee. The Board of this Association shall appoint a Trust Management Committee to provide oversight of the fiduciary activities of the Association. The Trust Management Committee shall determine policies governing fiduciary activities. The Trust Management Committee or such sub-committees, officers or others as may be duly designated by the Trust Management Committee shall oversee the processes related to fiduciary activities to assure conformity with fiduciary policies it establishes, including ratifying the acceptance and the closing out or relinquishment of all trusts. The Trust Management Committee will provide regular reports of its activities to the Board.

Section 3.5. Other Committees. The Board may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more persons who need not be directors, for such purposes and with such powers as the Board may determine; however, the Board will not delegate to any committee any powers or responsibilities that it is prohibited from delegating under any law or regulation. In addition, either the Chairman or the President may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more officers, employees, agents or other persons, for such purposes and with such powers as either the Chairman or the President deems appropriate and proper. Whether appointed by the Board, the Chairman, or the President, any such committee shall at all times be subject to the direction and control of the Board.

Section 3.6. Meetings, Minutes and Rules. An advisory board of directors and/or committee shall meet as necessary in consideration of the purpose of the advisory board of directors or committee, and shall maintain minutes in sufficient detail to indicate actions taken or recommendations made; unless required by the members, discussions, votes or other specific details need not be reported. An advisory board of directors or a committee may, in consideration of its purpose, adopt its own rules for the exercise of any of its functions or authority.

ARTICLE IV

Officers

Section 4.1. Chairman of the Board. The Board may appoint one of its members to be Chairman of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Chairman shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board.

Section 4.2. President. The Board may appoint one of its members to be President of the Association. In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at any meeting of the Board. The President shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the office of President, or imposed by these Bylaws. The President shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board.

Section 4.3. Vice President. The Board may appoint one or more Vice Presidents who shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board and to perform the duties of the President on those occasions when the President is absent, including presiding at any meeting of the Board in the absence of both the Chairman and President.

Section 4.4. Secretary. The Board shall appoint a Secretary, or other designated officer who shall be Secretary of the Board and of the Association, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws to be given; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the Association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the Association; shall, upon request, authenticate any records of the Association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the Secretary, or imposed by these Bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries with such powers and duties as the Board, the President or the Secretary shall from time to time determine.

Section 4.5. Other Officers. The Board may appoint, and may authorize the Chairman, the President or any other officer to appoint, any officer as from time to time may appear to the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other officer to be required or desirable to transact the business of the Association. Such officers shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by these Bylaws, the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other authorized officer. Any person may hold two offices.

Section 4.6. Tenure of Office. The Chairman or the President and all other officers shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, subject to the right of the Board or authorized officer to discharge any officer at any time.

ARTICLE V

Stock

Section 5.1. The Board may authorize the issuance of stock either in certificated or in uncertificated form. Certificates for shares of stock shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time prescribe. If the Board issues certificated stock, the certificate shall be signed by the President, Secretary or any other such officer as the Board so determines. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to such person’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. Each certificate of stock shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association properly endorsed. The Board may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the Association for stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related matters, and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.

ARTICLE VI

Corporate Seal

Section 6.1. The Association shall have no corporate seal; provided, however, that if the use of a seal is required by, or is otherwise convenient or advisable pursuant to, the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, the following seal may be used, and the Chairman, the President, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix such seal:

ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 7.1. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, checks, drafts, orders, indentures, notes, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, endorsements, assignments, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, guarantees, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, countersigned, executed, acknowledged, endorsed, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Association, whether in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise, by any officer of the Association, or such employee or agent as may be designated from time to time by the Board by resolution, or by the Chairman or the President by written instrument, which resolution or instrument shall be certified as in effect by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Association. The provisions of this section are supplementary to any other provision of the Articles of Association or Bylaws.

Section 7.2. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws as revised or amended from time to time and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board, and standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for the purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Secretary, or other officer appointed to act as Secretary of the meeting.

Section 7.3. Trust Files. There shall be maintained in the Association files all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.

Section 7.4. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and according to law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made and does not vest in the Association a discretion in the matter, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under law.

Section 7.5. Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws or law, such notice shall be by mail, postage prepaid, e- mail, in person, or by any other means by which such notice can reasonably be expected to be received, using the address of the person to receive such notice, or such other personal data, as may appear on the records of the Association. Except where specified otherwise in these Bylaws, prior notice shall be proper if given not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days prior to the event for which notice is given.

ARTICLE VIII

Indemnification

Section 8.1. The Association shall indemnify such persons for such liabilities in such manner under such circumstances and to such extent as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as now enacted or hereafter amended. The Board may authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance and/or the execution of individual agreements for the purpose of such indemnification, and the Association shall advance all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding to all persons entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1. Such insurance shall be consistent with the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 7.2014 and shall exclude coverage of liability for a formal order assessing civil money penalties against an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u).

Section 8.2. Notwithstanding Section 8.1, however, (a) any indemnification payments to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), for an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be reasonable and consistent with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and the implementing regulations thereunder; and (b) any indemnification payments and advancement of costs and expenses to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), in cases involving an administrative proceeding or civil action not initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law and consistent with safe and sound banking practices.

ARTICLE IX

Bylaws: Interpretation and Amendment

Section 9.1. These Bylaws shall be interpreted in accordance with and subject to appropriate provisions of law, and may be added to, altered, amended, or repealed, at any regular or special meeting of the Board.

Section 9.2. A copy of the Bylaws and all amendments shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the principal office of the Association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during Association hours.

ARTICLE X

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 10.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the thirty-first day of December following.

Section 10.2. Governing Law. This Association designates the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, as the governing law for its corporate governance procedures, to the extent not inconsistent with Federal banking statutes and regulations or bank safety and soundness.

***

(February 8, 2021)

Exhibit 6

CONSENT

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

Dated: February 22, 2024

	By:	/s/ Gregory P. Guim
		Gregory P. Guim
		Vice President

Exhibit 7

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Statement of Financial Condition

as of 12/31/2023
($000’s)

	12/31/2023
Assets
Cash and Balances Due From	$	1,171,838
Depository Institutions
Securities		4,441
Federal Funds		0
Loans & Lease Financing Receivables		0
Fixed Assets		1,409
Intangible Assets		578,492
Other Assets		218,268
Total Assets	$	1,974,448

Liabilities
Deposits	$	0
Fed Funds		0
Treasury Demand Notes		0
Trading Liabilities		0
Other Borrowed Money		0
Acceptances		0
Subordinated Notes and Debentures		0
Other Liabilities		255,900
Total Liabilities	$	255,900

Equity
Common and Preferred Stock		200
Surplus		1,171,635
Undivided Profits		546,713
Minority Interest in Subsidiaries		0
Total Equity Capital	$	1,718,548

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital	$	1,974,448

Exhibit 25.2

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER
THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of
a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) x

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

91-1821036

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota	55402
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Gregory P. Guim

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
50 S. 16^th Street, Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19102

(215) 761-9315

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

Essential Utilities, Inc.

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)

Pennsylvania	23-1702594
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

762 W. Lancaster Avenue Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania	19010
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Subordinated Debt

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

FORM T-1

Item 1.

GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.

Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency
Washington, D.C.

Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.