Essential Utilities Honored Among America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026 by Newsweek; Announces Nearly $7.2 Million Community Giving in 2025

BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 11, 2026--

Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) announced today its inclusion on Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Charitable Companies. The recognition demonstrates how the company's mission extends beyond utility services, signifying industry leadership in corporate philanthropy through its Essential Foundation.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260311619413/en/

“Through our mission, Essential Utilities fulfills the basic needs of our customers by warming their homes and providing clean water,” said CEO and Chairman Christopher Franklin. “Complimenting that important work, our shareholders continue to provide substantial support for the communities we serve through the Essential Foundation. Our commitment to our communities begins with our dedicated team members who volunteer thousands of hours of their time. Coupled with our Foundation dollars – they continue to make an incredible impact in the areas we serve. I am so proud of the work we do with our communities, and we are honored to be recognized by Newsweek for our work.”

Essential celebrates this prestigious honor as it releases its latest Community Impact Report, spotlighting nearly $7.2 Million in community giving in 2025. More than 1,250 Essential volunteers spent 4,900 hours volunteering to support meaningful causes in their communities.

Each year, Essential gives back through various campaigns in line with the company’s mission, including:

Since 2020, when Aqua and Peoples Natural Gas merged and Essential Utilities expanded its corporate philanthropy, the company has donated more than $29 million across its 9-state service area and built hundreds of community partnerships.

America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026 is presented by Newsweek in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. You can see the full award list on Newsweek’s website.

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) delivers safe, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve, donating more than $4 million from the Essential Foundation each year, and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting thousands of acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 9 states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. Learn more at www.essential.co.

About Statista

Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, business-relevant data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.

Essential Utilities Honored Among America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026 by Newsweek; Announces Nearly $7.2 Million Community Giving in 2025

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Rebecca Leslie scored the winning goal with 56 seconds left on Monday night to give the Ottawa Charge a 2-1 win over the Montreal Victoire to force a Game 4 in the best-of-five Walter Cup Final.

The Victoire, with two overtime wins on home ice, lead the best-of-five series 2-1. Game 4 is Wednesday in Ottawa.

Leslie found Sarah Wozniewicz's rebound and fired it through traffic to beat Ann-Renee Desbiens, who made 26 saves.

Montreal challenged the goal for a missed stoppage in play but after a lengthy review the goal stood, sending the playoff record crowd of 16,894 into a frenzy.

Trailing 1-0 Ottawa tied the game when Peyton Hemp picked up a loose puck and beat a sprawled out Desbiens for her first of the postseason with 5:30 remaining in the third period.

Montreal opened the scoring at 7:32 of the third when Maureen Murphy rifled a shot off the back boards and Hayley Scamurra picked up the rebound and beat Gwyneth Philips, who stopped 27 shots.

Ottawa started the third on the power play but generated just one shot.

The teams exchanged chances minutes later with Hemp trying to beat Desbiens at the side of the net and then Montreal’s Kaitlin Willoughby trying to beat Philips from in close.

The game remained scoreless after 40 minutes.

AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

Montreal Victoire forward Hayley Scamurra (16) scores against Ottawa Charge goalie Gwyneth Philips (33) as Victoire forward Lina Ljungblom (25) watches during the third period of Game 3 in the PWHL Walter Cup finals hockey series in Ottawa, Ontario, Monday May 18, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Victoire defense Nicole Gosling (61) looks on as goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) battles Ottawa Charge forward Emily Clark (26) for the puck during the second period of Game 3 in the PWHL Walter Cup finals hockey series in Ottawa, Ontario, Monday May 18, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Victoire's Maggie Flaherty (91) leans over Ottawa Charge goaltender Gwyneth Philips, center bottom, as she looks for the puck at the net during the first period of Game 3 in the PWHL Walter Cup finals hockey series in Ottawa, Ontario, Monday May 18, 2026. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Charge goalie Gwyneth Philips, left, celebrates with teammates after defeating the Montreal Victoire in Game 3 of the PWHL Walter Cup finals hockey series in Ottawa, Ontario, Monday May 18, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Charge forward Rebecca Leslie (37) celebrates after her winning goal against the Montreal Victoire with teammates during the third period of Game 3 in the PWHL Walter Cup finals hockey series in Ottawa, Ontario, Monday May 18, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)