# Illinois regulator approves American Water–Essential Utilities merger

The Illinois Commerce Commission approved the all-stock merger of American Water and Essential Utilities, creating a group with over 4.7 million water and wastewater connections.

- Type: Acquisition
- Announced: 2026-11-06
- Where: Illinois, United States
- Status: announced
- Products: water and wastewater services
- Sectors: [Water Treatment Equipment](https://endata.com/sectors/water-treatment-equipment.md)

## Companies

- [Essential Utilities](https://endata.com/companies/88071.md) (target)
- [American Water](https://endata.com/companies/95697.md) (acquirer)

## Sources

- [smartwatermagazine.com](https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/smart-water-magazine/illinois-regulator-approves-american-water-essential-utilities-merger-fourth-state-clearance), 2026-11-10: "The Illinois Commerce Commission has issued an order approving the merger of American Water and Essential Utilities."

---
Data from Endata (https://endata.com/). Announcements are summarized from public sources and may be incomplete; check the linked originals.