Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Document Period End Date Entity Registrant Name Entity Tax Identification Number EIN Amendment Flag Entity Central Index Key Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Abstract] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] EBP, Statement of Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] Employee Benefit Plan, Asset [Abstract] Assets Employee Benefit Plan, Investment, Fair Value Investments, at fair value Employee Benefit Plan, Receivable [Abstract] Receivables: Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution Receivable Employer contribution receivable Employee Benefit Plan, Participant Contribution Receivable Participant contributions receivable Employee Benefit Plan, Note Receivable from Participant Notes receivable from participants EBP, Receivable Total Receivables EBP, Asset Total Assets Employee Benefit Plan, Liability [Abstract] Liabilities Employee Benefit Plan, Accrued Expense Accrued expenses Employee Benefit Plan, Excess Contribution Payable Excess contributions payable EBP, Liability Total Liabilities Employee Benefit Plan, Net Asset Available for Benefit Net Asset Available for Benefit, End of Year Net Asset Available for Benefit, Beginning of Year Net Assets Available for Benefits Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits [Abstract] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Table] EBP, Statement of Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit [Line Items] Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase [Abstract] Additions Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Income (Loss) on Investment [Abstract] Investment income: Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Gain (Loss) on Investment Net appreciation in fair value of investments Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Interest and Dividend Income on Investment Interest and dividends EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) from Income (Loss) on Investment Total Investment income Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Interest Income on Note Receivable from Participant Interest income on notes receivable from participants Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Contribution [Abstract] Contributions: Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Employer Contribution, Cash and Noncash Employer Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Participant Contribution, Excluding Rollover Participant Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Participant Contribution, Rollover Participant rollover EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase from Contribution Total contributions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase Total Additions Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease [Abstract] Deductions Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease from Payment to Participant Benefits paid to participants Employee Benefit Plan, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease from Administrative Expense Administrative expenses EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Decrease Total Deductions EBP, Change in Net Asset Available for Benefit, Increase (Decrease) Net Increase in Assets Available for Benefits Description of Plan [Abstract] EBP, Description of Plan [Table] EBP, Description of Plan [Line Items] Employee Benefit Plan, Description of Plan [Text Block] Description of Plan Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] EBP, Accounting Policy [Table] EBP, Accounting Policy [Line Items] Employee Benefit Plan, Summary of Accounting Policy [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Table] EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Line Items] Employee Benefit Plan, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Abstract] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Table] EBP, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Line Items] Employee Benefit Plan, Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions [Text Block] Related Party and Party-in-Interest Transactions Employee Benefit Plan, Plan Termination [Abstract] Plan Termination [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plan, Plan Termination [Text Block] Plan Termination Tax Status [Abstract] EBP, Tax Status [Table] EBP, Tax Status [Line Items] Employee Benefit Plan, Tax Status [Text Block] Tax Status Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plan, Risk and Uncertainty [Text Block] Risks and Uncertainties EBP, Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contribution [Abstract] EBP, Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contribution [Table] EBP, Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contribution [Line Items] Employee Benefit Plan, Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contribution [Table Text Block] Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contributions EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Abstract] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Table] EBP, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Line Items] Employee Benefit Plan, Schedule of Asset Held for Investment [Table Text Block] Schedule of Assets Employee Benefit Plan, Basis of Accounting [Policy Text Block] Basis of Accounting Employee Benefit Plan, Use of Estimate [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates Employee Benefit Plan, Administration [Policy Text Block] Employee Benefit Plan, Administration [Policy Text Block] Administration Employee Benefit Plan, Investment [Policy Text Block] Investment Valuation and Income Recognition Employee Benefit Plan, Expense [Policy Text Block] Investment Fees Employee Benefit Plan, Note Receivable from Participant [Policy Text Block] Notes Receivable from Participants Employee Benefit Plan, Excess Contribution Payable [Policy Text Block] Excess Contributions Payable Employee Benefit Plan, Payment to Participant [Policy Text Block] Payment of Benefits Employee Benefit Plan, Income Taxes [Policy Text Block] Employee Benefit Plan, Income Taxes [Policy Text Block] Income Taxes Employee Benefit Plan, Vesting Schedule [Table Text Block] Employee Benefit Plan, Vesting Schedule [Table Text Block] Vesting Schedule EBP, Investment, Fair Value and NAV [Table Text Block] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Range [Member] Range [Domain] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Employee Benefit Plan, Participant Contribution, Automatic, Deferral Rate Deferral rate of eligible employee enrolled in plan Employee Benefit Plan, Period After Automatic Enrollment Applies Employee Benefit Plan, Period After Automatic Enrollment Applies Period after automatic enrollment applies Employee Benefit Plan, Deferral Rate Increase Employee Benefit Plan, Deferral Rate Increase Deferral rate increase Employee Benefit Plan, Participant Contribution, Pretax, Maximum Annual Compensation to Total Compensation, Percentage Percentage participants may elect to contribute to the Plan Employee Benefit Plan, Participant Contribution, Pretax, Maximum Annual Compensation, Amount Maximum amount of allowable deferral contributions Employee Benefit Plan Participant Contribution Age For Catch-Up Contributions Employee Benefit Plan Participant Contribution Age For Catch-Up Contributions Age for catch-up contributions Employee Benefit Plan, Participant Contribution Pre-tax Maximum Annual Catch-Up Compensation Amount Employee Benefit Plan, Participant Contribution Pre-tax Maximum Annual Catch-Up Compensation Amount Catch-up compensation amount Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Matching Percentage Employer contribution, matching percentage Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Participant Compensation Matched, Percentage Employer contribution, participant compensation matched, percentage Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Participant's Eligible Salary Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Participant's Eligible Salary Match enhancement percentage of participant's eligible salary Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Dollar Limit In Effect Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Dollar Limit In Effect Match enhancement percentage of dollar limit in effect Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Participant's Excess Deferral Contributions Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Participant's Excess Deferral Contributions Match enhancement percentage of participant's excess deferral contributions Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Participant's Excess Deferral Contributions Benchmark Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Participant's Excess Deferral Contributions Benchmark Match enhancement percentage of participant's excess deferral contributions benchmark Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Participant's Excess Deferral Contributions, Plus Additional Percent Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Participant's Excess Deferral Contributions, Plus Additional Percent Match enhancement percentage of participant's excess deferral contributions, plus additional percent Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Participant's Excess Deferral Contributions Benchmark, Additional Percent Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Participant's Excess Deferral Contributions Benchmark, Additional Percent Match enhancement percentage of participant's excess deferral contributions benchmark, additional percent Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Annual Compensation Limit Employee Benefit Plan, Employer Contribution, Match Enhancement Percentage Of Annual Compensation Limit Match enhancement percentage of annual compensation limit Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount Discretionary contributions Employee Benefit Plan, Non-Discretionary Contribution Percent Employee Benefit Plan, Non-Discretionary Contribution Percent Non-discretionary contribution percent Employee Benefit Plan Employer Non-Discretionary Contribution Matching Percentage Employee Benefit Plan Employer Non-Discretionary Contribution Matching Percentage Non-discretionary contribution matching percentage Employee Benefit Plan Employer Non-Discretionary Contribution Participant Compensation Matched Percentage Employee Benefit Plan Employer Non-Discretionary Contribution Participant Compensation Matched Percentage Non-discretionary contribution, participant compensation matched, percentage Employee Benefit Plan, Non-Discretionary Contribution Compensation Amount Employee Benefit Plan, Non-Discretionary Contribution Compensation Amount Non-discretionary contribution compensation amount Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Performance Contribution Amount Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Performance Contribution Amount Employer performance contribution amount Employee Benefit Plan, Discretionary Year-End Corporate Contribution Percent Of Employee's Eligible Compensation Employee Benefit Plan, Discretionary Year-End Corporate Contribution Percent Of Employee's Eligible Compensation Discretionary year-end corporate contribution percent of employee's eligible compensation Employee Benefit Plan, Discretionary Year-End Corporate Contribution Compensation Amount Employee Benefit Plan, Discretionary Year-End Corporate Contribution Compensation Amount Discretionary year-end corporate contribution compensation amount Employee Benefit Plan, Profit Sharing Contribution, Percent Of Participant's Eligible Compensation Employee Benefit Plan, Profit Sharing Contribution, Percent Of Participant's Eligible Compensation Profit Sharing Contribution, percent of participant's eligible compensation Employee Benefit Plan, Profit-Sharing Contribution Compensation Amount Employee Benefit Plan, Profit-Sharing Contribution Compensation Amount Profit-Sharing contribution compensation amount Employee Benefit Plan, Funds Used For Plan Expenses Employee Benefit Plan, Funds Used For Plan Expenses Funds used for plan expenses Dividends Employee Benefit Plan, Account Balance Employee Benefit Plan, Account Balance Account balance Employee Benefit Plan, Revenue Credits Received Employee Benefit Plan, Revenue Credits Received Revenue credits received Employee Benefit Plan, Vesting Percentage Employee Benefit Plan, Vesting Percentage Vesting percentage Employee Benefit Plan, Years Of Service Employee Benefit Plan, Years Of Service Years of service Employee Benefit Plan, Account Balance Benchmark Where Lump-Sum Distribution Will Be Received Employee Benefit Plan, Account Balance Benchmark Where Lump-Sum Distribution Will Be Received Account balance benchmark where lump-sum distribution will be received Employee Benefit Plan, Account Balance Benchmark Where Direct Rollover Can Be Designated Employee Benefit Plan, Account Balance Benchmark Where Direct Rollover Can Be Designated Account balance benchmark where direct rollover can be designated Employee Benefit Plan, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Maximum Borrowing, Amount Note receivable from participant, account, maximum borrowing, amount Employee Benefit Plan, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Maximum Borrowing, to Total Account, Percentage Note receivable from participant, account, maximum borrowing, to total account, percentage Employee Benefit Plan, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Maximum Borrowing Term Employee Benefit Plan, Note Receivable from Participant, Account, Maximum Borrowing Term Note receivable from participant, maximum borrowing term Employee Benefit Plan, Investment, Interest Rate Note receivable from participant, interest rate Employee Benefit Plan, Plan Forfeitures, Term After Date Of Reemployed Where Repayment Must Be Made To Resume As Covered Employee Employee Benefit Plan, Plan Forfeitures, Term After Date Of Reemployed Where Repayment Must Be Made To Resume As Covered Employee Term after date of reemployed where repayment must be made to resume as covered employee Employee Benefit Plan, Forfeited Nonvested Account, Decrease from Employer Contribution Forfeited nonvested account, decrease from employer contribution Employee Benefit Plan, Forfeited Nonvested Account, Decrease from Administrative Expense Forfeited nonvested account, decrease from administrative expense Employee Benefit Plan, Forfeited Nonvested Account Forfeited nonvested account Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type Categorization [Member] Investments [Domain] Mutual Fund [Member] Mutual Funds [Member] Employee Benefit Plan, Investment, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Fair Value Plan’s assets at fair value EBP, Fair Value, Investment, NAV, Redemption, Notice Period Redemption Notice Period Employee Benefit Plan Investment Number Of Shares Purchased, Market Value Of Common Stock Employee Benefit Plan Investment Number Of Shares Purchased, Market Value Of Common Stock Number of shares purchased, market value of common stock Employee Benefit Plan, Investment, Number of Shares Purchased Number of shares purchased Employee Benefit Plan Investment Number Of Shares Sold, Market Value Of Common Stock Employee Benefit Plan Investment Number Of Shares Sold, Market Value Of Common Stock Number of shares sold, market value of common stock Employee Benefit Plan, Investment, Number of Shares Sold Number of shares sold Employee Benefit Plan, Investment, Number of Shares Number of shares Employee Benefit Plan, Plan Termination, Vesting Percent In Event Of Plan Termination Employee Benefit Plan, Plan Termination, Vesting Percent In Event Of Plan Termination Vesting percent in event of plan termination EBP, Tax Determination Letter, Date EBP, Tax Determination Letter, Obtained [true false] EBP, Tax Qualification Status [Extensible Enumeration] Employee Benefit Plan, Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contribution, Corrected Outside VFCP Contributions Corrected Outside VFCP EBP, Asset Held for Investment, Party-in-Interest [true false] Employee Benefit Plan, Asset Held for Investment, Investment, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Participation Status [Extensible Enumeration] Cost Employee Benefit Plan, Asset Held for Investment, Investment, Excluding Plan Interest in Master Trust, Current Value Current Value Employee Benefit Plan, Asset Held for Investment, Participant Loan, after Deemed Distribution Participant Loans EBP, Asset Held for Investment Assets Held Employee Benefit Plan, Plan Number PN Employee Benefit Plan, Asset Held for Investment, Participant Loan, Interest Rate Interest rate Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] EBP 005 [Member] Ebp005 [Member] EBP 005 [Member] EBP, Contribution, Participating Employer [Axis] Employee Benefit Plan Contribution Participating Employer [Domain] EBP, Contribution, Participating Employer [Domain] Group 1 [Member] Group1 [Member] Group 1 [Member] Group 4 [Member] Group4 [Member] Group 4 [Member] Group 6 [Member] Group6 [Member] Group 6 [Member] Group 8 [Member] Group8 [Member] Group 8 [Member] Group 9 [Member] Group9 [Member] Group 9 [Member] PNG Salaried Group Covered Employees [Member] Png Salaried Group Covered Employees [Member] PNG Salaried Group Covered Employees [Member] PNG Union Group Covered Employees [Member] Png Union Group Covered Employees [Member] PNG Union Group Covered Employees [Member] Delta Group Covered Employees [Member] Delta Group Covered Employees [Member] Delta Group Covered Employees [Member] Groups 8, 9 and Delta Group [Member] Groups89 And Delta Group [Member] Groups 8, 9 and Delta Group [Member] Scenario [Axis] Scenario Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Match Contribution Scenario 1 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario1 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario 1 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario 2 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario2 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario 2 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario 3 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario3 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario 3 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario 4 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario4 [Member] Match Contribution Scenario 4 [Member] Non-Union Employees And USW Customer Service Representatives [Member] Non Union Employees And Usw Customer Service Representatives [Member] Non-Union Employees And USW Customer Service Representatives [Member] Covered By A Collective Bargaining Agreement [Member] Covered By Collective Bargaining Agreement [Member] Covered By A Collective Bargaining Agreement [Member] Administrative Budget Account [Member] Administrative Budget Account [Member] Administrative Budget Account [Member] Revenue Credit Program [Member] Revenue Credit Program [Member] Revenue Credit Program [Member] Super Catch-Up [Member] Super Catch Up [Member] Super Catch-Up [Member] Super Catch-Up Age 1 [Member] Super Catch Up Age1 [Member] Super Catch-Up Age 1 [Member] Super Catch-Up Age 2 [Member] Super Catch Up Age2 [Member] Super Catch-Up Age 2 [Member] Super Catch-Up Age 3 [Member] Super Catch Up Age3 [Member] Super Catch-Up Age 3 [Member] Super Catch-Up Age 4 [Member] Super Catch Up Age4 [Member] Super Catch-Up Age 4 [Member] Group 1 And Group 4 [Member] Group1 And Group4 [Member] Group 1 And Group 4 [Member] Delta Plan Profit Sharing Contribution [Member] Delta Plan Profit Sharing Contribution [Member] Delta Plan Profit Sharing Contribution [Member] Vesting [Axis] Vesting [Domain] Vesting [Domain] Less Than 1 [Member] Less Than1 [Member] Less Than 1 [Member] Less Than 2 [Member] Less Than2 [Member] Less Than 2 [Member] 1 but less than 2 [Member] One But Less Than Two [Member] 1 But Less Than 2 [Member] 2 But Less Than 3 [Member] Two But Less Than Three [Member] 2 But Less Than 3 [Member] 3 But Less Than 4 [Member] Three But Less Than Four [Member] 3 But Less Than 4 [Member] 4 But Less Than 5 [Member] Four But Less Than Five [Member] 4 But Less Than 5 [Member] 5 But Less Than 6 [Member] Five But Less Than Six [Member] 5 But Less Than 6 [Member] 5 Or More [Member] Five Or More [Member] 5 Or More [Member] 6 Or More [Member] Six Or More [Member] 6 Or More [Member] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Employee Benefit Plan Employer Common Stock [Member] Essential Utilities, Inc. Common Stock [Member] Defined Benefit Plan Common Collective Trust [Member] Common Trust Fund [Member] Fair Value Measured At Net Asset Value Per Share [Member] Assets Measured At NAV [Member] Investment, Identifier [Axis]