American Water Works

American Water Works Company, Inc. stands as the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded water and wastewater utility company in the United States, tracing its origins to 1886 when the Kuhn brothers joined with Charles H. Payson and others to form the American Water Works & Guarantee Company under Pennsylvania partnership law on August 20, 1886. Headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, the company has evolved from its first operating entity, the Hackensack Water Company in New Jersey, into a comprehensive water and wastewater services provider serving approximately 14 million people across 16 states and on 18 military installations through the Department of Defense.

The company's operational scale is impressive, treating and delivering over one billion gallons of water per day through an extensive infrastructure network that includes 80 surface water treatment plants, 520 groundwater treatment plants, 190 wastewater treatment plants, 54,500 miles of pipes, 1,200 groundwater wells, 1,800 water and wastewater pumping stations, 1,100 treated water storage facilities, and 75 dams. With regulated operations serving approximately 1,700 communities in 14 states, American Water provides essential water and wastewater services to 3.4 million customers, including residential, commercial, fire service, industrial, government facilities, and other water and wastewater utilities. The company's Military Services Group manages 50-year contracts with the Department of Defense for the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems on military bases, demonstrating the company's capability to handle complex, mission-critical utility operations.

Under the leadership of CEO John C. Griffith, who assumed the role on May 14, 2025, following the retirement of M. Susan Hardwick, American Water has demonstrated exceptional financial performance and strategic execution. The company reported earnings of $5.39 per share for full year 2024 compared to $4.90 per share in 2023, with full year revenue reaching $4.684 billion, a 10.63% increase from 2023. In 2025, earnings per share guidance was narrowed to a range of $5.70 to $5.75, reflecting continued growth momentum. The company announced an 8.1% dividend increase, maintaining its commitment to delivering consistent shareholder value while investing heavily in critical infrastructure.

American Water's strategic focus on infrastructure renewal and growth through acquisitions has positioned it as a leader in addressing America's water challenges. In 2024, the company allocated $3.3 billion in capital towards aging infrastructure, water quality improvements, and system resiliency, completing 13 acquisitions that added nearly 70,000 customers and achieving the company's 2% acquisition annual growth target. The company added nearly 90,000 customer connections in total, with 69,500 coming through closed acquisitions. Notable recent acquisitions include the Butler Area Sewer Authority wastewater system for $230 million in October 2024 and the Salem City water and wastewater systems for $18 million in June 2024. The company has affirmed long-term earnings per share and dividend growth targets of 7-9%, supported by its ten-year capital plan of $42 billion to support decades of needed infrastructure renewal. With a merger agreement announced with Essential Utilities to create a leading regulated U.S. water and wastewater utility, American Water continues to demonstrate its commitment to addressing the nation's water infrastructure challenges while delivering sustainable growth and value to customers, communities, and shareholders.