Overview
American Water Works Company, Inc. is a U.S. water and wastewater utility whose principal business is owning and operating regulated systems. It provides water and wastewater services to residential, commercial, industrial and public-sector customers. Its regulated utilities operate in 14 states and serve approximately 3.6 million active customer accounts.[1][2]
The company also operates and maintains water and wastewater systems for U.S. military installations and provides services to municipalities. Its stated service objective is to deliver safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services. American Water traces its history to 1886. In 2025, it reported $5.14 billion in operating revenue and approximately 7,000 employees; across its businesses, it served approximately 14 million people in 24 states.[3][4][1][5] [1][2][3][4][5]
Products & services
American Water Works’ principal services are drinking-water supply and wastewater collection and treatment. Its utilities store, pump, treat and deliver water, and collect wastewater through sewer networks, treat it to regulatory standards and return treated water to the environment. They serve residential, commercial, industrial and public customers, provide water for fire protection, and supply some public authorities and other utilities under bulk-water contracts.[6][7][8]
In 2025, regulated utility services accounted for 92% of operating revenue. Within regulated revenue, residential water service contributed 54%, commercial water service 21%, wastewater service 9%, public and other water service 7%, and industrial and fire-protection service 4% each.[2][9] American Water also operates and maintains water and wastewater systems at military installations under long-term U.S. government contracts, including work to replace and upgrade system assets. Its other services include municipal water and wastewater operations and management contracts.[3][10] [6][7][8][2][9][9][9][9][9][9][3][10]
Geographic presence
American Water Works is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey. Its regulated water and wastewater utilities operate in 14 U.S. states: California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Across its businesses, the company serves approximately 14 million people in 24 states.[11][2][12]
Pennsylvania and New Jersey are its largest regulated markets by revenue. In 2025, regulated-business revenue was $1.14 billion in Pennsylvania, $1.11 billion in New Jersey, $575 million in Missouri, $548 million in Illinois and $370 million in California. The other nine regulated states contributed a combined $985 million, bringing regulated-business revenue to $4.72 billion. Separately, the company provides services at 18 U.S. military installations under government contracts.[13][12][3] [11][2][12][13][13][13][13][13][13][13][3]
Business segments
American Water Works reports one segment, **Regulated Businesses**, comprising subsidiaries that provide water and wastewater services to customers in 14 states. In 2025, it generated $4.72 billion in operating revenue, approximately 92% of the company’s total.[14][15]
The remaining activities are presented as **Other**, not as a separate reportable segment. They primarily include water and wastewater services at U.S. military installations and the operation and management of municipal water and wastewater facilities. Other also includes unallocated corporate costs and certain other items. It generated $417 million in 2025 operating revenue, approximately 8% of the total.[10][16][15] [14][15][10][16][15][15]
Company history
American Water traces its origins to 1886, when American Waterworks and Guarantee Company was established in Pennsylvania. It became American Water Works and Electric in 1914 as it grew into a utility holding company. Under John Ware, the company became publicly held in 1947.[17]
Germany’s RWE Group acquired American Water in 2003. American Water returned to the New York Stock Exchange through an initial public offering in 2008 and became fully independent after RWE sold its remaining shares in 2009. In 2021, it sold its Homeowner Services business, which provided service-line protection and related services.[17][18][19] [17][18][19]
Sources
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