8-K
American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 16, 2026
American Water Works Company, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number: 001-34028
| Delaware | 51-0063696 |
|---|---|
| (State or other jurisdiction<br>of incorporation) | (IRS Employer<br>Identification No.) |
1 Water Street
Camden, NJ 08102-1658
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(856) 955-4001
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
|---|---|---|
| Common stock, par value $0.01 per share | AWK | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 8.01. Other Events.
Filing of Rate Request with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (the “NJBPU”) by New Jersey-American Water Company, Inc. (“New Jersey American Water”)
On January 16, 2026, New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water Works Company, Inc. (the “Company”), announced that it filed a request with the NJBPU to adjust its water and wastewater rates. The request seeks aggregate annualized incremental revenues of approximately $146 million and is based on a proposed return on equity of 10.75% and a capital structure with an equity component of 55.18% and a debt component of 44.82%. The requested annualized incremental revenue is driven primarily by more than $1.4 billion of capital investments completed and planned by New Jersey American Water through December 2026. The filing is subject to the approval of the NJBPU.
A copy of the press release issued by New Jersey American Water on January 16, 2026 has been filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference. References and links to websites and other information contained in this press release are not provided as active hyperlinks, and the information contained in or accessed through these hyperlinks shall not be incorporated into, or form a part of, this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K (or the exhibit thereto) are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words with prospective meanings such as “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “propose,” “assume,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “future,” “pending,” “goal,” “objective,” “potential,” “continue,” “seek to,” “may,” “can,” “will,” “should” and “could,” or the negative of such terms or other variations or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are predictions based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions regarding future events. They are not guarantees or assurances of any outcomes, performance or achievements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon them. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of estimates and assumptions, and known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K as a result of the factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 19, 2025, and other filings with the SEC, and additional risks and uncertainties, including with respect to (1) any approval by the NJBPU of New Jersey American Water’s request for new water and wastewater rates; (2) the terms of any settlement agreement or stipulation, and/or order of the NJBPU, related to this request; (3) the timing of any implementation of new rates by New Jersey American Water, if approved; (4) regulatory, legislative, local or municipal actions affecting the water and wastewater industries, which could adversely affect the Company or New Jersey American Water; (5) the amount and timing of future proposed or anticipated capital expenditures and investments by New Jersey American Water; and (6) other economic, financial, political, business and other factors that may impact or affect the water and wastewater industries generally or the Company or New Jersey American Water specifically.
These forward-looking statements are qualified by, and should be read together with, the risks and uncertainties set forth above and the risk factors included in the Company’s annual and quarterly reports as filed with the SEC, and readers should refer to such risks, uncertainties and risk factors in evaluating such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company does not have any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors. Furthermore, it may not be possible to assess the impact of any such factor on the Company’s or New Jersey American Water’s business, either viewed independently or together, or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
The following exhibits to this Current Report have been filed herewith (except as noted below):
| Exhibit No. | Description |
|---|---|
| 99.1* | Press Release, dated January 16, 2026, issued by New Jersey American Water. |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are included and formatted as Inline XBRL). |
| *Filed herewith. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dated: | January 16, 2026 | By: | /s/ DAVID M. BOWLER |
| David M. Bowler | |||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
4
Document
Exhibit 99.1
New Jersey American Water Files Rate Request Driven
by More Than $1.4 Billion in Ongoing Investment to Provide Safe, Clean, Reliable and Affordable Service
Request supports continued infrastructure investments, expanded customer assistance, and a plan to return tax-related savings to customers
CAMDEN, N.J. - January 16, 2026 – New Jersey American Water today filed a request with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for new rates to support over $1.4 billion in ongoing water and wastewater service system investments through December 2026. The request reinforces the company’s commitment to implementing critical system upgrades and continuing to improve water quality and reliability for approximately 2.9 million people served statewide.
“As we continue to invest in our infrastructure, we’re strengthening our systems, enhancing reliability, and improving water quality from treatment to the tap for the communities that count on us,” stated New Jersey American Water President Mark McDonough. “These improvements reflect our commitment to providing our customers with affordable, high-quality service – made possible by our dedicated employees, who remain focused on protecting the health and safety of the people and communities we serve.”
The proposed request will support the company’s continued investment to modernize and strengthen its water and wastewater systems in communities across New Jersey, including the replacement or rehabilitation of nearly 120 miles of aging infrastructure, the ongoing replacement of lead service lines, and investments to address emerging contaminants such as PFAS in drinking water.
Under the company’s proposal, if approved, the typical average residential water customer would see an increase of approximately $10 per month. Customers served by sanitary wastewater systems would see an average increase of $8 per month.
Expanding Access to Customer Assistance
New Jersey American Water is seeking approval to make monthly bill discounts more accessible for customers who already receive energy assistance through LIHEAP and USF. If approved, this would make New Jersey American Water the only water utility in New Jersey to offer this level of support. “Our customers deserve reliable, affordable water service,” shared McDonough. “We’re proud to build on our assistance programs so more families can get the help they need.”
New Jersey American Water remains committed to affordability and offers programs to assist income-eligible customers, including its H2O Help to Others assistance program, budget billing options and flexible payment plans. More details can be found at www.newjerseyamwater.com/h2oprogram.
Proposed Gross Receipts Tax Refund Pass-Back
Additionally, New Jersey American Water is seeking permission to return savings from a Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) refund directly to customers. The company is seeking approval to offset other regulatory expenses with the refund, then spread the remaining balance back to customers.
“This proposal will help ensure that customers benefit from tax-related savings,” added McDonough. “By passing back the GRT refund through our rates, we’re helping to keep water service affordable and fair for our customers.”
To learn more about New Jersey American Water’s rate filing and the regulatory process behind it, visit newjerseyamwater.com/fromtreatmenttotap. For details on infrastructure investments in your community - including upgrades to treatment plants, water mains, and service lines - explore its Infrastructure Investment page.
The company’s request for new rates undergoes extensive scrutiny by the BPU, the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel, and the Office of Administrative Law. This robust review process includes examinations, public hearings and evidentiary hearings and can take nine months or more. This review process offers opportunities for customer involvement through written comments and attendance at public input hearings. All rate changes require BPU approval. If approved, the company’s new rates would take effect the second half of the year.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, with over 950 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people.
AWK-IR
Media Contact:
Chelsea Kulp
Director of Communications & External Affairs
New Jersey American Water
Chelsea.Kulp@amwater.com