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American Water Works Co., Inc. operates within the utilities sector, specifically in the water and wastewater services subsector, and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker AWK. Founded by water industry entrepreneurs in the late 19th century, the organization evolved into a specialized operator in potable water supply and wastewater system management, establishing technical practices aligned with the urban infrastructure requirements of the United States.
Initial motivations centered on creating a standardized framework for the safe delivery of treated water to regions undergoing population expansion. The development of efficient operating models was driven by rising demand for centralized distribution systems and the need for large-scale quality control.
The portfolio includes water sourcing, treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, water asset management, maintenance operations, engineering solutions and municipal operating contracts. It also provides technical support services for infrastructure modernization and regulatory compliance projects.
The company operates nationwide, with presence across several U.S. states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Missouri, Virginia and California. Activities encompass regulated contracts, municipal concessions and service delivery to residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers across multiple jurisdictions.
Key objective factors influencing performance include state-level tariff regulation, ongoing requirements for water infrastructure renewal, the presence of regional competitors, changes in environmental standards, as well as urban expansion initiatives and consolidation practices within the U.S. sanitation sector.
Operational scale includes millions of customers served through thousands of miles of pipelines, dozens of treatment facilities and units dedicated to monitoring and control. Administrative and technical structures are distributed across regional centers and corporate support areas.
The operational framework is structured around regulated models and long-term contracts, focusing on owned assets and municipal-delegated operations. Headquarters are located in Camden, New Jersey, with technical and corporate branches positioned according to service coverage. Internal divisions include Regulated Operations, Market-Based Businesses and Infrastructure Development.
The registered trading ticker is AWK, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
History and Foundation
Founded in 1886 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the company began its operations by developing standardized systems for treated water distribution in response to rapid urbanization and the need for reliable sanitation infrastructure.
The early years were characterized by network expansion, deployment of treatment technologies and the integration of acquired systems in smaller localities. Challenges included process standardization, management of dispersed assets and compliance with emerging municipal regulations.
Expansion occurred through entry into new states, modernization of treatment facilities, growth in regulated contracts and the adoption of remote monitoring technologies. Successive development phases enabled the establishment of integrated sanitation operations and an expanded customer base.
Historical milestones include the completion of its initial public offering (IPO) in 2008, regional acquisitions throughout the 2010s and consolidation as one of the largest private water and wastewater operators in the United States. The period also included advancements in leak detection technologies and system automation.
Between 2020 and 2024, the company recorded investments in infrastructure modernization, adjustments to federal environmental standards, expansion of contracts in regulated states, strategic divestments of noncore operations and improvements in water management practices, all of which influenced operational performance and stock behavior during the period.
Additional Information
The Company American Water Works Co Inc. (United States), is listed on NYSE with a market cap of $ 25.88 Billions, having an equity of $ 10.91 Billions.
With a total of 6.800 employees, the company is listed in the sector of Utilities and categorized in industry of Water Collection, Treatment and Distribution.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 5.07 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 1.11 Billion.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 23.28, a P/BV ratio of 2.37 and in the last 12 months the dividend yield of AWK was at 2.40%.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker AWK.
