Solutions for Communities

American Water’s water and wastewater operations center around the values of safety, trust, environmental leadership, teamwork and high performance. Our experts are passionate about delivering high-quality water and wastewater services and solutions. Whether it be meeting or surpassing drinking water standards, protecting our precious water resources, or investing in system upgrades, we constantly push ourselves to improve.

Our professionals are committed to helping the communities we serve be more vibrant places to live, work and play. We never forget that at the end of every water pipe there’s a family looking to us to provide life’s most critical need; that every treatment plant serves to protect against potential disease; and that every community should be stronger because we are there.

We welcome the chance to work with communities solve their water and wastewater system operations, management, investment, supply and delivery challenges. Please do not hesitate to contact us, we are more than happy to help.

American Water Regulated Operations Map

 

HOW WE HELP COMMUNITIES

Investing to maintain and upgrade aging water and wastewater systems is critical for providing safe and reliable service. Over the next 10 years, American Water will invest $40 to $42 billion in the communities we serve in support of infrastructure renewal; resiliency; water quality; operational efficiency, technology and innovation; system expansion; and regulated acquisitions.

It can be difficult for water and wastewater systems to keep up with ever-increasing health and environmental regulations. Our team of water quality experts is at the forefront of research and compliance, working closely with regulators as new standards and treatment techniques are developed. We perform more than a million water quality tests each year so that our water and wastewater systems consistently meet or surpass all state and federal standards.

American Water supports the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) efforts to protect public health by proposing national drinking water standards for PFAS. These contaminants are among the multiple challenges the water industry faces regarding water quality, quantity, and reliability. That is why American Water remains committed to being a leader in the U.S. water and wastewater industry and a provider of solutions to these challenges. Click here to read more about our approach to PFAS.

Many cities face numerous priorities that place a constraint on financial resources. The sale of water and wastewater systems can generate new revenue while eliminating future costs and liabilities of the systems. Net proceeds of the sale can be reinvested in the community to provide parks, streets and sidewalks, public safety, economic development, and fund pension liabilities. In addition to the sale proceeds, as a private business we also pay taxes each year that support schools and other local services.

The safe treatment and release of wastewater isn't something most of our customers ever think about; to us, it's critical, and we think about it every day. We can assume responsibility for all aspects of water and wastewater plant operations and facility and equipment maintenance. This includes all dewatering services and offsite sludge transportation, building security, maintenance and landscaping. We also provide odor abatement systems at the facilities we serve.

  • Pennsylvania - Scranton - Wastewater
  • Missouri - Arnold - Wastewater
  • Pennsylvania - York - Wastewater

Maintaining a reliable water supply can be a challenge for some communities. Our industry-leading experts develop customized plans to deliver an adequate water supply to communities. This includes constructing water towers or reservoirs, or leveraging our extensive production and distribution systems to provide drinking water through bulk water sale agreements. We work with communities to provide solutions to local water supply issues.

Maryland - Bel Air - Water

Water and wastewater is what we do. Our full-time professional staff has the operational and technical expertise needed to efficiently manage water and wastewater systems of any size. Our skilled workforce of 6,700 employees has the expertise to stay on top of industry challenges. We take great pride in hiring employees in the communities we serve and offer competitive wages and benefits.

Our customers are at the center of everything we do. We consistently rank in the top quartile of independent customer service surveys when compared to other utilities. Many of our states offer billing assistance through our H2O - Help to Others emergency assistance program. Additionally, we make it easy to access account and billing information through MyWater, our online portal for management of water and/or wastewater accounts.

We care about the communities we serve and are active in supporting local civic and charitable activities through financial contributions and volunteer hours. Since 2012, the American Water Charitable Foundation has invested $12 million in funding through grants and matching gifts that are important to our employees and our communities. Through its Employee Volunteer and Matching Gift Program, Employee Crisis Fund, Disaster Relief Program, and Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, the Foundation is making a difference every day in diverse communities throughout the country. Our mascot Puddles loves attending community events and is a hit with both the young and young at heart.

We’re committed to delivering value to our customers and the communities we serve by keeping our rates as low as possible while providing quality water and wastewater service. Because of our tremendous experience, industry expertise and size we’re able to maximize efficiencies through economies of scale, from our buying power to centralized business functions. Whether you’re concerned about operating costs or the rate impact of a big investment in your system, we’re happy to discuss how we can provide great value to your community.