Form 8-K - Current report

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): July 22, 2024

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 of incorporation)			(IRS Employer 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.

Entry of Order by Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (the “PaPUC”) Approving General Rate Case of Pennsylvania-American Water Company (“Pennsylvania American Water”)

On July 22, 2024, the PaPUC released an order approving the adjustment of base rates requested in a general rate case filed by Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Works Company, Inc. (the “Company”), on November 8, 2023. In its order, the PaPUC approved a $99.3 million annualized increase in Pennsylvania American Water’s water and wastewater system revenues, excluding previously recovered infrastructure surcharges of $20 million, based on (i) an authorized return on equity of 9.45%, (ii) an authorized rate base of $5,823.8 million, which reflects, as requested and included in the general rate case, approximately $1 billion in capital investments to be made through mid-2025, (iii) a common equity ratio of 55.30%, and (iv) a long-term debt ratio of 44.70%. Certain acquisitions that remain pending, including the previously-announced acquisition of the wastewater collection and treatment system of the Butler Area Sewer Authority, were excluded from authorized base rates. The new rates will take effect on August 7, 2024, except that new wastewater rates for two recently acquired systems, including the City of York, will take effect during the first half of 2025 in accordance with the terms of the relevant acquisition agreements. As part of its approval of this rate adjustment, the PaPUC initiated an investigation into certain reported water service and water quality issues in Pennsylvania American Water’s Northeastern service territory, which reports had been provided during public input hearings convened in the general rate case.

A copy of the press release issued by Pennsylvania American Water on July 23, 2024, 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.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The following exhibits to this Current Report have been provided herewith as noted below:


Exhibit No.						Description
99.1*						Press Release, dated July 23, 2024, issued by Pennsylvania 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:

July 23, 2024

By:

/s/ JOHN C. GRIFFITH

John C. Griffith

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

Pennsylvania American Water Receives Rate Order from Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

Reflects $1 billion in system investments to address aging water and wastewater infrastructure, with expanded customer assistance programs

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (July 23, 2024) – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) issued an order on July 22 approving adjusted water and wastewater rates for Pennsylvania American Water customers following the company’s November 2023 rate request. The order includes expanded customer assistance programs, a total annualized revenue increase of $99.3 million, 9.45% Return on Equity (ROE) and actual capital structure with 55.3% equity approved. The order reflects the $1 billion in infrastructure investments to be made through mid-2025, as requested by the company, including upgrades to water mains, treatment plants, tanks, valves, booster stations and other infrastructure necessary to maintain and improve water quality, service reliability and fire protection.

“Pennsylvania American Water is committed to making needed infrastructure improvements across our service areas so we can continue to comply with more stringent drinking water standards and environmental regulations while keeping our systems resilient in the face of floods, droughts and other weather-related risks,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Justin Ladner. “We appreciate the Commission’s recognition of these critical investments, and we will continue to remain focused on efficiencies to help maintain affordable rates.”

The PUC also approved the company’s proposal to expand its income-based monthly bill discount program to include customers between 151 percent and 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), resulting in an estimated 55,000 additional customers being eligible to receive discounted service. The order also expanded eligibility for hardship fund grants from 201 to 250 percent of FPL.

Underscoring its commitment to affordability, the company’s current H2O Help to Others Program™ offers three tiers of discounts off monthly water and wastewater bills for income-eligible customers, and the PUC’s order expanded the amount of the monthly discounts from 30-80 percent to 30-90 percent. Last year, customers received approximately $14 million in bill discounts under this program. The company is committed to finding other opportunities to support customers.

The PUC encouraged the company to strive to set a target donation to its hardship fund of an additional $1 million. As part of its acquisition of the Butler Area Sewer Authority (BASA), the company already committed last year to increasing its shareholder contribution to the H2O Help

to Others grant program by $3.5 million over five years. While the BASA acquisition was approved by the PUC in November 2023, it was appealed to Commonwealth Court, and the PUC-approved expansion of these assistance programs awaits a decision.

Additionally, as part of this approval, the PUC initiated an investigation into reported water service and water quality issues in the company’s Northeastern service territory, based on testimony given in public input hearings held as part of the rate request proceeding.

With 33 of Pennsylvania American Water's water treatment plants nationally recognized with Directors Awards for participating in the EPA's Partnership for Safe Water, Pennsylvania American Water affirms its commitment to high-quality, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services.

“Our water meets all state and federal drinking water regulations, and we take customer comments about water quality very seriously,” stated Ladner. “We acknowledge that some customers experienced temporary aesthetic disturbances associated with system improvements and operational maintenance, and we will work with the Commission on matters raised. As part of this commitment, we attempted personal outreach to every customer who raised a water quality concern during the public hearings to better understand and resolve their issues.”

New rates will take effect on Aug. 7, except wastewater rates for the recently acquired systems of Foster Township and the City of York, which will take effect in January and May of 2025, respectively, in accordance with the acquisition agreements. The company will communicate new rates and new estimated bill impacts for its various water and wastewater rate zones on its website and will include details on how to find this information in upcoming customer bills.

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 6,500 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 (formally Twitter) and Instagram. 

About Pennsylvania American Water 

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people. 

AWK-IR

Media Contact:

David Misner

Senior Manager, External Communications

C: 717-261-7525

david.misner@amwater.com

# # #

Document and Entity Information Document	Jul. 22, 2024
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Jul. 22, 2024
Entity Registrant Name	American Water Works Company, Inc.
Entity File Number	001-34028
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	51-0063696
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 Water Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Camden
Entity Address, State or Province	NJ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	08102-1658
City Area Code	856
Local Phone Number	955-4001
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	AWK
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001410636
Amendment Flag	false