American Water Company History
Founded in 1886 as the American Water Works & Guarantee Company, American Water has been serving customers and communities for more than 135 years.
The people of American Water have centuries of combined experience in the water and wastewater industry. The team includes world-renowned researchers who are on the leading edge of scientific study and environmental protection, people who have been with us not only decades, but also for generations, and those who are passionate about environmental stewardship and care. Our crew members and plant operators get up each day with one goal in mind - to make sure American Water provides the best possible water service to our customers. We're a company with a track record of financial success, environmental compliance, successful partnerships, and commitment to our customers. We are customer and community focused, forward thinking and performance driven.
Our beginnings were humble, and the company's origins can be traced to the local water utilities of the post-civil war era. A small group of entrepreneurs and innovators spurred the nation's industrial development by bringing a critical commodity - pure, abundant water - to towns and cities across the land. In the years that followed, American Water grew and grew as smaller systems were purchased. Our service footprint now stretches across the country.
Today, our hard-working teams proudly serve approximately 14 million people in 24 states. We work hard each and every day to supply our customers with something they cannot live without - high-quality water and water service. We are scientists, innovators and stewards of the environment.
We are American Water. We Keep Life Flowing.
American Water Ownership Timeline
1886
American Water is established in Pennsylvania as American Waterworks and Guarantee Company (AWW&G).
1914
AWW&G becomes American Water Works and Electric (AWW&E), quickly growing into one of the leading public utility holding companies in the United States.
1947
American Water becomes a public company under John Ware and the ticker symbol AWK, starting with a base of 663,000 customers. Headquarters moved to Voorhees, NJ.
1965
American Water is named to Fortune’s list of the 50 largest public utility companies in the United States.
1994
American Water joins Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index.
2003
American Water purchased by RWE Group (divestiture plans begin in 2 years).
2005
RWE announces plans to divest American Water.
2008
In the largest utility IPO in the United States history, American Water divests from RWE’s outside ownership and joins the New York Stock Exchange.
2009
American Water gains full independence after its final stock offering.
2014
American Water becomes a member of the Dow Jones Utility Average, which represents to stock performance of 15 large, well known U.S. companies within the utilities sector. American Water is the only water utility to ever be part of the index.
2016
American Water becomes part of Standard & Poor’s 500 Index – the only water utility included in the index.
2018
American Water rings The Opening Bell to celebrate its 10-year return to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Headquarters moved to Camden, NJ.
2022
American Water maintains its 14-year presence on the New York Stock Exchange and remains the largest investor-owned water and wastewater utility in the U.S. NYSE: AWK is one of the highest valued utility stocks on the NYSE.