American Water Offers Convenient Bill Payment and Assistance Options

Rhea-AI Summary

American Water (NYSE: AWK) on December 16, 2025 expanded customer payment options and launched a charitable pilot to assist households facing utility hardship.

Customers can now pay via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal, PayPal Credit on the MyWater portal, enroll in Auto Pay, scan a bill barcode to pay in person at participating retailers (Walmart, CVS, Family Dollar and more), pay by mail, phone (1-855-748-6066) or continue with MoneyGram and FirsTech. A $1.95 fee applies to credit card transactions in select states.

The American Water Charitable Foundation launched the Keep Communities Flowing® Fund, granting a combined $500,000 to two nonprofits to pilot utility-assistance programs in select Pennsylvania and New Jersey counties; the pilot operates independently of company state assistance programs.

Key Figures

Card payment fee $1.95 Fee for credit card transactions in select states

Hardship grants total $500,000 Combined grants to two 501(c)(3) organizations for utility assistance

Non-profits funded 2 organizations 501(c)(3) non-profits administering Keep Communities Flowing Fund

Price move 1.96% AWK 24h price change before this news

Current price $134.13 Share price before this news

52-week range $118.74–$155.50 52-week low and high before this news

Market Reality Check

$132.72 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,120,544 is slightly below the 20-day average of 2,351,364 (relative volume 0.9x). normal

Technical Shares at $134.13 are trading below the 200-day MA of $140.11 and about 13.74% under the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

AWK gained 1.96% with mixed peers: most utilities like AEE (+1.05%) and ATO (+1.19%) were modestly higher, while DTE declined (-0.65%). No peers appeared in the momentum scanner, pointing to a stock-specific move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 10	Conservation request	Negative	+0.4%	Voluntary 10–15% water use reduction requested during expanded drought watch.
Dec 09	Small acquisition	Positive	+0.4%	Completion of Yerba Buena Water Company acquisition adding ~250 customers.
Dec 09	Infrastructure upgrade	Positive	+0.4%	$157M multi-year upgrade to Metro East regional water treatment plant.
Dec 05	Mandatory conservation	Negative	-0.8%	Statewide mandatory conservation notice after upgrade to Drought Warning.
Dec 05	Dividend declaration	Positive	+0.4%	Quarterly cash dividend of $0.8275 per share continuing prior increase.

Pattern Detected

Recent news reactions mostly aligned with the perceived tone: positive items like acquisitions, infrastructure upgrades and dividends saw modest gains, while a mandatory conservation notice coincided with a small decline. Only one recent drought-related update showed a divergence, with shares up despite potentially negative implications.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, American Water reported operational and regulatory developments alongside customer-focused updates. Conservation-related notices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania highlighted drought conditions and resource management. Growth initiatives continued, including the Dec. 9, 2025 acquisition of Yerba Buena Water Company, the ninth acquisition in five years, and completion of a $157 million plant upgrade in Illinois. A quarterly dividend of $0.8275 per share underscored ongoing capital return. Today’s announcement of expanded payment options and hardship assistance fits the pattern of customer and community support initiatives.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights expanded bill payment flexibility and a new hardship assistance pilot funded with $500,000 in grants through the Keep Communities Flowing Fund. It fits a pattern of customer and community initiatives alongside recent acquisitions, infrastructure upgrades, and a quarterly dividend of $0.8275 per share. Investors may watch how participation in assistance programs evolves and how such efforts intersect with ongoing drought management, rate cases, and capital investment plans disclosed in recent filings.

Key Terms

501(c)(3) regulatory

"The Foundation has provided a combined total of $500,000 in grants to two 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations..."

A 501(c)(3) is a U.S. federal tax designation for organizations organized and operated for charitable, educational, religious, scientific or literary purposes, which exempts them from federal income tax and generally makes donations to them tax-deductible. Investors pay attention because the designation shapes how the organization raises money, what activities it can legally pursue (for example, limits on political lobbying), and how transparent and financially stable it must be—factors that affect risk, reputation, and potential partnerships.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

American Water Charitable Foundation pilots utility hardship assistance program

CAMDEN, N.J., Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., provides customers with greater flexibility to pay their water and wastewater bill, adding additional payment options on its online customer portal, MyWater, and in person by scanning their bill's unique barcode at participating stores, such as Walmart, CVS, Family Dollar and more.

"American Water is committed to providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to the communities we serve," said Cheryl Norton, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, American Water. "We recognize that some customers may be facing financial challenges and encourage them to review the range of payment assistance programs and options available to support them in managing their utility bill payments."

The following payment options are available to customers:

• Online
  • NEW: Pay your bill with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal or PayPal Credit via MyWater. Choose a one-time payment or set up Auto Pay. There is a $1.95 fee for credit card transactions in select states.
  • Pay Automatically: Save time and postage by enrolling in our Auto Pay program and your bill will be paid on time, every time. To enroll, log on to MyWater. There is a $1.95 fee for credit card transactions in select states.
  • Customers without a MyWater account: Visit amwater.com/billpay. Have your account number handy, as you will need it to pay your bill. There is a $1.95 fee for credit card transactions in select states.
• By Mail
  • Send a check or money order along with payment stub to the address provided on your bill. Please do not include cash, staples or paper clips.
• In Person
  • NEW: Go to an authorized payment location with your bill and pay at checkout via its unique barcode. Visit the Billing & Payment Info section of our website and select "Pay In Person" to find a location near you.
  • Customers may continue to pay via MoneyGram and FirsTech.
• By Phone
  • Call us at 1-855-748-6066 to pay your bill 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your account number ready to share. There is a $1.95 fee for credit card transactions in select states.

For customers experiencing financial hardship, American Water offers customer assistance programs. Find more information, including eligibility, how to enroll and contact information at: https://www.amwater.com/corp/Customers-and-Communities/customer-assistance-programs.

Additionally, the American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water and funded by its shareholders, is launching the Keep Communities Flowing® Fund—one of the first utility assistance pilot programs of its kind to help eligible households pay their utility bills. The Foundation has provided a combined total of $500,000 in grants to two 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that will independently exercise control over the grant funds and administer the program.

The initiative is designed to reduce barriers for families experiencing financial hardship through a streamlined, accessible process. Participants will have the flexibility to choose the utility provider that best meets their needs—water, gas, or electric—offering convenience and choice.

The pilot will roll out in stages across select counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to help ensure thoughtful implementation. Insights from the Foundation's pilot program will help inform a scalable model for future utility assistance programs. The pilot program operates independently of American Water's state assistance programs.

"Through the Keep Communities Flowing® Fund, we are committed to reducing barriers and providing critical utility assistance to families in need. The pilot is designed to support households while shaping scalable solutions for the future," said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation.

For more information about the American Water Charitable Foundation, visit: https://amwater.com/awcf.

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 American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water, focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested more than $20 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-water-offers-convenient-bill-payment-and-assistance-options-302643797.html

SOURCE American Water

FAQ

What new online payment methods did American Water (AWK) add on December 16, 2025?

AWK added Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal, and PayPal Credit via the MyWater portal.

How much is the credit card fee for AWK bill payments in select states?

There is a $1.95 fee for credit card transactions in select states.

Can AWK customers pay their bill in person at retailers and which stores are listed?

Yes; customers can scan their bill barcode at participating retailers such as Walmart, CVS, Family Dollar and other authorized locations.

What is the Keep Communities Flowing® Fund announced by AWK's foundation on December 16, 2025?

The foundation provided a combined $500,000 in grants to two nonprofits to pilot a utility-assistance program for eligible households.

Where will the foundation pilot for AWK's Keep Communities Flowing® Fund roll out?

The pilot will roll out in stages across select counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

How can AWK customers experiencing financial hardship find assistance program details?

Customers can find eligibility and enrollment details at https://www.amwater.com/corp/Customers-and-Communities/customer-assistance-programs.