American Water Recognized on Forbes 2026 List of America's Best Employers for Company Culture
Rhea-AI Summary
American Water (NYSE: AWK) was recognized on Forbes 2026 list of America's Best Employers for Company Culture, ranking No. one in Water and Wastewater Utilities on May 6, 2026. This is the second consecutive year the company earned this culture-focused recognition.
The ranking draws on more than 217,000 employee survey responses and a Statista analysis of culture-related KPIs. American Water highlighted programs for workforce development, internships, community training partnerships, and continued investment in employee safety, skills, and retention across its 14-state regulated footprint.
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News Market Reaction – AWK
In the May 6 session, AWK declined 0.29%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Ranks No. One in Water and Wastewater Utilities
"At American Water, our people power our purpose," said Lori Sutton, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, American Water. "Being recognized for our company culture is especially meaningful because it reflects how our employees experience American Water every day. We're intentional about creating an environment where employees can grow, feel valued and make an impact within our company."
The Forbes America's Best Employers for Company Culture 2026 ranking is based on survey responses from more than 217,000 full-time and part-time employees at organizations with at least 1,000 employees across
- Personal evaluations from current employees;
- Public evaluations from others within the industry and from respondents' friends and family; and
- An analysis of company culture-related key performance indicators conducted by Statista's research team.
This continued recognition reflects American Water's commitment to building a strong workplace culture grounded in safety first, trust, dignity and respect, and one team. The company invests in initiatives that support employee development, strengthen connection across teams and reinforce a shared commitment to operational excellence and community impact.
Each year, American Water provides training and development opportunities across its workforce, supporting skill-building in technical, operational and leadership roles, including:
- Future Wavemakers College Internship Program: A cornerstone initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of water and wastewater industry leaders.
- Flow Forward: Offers high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors a multi-day summer camp featuring skill-building workshops, resume and interview preparation, and networking with industry professionals.
- Water UP! program: Providing hands-on training for adults in local communities and helping them identify and pursue careers in the water sector. Developed in partnership with Rowan College of
South Jersey and hosted annually in different locations throughout N.J., Water UP!'s curriculum spans water treatment, distribution, safety and ethics, reflecting the range of skills required across the industry. - Hopeworks partnership: Working with a
Camden -based nonprofit on train-to-hire programs that have successfully engaged, trained and employed young adults on geographic information system projects.
With regulated operations across 14 states, American Water plays a critical role in supporting its workforce while delivering essential service to communities across its service footprint. The company continues to focus on investing in its people, fostering strong culture and building the next generation of water industry professionals. Through these efforts, American Water is helping develop a more skilled, resilient workforce prepared to meet with evolving demands of modern systems.
To view the full list of Forbes America's Best Employers for Company Culture 2026, visit: https://www.forbes.com/lists/employers-culture/.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.
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SOURCE American Water