Latest credit of over $15 brings total settlement refunds to more than $80 per customer while the company continues PFAS treatment upgrades across Illinois
BELLEVILLE, Ill., Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Illinois American Water announced that additional credits were recently applied to customers' bills as a result of the company's receipt of proceeds from settlements reached with manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
On August 10, 2026, Illinois American Water issued a $15.02 bill credit to all active water customer accounts as of June 30, 2026. The credit distributed to customers in total was $4.7 million from recent settlement proceeds the company received from PFAS manufacturers.
The first bill credit of $17 million total for eligible Illinois American Water customers occurred in November 2025 followed by a second credit in February 2026 of $3.2 million total. With this latest credit, $24.9 million total has been returned to eligible Illinois American Water customers through PFAS-related settlements. Eligible accounts active during all three distributions have received a total of $82.40 per account to date.
The credit is made possible through Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approval of Illinois American Water's PFAS Litigation Universal Credit Rider, which allows the company to provide PFAS settlement proceeds directly to customers as they are received. The credits are applied to all active customer accounts and are not based on any level of PFAS detected in a customer's water.
The company is committed to complying with all drinking water standards and is taking appropriate actions to meet new PFAS regulations as they are implemented. The company has completed PFAS treatment upgrades in several communities and plans to invest approximately $92 million to expand PFAS treatment across multiple water systems throughout Illinois through 2029. For more information about PFAS and the steps Illinois American Water is taking to address them, visit the company's PFAS information page.
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 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 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 Illinois American Water
Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 600 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.
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SOURCE American Water
FAQ
What PFAS settlement credit did Illinois American Water (AWK) customers receive in August 2026?
Illinois American Water issued a $15.02 bill credit on August 10, 2026 to each active water customer account as of June 30, 2026. According to Illinois American Water, this distribution returned $4.7 million from PFAS manufacturer settlement proceeds.
How much total PFAS settlement refunds have Illinois American Water (AWK) customers received?
Eligible Illinois American Water customers have received $24.9 million in total PFAS-related bill credits so far. According to Illinois American Water, customers active for all three distributions have received $82.40 per account, combining November 2025, February 2026 and August 2026 credits.
When did Illinois American Water (AWK) issue previous PFAS bill credits before August 2026?
Illinois American Water issued its first PFAS bill credit in November 2025, totaling $17 million, and a second in February 2026, totaling $3.2 million. According to Illinois American Water, the August 2026 credit is the third distribution from PFAS settlements.
How are Illinois American Water (AWK) PFAS settlement credits applied to customer bills?
PFAS settlement credits are applied to all active customer accounts when proceeds are received. According to Illinois American Water, the Illinois Commerce Commission-approved PFAS Litigation Universal Credit Rider enables credits that are not based on PFAS levels detected in individual customers’ water.
What PFAS treatment investments is Illinois American Water (AWK) planning through 2029?
Illinois American Water plans to invest about $92 million in PFAS treatment upgrades across multiple Illinois water systems through 2029. According to Illinois American Water, upgrades have already been completed in several communities to meet evolving PFAS drinking water standards.
What does the Illinois Commerce Commission PFAS rider mean for Illinois American Water (AWK) customers?
The Illinois Commerce Commission-approved PFAS Litigation Universal Credit Rider allows settlement proceeds to be returned directly to customers as bill credits. According to Illinois American Water, this mechanism ensures active accounts receive PFAS-related refunds as funds are obtained from manufacturers.