Old Man Winter Arrives Early: New Jersey American Water Urges Customers to Prepare Pipes and Conserve Water

Rhea-AI Summary

New Jersey American Water (NYSE:AWK) urges customers to prepare for an early cold snap and offers practical steps to prevent frozen pipes, avoid costly repairs, and manage water bills during the holidays. Recommended actions include locating and tagging the main shut-off valve, insulating exposed pipes, draining irrigation systems, letting a trickle of water run, and opening sink cabinets.

The company highlights safety steps for thawing frozen pipes, a thermostat recommendation of 55°F when away, links to winter tips and MyWater usage tools, and mentions assistance programs such as H2O Help to Others. New Jersey remains under a drought watch, so customers are asked to conserve water.

News Market Reaction

+0.44%

1 alert

+0.44% News Effect

On the day this news was published, AWK gained 0.44%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Thermostat setting away: 55 degrees Freeze alarm trigger: 45 degrees

2 metrics

Thermostat setting away 55 degrees Recommended minimum indoor temperature when customers are away

Freeze alarm trigger 45 degrees Suggested inside temperature threshold for freeze alarm notification

Market Reality Check

Price: $124.51 Vol: Volume 2,030,471 is about...

normal vol

$124.51 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,030,471 is about 0.88x the 20-day average of 2,318,030 ahead of this notice-focused release. normal

Technical Shares at 130.09 are trading below the 200-day MA of 140.16, remaining off the 155.50 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

AWK gained 0.44% while closest peer WTRG rose 0.61%, but other regulated utiliti...

AWK gained 0.44% while closest peer WTRG rose 0.61%, but other regulated utilities in the group (AEE, ATO, DTE, FE) showed modest declines, indicating mixed sector action rather than a broad water-utility move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 05 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 05	Conservation notice	Neutral	-0.8%	Statewide mandatory conservation after New Jersey drought status raised to warning.
Dec 05	Dividend announcement	Positive	+0.4%	Quarterly cash dividend of $0.8275 per share continuing prior annualized increase.
Dec 04	Cold weather prep	Neutral	+0.4%	New Jersey unit urged pipe protection, bill management, and conservation amid drought watch.
Dec 04	Cold weather advisory	Neutral	-1.6%	System-wide guidance on avoiding frozen pipes and checking for lead or galvanized lines.
Dec 04	Cold weather prep	Neutral	-1.6%	Missouri unit outlined steps to prevent frozen pipes and manage thermostat settings.

Pattern Detected

Recent news and utility updates have coincided with relatively small price moves, generally within a +/-1.6% range around operational and conservation announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the last several days, AWK’s news flow has centered on operations, customer guidance, and shareholder returns. On Dec 4–5, 2025, multiple cold-weather preparedness notices across New Jersey, Missouri, and the broader American Water system, plus a New Jersey drought-related conservation message, framed the company’s focus on reliability and resource management. A quarterly dividend of $0.8275 per share was also announced, reinforcing capital return alongside these service updates. The current winter-preparedness and conservation article fits this pattern of customer-facing operational communication.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlighted winter preparedness and ongoing conservation during a drought watch in...

Analysis

This announcement highlighted winter preparedness and ongoing conservation during a drought watch in New Jersey, with practical guidance to prevent frozen pipes and manage bills. It aligns with recent AWK communications focused on operational reliability and customer support, alongside dividend continuity. Investors may monitor how persistent drought conditions interact with regulatory frameworks, capital spending, and recent rate filings, as these factors shape the utility’s long-term returns beyond customer-facing service advisories.

Key Terms

drought watch, freeze alarm

2 terms

drought watch regulatory

"New Jersey remains under a drought watch. This means the state has been..."

A drought watch is an official alert that conditions could develop into a drought if dry weather continues; it signals rising risk rather than an established water shortage. For investors, it matters because it flags potential disruptions to water‑dependent businesses — think of it as a weather warning for supply chains, farms, utilities and insurers that can foreshadow higher costs, lower output or increased risk exposure.

freeze alarm technical

"Consider purchasing a freeze alarm that calls a user-selected phone number..."

A freeze alarm is a device that detects drops in temperature and alerts owners or authorities when conditions become dangerously cold. It helps prevent damage caused by freezing, such as burst pipes or equipment failures, by providing early warnings. For investors, it signals the importance of monitoring and protecting assets from environmental risks that could lead to significant losses.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

CAMDEN, N.J., Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Frigid temperatures have arrived earlier than usual across the Northeast, and New Jersey American Water is reminding customers to take steps now to protect their plumbing and avoid costly repairs. Preparing pipes before freezing conditions set in can help prevent damage and keep water bills manageable during the holiday season.

"Cold snaps can catch anyone off guard," said Ben Morris, vice president of operations at New Jersey American Water. "That's why taking simple steps now helps avoid costly repairs and keeps water bills lower, especially during a time when every dollar counts." Morris added, "And if you're worried about costs, check out our assistance programs. We're here to help you stay warm, safe, and stress-free this winter."

Taking time to prepare your home now is simple and can save stress later. To avoid frozen pipes and expensive repairs:

• Locate and test your main water shut-off valve and tag it for quick access in emergencies.
• Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or heat tape (even fabric or newspaper can help).
• Drain irrigation systems and disconnect hoses.
• Insulate pipes in crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls.
• Let a small trickle of water run overnight to keep water flowing though the pipes.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate.

If pipes freeze:

• Shut off the water immediately. Do not attempt to thaw pipes without turning off the main water shut-off valve.
• Warm the air around the frozen pipe using a hair dryer, space heater or hot water. Do not leave space heaters unattended and avoid using kerosene heaters or open flames.
• Slowly turn the water back on once pipes are thawed, and check for cracks or leaks

When customers are away from home:

• Set your thermostat at 55 degrees to prevent freezing.
• Ask a friend, relative or neighbor to check the property regularly to ensure the heat is working and pipes have not frozen.
• Consider purchasing a freeze alarm that calls a user-selected phone number if the inside temperature drops below 45 degrees.

Find more tips at newjerseyamwater.com/wintertips.

Affordability remains a priority for New Jersey American Water. The company offers customer assistance programs like H2O Help to Others Program™ and flexible payment options to support customers during the winter months. These resources help reduce financial stress when seasonal expenses rise. Customers can learn more and apply online by visiting: www.newjerseyamwater.com/h2oprogram

While focusing on cold weather preparation, it's important to remember that New Jersey remains under a drought watch. This means the state has been experiencing significantly below-average rainfall, and conserving water is critical. Customers can monitor their water usage and find ways to use water more wisely online through their MyWater account. Additional indoor and outdoor water-saving tips can be found on New Jersey American Water's website or at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Water Conservation Website.

About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.

 

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SOURCE American Water

FAQ

What winter preparation steps did New Jersey American Water (AWK) recommend on Dec 4, 2025?

The company recommended locating/tagging the main shut-off valve, insulating pipes, draining irrigation, letting a small trickle run, and opening sink cabinets to circulate warm air.

How should AWK customers thaw frozen pipes safely according to the Dec 4, 2025 guidance?

Shut off the main water valve first, warm the pipe area with a hair dryer or hot water, avoid open flames, then slowly turn water back on and check for leaks.

What assistance programs does New Jersey American Water (AWK) offer for customers worried about winter bills?

AWK directs customers to assistance such as the H2O Help to Others program and flexible payment options available online at the company's customer assistance webpage.

What temperature did AWK recommend setting your thermostat to when away from home?

AWK recommends setting the thermostat to 55 degrees to reduce the risk of frozen pipes while away.

How does the Dec 4, 2025 notice from AWK address the drought watch in New Jersey?

The notice reminds customers that New Jersey is under a drought watch and encourages monitoring usage via MyWater and following indoor and outdoor water-saving tips.

Where can AWK customers find more winter tips and apply for help programs mentioned on Dec 4, 2025?

Customers can find winter tips at newjerseyamwater.com/wintertips and apply for assistance at newjerseyamwater.com/h2oprogram.