Pennsylvania American Water Urges Customers to Be Prepared during Sub-Freezing Weather
Rhea-AI Summary
Pennsylvania American Water (NYSE:AWK) urges customers to prepare for sub-zero temperatures and offers practical steps to avoid frozen pipes and costly repairs. Key advice includes locating and testing your main shut-off valve, insulating exposed pipes, draining irrigation systems, and safe thawing methods if pipes freeze.
The company reminds customers that internal plumbing is the homeowner's responsibility and provides online resources and printable tags for emergency valve identification.
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Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
AWK slipped 0.16% with mixed peer moves: WTRG down 0.13%, while AEE, ATO, DTE and FE rose between 0.47% and
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 23 | Winter storm prep | Neutral | -1.4% | New Jersey American Water outlined storm readiness steps and customer safety guidance. |
| Jan 22 | Cold weather advisory | Neutral | -1.4% | Iowa American Water advised customers on protecting plumbing from extreme cold. |
| Jan 22 | Infrastructure funding | Positive | +0.4% | PENNVEST awarded over <b>$6.1M</b> to support Pa. infrastructure replacement projects. |
| Jan 21 | Treatment plant spend | Positive | -0.3% | California American Water committed <b>$6M</b> to a new Fox Park treatment plant. |
| Jan 20 | Water storage program | Positive | -0.3% | ASR program injected significant Carmel River flows into groundwater storage. |
Operational and infrastructure updates, even when constructive, have recently seen mixed to negative short-term price reactions, suggesting limited immediate upside response to routine utility news.
Over the past weeks, AWK subsidiaries have repeatedly highlighted winter readiness and infrastructure investment. On Jan. 20–23, 2026, updates spanned Aquifer Storage and Recovery volumes in California, a $6.183,799 PENNVEST funding award in Pennsylvania, and multiple customer advisories for severe cold in Iowa and New Jersey. Price reactions to these largely operational or investment-focused releases ranged from about -1.41% to +0.44%, indicating that routine system-resilience communications have not driven strong upside, but help frame AWK’s ongoing capital and reliability efforts.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement centers on cold-weather preparedness, highlighting steps customers can take to avoid frozen pipes and plumbing damage, including shutting off water, insulating exposed lines and using thermostats and freeze alarms at 55 and 45 degrees, respectively. It reinforces AWK’s broader focus on service reliability seen in recent winter and infrastructure updates. Investors may watch how such operational efforts complement the company’s ongoing capital investments and regulatory proceedings disclosed in recent filings.
Key Terms
freeze alarm technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Tips to protect pipes during ongoing statewide below-zero temperatures
"It's important that customers take steps to protect their pipes from freezing, especially during extended cold periods like we're experiencing now," said Pennsylvania American Water Vice President of Operations Jim Runzer. "Taking time to prepare and regularly checking on your pipes during extremely cold days will help ensure you and your loved ones stay safe and comfortable."
To prepare now, customers should:
- Know how to shut off your water: Locate your main water shut-off valve. In many homes, it is located near the water meter or close to where the water pipe enters the home. Hang an I.D. tag on the valve so it can be found quickly during an emergency. Download a tag to print here.
- Test your main water shut-off valve: Once located, test the shut-off valve by closing it. Once completely closed, check sinks and other water fixtures to ensure the shut-off valve is working properly.
- Ball valves generally only require a quarter turn to close.
- Gate valves are generally closed by turning the handle clockwise and should turn easily.
- If the valve does not close easily, it may need to be serviced.
- Bonus: While you are there, check your incoming water service line material! Pennsylvania American Water is working with customers to identify their service line material. If they are found to be made of lead or galvanized steel, they will be replaced in the future. Visit pennsylvaniaamwater.com/leadfacts for information and easy 3-step instructions.
- Check sprinkler or irrigation systems: Make sure everything is turned off and fully drained.
- Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines: Check for pipes in areas that might be prone to freezing, such as crawl spaces, unheated rooms, basements, garages and exterior walls. Fix drafty windows, insulate walls around pipes and plug drafts around doors.
- Protect your pipes: Where pipes are exposed to cold, wrap them with insulation or heat tape (even fabric or newspaper can help).
When temperatures stay below freezing:
- Give pipes a helping hand: If pipes run through cabinets or vanities, open the doors to let warmer room temperatures flow in.
- Keep water moving through the pipes: Allow a small trickle of water to run. The cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost of repairing a broken pipe.
If pipes freeze:
- Shut off the water immediately: Do not attempt to thaw pipes without turning off the main water shut-off valve.
- Thaw a frozen pipe by warming the air around it: Use a hair dryer, space heater or hot water. Do not leave space heaters unattended and avoid using kerosene heaters or open flames.
- Once pipes are thawed: Slowly turn the water back on. Check pipes and joints for any cracks or leaks potentially caused by freezing.
When customers are away from home, consider the following:
- Set your thermostat at 55 degrees to prevent freezing.
- Have a friend, relative or neighbor regularly check the property to help ensure the heat is working and the pipes have not frozen.
- Consider purchasing a freeze alarm. The alarm will call a user-selected phone number if the inside temperature drops below 45 degrees.
Find more cold weather protection tips here.
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.
About Pennsylvania American Water
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with 1,200 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people.
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SOURCE American Water
FAQ
How should Pennsylvania American Water (AWK) customers shut off their main water during sub-zero weather?
What immediate steps does Pennsylvania American Water (AWK) recommend to prevent frozen pipes on Jan 28, 2026?
What should AWK customers do if their pipes freeze during the January 2026 cold snap?
Does Pennsylvania American Water (AWK) replace lead or galvanized service lines and how can customers check?
What do AWK customers need to do with sprinkler or irrigation systems before freezing weather?
How can homeowners protect a vacant property from frozen pipes per Pennsylvania American Water (AWK)?
