Virginia American Water President Addresses ASCE 2026 Report Card for Virginia's Infrastructure

Rhea-AI Summary

Virginia American Water (NYSE:AWK) responded to the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2026 Report Card for Virginia's Infrastructure, which again graded the state's drinking water at C+ and wastewater at D+. The company highlighted aging assets, workforce shortages and climate resilience needs, and plans to invest more than $360 million over the next five years to upgrade its water and wastewater systems.

Positive

• More than $360 million planned investment in water and wastewater upgrades over 5 years

Negative

• ASCE 2026 report card shows C+ drinking water and D+ wastewater grades for Virginia

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Urges More Investment in Critical Water and Wastewater Systems

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Laura Runkle, President of Virginia American Water, issued the following statement in response to the grade of C+ for drinking water and D+ for wastewater in the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) 2026 Report Card for Virginia's Infrastructure:

"Another report card, and no change or improvement in the last four years. Virginia's drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is stagnant. At Virginia American Water, our responsibility is clear: provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater service while investing in the systems that sustain the communities we serve. The urgency of this mission is highlighted by the recent ASCE 2026 Report Card for Virginia's Infrastructure, which outlines the state's drinking water grade as a C+ and wastewater grade as a D+, the same grades as the 2022 ASCE report.

The report card underscores the growing infrastructure challenges facing Virginia, including aging assets, recruiting and retaining licensed operators, and the need for greater climate resilience. These pressures reinforce the importance of continued, long-term investment in critical water and wastewater infrastructure and Virginia American Water plans to invest more than $360 million over the next 5 years to upgrade its water and wastewater systems to help ensure safe, reliable service for generations to come." 

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 18 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 Virginia American Water
Virginia American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 115 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 365,000 people.

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SOURCE American Water

FAQ

What did Virginia American Water (NYSE:AWK) announce about infrastructure investment on August 27, 2026?

Virginia American Water announced plans to invest more than $360 million over the next five years. According to Virginia American Water, this spending will upgrade its water and wastewater systems to support safe, reliable service for communities it serves across Virginia.

What grades did ASCE give Virginia's water and wastewater systems in the 2026 report card?

The ASCE 2026 Report Card graded Virginia's drinking water at C+ and wastewater at D+. According to Virginia American Water, these grades are unchanged from 2022 and highlight ongoing infrastructure challenges across the state’s water and wastewater systems.

Why is Virginia American Water planning over $360 million in spending on infrastructure?

Virginia American Water plans this investment to upgrade critical water and wastewater infrastructure in Virginia. According to Virginia American Water, the funds target aging assets, operator workforce needs and climate resilience to help ensure safe, reliable service for future generations.

How does the ASCE 2026 report card affect Virginia American Water (AWK) and its customers?

The report card underscores ongoing infrastructure pressures that affect utilities and customers across Virginia. According to Virginia American Water, issues such as aging systems and workforce challenges reinforce the need for sustained, long-term capital investment in water and wastewater networks.

Has Virginia's ASCE water and wastewater grade improved between 2022 and 2026?

No, Virginia’s drinking water and wastewater grades remained at C+ and D+ between 2022 and 2026. According to Virginia American Water, this lack of change signals stagnant infrastructure conditions and supports its call for increased investment in critical water and wastewater systems.