[8-K] American Water Works Company, Inc. Reports Material Event

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

American Water Works Company, Inc. reported that its New Jersey subsidiary, New Jersey-American Water Company, filed a request with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to increase water and wastewater rates. The filing seeks aggregate annualized incremental revenues of approximately $146 million, based on a proposed return on equity of 10.75% and a capital structure with 55.18% equity and 44.82% debt.

The request is driven primarily by more than $1.4 billion of capital investments completed and planned through December 2026, reflecting spending on system infrastructure. Any new rates would only take effect if approved by the regulator, and the timing and terms of any approval remain subject to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

Insights

Regulated utilities analyst

American Water’s New Jersey unit seeks $146M in higher regulated revenues tied to large capital investments, pending state approval.

New Jersey-American Water Company, a subsidiary of American Water Works, has requested aggregate annualized incremental revenues of about $146 million from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. The request is built on a proposed return on equity of 10.75% and a capital structure with 55.18% equity and 44.82% debt, which frames how regulators would allow the utility to recover its costs and earn a return.

The company links this request primarily to more than $1.4 billion of capital investments completed and planned through December 2026, indicating significant spending on water and wastewater infrastructure in the state. Because the filing states that the request is subject to NJBPU approval, future financial effects depend on the level of revenues ultimately authorized, the approved capital structure and return, and the timing of any rate implementation set by the regulator.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 16, 2026

American Water Works Company, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File Number: 001-34028

Delaware			51-0063696
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)			(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1 Water Street

Camden, NJ 08102-1658

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(856) 955-4001

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

AWK

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01.    Other Events.

Filing of Rate Request with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (the “NJBPU”) by New Jersey-American Water Company, Inc. (“New Jersey American Water”)

On January 16, 2026, New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water Works Company, Inc. (the “Company”), announced that it filed a request with the NJBPU to adjust its water and wastewater rates. The request seeks aggregate annualized incremental revenues of approximately $146 million and is based on a proposed return on equity of 10.75% and a capital structure with an equity component of 55.18% and a debt component of 44.82%. The requested annualized incremental revenue is driven primarily by more than $1.4 billion of capital investments completed and planned by New Jersey American Water through December 2026. The filing is subject to the approval of the NJBPU.

A copy of the press release issued by New Jersey American Water on January 16, 2026 has been filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference. References and links to websites and other information contained in this press release are not provided as active hyperlinks, and the information contained in or accessed through these hyperlinks shall not be incorporated into, or form a part of, this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K (or the exhibit thereto) are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words with prospective meanings such as “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “propose,” “assume,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “future,” “pending,” “goal,” “objective,” “potential,” “continue,” “seek to,” “may,” “can,” “will,” “should” and “could,” or the negative of such terms or other variations or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are predictions based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions regarding future events. They are not guarantees or assurances of any outcomes, performance or achievements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon them. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of estimates and assumptions, and known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K as a result of the factors discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 19, 2025, and other filings with the SEC, and additional risks and uncertainties, including with respect to (1) any approval by the NJBPU of New Jersey American Water’s request for new water and wastewater rates; (2) the terms of any settlement agreement or stipulation, and/or order of the NJBPU, related to this request; (3) the timing of any implementation of new rates by New Jersey American Water, if approved; (4) regulatory, legislative, local or municipal actions affecting the water and wastewater industries, which could adversely affect the Company or New Jersey American Water; (5) the amount and timing of future proposed or anticipated capital expenditures and investments by New Jersey American Water; and (6) other economic, financial, political, business and other factors that may impact or affect the water and wastewater industries generally or the Company or New Jersey American Water specifically.

These forward-looking statements are qualified by, and should be read together with, the risks and uncertainties set forth above and the risk factors included in the Company’s annual and quarterly reports as filed with the SEC, and readers should refer to such risks, uncertainties and risk factors in evaluating such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company does not have any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors. Furthermore, it may not be possible to assess the impact of any such factor on the Company’s or New Jersey American Water’s business, either viewed independently or together, or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The following exhibits to this Current Report have been filed herewith (except as noted below):

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Exhibit No.						Description
99.1*						Press Release, dated January 16, 2026, issued by New Jersey American Water.
104						Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are included and formatted as Inline XBRL).
*Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.

Dated:

January 16, 2026

By:

/s/ DAVID M. BOWLER

David M. Bowler

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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FAQ

What regulatory action did American Water (AWK) disclose in this 8-K?

The company disclosed that its subsidiary New Jersey-American Water Company, Inc. filed a request with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to adjust its water and wastewater rates.

How much additional revenue is New Jersey-American Water seeking in its rate request?

New Jersey-American Water is seeking aggregate annualized incremental revenues of approximately $146 million through its proposed water and wastewater rate adjustments.

What return on equity and capital structure underpin American Water’s New Jersey rate request?

The request is based on a proposed 10.75% return on equity and a capital structure with an equity component of 55.18% and a debt component of 44.82%.

What capital investment levels support the $146 million rate increase request by AWK’s New Jersey subsidiary?

The requested revenue increase is driven primarily by more than $1.4 billion of capital investments completed and planned by New Jersey-American Water through December 2026.

Is American Water’s requested New Jersey rate increase already approved?

No. The company states that the filing is subject to the approval of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, which will determine any final rates and timing.

What additional disclosure accompanied the rate filing announcement by American Water (AWK)?

A press release dated January 16, 2026 issued by New Jersey-American Water was filed as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference.