American Water is marking 140 years of providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable service to the communities it serves. Founded in 1886 as a small Pennsylvania utility, the company now serves more than 14 million people across 14 regulated states and 18 military installations.
“As we commemorate 140 years, American Water remains committed to investing in the systems and communities who rely on us every day,” said John Griffith, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Water. “Over the next decade, we plan to invest up to $48 billion in infrastructure upgrades, resiliency, and regulated acquisitions to further enhance reliability and affordability for our customers. Additionally, we are proud to provide water and wastewater solutions to communities across the country welcoming approximately 385,000 new customers in 13 states from acquisitions over the last decade.”
To celebrate its 140th anniversary, American Water rang The Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange and will host additional commemorations throughout the year.
Several other key milestones will also be recognized in 2026, including:
- The 15th anniversary of the American Water Charitable Foundation, commemorating more than $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to communities served by American Water; and
- The 45th anniversary of American Water’s Research & Development Program, advancing science and innovation to support the long‑term safety and reliability of drinking water systems.
