Calls for Increased Investment in Critical Water and Wastewater Systems

LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Burton, president of Kentucky 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 Kentucky's Infrastructure:

"The ASCE 2026 Report Card for Kentucky's Infrastructure reinforces the urgent need for investment in critical water and wastewater systems, assigning the state a C+ for drinking water and a D+ for wastewater, showing no progress in the water grade and a decline in the wastewater grade from a C- in ASCE's 2019 report.

The report card underscores the growing infrastructure challenges facing the Commonwealth, 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.

At Kentucky American Water, our responsibility is clear: provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater service while investing in the systems that support and sustain the communities we serve. Our experience demonstrates how sustained, professionally managed investment can strengthen water and wastewater systems. Over the past five years, we have invested nearly $330 million in infrastructure, and we plan to invest more than $570 million over the next five years, while continuing to balance reliability, resilience and affordability for customers."

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 19 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 Kentucky American Water
Kentucky American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, with approximately 150 dedicated employees, provides safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 550,000 people.

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SOURCE American Water