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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2008.

Registration No. 333-145725

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 6 to

Form S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware		4941		51-0063696
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1025 Laurel Oak Road

Voorhees, NJ 08043

(856) 346-8200

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Donald L. Correll

President and Chief Executive Officer

American Water Works Company, Inc.

1025 Laurel Oak Road

Voorhees, NJ 08043

(856) 346-8200

(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

William V. Fogg, Esq. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Worldwide Plaza 825 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10019 (212) 474-1000		George W. Patrick, Esq. Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary American Water Works Company, Inc. 1025 Laurel Oak Road Voorhees, NJ 08043 (856) 346-8200		Robert E. Buckholz, Jr., Esq. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP 125 Broad Street New York, NY 10004 (212) 558-4000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered		Amount to be Registered(1)		Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Share		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(2)(3)		Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share		73,600,000		$26.00		$1,913,600,000		$75,204.48(4)

(1)	Includes 9,600,000 shares issuable pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

(2)	Includes shares to be sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. See “Underwriting.”

(3)	Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) of Regulation C under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(4)	Previously paid.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholder may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we and the selling stockholder are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated April 1, 2008.

(Preliminary Prospectus)

64,000,000 Shares

American Water Works Company, Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

This is an initial public offering of common stock of American Water Works Company, Inc. The selling stockholder is selling all of the shares in the offering. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholder.

The initial public offering price per share of the common stock is currently estimated to be between $24.00 and $26.00. We have applied to list our common stock for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AWK.”

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “ Risk Factors” beginning on page 9 to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

		Per share			Total
Initial public offering price		$			$
Underwriting discount		$			$
Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholder		$			$

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 9,600,000 shares of common stock from the selling stockholder at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus.

 

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares against payment in New York, New York on                     , 2008.

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.		Citi		Merrill Lynch & Co.

 

 

 

Credit Suisse		JPMorgan		Morgan Stanley		UBS Investment Bank

 

 

Edward Jones		Janney Montgomery Scott LLC		Societe Generale		Wachovia Securities

Boenning & Scattergood, Inc.		Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC		HSBC		Stanford Group Company		The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

 

 

Prospectus dated                    , 2008.

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		Page
Prospectus Summary		1
Risk Factors		9
Forward-Looking Statements		24
Industry and Market Data		25
Use of Proceeds		26
Dividend Policy		27
Capitalization		28
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information		29
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data		35
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		37
Business		76
Management		103
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions		142
Principal and Selling Stockholder		145
Description of Capital Stock		147
Description of Certain Indebtedness		150
Shares Eligible for Future Sale		154
Material United States Federal Tax Consequences to Non-United States Stockholders		156
Underwriting		159
Validity of the Common Stock		166
Experts		166
Where You Can Find More Information		166
Glossary		G-1
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-1

 

 

Our regulated subsidiaries are subject to economic regulation by state PUCs in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Some of these states have enacted laws that require regulatory approval for the acquisition of “control” of any regulated utility. In those states, obtaining “control” of the parent or any other company that controls a regulated utility also requires prior regulatory approval. The threshold for a change in control is a fact-specific inquiry that varies by state. For example, in some states, a presumption of control will arise when an acquiring party acquires more than 9.9% of the voting securities of the regulated utility or the controlling entity. In addition to ownership, other states may analyze the degree of influence or control an acquiror may exert over the company. Any person acquiring our common stock in this offering or in any other purchase of our common stock in a quantity sufficient to trigger a change in control under state law would need the prior approval of the applicable state PUC.

 

 

Dealer Prospectus Delivery Obligation

Through and including                     , 2008 (the 25^th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that effect transactions in our common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves risk. Before you decide to purchase our common stock, you should carefully consider these risk factors together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, including the information contained in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and the notes thereto. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects could be adversely affected, which in turn could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

Risks Related to Our Industry and Business

Our utility operations are heavily regulated. Decisions by state PUCs and other regulatory agencies can significantly affect our business and results of operations.

Our Regulated Businesses provide water and wastewater services to our customers through subsidiaries economically regulated by state PUCs. Economic regulation affects the rates we charge our customers and has a significant effect on our business and results of operations. Generally, the state PUCs authorize us to charge rates that they determine are sufficient to recover our prudently incurred operating expenses, to enable us to finance the addition of new, or the replacement of existing, water and wastewater infrastructure and to allow us the opportunity to earn what they determine to be an appropriate rate of return on our invested capital and a return of our invested capital.

Our ability to meet our financial objectives depends upon the rates authorized by the various state PUCs. We periodically file rate increase applications with state PUCs. The ensuing administrative process may be lengthy and costly. We can provide no assurances that our rate increase requests will be granted. Even if approved, there is no guarantee that approval will be given in a timely manner or at a sufficient level to cover our expenses, the recovery of our investment and/or provide us an opportunity to earn an appropriate rate of return on our investment and a return of our investment. If the authorized rates are insufficient to cover operating expenses, to allow for the recovery of our investment and to provide an appropriate return on invested capital, or if the rate increase decisions are delayed, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity may be adversely affected. Even if rates are sufficient, we face the risk that we will not achieve the rates of return on our invested capital and a return of our invested capital that are permitted by the state PUC.

Our operations and the quality of water we supply are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations. Our operating costs have increased, and are expected to continue to increase, as a result of complying with environmental laws and regulations. We also could incur substantial costs as a result of violations of or liabilities under such laws and regulations.

Our water and wastewater operations are subject to extensive United States federal, state and local and, in the case of our Canadian operations, Canadian laws and regulations, that govern the protection of the environment, health and safety, the quality of the water we deliver to our customers, water allocation rights, and the manner in which we collect, treat and discharge wastewater. These requirements include the United States Clean Water Act of 1972, which we refer to as the Clean Water Act, and the United States Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, which we refer to as the Safe Drinking Water Act, and similar state and Canadian laws and regulations. We are also required to obtain various environmental permits from regulatory agencies for our operations. State PUCs also set conditions and standards for the water and wastewater services we deliver. If we deliver water or wastewater services to our customers that do not comply with regulatory standards, or otherwise violate environmental laws, regulations or permits, or other health and safety and water quality regulations, we could incur substantial fines, penalties or other sanctions or costs or damage to our reputation. In the most serious cases, regulators could force us to discontinue operations and sell our operating assets to another utility or municipality. Given the nature of our business which, in part, involves supplying water for human consumption, any potential non-compliance with, or violation of, environmental laws or regulations would likely pose a more significant risk to us than to an issuer not similarly involved in the water and wastewater industry.

 

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We incur substantial operating and capital costs on an ongoing basis to comply with environmental laws and regulations and other health and safety and water quality regulations. These laws and regulations, and their enforcement, have tended to become more stringent over time, and new or stricter requirements could increase our costs. Although we may seek to recover ongoing compliance costs in our rates, there can be no guarantee that the various state PUCs or similar regulatory bodies that govern our Regulated Businesses would approve rate increases to recover such costs or that such costs will not adversely and materially affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity.

We may also incur liabilities under environmental laws and regulations requiring us to investigate and clean up environmental contamination at our properties or at off-site locations where we have disposed of waste or caused adverse environmental impacts. The discovery of previously unknown conditions, or the imposition of cleanup obligations in the future, could result in significant costs, and could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity. Such remediation losses may not be covered by our insurance policies and may make it difficult for us to secure insurance in the future at acceptable rates.

Changes in laws and regulations over which we have no control can significantly affect our business and results of operations.

Any governmental entity that regulates our operations may enact new legislation or adopt new regulations or policies at any time, and new judicial decisions may change the interpretation of existing legislation or regulations at any time. The individuals who serve as regulators are elected or are political appointees. Therefore, elections which result in a change of political administration or new appointments may also result in changes in the individuals who serve as regulators and the policies of the regulatory agencies that they serve. New laws or regulations, new interpretations of existing laws or regulations, or changes in agency policy, including as a response to shifts in public opinion, or conditions imposed during the regulatory hearing process may affect our business in a number of ways, including the following:

 

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making it more difficult for us to raise our rates and, as a consequence, to recover our costs or earn our expected rates of return;

 

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changing the determination of the costs, or the amount of costs, that would be considered recoverable in rate cases;

 

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changing water quality or delivery service standards or wastewater collection, treatment and discharge standards with which we must comply;

 

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restricting our ability to terminate our services to customers who owe us money for services previously provided;

 

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requiring us to provide water services at reduced rates to certain customers;

 

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restricting our ability to sell assets or issue securities;

 

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changing regulatory benefits that we expected to receive when we began offering services in a particular area;

 

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changing or placing additional limitations on change in control requirements relating to any concentration of ownership of our common stock;

 

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making it easier for governmental entities to convert our assets to public ownership via eminent domain;

 

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restricting or prohibiting our extraction of water from rivers, streams, reservoirs or aquifers; and

 

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revoking or altering the terms of the certificates of public convenience and necessity (or similar authorizations) issued to us by state PUCs.

Any of these changes or any other changes in laws, regulations, judicial decisions or agency policies applicable to us may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity.

 

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Weather conditions, natural hazards, availability of water supplies and competing uses may interfere with our sources of water, demand for water services and our ability to supply water to customers.

Our ability to meet the existing and future water demands of our customers depends on an adequate supply of water. As a general rule, sources of public water supply, including rivers, lakes, streams and groundwater aquifers are held in the public trust and are not owned by private interests. As such, we typically do not own the water that we use in our operations, and the availability of our water supply is established through allocation rights and passing-flow requirements set by governmental entities. Passing-flow requirements set minimum volumes of water that must pass through specified water sources, such as rivers and streams, in order to maintain environmental habitats and meet water allocation rights of downstream users. Allocation rights are imposed to ensure sustainability of major water sources and passing flow requirements are most often imposed on source waters from smaller rivers, lakes and streams. These requirements can change from time to time and adversely impact our water supply. Drought, overuse of sources of water, the protection of threatened species or habitats or other factors may limit the availability of ground and surface water.

Governmental restrictions on water use may also result in decreased use of water services, even if our water supplies are sufficient to serve our customers, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Seasonal drought conditions that would impact our water services are possible across all of our service areas, and drought conditions currently exist in several areas of the United States. However, these conditions are more prevalent in the Northeast and West where supply capacity is limited and per capita water demand is high. If a regional drought were to occur affecting our service areas and adjacent systems, governmental restrictions may be imposed on all systems within a region independent of the supply adequacy of any individual system. Voluntary restrictions were implemented during certain periods of 2007 in certain parts of the states of Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana and a mandatory restriction was implemented, and subsequently rescinded, in Kentucky. Following drought conditions, water demand may not return to pre-drought levels even after restrictions are lifted. Cool and wet weather may also reduce demand for water, thereby adversely affecting our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity.

Service interruptions due to severe weather events are possible across all our service areas. These include winter storms and freezing conditions in our colder climate service areas, high wind conditions in our service areas known to experience tornados, earthquakes in our service areas known to experience seismic activity, high water conditions for our facilities located in or near designated flood plains, hurricanes in our coastal service areas and severe electrical storms which are possible across all of our service areas. These weather events may affect the condition or operability of our facilities, limiting or preventing us from delivering water or wastewater services to our customers, or requiring us to make substantial capital expenditures to repair any damage. Any interruption in our ability to supply water or to collect, treat and properly dispose of wastewater, or any costs associated with restoring service, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, losses from business interruptions or damage to our facilities might not be covered by our insurance policies and such losses may make it difficult for us to secure insurance in the future at acceptable rates.

Declining residential per customer water usage may reduce our long-term revenues, financial condition and results of operations.

Increased water conservation, including through the use of more efficient household fixtures and appliances among residential consumers, combined with declining household sizes in the United States, has contributed to a trend of declining residential per customer water usage. Our Regulated Businesses are heavily dependent upon revenue generated from rates we charge to our residential customers for the volume of water they use. The rate we charge for our water is regulated by state PUCs and we may not unilaterally adjust our rates to reflect demand. Declining usage will have a negative impact on our long-term operating revenues if we are unable to secure rate increases or to grow our residential customer base to the extent necessary to offset the residential usage decline.

 

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Risks associated with the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater may impose significant costs.

The wastewater collection, treatment and disposal operations of our subsidiaries are subject to substantial regulation and involve significant environmental risks. If collection or sewage systems fail, overflow or do not operate properly, untreated wastewater or other contaminants could spill onto nearby properties or into nearby streams and rivers, causing damage to persons or property, injury to aquatic life and economic damages, which may not be recoverable in rates. This risk is most acute during periods of substantial rainfall or flooding, which are the main causes of sewer overflow and system failure. Liabilities resulting from such damage could adversely and materially affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, in the event that we are deemed liable for any damage caused by overflow, our losses might not be covered by insurance policies, and such losses may make it difficult for us to secure insurance in the future at acceptable rates.

Our Regulated Businesses require significant capital expenditures to maintain infrastructure and expand our rate base and may suffer if we fail to secure appropriate funding to make investments, or if we suffer delays in completing major capital expenditure projects.

The water and wastewater utility business is capital intensive. In addition to our acquisition strategy, we invest significant amounts of capital to add, replace and maintain property, plant and equipment. In 2007, we invested $758.6 million in net Company-funded capital improvements. We expect the level of capital expenditures necessary to maintain the integrity of our systems to increase in the future. We fund these projects from cash generated from operations, borrowings under our revolving credit facility and commercial paper programs and the issuance of long-term debt and equity securities. We can provide no assurances that we will be able to access the debt and equity capital markets or do so on favorable terms.

Upon the consummation of this offering RWE will have certain registration rights with respect to future issuances of our equity securities and, subject to lock-up provisions described under “Shares Eligible for Future Sale—Lock-Up Agreements,” intends to fully divest its ownership of American Water as soon as reasonably practicable, subject to market conditions. The registration rights agreement to be entered into with RWE will impose certain restrictions on our ability to issue equity securities in amounts beyond specified thresholds without RWE’s consent. Future sales of our common stock by RWE, as well as the restrictions in the registration rights agreement, may make it more difficult or costly for us to raise additional equity in the future. Furthermore, if we are unable to raise sufficient equity, we can provide no assurances that we will be able to access the debt capital markets, or do so on favorable terms.

In addition, we believe that our dividend policy as set forth in the sections “Dividend Policy” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Dividends” could limit, but not preclude, our ability to pursue growth. In particular, this limitation could be significant, for example, with respect to large acquisitions and growth opportunities that require cash investments in amounts greater than our operating subsidiaries’ available cash or external financing resources. In order to fund construction expenditures, acquisitions (including tuck-in acquisitions) and principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, and pay dividends at the level currently anticipated under our dividend policy, we expect that we will need additional financing. However, we intend to retain sufficient cash from operating activities after the distribution of dividends to fund a portion of our capital expenditures. For further discussion of our acquisition strategy, see “Business—Our Regulated Businesses—Acquisitions.” For further discussion of the relationship of our dividend policy to our ability to pursue potential growth opportunities, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Dividends—Assumptions and Considerations”.

If we are unable to obtain sufficient capital, we may fail to maintain our existing property, plant and equipment, realize our capital investment strategies, meet our growth targets and successfully expand the rate base upon which we are able to earn future returns on our investment and a return of our investment. Even if we have adequate resources to make required capital expenditures, we face the additional risk that we will not complete our major capital expenditures on time, as a result of construction delays or other obstacles. Each of these outcomes

 

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could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. We also face the risk that after we make substantial capital expenditures, the rate increases granted to us by state PUCs may not be sufficient to recover our prudently incurred operating expenses and to allow us the opportunity to earn an appropriate rate of return on our invested capital and a return of our invested capital.

The failure of, or the requirement to repair, upgrade or dismantle, any of our dams may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We own a total of 99 dams. A failure of any of those dams could result in injuries and property damage downstream for which we may be liable. The failure of a dam would also adversely affect our ability to supply water in sufficient quantities to our customers and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Any losses or liabilities incurred due to a failure of one of our dams might not be covered by insurance policies or be recoverable in rates, and such losses may make it difficult for us to secure insurance in the future at acceptable rates.

We also are required from time to time to repair or upgrade the dams that we own. The cost of such repairs can be and has been material. We might not be able to recover such costs through rates. The inability to recover these higher costs or regulatory lag in the recovery of such costs can affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity.

The federal and state agencies that regulate our operations may adopt rules and regulations requiring us to dismantle our dams. Federal and state agencies are currently considering rules and regulations that could require us to strengthen or dismantle one of our dams on the Carmel River in California due to safety concerns related to seismic activity. Any requirement to strengthen or dismantle this dam could result in substantial costs that may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. We are currently engaged in negotiations with federal and state agencies and local stakeholders on a plan to maintain our existing Carmel River dams or to share the costs of dismantling one of them with those federal and state agencies and local stakeholders. These negotiations could be delayed or abandoned.

Any failure of our network of water and wastewater pipes and water reservoirs could result in losses and damages that may affect our financial condition and reputation.

Our operating subsidiaries distribute water and wastewater through an extensive network of pipes and store water in reservoirs located across the United States. A failure of major pipes or reservoirs could result in injuries and property damage for which we may be liable. The failure of major pipes and reservoirs may also result in the need to shut down some facilities or parts of our network in order to conduct repairs. Such failures and shutdowns may limit our ability to supply water in sufficient quantities to our customers and to meet the water and wastewater delivery requirements prescribed by governmental regulators, including state PUCs with jurisdiction over our operations, and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, liquidity and reputation. Any business interruption or other losses might not be covered by insurance policies or be recoverable in rates, and such losses may make it difficult for us to secure insurance in the future at acceptable rates.

Contamination of our sources of water could result in service interruptions and human exposure to hazardous substances and subject our subsidiaries to civil or criminal enforcement actions, private litigation and clean-up obligations.

Our water supplies are subject to contamination, including contamination from naturally-occurring compounds, chemicals in groundwater systems, pollution resulting from man-made sources, such as perchlorate and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), and possible terrorist attacks. In the event that our water supply is contaminated, we may have to interrupt the use of that water supply until we are able to substitute the supply of water from another water source, including, in some cases, through the purchase of water from a third-party supplier. In addition, we may incur significant costs in order to treat the contaminated source through expansion

 

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of our current treatment facilities, or development of new treatment methods. If we are unable to substitute water supply in a cost-effective manner, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, liquidity and reputation may be adversely affected. We might not be able to recover costs associated with treating or decontaminating water supplies through rates, or such recovery may not occur in a timely manner. Moreover, we could be held liable for environmental damage as well as damages arising from toxic tort or other lawsuits or criminal enforcement actions or other consequences arising out of human exposure to hazardous substances in our drinking water supplies.

Our liquidity and earnings could be adversely affected by increases in our production costs, including the cost of chemicals, electricity, fuel or other significant materials used in the water and wastewater treatment process.

We incur significant production costs in connection with the delivery of our water and wastewater services. Our production costs are driven by inputs such as chemicals used to treat water and wastewater as well as electricity and fuel, which are used to operate pumps and other equipment used in water treatment and delivery and wastewater collection, treatment and disposal. We also incur production costs for waste disposal. For 2007, production costs accounted for 12.8% of our total operating costs. These costs can and do increase unexpectedly and in substantial amounts, as occurred in California during 2001 and Illinois during 2007 when the cost of electricity rose substantially.

Our Regulated Businesses might not be able to recover increases in the costs of chemicals, electricity, fuel, other significant inputs or waste disposal through rates, or such recovery may not occur in a timely manner. Our Non-Regulated Businesses may not be able to recover these costs in contract prices or other terms. The inability to recover these higher costs can affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity.

Our reliance on third-party suppliers poses significant risks to our business and prospects.

We contract with third parties for goods and services that are essential to our operations, such as maintenance services, pipes, chemicals, electricity, water, gasoline, diesel and other materials. We are subject to substantial risks because of our reliance on these suppliers. For example:

 

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our suppliers may not provide raw materials that meet our specifications in sufficient quantities;

 

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our suppliers may provide us with water that does not meet applicable quality standards or is contaminated;

 

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our suppliers may face production delays due to natural disasters or strikes, lock-outs or other such actions;

 

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one or more suppliers could make strategic changes in the lines of products and services they offer; and

 

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some of our suppliers are small companies which are more likely to experience financial and operational difficulties than larger, well-established companies, because of their limited financial and other resources.

As a result of any of these factors, we may be required to find alternative suppliers for the raw materials and services on which we rely. Accordingly, we may experience delays in obtaining appropriate raw materials and services on a timely basis and in sufficient quantities from such alternative suppliers at a reasonable price, which could interrupt services to our customers and adversely affect our revenues, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity.

Risks associated with potential acquisitions or investments may adversely affect us.

We will continue to seek to acquire or invest in additional regulated water or wastewater systems, including by acquiring systems in markets in the United States, where we do not currently operate our Regulated Businesses, and through tuck-ins. We will also continue to seek to enter into public/private partnerships,

 

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including O&M, military and design, build and operate, which we refer to as DBO, contracts and services that complement our businesses. These transactions may result in:

 

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incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities;

 

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failure to have or to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;

 

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fluctuations in quarterly results;

 

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exposure to unknown risk and liabilities, such as environmental liabilities; and

 

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other acquisition-related expenses.

We may also experience difficulty in obtaining required regulatory approvals for acquisitions, and any regulatory approvals we obtain may require us to agree to costly and restrictive conditions imposed by regulators. Future sales of our common stock by RWE, as well as the restrictions in the registration rights agreement to be entered into with RWE, may make it more difficult or costly for us to raise additional equity to fund an acquisition or to issue shares as consideration in connection with an acquisition. We may not identify all significant risks when conducting due diligence for the transaction, and we could be exposed to potential liabilities for which we will not be indemnified. There may be difficulties integrating new businesses, including bringing newly acquired businesses up to the necessary level of regulatory compliance. The demands of identifying and transitioning newly acquired businesses or pursuing investment opportunities may also divert management’s attention from other business concerns and otherwise disrupt our business. Any of these risks may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We have recorded a significant amount of goodwill, and we may never realize the full value of our intangible assets causing us to record impairments that may negatively affect our results of operations.

Our total assets include substantial goodwill. At December 31, 2007, our goodwill totaled $2,457.0 million. The goodwill is associated primarily with the acquisition of American Water by an affiliate of RWE in 2003 and the acquisition of E’Town Corporation in 2001, representing the excess of the purchase price the purchaser paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is recorded at fair value on the date of an acquisition and, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” or SFAS No. 142, is reviewed annually or more frequently if changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Annual impairment reviews are performed in the fourth quarter. We have been required to reflect, as required by SFAS No. 142 and other applicable accounting rules, a non-cash charge to operating results for goodwill impairment in the amounts of $396.3 million in 2005, $227.8 million in 2006 and $509.3 million in 2007. These amounts include impairments relating to discontinued operations.

Our annual goodwill impairment test is conducted during the fourth quarter. We have processes to monitor for interim triggering events. During the third quarter of 2007, as a result of our debt being placed on review for a possible downgrade and the anticipated sale of a portion of the Company in this offering, management determined at that time that it was appropriate to update its valuation analysis before the next scheduled annual test.

Based on this assessment, we performed an interim impairment test and recorded an impairment charge to goodwill of our Regulated Businesses in the amount of $243.3 million in the third quarter of 2007. The decline was primarily due to a slightly lower long-term earnings forecast caused by updated customer demand and usage expectations and expectations for timing of capital expenditures and rate recovery.

We completed our annual goodwill impairment test for 2007 and recorded an additional goodwill impairment charge to the Regulated Businesses reporting unit in the amount of $266.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2007. We determined that an impairment had occurred based upon new information regarding our market value. We incorporated this indicated market value into our valuation methodology and, based on those results, an additional impairment to our carrying value was recorded.

 

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We may be required to recognize additional impairments in the future, depending on, among other factors, the market value of our common stock and its value relative to our book equity at the consummation of this offering, or the level over a period of time of our stock price following the consummation of this offering. Such an impairment may be required at stock price levels that are within the range of estimated initial public offering prices per share set forth on the cover page of this preliminary prospectus. Other factors that could necessitate an impairment would include a decline over a period of time in valuation multiples of comparable water utilities and a decline in our forecasted results in our business plan, such as changes in rate case results or capital investment budgets or changes in our interest rates. At this time it is not possible to determine whether further impairments will be required. Further recognition of impairments of a significant portion of goodwill would negatively affect our results of operations and total capitalization, the effect of which could be material and could make it more difficult for us to secure financing on attractive terms and maintain compliance with our debt covenants.

Our Regulated Businesses compete with other regulated utilities, as well as strategic and financial buyers, for acquisition opportunities, which may hinder our ability to grow our business.

We compete with other regulated utilities, as well as strategic and financial buyers, for acquisition opportunities, including tuck-ins. Our competitors may impede our growth by purchasing water utilities near our

existing operations, thereby preventing us from acquiring them. Competing utilities and strategic and financial buyers have challenged, and may in the future challenge, our applications for new service territories. Our growth could be hindered if we are not able to compete effectively for new territories with other companies or strategic and financial buyers that have lower costs of operations or that can submit more attractive bids.

The assets of our Regulated Businesses are subject to condemnation through eminent domain.

Municipalities and other government subdivisions have historically been involved in the provision of water and wastewater services in the United States, and organized movements may arise from time to time in one or more of the service areas in which our Regulated Businesses operate to convert our assets to public ownership and operation through the governmental power of eminent domain. Should a municipality or other government subdivision seek to acquire our assets through eminent domain, we may resist the acquisition. Contesting an exercise of condemnation through eminent domain may result in costly legal proceedings and may divert the attention of the affected Regulated Business’s management from the operation of its business.

The last sale of one of our water and wastewater systems under threat of condemnation occurred in 2003 in California. On March 1, 2007, our subsidiary, California American Water Company, was served by the San Lorenzo Valley Water District with court papers seeking to condemn our water and wastewater system in Felton, California, which serves approximately 1,300 customers. If a municipality or other government subdivision succeeds in acquiring the assets of one or more of our Regulated Businesses through eminent domain, there is a risk that we will not receive adequate compensation for the business, that we will not be able to keep the compensation, or that we will not be able to divest the business without incurring significant one-time charges.

In order to consummate the proposed RWE Divestiture, we and RWE were required to obtain approvals from thirteen state PUCs. There can be no guarantee that some state PUC approvals already granted to us will not be appealed, withdrawn, modified or stayed.

To consummate the proposed RWE Divestiture, we and RWE obtained regulatory approvals from state PUCs in 13 states. The state PUC approval in Illinois has been appealed, and there can be no guarantee that the state PUC approval in Illinois will not be overturned. Moreover, some of our existing state PUC approvals may be withdrawn or altered in the future by the state PUCs since they retain authority to withdraw or modify their prior decisions. There also can be no guarantee that, in conjunction with an appeal or otherwise, a stay or other form of injunctive relief will not be granted by a state PUC or reviewing court.

In addition, two of the regulatory approvals that we and RWE obtained expire 24 months from the date of effectiveness of this registration statement and another approval expires 36 months from that date. If RWE does not fully divest its ownership of American Water within 24 or 36 months of the effectiveness of this registration statement, then we and RWE may be required to seek an extension of such approvals, as applicable, which process may result in delays, costs and the imposition of additional conditions on us or on RWE.

 

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In order to obtain the state PUC approvals to consummate the proposed RWE Divestiture we were required to accept certain conditions and restrictions that could increase our costs.

Some of the regulatory approvals contain conditions and restrictions, including reporting obligations; obligations to maintain appropriate credit worthiness; restrictions on changes of control, prohibitions on the pass-through of our initial Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance costs; prohibitions on the pass-through of costs of the Transactions; service quality and staffing level requirements; and the maintenance of specific collective bargaining agreements and retirement and certain other post employment benefit programs. These conditions and restrictions could increase our costs and adversely affect our business.

Our Non-Regulated Businesses, through American Water (excluding its regulated subsidiaries), provide performance guarantees and other forms of financial security to our public-sector clients that could be claimed by our clients or potential clients if we do not meet certain obligations.

Under the terms of some of our indebtedness and some of our agreements with the municipalities and other governmental entities, which we serve pursuant to O&M contracts, American Water (excluding its regulated subsidiaries) provides guarantees of the performance of our Non-Regulated Businesses, including financial guarantees or deposits to ensure performance of certain obligations. At December 31, 2007, we had guarantees and deposits totaling approximately $475.3 million, and this amount is likely to increase if our Non-Regulated Businesses grow. The presence of these contingent liabilities may adversely affect our financial condition and make it more difficult for us to secure financing on attractive terms. In addition, if the obligor on the guaranteed instrument fails to perform certain obligations to the satisfaction of the party that holds the guarantee, that party may seek to enforce the guarantee against us or proceed against the deposit. In that event, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity could be adversely affected.

We operate a number of water and wastewater systems under O&M contracts and face the risk that the owners of those systems may fail to maintain those systems, which will negatively affect us as the operators of the systems.

We operate a number of water and wastewater systems under O&M contracts. Pursuant to these contracts, we operate the system according to the standards set forth in the applicable contract, where it is generally the responsibility of the owner to undertake capital improvements. In some cases, we may not be able to convince the owner to make needed improvements in order to maintain compliance with applicable regulations. Although violations and fines incurred by water and wastewater systems may be the responsibility of the owner of the system under these contracts, those non-compliance events may reflect poorly on us as the operator of the system and damage our reputation, and in some cases, may result in liability to the same extent as if we were the owner.

Our Non-Regulated Businesses are party to long-term contracts to operate and maintain water and wastewater systems under which we may incur costs in excess of payments received.

Some of our Non-Regulated Businesses enter into long-term contracts pursuant to which they agree to operate and maintain a municipality’s or other party’s water or wastewater treatment and delivery facilities in exchange for an annual fee. Our Non-Regulated Businesses are generally subject to the risk that costs associated with operating and maintaining the facilities may exceed the fees received from the municipality or other contracting party. In addition, directly or through our non-regulated subsidiaries, we often guarantee our Non-Regulated Businesses’ obligations under those contracts. Losses under these contracts or guarantees may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity.

We rely on our IT systems to assist with the management of our business and customer and supplier relationships, and a disruption of these systems could adversely affect our business.

Our IT systems are an integral part of our business, and a serious disruption of our IT systems could significantly limit our ability to manage and operate our business efficiently, which in turn could cause our

 

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business and competitive position to suffer and cause our results of operations to be reduced. We depend on our IT systems to bill customers, process orders, provide customer service, manage construction projects, manage our financial records, track assets, remotely monitor certain of our plants and facilities and manage human resources, inventory and accounts receivable collections. Our IT systems also allow us to purchase products from our suppliers and bill customers on a timely basis, maintain cost-effective operations and provide service to our customers. Our IT systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from:

 

•

power loss, computer systems failures and internet, telecommunications or data network failures;

 

•

operator negligence or improper operation by, or supervision of, employees;

 

•

physical and electronic loss of customer data or security breaches, misappropriation and similar events;

 

•

computer viruses;

 

•

intentional acts of vandalism and similar events; and

 

•

hurricanes, fires, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Such damages or interruptions may result in physical and electronic loss of customer or financial data, security breaches, misappropriation and similar events. In addition, the lack of redundancy for certain of our IT systems, including billing systems, could exacerbate the impact on the Company of any of the foregoing events.

In addition, we may not be successful in developing or acquiring technology that is competitive and responsive to the needs of our business and we might lack sufficient resources to make the necessary investments in technology to allow us to continue to operate at our current level of efficiency.

Our indebtedness could affect our business adversely and limit our ability to plan for or respond to changes in our business, and we may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our liquidity needs.

As of December 31, 2007, after giving effect to the Transactions, our pro forma indebtedness (including preferred stock with mandatory redemption requirements) was $5,016.1 million, and our working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, was in a deficit position. Our indebtedness could have important consequences, including:

 

•

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital or capital expenditures;

 

•

exposing us to interest rate risk with respect to the portion of our indebtedness that bears interest at a variable rate, including $169.6 million of our auction-rate debt that resets to higher interest rates in the event of a failed auction;

 

•

limiting our ability to pay dividends on our common stock or make payments in connection with our other obligations;

 

•

likely requiring that a portion of our cash flow from operations be dedicated to the payment of the principal of and interest on our debt, thereby reducing funds available for future operations, acquisitions, dividends on our common stock or capital expenditures;

 

•

limiting our ability to take advantage of significant business opportunities, such as acquisition opportunities, and to react to changes in market or industry conditions; and

 

•

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to those of our competitors that have less debt.

In order to meet our capital expenditure needs, we may be required to make additional borrowings under our credit facilities or be required to issue new debt securities in the capital markets. We can provide no assurances that we will be able to access the debt capital markets or do so on favorable terms. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks we now face could intensify limiting our ability to refinance existing debt on favorable terms.

We will depend primarily on operations to fund our expenses and to pay the principal and interest on our outstanding debt. Our ability to meet our expenses thus depends on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our

 

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control. If we do not have enough money to pay the principal and interest on our outstanding debt, we may be required to refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, borrow additional funds or sell additional equity. If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow from operations or if we are unable to incur indebtedness sufficient to enable us to fund our liquidity needs, we may be unable to plan for or respond to changes in our business that would prevent us from maintaining or increasing our business and cause our operating results and prospects to be affected adversely.

Our failure to comply with restrictive covenants under our credit facilities could trigger prepayment obligations.

Our failure to comply with the restrictive covenants under our credit facilities could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in us being required to repay or refinance (on less favorable terms) these borrowings before their due date. If we are forced to repay or refinance (on less favorable terms) these borrowings, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected by increased costs and rates. In 2007, we were not in compliance with reporting covenants contained in some of the debt agreements of our subsidiaries. Such defaults under the reporting covenants were caused by our delay in producing our quarterly and audited annual consolidated financial statements. We have obtained all necessary waivers under the agreements. We can provide no assurance that we will comply in the future with all our reporting covenants and will not face an event of default under our debt agreements, or that such default will be cured or waived.

Work stoppages and other labor relations matters could adversely affect our results of operations.

Currently, approximately 3,600 employees, or approximately 51% of our total workforce, are unionized and represented by 18 different unions. Approximately one-third of our 75 union collective bargaining agreements expire annually, with 18 agreements covering 759 employees scheduled to expire before the end of 2008. We might not be able to renegotiate labor contracts on terms that are favorable to us and negotiations or dispute resolutions undertaken in connection with our labor contracts could be delayed or become subject to the risk of labor actions or work stoppages. Labor actions, work stoppages or the threat of work stoppages and our failure to obtain favorable labor contract terms during renegotiations may all adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and liquidity.

We currently have material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to remedy our material weaknesses or otherwise maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately or on a timely basis. Any inability to report and file our financial results in an accurate and timely manner could harm our business and adversely impact the trading price of our common stock.

After the consummation of this offering, we will become a public company. As a public company, we will be required to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules and regulations that govern public companies. In particular, we will be required to certify our compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the year ended December 31, 2009, which will require us to perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management and our registered public accounting firm to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. However, since 2003, we have been an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of RWE, a stock corporation incorporated in the Federal Republic of Germany, and were not required to maintain a system of internal control consistent with the requirements of the SEC and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, nor to prepare our own financial statements. As a public reporting company, we will be required, among other things, to maintain a system of effective internal control over financial reporting suitable to prepare our publicly reported financial statements in a timely and accurate manner, and also to evaluate and report on such system of internal control.

 

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A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006, we and our independent registered public accountants have identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting:

 

•

Inadequate internal staffing and skills;

 

•

Inadequate controls over financial reporting processes;

 

•

Inadequate controls over month-end closing processes, including account reconciliations;

 

•

Inadequate controls over maintenance of contracts and agreements;

 

•

Inadequate controls over segregation of duties and restriction of access to key accounting applications; and

 

•

Inadequate controls over tax accounting and accruals.

We have initiated a remediation plan with respect to our material weaknesses, but there can be no assurances that our remediation plan will be effective. For further discussion, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Our Internal Control and Remediation Initiatives.”

Each of these weaknesses could result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements. Moreover, we cannot assure you that we have identified all, or that we will not in the future have additional, material weaknesses, any of which may subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, and cause future delays in filing our financial statements and periodic reports with the SEC. Any such delays in the filing of our financial statements and periodic reports may result in a loss of public confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and sanctions imposed on us by the SEC. We believe that such misstatements or delays could negatively impact our liquidity, access to capital markets, financial condition and the market value of our common stock or cause a downgrade in the credit ratings of American Water or AWCC. These material weaknesses contributed to our inability to comply with reporting covenants in our debt agreements and those of our subsidiaries, and could hinder our ability to comply with such covenants in the future if we are not successful in remediating such weaknesses.

Risks Related to this Offering

There has been no prior public trading market for shares of our common stock since our acquisition by RWE, and an active trading market may not develop following the completion of this offering.

Since our acquisition by RWE in 2003, there has been no public market for our shares. It is likely that the initial public offering price for our shares will differ from the market price for our shares after the initial public offering. We cannot assure you that an active trading market for our shares will develop. A significant portion of our shares may not trade following the offering because RWE will own approximately 60% of our shares after the offering (or approximately 54% of our shares if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full). If no trading market develops, securities analysts may not initiate or maintain research coverage of us, which could further depress the market for our shares. The price of our shares could decline if one or more equity analysts downgrade our shares or if those analysts issue other unfavorable commentary or cease publishing reports about us or our business. Furthermore, our operating results and prospects from time to time may be below the expectations of market analysts and investors. As a result, investors may not be able to sell their shares at or above the initial public offering price or at the time that they would like to sell.

The market price of our common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.

The initial public offering price for the shares of common stock being sold in this offering will be determined by negotiations between the representatives of the underwriters and the selling stockholder and may

 

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not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the open market following this offering. You may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price due to fluctuations in the market price of our common stock caused by changes in our operating performance or prospects and other factors, including broad market fluctuations. Some specific factors that may have a significant effect on the market price of our common stock include:

 

•

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results or future prospects;

 

•

the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;

 

•

strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;

 

•

new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business;

 

•

changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

•

adverse conditions in the financial markets or general economic conditions, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism and responses to such events;

 

•

sales of common stock by us, the selling stockholder or members of our management team; and

 

•

changes in stock market analyst recommendations or earnings estimates regarding our common stock, other comparable companies or the water services industry generally.

There has not been a public market for our common stock since our acquisition by RWE in 2003. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in our company will lead to the development of an active trading market on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise or how liquid that market might become. If an active trading market does not develop, you may have difficulty selling any of our common stock that you buy. Consequently, you may not be able to sell our common stock at prices equal to or greater than the price you paid in this offering.

Future sales of our shares, or the perception by the market that future sales of our shares may occur, could depress the market price of our common stock.

Future sales, or the perception of the availability for sale in the public market, of substantial amounts of our common stock could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of equity securities at a time and price that we deem appropriate. As of December 31, 2007, there were 160.0 million shares of our common stock outstanding.

The shares of common stock sold by RWE in this offering will be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. The remaining 96.0 million shares (or 86.4 million shares if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) of common stock owned by RWE will be restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act but will be eligible for resale subject to applicable volume, manner of sale, holding period and other limitations of Rule 144 and the lock-up provisions described below. RWE has certain registration rights with respect to the common stock that they will retain following this offering and, subject to the lock-up provisions described in this prospectus, intends to fully divest its ownership of American Water as soon as reasonably practicable, subject to market conditions.

In connection with this offering, we intend to grant 211,939 restricted stock units, 80,000 restricted stock awards and 1,577,487 stock options under our 2007 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, and have established an employee stock purchase plan, for which we have reserved 2.0 million shares of our common stock to be issued and sold thereunder.

 

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We, our executive officers and directors and the selling stockholder have agreed to a “lock-up,” meaning that, subject to specified exceptions, neither we nor they will sell any shares or engage in any hedging transactions without the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters for 180 days after the date of this prospectus. Following the expiration of this 180-day lock-up period, all of the 96.0 million shares (or 86.4 million shares if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) of our common stock held by our executive officers and directors and by the selling stockholder will be eligible for future sale, subject to the applicable volume, manner of sale, holding period and other limitations of Rule 144.

We expect to pursue issuances of our common stock in order to meet our capital expenditure needs. We may also issue shares of our common stock, or other securities, from time to time as consideration for future acquisitions and investments. The number of shares of our common stock or the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of other securities that we may issue may in turn be significant. To the extent such shares or other securities are issued in private transactions, we may also grant registration rights covering those shares or other securities. In connection with any such acquisitions and investments any additional capital raised through the sale of our equity securities may dilute your percentage ownership in us. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” for a discussion of the shares of common stock that may be sold into the public market in the future.

You may never receive dividends on your investment in our common stock, which may limit your returns.

Upon the completion of this offering and subject to applicable law and the discretion of our board of directors, we will pay regular quarterly cash dividends on our common stock. See “Dividend Policy” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Dividends”. However, you may not receive dividends in the amounts disclosed in this prospectus, or at all, as a result of the following factors:

 

•

we are not legally or contractually required to pay dividends;

 

•

we may modify or revoke our policy to pay a regular quarterly dividend at any time;

 

•

even if we do not modify or revoke our dividend policy, the actual amount of dividends distributed and the decision to make any distribution is entirely at the discretion of our board of directors, and any future dividends with respect to shares of our common stock will depend on, among other things, our financial condition and results of operations, liquidity requirements, capital requirements of our subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, management’s assessment of our ability to fund capital expenditures through debt and equity offerings and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors;

 

•

some of our debt agreements restrict our ability, subject to specified exceptions, to pay dividends, and our ability to pay dividends may be subject to restrictions imposed by agreements governing our future indebtedness. See “Description of Certain Indebtedness;”

 

•

our ability to pay dividends will depend on our ability to generate cash flow from operations in the future. This ability, to an extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. In addition, we are a holding company with no substantial assets. Because substantially all of our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries, we will not be able to pay dividends unless we receive sufficient cash distributions from our operating subsidiaries. We cannot assure you that our operating subsidiaries will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or have sufficient surplus or net profits to make cash contributions to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay dividends. Even if these amounts are sufficient, our operating subsidiaries are subject to regulation by applicable state PUCs which may limit their ability to pay distributions to us, and the amount of dividends our subsidiaries may distribute is restricted by the agreements governing their indebtedness; and

 

•

the amount of dividends we may distribute is subject to Delaware law restrictions.

If we do not have sufficient cash to fund dividend payments, we would either reduce or eliminate dividends or rely on cash provided by financing activities to fund dividend payments, and such financing may or may not be available.

 

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If our dividend policy had been in effect for the year ended December 31, 2007, without making any pro forma adjustments other than the proposed payment of dividends, we would have been able to fund dividends at the level described in this prospectus, but we would not have been able to fund our construction expenditures and fund our acquisitions without using excess cash, borrowings under our revolving credit facility or proceeds from additional financings.

Our principal stockholder is in a position to affect our ongoing operations, corporate transactions and other matters, and its interests may conflict with or differ from your interests as a stockholder.

Upon the consummation of this offering, RWE will own approximately 60% of our common stock (or approximately 54% if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full). As a result, RWE will be able to control the outcome on virtually all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including the election of directors. So long as RWE continues to own a significant portion of the outstanding shares of our common stock, it will continue to be able to significantly influence the election of our directors, subject to compliance with applicable NYSE requirements, our decisions, policies, management and affairs and corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including the approval of transactions involving a change in control. The interests of RWE and its affiliates may not coincide with the interests of our other stockholders.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, Delaware law and the laws of the states in which we operate may inhibit or discourage a takeover attempt and negatively affect the value of your shares.

Provisions of our charter documents, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the state in which we are organized, and the laws of the states in which we operate, could discourage potential acquisition proposals or make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of our company, even if doing so might be beneficial to our stockholders. See “Description of Capital Stock.” Upon the consummation of the offering, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws will provide for various procedural and other requirements that could make it more difficult for stockholders to effect certain corporate actions, or may deter, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us. These provisions will include:

 

•

limitations on who may call special meetings of stockholders;

 

•

the inability of stockholders to act by written consent;

 

•

advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors and for stockholder proposals; and

 

•

the authority of our board of directors to issue, without stockholder approval, shares of preferred stock with such terms as our board of directors may determine and to issue additional shares of our common stock.

In addition, some of the states in which we operate have enacted laws that require regulatory approval for the acquisition of “control” of regulated utilities. The threshold for a change in control is a fact specific inquiry that varies by state. For instance, in some states, any person acquiring more than 9.9% of our common stock would need the prior approval of the applicable state PUC or a determination from such state PUC that “control” has not been acquired. In addition to ownership, other states may analyze the degree of influence or control an acquiror may exert over the company. Any person acquiring our common stock in this offering or in any other purchase of our common stock in a quantity sufficient to trigger a change in control under state law would need the prior approval of the applicable state PUC. For example, in Kentucky, KY. Rev. Stat. Ann. §278.020 requires that no person may acquire control of American Water without obtaining necessary regulatory approvals.

These provisions may discourage acquisition proposals and may make it more difficult or expensive for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock or may delay, prevent or deter a merger, acquisition, tender offer or proxy contest, which may negatively affect our stock price.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We have made statements under the captions “Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business” and in other sections of this prospectus that are forward-looking statements. 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,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “future,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “can,” “should” and “could” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, our future financial performance, our growth strategies, our ability to repay debt, our ability to finance current operations and growth initiatives, trends in our industry, regulatory or legal developments or rate adjustments.

Forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding future events. They are not guarantees of any outcomes, financial results or levels of performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon them. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and new risks and uncertainties of which we are not currently aware or which we do not currently perceive may arise in the future from time to time. Should any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our expectations or assumptions prove incorrect, then our results may vary materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements herein. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” and the following factors:

 

•

weather conditions, patterns or events, including drought or abnormally high rainfall;

 

•

changes in general economic, business and financial market conditions;

 

•

changes in laws, governmental regulations and policies, including environmental, health and water quality and public utility regulations and policies;

 

•

the decisions of governmental and regulatory bodies, including decisions to raise or lower rates;

 

•

the timeliness of regulatory commissions’ actions concerning rates;

 

•

migration into or out of our service territories;

 

•

our ability to obtain permits for expansion projects;

 

•

changes in customer demand for, and patterns of use of, water, such as may result from conservation efforts;

 

•

the availability of adequate and cost-effective supplies of chemicals, electricity, fuel, water and other raw materials that are needed for our operations;

 

•

our ability to successfully acquire and integrate water and wastewater systems that are complementary to our operations and the growth of our business;

 

•

our ability to manage the expansion of our business;

 

•

our ability to control operating expenses and to achieve efficiencies in our operations;

 

•

access to sufficient capital on satisfactory terms;

 

•

fluctuations in interest rates;

 

•

restrictive covenants in or changes to the credit ratings on our current or future debt that could increase our financing costs or affect our ability to borrow, make payments on debt or pay dividends;

 

•

changes in our credit rating;

 

•

changes in capital requirements;

 

•

the incurrence of impairment charges;

 

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•

difficulty in obtaining insurance at acceptable rates and on acceptable terms and conditions;

 

•

ability to retain and attract qualified employees;

 

•

cost overruns relating to improvements or the expansion of our operations; and

 

•

civil disturbance or terrorist threats or acts or public apprehension about future disturbances or terrorist threats or acts.

Any forward-looking statements we make speak only as of the date of this prospectus. Except as required by law, we do not have any obligation, and we specifically disclaim any undertaking or intention, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this prospectus concerning the water and wastewater industry, its segments and related markets and our general expectations concerning such industry and its segments and related markets are based on management estimates. Such estimates are derived from publicly available information released by third-party sources, as well as data from our internal research and on assumptions made by us based on such data and our knowledge of such industry and markets, which we believe to be reasonable. We have estimated the number of people served by our water and wastewater systems (i) by multiplying the number of residential water and wastewater connections by average people per household based on 2000 United States Census data by state (average people per household varies by state but is generally between 2.4 to 3.0 individuals per household); (ii) by adjusting for weather fluctuations, for some other customer classes, including commercial customers, and for bulk water sales and (iii) by reconciling drinking water and wastewater connections to avoid double counting population served where the same user has both drinking water and wastewater service. In some instances, population estimates for our Non-Regulated Businesses are based on either (i) specific population estimates from the client or (ii) population estimates based on the average volume of water processed by the applicable facilities. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry or similar data presented herein, such data involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

All of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are being sold by the selling stockholder. For information about the selling stockholder, see “Principal and Selling Stockholder.” We will not receive any of the proceeds from the shares of common stock sold by the selling stockholder.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

Our board of directors has adopted a dividend policy, effective upon the closing of this offering, to distribute to our stockholders a portion of our net cash provided by operating activities as regular quarterly dividends, rather than retaining that cash for other purposes.

Our cash dividend policy reflects our basic judgment that it is in the best interest of our stockholders to distribute to them a portion of the cash generated by our business. In order to fund construction expenditures, acquisitions (including tuck-in acquisitions) and principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, and pay dividends at the level currently anticipated under our dividend policy, we expect that we will need additional financing from external sources. In our judgment, our dividend policy, which is consistent with utility industry practice, will enable us to attract financing required to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions.

Upon the completion of this offering and subject to applicable law and the discretion of our board of directors, we will declare an initial quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share per quarter or $0.80 per share per year, to be paid approximately 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter (beginning with the first full fiscal quarter ending after the consummation of this offering), for at least the first four quarters following the consummation of this offering, which we refer to as the initial four quarters, and a one-time dividend of $     per share (representing the pro rata portion of the expected initial dividend for the remaining period of the quarter following the consummation of this offering) on or about         , 2008 to stockholders of record on             , 2008. The quarterly and annual average aggregate dividend amounts for the initial four quarters would be $32.1 million and $128.6 million, respectively. The aggregate dividend amounts are based upon the estimated average 160.7 million shares outstanding after this offering during the initial four quarters.

We expect that dividends will be paid every March, June, September and December of each fiscal year to holders of record approximately 15 days prior to the distribution date. Since the dividends on our common stock will not be cumulative, only declared dividends will be paid.

From 2003 to 2007, inclusive, because we were not a public company, we did not pay dividends on our common stock. However, American Water, prior to its acquisition by RWE in 2003, paid dividends to common stockholders in each of the years since it became publicly traded in 1947.

For further information about our dividend policy and our ability to pay dividends, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Dividends” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Industry and Business—Our Regulated Business require significant capital expenditures to maintain infrastructure and expand our rate base and may suffer if we fail to secure appropriate funding to make investments, or if we suffer delays in completing major capital expenditure programs” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to this Offering—You may never receive dividends on your investment in our common stock, which may limit your returns.”

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 31, 2007 on an actual basis and on as an adjusted basis to give effect to the adjustment of restricted stock units from liability-classified awards to equity-classified awards as a result of this offering as if it had occurred on December 31, 2007.

You should read this table in conjunction with, and this table is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the sections in this prospectus entitled “Summary Historical Consolidated and Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data,” “Use of Proceeds,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information,” “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

		As of December 31, 2007
		(In thousands)
		Historical			As adjusted
Cash and cash equivalents		$	13,481		$	13,481
Short-term debt
Short-term debt			220,514			220,514
Total short-term debt			220,514			220,514
Long-term debt of AWCC
Private activity bonds and government funded debt			86,860			86,860
Senior notes			2,712,000			2,712,000
Long-term debt of other subsidiaries
Private activity bonds and government funded debt			1,121,086			1,121,086
Mortgage bonds			731,340			731,340
Senior notes			45,473			45,473
Redeemable preferred stock at redemption value(1)			24,644			24,644
Notes payable and other			3,442			3,442
Unamortized debt discount, net			70,743			70,743
Total long-term debt			4,795,588			4,795,588
Total debt			5,016,102			5,016,102
Equity
Common stockholders’ equity(2)			4,542,046			4,542,726
Preferred stock without mandatory redemption requirements			4,568			4,568
Total equity			4,546,614			4,547,294
Total capitalization including short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt		$	9,562,716		$	9,563,396

 

 

(1)	Includes current portion of redeemable preferred stock and the unamortized debt discount attributable to preferred stock of $0.3 million.

 

(2)	Reflects the adjustment of restricted stock units from liability-classified awards to equity-classified awards as of the completion of this offering resulting in a reclassification of $0.7 million of current liabilities to additional paid-in capital.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information have been developed by applying pro forma adjustments to the historical audited consolidated financial statements of American Water appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. See the explanatory note to the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations give effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2007. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet gives effect to the adjustment of restricted stock units from liability-classified awards to equity-classified awards as a result of this offering as if it had occurred on December 31, 2007. The Transactions consist of the following:

 

•

The Merger, comprising:

 

•

The merger of Thames US Holdings into American Water with American Water being the surviving entity.

 

•

The Refinancing, comprising:

 

•

The non-cash equity contribution to the Company by RWE of $100.0 million of debt of our subsidiaries held by RWE on March 29, 2007 and the $550.0 million cash equity contribution to the Company by RWE on March 29, 2007, which was used to pay down $232.5 million of short-term debt and the remainder used for general working capital purposes;

 

•

The $1,750.0 million issuance of RWE redemption notes on September 20, 2007, which was used to fund the early redemption of $1,750.0 million of preferred stock held by RWE;

 

•

The issuance of $1,500.0 million aggregate principal amount of new senior notes, less issuance costs of $11.7 million on October 22, 2007, which resulted in the repayment of $1,286.0 million aggregate principal amount of RWE redemption notes and $206.0 million of RWE notes;

 

•

The $8.6 million gain (after tax gains of $5.2 million, net of $3.4 million of tax) on early repayment of RWE notes;

 

•

The issuance of $415.0 million of commercial paper to fund the partial repayment of $464.0 million of RWE redemption notes with the balance of $49.0 million of the RWE redemption notes repaid with excess cash; and

 

•

The cash equity contribution to the Company by RWE of $266.0 million on December 21, 2007, which was used to pay down commercial paper.

 

•

The 160,000-for-1 split of common stock effected on November 7, 2007.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations adjustments and financial information do not include the $150.0 million equity contribution from RWE on September 27, 2007.

Upon completion of this offering the Company expects to pay approximately $3.0 million in completion bonuses to various key members of management. As of December 31, 2007, approximately $2.6 million has been accrued as a portion of the completion bonuses are not contingent on the successful completion of the offering and may be paid as cash bonuses. The unaccrued portion of the completion bonuses has not been reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information.

Assumptions underlying the pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes, which should be read in conjunction with these unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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The unaudited pro forma adjustments and financial information:

 

•

are based upon available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances;

 

•

are presented for informational purposes only;

 

•

do not purport to represent what our results of operations or financial condition would have been had the Transactions actually occurred on the dates indicated; and

 

•

do not purport to project our results of operations or financial condition for any future period or as of any future date.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the information contained in “Use of Proceeds,” “Capitalization,” “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. All pro forma adjustments and their underlying assumptions are described more fully in the notes to our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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American Water Works Company, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2007

 

		Historical				Pro forma adjustments				Pro forma
		(In thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues		$	2,214,215			$	—			$	2,214,215
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance			1,246,479				2,390	(A)			1,248,869
Depreciation and amortization			267,335				—				267,335
General taxes			183,253				—				183,253
Loss (gain) on sale of assets			(7,326	)			—				(7,326	)
Impairment charges			509,345				—				509,345
Total operating expenses, net			2,199,086				2,390				2,201,476
Operating income (loss)			15,129				(2,390	)			12,739
Other income (deductions)
Interest			(283,165	)			(1,705	)(B)			(281,232	)
							4,116	(C)
							(478	)(D)
Amortization of debt expense			(4,867	)			(544	)(B)			(5,411	)
Other, net			17,384				—				17,384
Total other income (deductions)			(270,648	)			1,389				(269,259	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			(255,519	)			(1,001	)			(256,520	)
Provision for income taxes			86,756				(395	)(E)			86,361
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	(342,275	)		$	(606	)		$	(342,881	)
Unaudited pro forma earnings per share:
Basic		$	(2.14	)						$	(2.14	)
Diluted		$	(2.14	)						$	(2.14	)
Weighted average shares used in calculating earnings per share:
Basic			160,000					(F)			160,000
Diluted			160,000					(G)			160,000

 

See accompanying notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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American Water Works Company, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

December 31, 2007

 

		Historical			Pro forma adjustments				Pro forma
		(In thousands, except per share data)
ASSETS
Property, plant and equipment
Utility plant—at original cost, net of accumulated depreciation		$	9,199,909		$	—			$	9,199,909
Nonutility property, net of accumulated depreciation			118,052			—				118,052
Total property, plant and equipment			9,317,961			—				9,317,961
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents			13,481			—				13,481
Other current assets			416,873			—				416,873
Total current assets			430,354			—				430,354
Regulatory and other long-term assets
Goodwill			2,456,952			—				2,456,952
Other regulatory and other long-term assets			728,805			—				728,805
Total regulatory and other long-term assets			3,185,757			—				3,185,757
TOTAL ASSETS		$	12,934,072		$	—			$	12,934,072
CAPITALIZATION & LIABILITIES
Capitalization
Common stockholders’ equity		$	4,542,046		$	680	(H)		$	4,542,726
Preferred stock without mandatory redemption requirements			4,568			—				4,568
Long-term debt
Long-term debt			4,674,837			—				4,674,837
Redeemable preferred stock at redemption value			24,296			—				24,296
Total capitalization			9,245,747			680				9,246,427
Current liabilities
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt			316,969			—				316,969
Other current liabilities			457,520			—				457,520
Total current liabilities			774,489			—				774,489
Total regulatory and other long-term liabilities			2,095,449			(680	)(H)			2,094,769
Contributions in aid of construction			818,387			—				818,387
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES		$	12,934,072		$	—			$	12,934,072

 

See accompanying notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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American Water Works Company, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies

Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Explanatory Note: On September 28, 2007, Thames US Holdings was merged with and into American Water, with American Water as the surviving entity. American Water is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of RWE. The historical consolidated financial statements of American Water represent the consolidated results of the Company, formerly issued under the name Thames Water Aqua US Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies.

 

(A)

Reflects the granting of 583,672 unvested stock options, 76,446 restricted stock units and 80,000 restricted stock awards to our employees in connection with this offering. The awards will be issued under the American Water 2007 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan and will be recorded as equity awards. The restricted stock units and stock options vest over a 3-year period commencing January 1, 2007 and 392,105 unvested stock options and 51,352 restricted stock units are expected to vest over the three-year period based on our assessment of the probability of achieving performance conditions. The 80,000 restricted stock awards vest over a 3-month period commencing with the pricing of this offering and 80,000 of the awards are expected to vest over the 3-month period. The grant date value of the stock options at issuance was $4.91 using the following assumptions in a Black-Scholes model: $25.00 Exercise Price, 52 1/2 month Expected Term, 2.45% Discount Rate, 29% Volatility, 3.20% Dividend Yield.

 

(B)	The sources and uses of funds in connection with the Refinancing and the related impact on interest expense related to the Transactions are summarized below, which are defined and further discussed elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

		Principal			Rate			Interest expense 12 months				Debt expense amortization 12 months
								(In thousands)
SOURCES:
RWE redemption notes(1)		$	1,750,000		5.72	%			100,122
New senior notes(1)			1,500,000		6.34	%			77,124
Commercial paper(1)			415,000		5.31	%			22,036
RWE cash equity contribution(1)			266,000
Excess cash			49,026
Total sources		$	3,980,026					$	199,282
USES:
Redeemable preferred stock(1)		$	1,750,000					$	(74,569	)
RWE redemption notes(1)			1,750,000						(100,122	)
RWE notes(1)			202,370						(9,154	)
Commercial paper(1)			266,000						(13,732	)
Financing costs			11,656									$	544
Total		$	3,980,026						(197,577	)			544
Net increase (decrease)								$	(1,705	)		$	544

 

(1)

The issuance of $1,750.0 million of RWE redemption notes on September 20, 2007 was used to fund the early redemption of $1,750.0 million of preferred stock held by RWE. The RWE redemption notes were repaid early with $1,286.0 million of the proceeds of the new senior notes, $415.0 million of commercial paper and $49.0 million of excess cash. $202.4 million of the proceeds of the new senior notes were used to fund the repayment of $206.0 million (including after tax gains of $2.2 million, net of $1.4 million of tax) of RWE notes. The cash equity contribution to the Company by RWE of $266.0 million on December 21, 2007 was used to pay down commercial paper.

 

(C)

Reflects the non-cash equity contribution to the Company by RWE of $100.0 million of debt of our subsidiaries held by RWE and the $550.0 million of cash equity contribution to the Company by RWE on March 29, 2007. The cash was used to pay down $232.5 million of short-term debt with the remainder used for general working capital purposes.

 

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The resulting reduction in interest expense is computed as follows:

 

		RWE Notes				Commercial Paper				Total
Principal redemption		$	100,000			$	232,500
Calculated effective rate			4.00	%			5.44	%			—
Reduction in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2007		$	989			$	3,127	(1)		$	4,116

 

(1)

Reflects actual interest accrued from January 1, 2007 to March 27, 2007.

 

(D)	Reflects the amortization of the $8.6 million gain on the early extinguishment of RWE notes, which was recorded as a long term regulatory liability, over the lives of the debt tranches that were repaid.

 

(E)	Represents the reduction in income tax expense resulting from the Transactions at the estimated blended tax rate of 39.6%.

 

(F)	The number of common shares used to compute pro forma basic earnings per common share is 160.0 million, which is the number of shares of our common stock assumed to be outstanding upon the consummation of this offering.

 

(G)

The number of shares used to compute pro forma diluted earnings per share is based on the number of shares of our common stock described in (F) above, plus the potential dilution that could occur if options and restricted stock units granted under the American Water 2007 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan were exercised or converted into common stock. There are no dilutive incremental common shares included in the calculation of pro forma diluted earnings per share as the potentially dilutive instruments would be antidilutive.

 

(H)	Reflects the adjustment of the restricted stock units from liability-classified awards to equity-classified awards as of the completion of this offering resulting in a reclassification of $0.7 million of current liabilities to additional paid-in capital.

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents our selected historical consolidated financial data at the dates and for the periods indicated. The statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2006 and 2007 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The historical financial data as of December 31, 2005 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this prospectus. The statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, and the financial data as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 have been derived from our historical financial statements, in each case, which are not included in this prospectus.

Our historical consolidated financial data are not necessarily indicative of our future performance or what our financial position and results of operations would have been if we had operated as a separate, stand-alone entity during the periods shown. This financial data should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the information in the section in this prospectus entitled “Summary Historical Consolidated and Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data”, “Use of Proceeds”, “Capitalization”, “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2003				2004				2005				2006				2007
		(unaudited)
		(In thousands, except per share data)
Statement of operations data(1):
Operating revenues		$	1,890,291			$	2,017,871			$	2,136,746			$	2,093,067			$	2,214,215
Operating expenses
Operation and maintenance			1,089,071				1,121,970				1,201,566				1,174,544				1,246,479
Depreciation and amortization			210,588				225,260				261,364				259,181				267,335
General taxes			164,677				170,165				183,324				185,065				183,253
Loss (gain) on sale of assets(2)			(16,771	)			(8,611	)			(6,517	)			79				(7,326	)
Impairment charges			3,555				78,688				385,434				221,685				509,345
Total operating expenses, net			1,451,120				1,587,472				2,025,171				1,840,554				2,199,086
Operating income (loss)			439,171				430,399				111,575				252,513				15,129
Other income (deductions)
Interest			(280,501	)			(315,944	)			(345,257	)			(365,970	)			(283,165	)
Amortization of debt expense			(3,872	)			(3,377	)			(4,367	)			(5,062	)			(4,867	)
Other, net(3)			(52,387	)			14,350				13,898				9,581				17,384
Total other income (deductions)			(336,760	)			(304,971	)			(335,726	)			(361,451	)			(270,648	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			102,411				125,428				(224,151	)			(108,938	)			(255,519	)
Provision for income taxes			60,271				66,328				50,979				46,912				86,756
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	42,140			$	59,100			$	(275,130	)		$	(155,850	)		$	(342,275	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations per basic common share(4)		$	0.26			$	0.37			$	(1.72	)		$	(0.97	)		$	(2.14	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common diluted share(4)		$	0.26			$	0.37			$	(1.72	)		$	(0.97	)		$	(2.14	)
Basic weighted average common shares(4)			160,000				160,000				160,000				160,000				160,000
Diluted weighted average common shares(4)			160,000				160,000				160,000				160,000				160,000

 

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		For the years ended December 31,
		2005				2006				2007
Other data:			(In thousands)
Cash flows provided by (used in):
Operating activities		$	525,435			$	323,748			$	473,712
Investing activities			(530,165	)			(691,438	)			(746,578	)
Financing activities			(9,049	)			332,367				256,593
Construction expenditures			(558,446	)			(688,843	)			(758,569	)

 

		As of December 31,
		2003			2004			2005			2006			2007
		(unaudited)						(In thousands)
Balance sheet data:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	71,097		$	78,856		$	65,077		$	29,754		$	13,481
Utility plant and property, net of depreciation			7,377,195			7,754,434			8,101,769			8,605,341			9,199,909
Total assets			12,629,354			12,728,410			12,542,029			12,783,059			12,934,072
Other short term and long term debt			5,063,344			5,101,891			5,030,078			4,103,532			4,991,806
Redeemable preferred stock			1,787,777			1,775,224			1,774,691			1,774,475			24,296
Total debt			6,851,121			6,877,115			6,804,769			5,878,007			5,016,102
Common stockholder equity			3,198,144			3,129,555			2,804,716			3,817,397			4,542,046
Preferred stock without mandatory redemption requirements			5,687			4,651			4,571			4,568			4,568

 

(1)

On September 28, 2007, Thames US Holdings was merged with and into American Water, with American Water as the surviving entity. American Water is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of RWE. The historical consolidated financial statements of American Water represent the consolidated results of the Company, formerly issued under the name Thames Water Aqua US Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies.

 

(2)	Represents primarily losses (gains) on sales of publicly traded securities and dispositions of assets not needed in utility operations.

 

(3)	Includes allowance for other funds used during construction, allowance for borrowed funds used during construction and preferred dividends of subsidiaries.

 

(4)

The number of shares used to compute income (loss) from continuing operations per basic share and income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted common share for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 is 160.0 million after giving effect to the 160,000-for-1 stock split on November 7, 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2007, there are no dilutive incremental common shares included in diluted earnings per share as all potentially dilutive instruments would be antidilutive.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations covers periods prior to the consummation of the Transactions. Accordingly, the discussion and analysis of historical periods does not reflect the significant impact that the Transactions will have on us. You should read the following discussion together with the financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and operations. The cautionary statements made in this prospectus should be read as applying to all related forward-looking statements whenever they appear in this prospectus. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those we discuss under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned United States water and wastewater utility company, as measured both by operating revenue and population served. Our nearly 7,000 employees provide approximately 15.6 million people with drinking water, wastewater and other water-related services in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. In 2007, we generated $2,214.2 million in total operating revenue, representing approximately four times the operating revenue of the next largest investor-owned company in the United States water and wastewater business, and $15.1 million in operating income, which includes $509.3 million of impairment charges relating to continuing operations, and a net loss of $342.8 million.

Our primary business involves the ownership of water and wastewater utilities that provide water and wastewater services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Our Regulated Businesses that provide these services are generally subject to economic regulation by state PUCs in the states in which they operate. The federal government and the states also regulate environmental, health and safety and water quality matters. Our Regulated Businesses currently provide services in 20 states and in 2007 served approximately 3.3 million customers, or connections to our water and wastewater networks. We report the results of this business in our Regulated Businesses segment. In 2007, our Regulated Businesses generated $1,987.6 million in operating revenue, prior to inter-segment eliminations, representing 89.8% of our consolidated operating revenue.

We also provide services that are not subject to economic regulation by state PUCs. Our Non-Regulated Businesses include our:

 

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Contracts Operations Group, which enters into public/private partnerships, including O&M and DBO contracts for the provision of services to water and wastewater facilities for municipalities, the United States military and other customers;

 

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Applied Water Management Group, which works with customers to design, build and operate small water and wastewater treatment plants; and

 

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Homeowner Services Group, which provides services to domestic homeowners to protect against the cost of repairing broken or leaking pipes inside and outside their homes.

We report the results of this business in our Non-Regulated Businesses segment. In 2007, our Non-Regulated Businesses generated $242.7 million in operating revenue, prior to inter-segment eliminations.

History

Prior to being acquired by RWE in 2003, we were the largest publicly traded water utility company in the United States. In 2003, we were acquired by RWE and became a private company. Prior to the Merger, Thames US Holdings, formerly an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of RWE, was the holding company for us and our regulated and unregulated subsidiaries throughout the United States and Ontario, Canada.

 

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Our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 reflect expense allocations for some central corporate functions historically provided to us by Thames Water Plc, a former subsidiary of RWE, which we refer to as Thames Water, including information systems, human resources, accounting and treasury activities and legal services. These allocations reflected expenses specifically identifiable as relating to our business as well as our share of expenses allocated to us based on capital employed, capital expenditures, headcount, revenues, production volumes, fixed costs, environmental accruals or other methods management considers to be reasonable. During our transition to a separate, stand-alone company, we have developed or obtained additional in-house capabilities related to these functions, and therefore there were no such expense allocations in 2007 from RWE or its affiliates. We and RWE consider these allocations to be a reasonable reflection of our utilization of the services provided by Thames Water. However, our expenses as a separate, stand-alone company may be higher or lower than the amounts reflected in our consolidated statements of operations.

The RWE acquisition resulted in certain changes in our business. For example, our operations and management were managed through Thames Water. Also, we agreed not to file rate cases with some state PUCs for specified periods of time as a condition of the acquisition. As of December 31, 2007, all rate stay-out provisions associated with the RWE acquisition had expired.

As a result of significantly increased costs, our inability to file rate cases and impairment charges, we recorded net losses in the amount of $325.0 million, $162.2 million and $342.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006, and 2007 respectively.

In 2005, RWE decided to divest American Water. In March 2006, RWE decided to divest American Water through the sale of shares in one or more public offerings. In order to become a public company once again, we have had to incur substantial initial costs, including costs associated with ensuring adequate internal control over financial reporting in order to achieve compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These substantial initial costs will not be recovered in rates charged to our customers. See “—Our Internal Control and Remediation Initiatives.”

We performed valuations of our long-lived assets, investments and goodwill, as of December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007. As a result of the valuation analyses, we recorded pre-tax charges of $420.4 million and $227.8 million, including impairment charges from discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. During the third quarter of 2007, as a result of our debt being placed on review for a possible downgrade and the anticipated sale of a portion of the Company in this offering, an interim impairment test was performed, and a pre-tax impairment charge to goodwill of $243.3 million was recorded in the third quarter of 2007. We completed our annual impairment test for 2007 and recorded an additional pre-tax goodwill impairment charge to the Regulated Businesses reporting unit in the amount of $266.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2007. We determined that an impairment had occurred based upon new information regarding our market value. We incorporated this indicated market value into our valuation methodology and, based on those results, an additional pre-tax impairment to our carrying value was recorded. As a result of these impairments, net income was reduced by $388.6 million, $223.6 million and $501.5 million in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

The Company estimates the fair value of our long-lived assets, investments and goodwill using available market values, discounted cash flow models from our business plan or a combination of market and discounted cash flow values. Annual impairment reviews are performed in the fourth quarter. There are a number of significant assumptions reflected in our valuation analyses. These include market interest rates used for discounting future cash flows, market value assumptions using market valuation multiples of comparable water utilities, information regarding the Company’s market value in connection with the initial public offering and revenue and operating income growth assumptions in our business plan. We base these assumptions on our best estimates of the Company’s future performance and available market information at the time. Any decline over a period of time in the valuation multiples of comparable water utilities, a decline in the market value of our

 

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common stock and its value relative to our book equity or a decline over a period of time of our stock price could result in additional impairments. A decline in our forecasted results in our business plan, such as changes in rate case results or capital investment budgets or an increase in interest rates, may also result in an incremental impairment charge. In accordance with GAAP, the Company reviews goodwill annually, or more frequently, if changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. See “—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.” Possible additional impairments may be required at stock price levels that are within the range of estimated prices per share set forth on the cover page of this preliminary prospectus. At this time it is not possible to determine whether further impairments will be required.

Our Internal Control and Remediation Initiatives

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. However, since 2003, we have been an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of RWE and, as a privately owned company, were not required to maintain a system of internal control consistent with the requirements of the SEC and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, nor to prepare our own financial statements. As a public reporting company, we will be required, among other things, to maintain a system of effective internal control over financial reporting suitable to prepare our publicly reported financial statements in a timely and accurate manner, and also to evaluate and report on such system of internal control. In particular, we will be required to certify our compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the year ended December 31, 2009, which will require us to perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management and our independent registered public accounting firm to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006, we and our independent registered public accountants identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting:

 

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Inadequate internal staffing and skills;

 

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Inadequate controls over financial reporting processes;

 

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Inadequate controls over month-end closing processes, including account reconciliations;

 

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Inadequate controls over maintenance of contracts and agreements;

 

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Inadequate controls over segregation of duties and restriction of access to key accounting applications; and

 

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Inadequate controls over tax accounting and accruals.

Since joining the Company in 2006, Donald L. Correll, our Chief Executive Officer, and Ellen C. Wolf, our Chief Financial Officer, have assigned a high priority to the evaluation and remediation of our internal controls, and have taken numerous steps to remediate these material weaknesses and to evaluate and strengthen our other internal controls over financial reporting. Some of the actions taken include:

 

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Increasing our internal financial staff numbers and skill levels, and using external resources to supplement our internal staff where necessary;

 

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Implementing detailed processes and procedures related to our period end financial closing processes, key accounting applications and our financial reporting processes;

 

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Implementing or enhancing systems used in the financial reporting processes and month-end close processes;

 

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Conducting extensive training on existing and newly developed processes and procedures as well as explaining to employees Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements and the value of internal controls;

 

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Enhancing our internal audit staff;

 

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Hiring a director of internal control and a director of taxes;

 

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Implementing a tracking mechanism and new policy and procedure for approval of all contracts and agreements; and

 

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Retaining a nationally recognized accounting and auditing firm to assist management in developing policies and procedures surrounding internal controls over financial reporting, to evaluate and test these internal controls and to assist in the remediation of internal control deficiencies.

With respect to the material weaknesses described above, we have initiated a process to clearly delineate our control weaknesses and formulated a remediation plan. We believe that we have made significant progress in remediating several of the identified material weaknesses; however, as our testing procedures have not yet been completed, we can make no assurances as to the success of our remediation efforts. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has incurred $48.9 million to remediate these material weaknesses and to document and test key financial reporting controls. We will need to allocate additional resources to enhance the quality of our staff and to carry out the remediation of these material weaknesses. Based upon our current assessment, we expect to complete the remediation of these material weaknesses during 2008 with an estimated additional cost of approximately $15 million. The Company cannot indicate with certainty that the material weaknesses will be remediated or whether additional costs may be incurred. The Company needs to initiate additional controls and test the effectiveness of controls prior to concluding controls are effective. As a condition to state PUC approval of the RWE Divestiture, we agreed that costs incurred in connection with our initial internal control and remediation initiatives would not be recoverable in rates charged to our customers.

Elements of our remediation activities can only be accomplished over time, and our initiatives provide no assurances that they will result in an effective internal control environment. Our board of directors, in coordination with our audit committee, will continually assess the progress and sufficiency of these initiatives and make adjustments, as necessary.

Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

As the largest investor-owned United States water and wastewater utility company, as measured both by operating revenue and population served, our financial condition and results of operations are influenced by a variety of industry-wide factors, including the following:

 

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economic utility regulation;

 

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the need for infrastructure investment;

 

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compliance with environmental, health and safety standards;

 

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production costs;

 

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customer growth;

 

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an overall trend of declining water usage per customer; and

 

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weather and seasonality.

Since our acquisition by RWE in 2003, our results of operations have also been significantly influenced by goodwill impairments.

Factors that may affect the results of operations of our Regulated Businesses’ operating performance are mitigated by state PUCs granting us appropriate rate relief that is designed to allow us to recover prudently incurred expenses and to earn an appropriate rate of return on our investment.

Economic Utility Regulation

Our subsidiaries in the states in which we operate our Regulated Businesses are generally subject to extensive economic regulation by their respective state PUCs. Although specific authority might differ from state to state, in most states, these state PUCs must approve rates, accounting treatments, long-term financing programs, significant capital expenditures and plant additions, transactions between the regulated subsidiary and affiliated entities, reorganizations and mergers and acquisitions, in many instances prior to their completion.

 

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Regulatory policies not only vary from state to state, they may change over time. These policies will affect the timing as well as the extent of recovery of expenses and the realized return on invested capital.

Our operating revenue is typically determined by reference to the volume of water supplied to a customer multiplied by a price-per-gallon set by a tariff approved by the relevant state PUC. The process to obtain approval for a change in rates, or rate case, involves filing a petition with the state PUC on a periodic basis as determined by our capital expenditures needs and our operating costs. Rate cases and other rate-related proceedings can take several months to a year or more to complete. Therefore, there is frequently a delay, or regulatory lag, between the time one of our regulated subsidiaries makes a capital investment or incurs an operating expense increase and when those costs are reflected in rates. The management team at each of our regulated subsidiaries works to minimize regulatory lag.

Our results of operations are significantly affected by rates authorized by the state PUCs in the states in which we operate, and we are subject to risks and uncertainties associated with rate stay-outs and delayed or inadequate rate recovery. In addition to general rate case filings, we generate revenues through other cost recovery procedures. For example, some states in which we operate allow utility subsidiaries to recover system infrastructure replacement costs without the necessity of filing a full rate proceeding. Since infrastructure replacement is a significant element of capital expenditures made by our subsidiaries, such programs can reduce regulatory lag.

Currently, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, New York, California and Ohio have allowed the use of these infrastructure surcharges. These surcharges adjust periodically based on qualified capital expenditures being completed or anticipated in a future period. These surcharges are typically reset to zero when new base rates are effective and incorporate the costs of these infrastructure expenditures. We anticipate an increase in revenues of approximately $6.9 million in 2008, assuming constant sales volumes, as a result of these infrastructure surcharges.

Also, some of the states in which we operate permit pass-through provisions that allow for an increase in certain operating costs, such as purchased power and property taxes to be passed on to and recovered from the customers outside of a general rate proceeding.

Some states have permitted use of some form of forecast or forward looking test year instead of historical data to set rates. Examples of these states include Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and California. In addition, a number of states in which we operate have allowed the utility to update historical data for some changes that occur for some limited period of time subsequent to the historical test year. This allows the utility to take account of some more current costs or capital investments in the rate-setting process. Examples of these states include New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, Iowa, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, West Virginia, New Jersey and Arizona.

Another regulatory mechanism to address issues of regulatory lag includes the ability, in some circumstances, to recover in rates a return on utility plant before it is actually in service, instead of capitalizing an allowance for funds used during construction. Examples of states that have allowed such recovery include Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and California.

The infrastructure surcharge, pass-through provisions, the forward looking test year and the allowance of a return on utility plant before it is actually in service, are examples of mechanisms that present an opportunity to limit the risks associated with regulatory lag. We employ each of these mechanisms as part of our rate case management program to ensure efficient recovery of our costs and investment and to ensure positive short-term liquidity and long-term profitability.

In addition, some states have permitted us to seek pre-approval of certain capital projects and/or associated costs. In this pre-approval process, the PUCs assess the prudency of the project and/or the project financing.

 

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As a condition to our acquisition by RWE in 2003, we agreed not to file rate cases in some of the states where our Regulated Businesses operate. All rate stay-out provisions associated with the RWE acquisition have expired. As of December 31, 2007 we are awaiting final orders for two general rate cases that were filed in 2006, requesting $10.9 million in total additional annual revenues. General rate cases filed in eight states in 2007, requesting $100.8 million in additional annualized revenues, are also pending final orders as of December 31, 2007. During 2007, we received authorizations for $145.9 million of additional annualized revenues from rates, assuming constant sales volumes. In addition, we expect to continue to receive additional revenues through infrastructure replacement surcharges. There is no assurance that the complete amount, or any portion thereof, of any requested increases will be granted.

Infrastructure Investment

The water and wastewater utility industry is highly capital intensive. From 2007 to 2011, we estimate that Company-funded capital investment will total between $4,000 and $4,500 million. We anticipate spending between $770 and $950 million yearly on Company-funded capital investment for the foreseeable future, depending upon the timing of major capital projects. Our capital investment includes both infrastructure renewal programs, where we replace existing infrastructure, as needed, and construction of facilities to meet new customer growth. From 2007 to 2011, we estimate we will invest approximately $1,700 million to replace aging infrastructure including mains, meters, and supply and treatment facilities. We estimate that we will invest approximately $1,300 million in facilities to serve new customer growth over this same period. In addition, we estimate that complying with water quality standards and other regulatory requirements will require approximately $700 million of investment. Projects to enhance system reliability, security and efficiency, or to meet other needs are projected to account for approximately an additional $500 million of investment over this same period.

These capital investments are needed on an ongoing basis to comply with existing and new regulations, renew aging treatment and network assets, provide capacity for new growth and enhance system reliability, security and quality of service. The need for continuous investment presents a challenge due to the potential for regulatory lag, or the delay in recovering our operating expenses and earning an appropriate rate of return on our invested capital and a return of our invested capital. Because the decisions of state PUCs and the timing of those decisions can have a significant impact on the operations and earnings of our Regulated Businesses, we maintain a rate case management program guided by the goals of obtaining efficient recovery of costs of capital and utility operation and maintenance costs, including costs incurred for compliance with environmental, health and safety and water quality regulation. As discussed above under “—Economic Utility Regulation,” we pursue methods to minimize the adverse impact of regulatory lag and have worked with state PUCs and legislatures to implement a number of approaches to achieve this result, including promoting the implementation of forms of forward-looking test years and infrastructure surcharges.

Compliance with Environmental, Health and Safety Standards

Our water and wastewater operations are subject to extensive United States federal, state and local and, in the case of our Canadian operations, Canadian laws and regulations, governing the protection of the environment, health and safety, the quality of the water we deliver to our customers, water allocation rights, and the manner in which we collect, treat and discharge wastewater. These requirements include the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act and similar state and Canadian laws and regulations. We are also required to obtain various environmental permits from regulatory agencies for our operations. State PUCs also set conditions and standards for the water and wastewater services we deliver. We incur substantial costs associated with compliance with environmental, health and safety and water quality regulation to which our Regulated Businesses are subject.

Environmental, health and safety and water quality regulations are complex and change frequently, and the overall trend has been that they have become more stringent over time. We face the risk that as newer or stricter standards are introduced, they could increase our operating expenses. In the past, we have generally been able to

 

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recover expenses associated with compliance for environmental, health and safety standards, but this recovery is affected by regulatory lag and the corresponding uncertainties surrounding rate recovery.

Production Costs

Our water and wastewater services require significant production inputs and result in significant production costs. These costs include fuel and power, which is used to operate pumps and other equipment, purchased water and chemicals used to treat water and wastewater. We also incur production costs for waste disposal. For 2007, production costs accounted for approximately 12.8% of our total operating costs. Price increases associated with these inputs impact our results of operations until rate relief is granted.

Customer Growth

Customer growth in our Regulated Businesses is driven by (i) organic population growth within our authorized service areas and (ii) by adding new customers to our regulated customer base by acquiring water and wastewater utility systems through acquisitions. Generally, we add customers through tuck-ins of small water and/or wastewater systems, typically serving fewer than 10,000 customers, in close geographic proximity to where we currently operate our Regulated Businesses. We also seek large acquisitions that allow us to acquire multiple water and wastewater utility systems in our existing markets and markets where we currently do not operate our Regulated Businesses. During 2005, 2006 and 2007, we had cash outflows of $5.0 million, $12.5 million and $15.9 million, respectively, for acquisitions of water and wastewater systems which allowed us to expand our regulated customer base. Our most recent significant acquisition was the 2002 purchase of the water and wastewater assets of Citizens Communications Company, adding approximately 300,000 customers in six states in which we had existing operations. We intend to continue to expand our regulated footprint geographically by acquiring water and wastewater systems in our existing markets and some markets in the United States where we do not currently operate our Regulated Businesses. Our experienced development team evaluates potential acquisition targets across the country, particularly in higher-growth areas. Before entering new markets, we will evaluate the regulatory environment to ensure that we will have the opportunity to achieve an appropriate return on our investment while maintaining our high standards for quality, reliability and compliance with environmental, health and safety and water quality standards. These acquisitions may include large acquisitions of companies that have operations in multiple markets. For further information, see “Our Business—Our Regulated Businesses—Acquisitions”.

Declining Water Usage Per Customer

Increased water conservation, including through the use of more efficient household fixtures and appliances among residential consumers, combined with declining household sizes in the United States, has contributed to a trend of declining water usage per residential customer.

The average annual change in residential water usage per customer from January 1998 through December 2007 (as a percentage of January 1998 usage) in the larger states served by our Regulated Businesses ranged from 0.66% per year in New Jersey at the low end to as high as 1.63% per year in West Virginia.

Because the characteristics of residential water use are driven by many factors, including socio-economic and other demographic characteristics of our service areas, climate, seasonal weather patterns and water rates, these declining trends vary by state and service area and change over time. The trend of declining residential water usage per customer is higher in the predominantly rural states served by our Regulated Businesses. We do not believe that the trend in any particular state or region will have a disproportionate impact on our results of operations.

Our Regulated Businesses are heavily dependent upon operating revenue generated from rates we charge to our residential customers for the volume of water they use. Declining usage will have a negative impact on our long-term operating revenues if we are unable to secure rate increases or to grow our residential customer base to the extent necessary to offset the residential usage decline.

 

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Water Supply

Our ability to meet the existing and future water demands of our customers depends on an adequate supply of water. Drought, governmental restrictions, overuse of sources of water, the protection of threatened species or habitats or other factors may limit the availability of ground and surface water. Also, customer usage of water is affected by weather conditions, in particular during the summer. Our water systems experience higher demand in the summer due to the warmer temperatures and increased usage by customers for lawn irrigation and other outdoor uses. Summer weather that is cooler and wetter than average generally serves to suppress customer water demand, and can have a downward effect on our operating revenue and operating income. Conversely, when weather conditions are extremely dry and even if our water supplies are sufficient to serve our customers, our systems may be affected by drought-related warnings and/or water usage restrictions imposed by governmental agencies, purchase supply allocation and mandatory conservation measures. All of the above conditions serve to reduce customer demand and operating revenues. These restrictions may be imposed at a regional or state level and may affect our service areas regardless of our readiness to meet unrestricted customer demands. We employ a variety of measures to ensure that we have adequate sources of water supply, both in the short term and over the long term. For additional detail concerning these measures, see “Business—Our Regulated Businesses—Overview of Networks, Facilities and Water Supply.”

The geographic diversity of our service areas tends to mitigate some of the effect of weather extremes. In any given summer, some areas are likely to experience drier than average weather while other areas will experience wetter than average weather.

Goodwill Impairment

At December 31, 2007, our goodwill totaled $2,457.0 million. The goodwill is associated primarily with the acquisition of American Water by an affiliate of RWE in 2003 and the acquisition of E’Town Corporation in 2001, representing the excess of the purchase price the purchaser paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Our annual goodwill impairment test is completed during the fourth quarter of each calendar year. We also have processes to monitor for interim triggering events. As required by applicable accounting rules and principles, we were required to reflect a non-cash charge to operating results for goodwill impairment in the amounts of $396.3 million in 2005, $227.8 million in 2006 and $509.3 million in 2007. These amounts include impairments relating to discontinued operations.

During the third quarter of 2007, as a result of our debt being placed on review for a possible downgrade and the proposed sale of a portion of the Company in this offering, management determined at that time it was appropriate to update its valuation analysis before the next scheduled annual test. Based on this assessment, we performed an interim impairment test and recorded an impairment charge to goodwill to our Regulated Businesses in the amount of $243.3 million. The decline was primarily due to a slightly lower long-term earnings forecast caused by updated customer demand and usage expectations and expectations for timing of capital expenditures and rate recovery.

We completed our annual goodwill impairment test for 2007 and recorded an additional goodwill impairment charge to the Regulated Businesses reporting unit in the amount of $266.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2007. We determined that an impairment had occurred based upon new information regarding our market value. We incorporated this indicated market value into our valuation methodology and, based on those results, an additional impairment to our carrying value was recorded.

We may be required to recognize additional impairments in the future due to, among other things, the market value of our stock, a decline in our forecasted results as compared to the business plan and changes in interest rates or a change in rate case results. Possible additional impairments may be required at stock price levels that are within the range of estimated prices per share set forth on the cover page of this preliminary prospectus. At this time it is not possible to determine whether further impairments will be required. Further recognition of additional material impairments of goodwill would negatively affect our results of operations and total capitalization, the effect of which could be material and could make it more difficult for us to secure financing on effective terms and maintain compliance with our debt covenants.

 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2005				2006				2007
		(In thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues		$	2,136,746			$	2,093,067			$	2,214,215
Operating expenses:
Operation and maintenance			1,201,566				1,174,544				1,246,479
Depreciation and amortization			261,364				259,181				267,335
General taxes			183,324				185,065				183,253
Loss (gain) on sale of assets			(6,517	)			79				(7,326	)
Impairment charges			385,434				221,685				509,345
Total operating expenses, net			2,025,171				1,840,554				2,199,086
Operating income (loss)			111,575				252,513				15,129
Other income (deductions):
Interest			(345,257	)			(365,970	)			(283,165	)
Allowance for other funds used during construction			5,810				5,980				7,759
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction			2,420				2,652				3,449
Amortization of debt expense			(4,367	)			(5,062	)			(4,867	)
Preferred dividends of subsidiaries			(227	)			(215	)			(225	)
Other, net			5,895				1,164				6,401
Total other income (deductions)			(335,726	)			(361,451	)			(270,648	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			(224,151	)			(108,938	)			(255,519	)
Provision for income taxes			50,979				46,912				86,756
Income (loss) from continuing operations			(275,130	)			(155,850	)			(342,275	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax			(49,910	)			(6,393	)			(551	)
Net income (loss)		$	(325,040	)		$	(162,243	)		$	(342,826	)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	(1.72	)		$	(0.97	)		$	(2.14	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		$	(0.31	)		$	(0.04	)			(0.00	)
Net income (loss)		$	(2.03	)		$	(1.01	)		$	(2.14	)
Diluted
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	(1.72	)		$	(0.97	)		$	(2.14	)
Income (loss) discontinued operations, net of tax		$	(0.31	)		$	(0.04	)			(0.00	)
Net income (loss)		$	(2.03	)		$	(1.01	)		$	(2.14	)
Average common shares outstanding during the period:
Basic			160,000				160,000				160,000
Diluted			160,000				160,000				160,000

 

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The following table summarizes certain financial information for our Regulated and Non-Regulated Businesses for the periods indicated (without giving effect to inter-segment eliminations):

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2005							2006							2007
		Regulated Businesses			Non- Regulated Businesses				Regulated Businesses			Non- Regulated Businesses				Regulated Businesses		Non- Regulated Businesses
		(In thousands)
Operating revenues		$	1,836,061		$	310,771			$	1,854,618		$	248,451			1,987,565		242,678
Adjusted EBIT1		$	469,921		$	(106	)		$	468,701		$	(4,725	)		500,088		23,579

 

(1)

Adjusted EBIT is defined as earnings before interest and income taxes from continuing operations. Management evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources based on several factors, of which the primary measure is Adjusted EBIT. Adjusted EBIT does not represent cash flows for periods presented and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flows as a source of liquidity. Adjusted EBIT as defined by the Company may not be comparable with Adjusted EBIT as defined by other companies.

Our primary business involves the ownership of water and wastewater utilities that provide water and wastewater services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. As such, our results of operations are significantly impacted by rates authorized by the state PUCs in the states in which we operate. The table below details the annualized revenue increases (assuming constant sales volumes) resulting from rate authorizations, including distribution infrastructure and other surcharges, granted in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

 

		Annualized Rate Increases Granted
		During the years
		2005			2006			2007
State
New Jersey		$	—		$	—		$	56.2
Pennsylvania			5.8			8.0			40.6
Missouri			—			6.8			24.0
Illinois			—			0.9			1.7
Indiana			0.9			1.8			14.0
California			8.4			15.1			0.5
West Virginia			10.0			—			—
Other			9.9			8.7			21.9
Total		$	35.0		$	41.3		$	158.9

The change in annualized rate increases granted between 2006 and 2007 can be attributed to the removal of the stay-out provisions and increased investment in our regulated infrastructure programs.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006

Operating revenues. Our consolidated operating revenues increased $121.1 million, or 5.8%, from $2,093.1 million for 2006 to $2,214.2 million for 2007. An increase in operating revenues for our Regulated Businesses of $132.9 million in 2007 was somewhat offset by a decrease in operating revenues for our Non-Regulated Businesses of $5.8 million. The increase in the Regulated Businesses operating revenues was primarily due to rate increases of approximately $61.9 million obtained through general rate cases in New Jersey, Ohio, Arizona, California and other states. In addition, rate increases obtained through infrastructure related provisions in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana totaled approximately $15.5 million. Water service

 

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operating revenues also increased due to growth of 0.7% in our Regulated Businesses customer base through small acquisitions in our service areas and through growth in existing service areas. Water sales volume associated with existing customers increased by 1.5% in 2007 compared to the prior year due to drier weather mainly in our Mid-Atlantic states.

The following table sets forth the percentage of Regulated Businesses’ operating revenues and water sales volume by customer class:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		Operating Revenues						Water Sales Volume
Customer Class		2006			2007			2006			2007
Water service:
Residential		57.5	%		57.6	%		52.1	%		52.8	%
Commercial		19.6	%		19.4	%		22.0	%		21.9	%
Industrial		5.0	%		4.8	%		10.6	%		10.6	%
Public and other		12.4	%		12.5	%		15.3	%		14.7	%
Other water revenues		1.6	%		1.9	%		—			—
Total water revenues		96.1	%		96.2	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Wastewater service		3.9	%		3.8	%
		100.0	%		100.0	%

Water Services—Water service operating revenues from residential customers for 2007 amounted to $1,146.1 million, a 7.3% increase over 2006, primarily due to rate increases and changes in sales volume. The volume of water sold to residential customers increased by 2.9% in 2007 to 223.4 billion gallons, from 217.2 billion gallons in 2006, largely as a result of favorable weather conditions in the Mid-Atlantic states and a 0.7% increase in the residential customer base.

Water service operating revenues from commercial water customers for 2007 amounted to $385.3 million, a 6.2% increase over 2006, primarily due to rate increases and changes in sales volume. The volume of water sold to commercial customers increased by 1.6% in 2007 to 93.0 billion gallons, from 91.6 billion gallons in 2006, driven by favorable weather conditions and partially offset by a decline in the number of commercial customers.

Water service operating revenues from industrial customers amounted to $94.7 million in 2007, a 2.9% increase over 2006, primarily due to rate increases and changes in sales volume. The volume of water sold to industrial customers increased by 0.5% in 2007 to 44.6 billion gallons, from 44.4 billion gallons in 2006.

Water service operating revenues from public and other customers increased $17.4 million for 2007 to $247.6 million from $230.2 million for 2006, mainly due to rate increases and changes in sales volume. Revenues from municipal governments for fire protection services and customers requiring special private fire service facilities totaled $99.3 million for 2007, an increase of $0.8 million over the same period of 2006. Revenues generated by sales to governmental entities and resale customers for 2007 totaled $148.3 million, an increase of $16.6 million from 2006.

Wastewater Services—Our subsidiaries provide wastewater services in 11 states. Operating revenues from these services increased by 4.7% to $75.6 million for 2007. The increase reflects a growth of 0.4% in the number of wastewater customers served but is primarily due to increases in rates charged to customers in states where we have wastewater operations (principally Arizona, Hawaii, and New Jersey).

 

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Our Non-Regulated revenues decreased by $5.8 million, or 2.3% from $248.5 million for 2006, to $242.7 million for 2007. The net decline in revenues is primarily attributable to a $15.8 million decrease in revenues of our Contract Operations Group, partially offset by a $7.4 million increase in revenues of our Homeowner Services Group, and an increase of $3.5 million from our other Non-Regulated Businesses. The decline in revenues of our Contract Operations Group includes the effects of having substantially completed the construction of the Lake Pleasant Water Treatment plant, a large water treatment plant in Phoenix, Arizona, during 2006 ($49.5 million recognized in 2006 compared to $5.2 million in 2007). Pursuant to our DBO contract with the city of Phoenix, we served as the lead contractor in connection with the construction of the Lake Pleasant facility, which includes an 80 million gallons-per-day surface water treatment plant and granular activated carbon reactivation system. The Lake Pleasant facility is significantly larger in size and function compared to other projects with which we have been engaged. However, we do not expect the completion of this project to have a material impact on our results of operations. Revenues from that project were partially replaced by new contracts, including a DBO project in Fillmore, California generating $12.2 million of incremental revenues and new military projects generating approximately $10.0 million of revenues. The increase from our Homeowner Services Group represents expansion into new geographic markets (Virginia and Trenton, New Jersey). The increase in our other Non-Regulated Businesses revenues is due to revenues attributable to special projects in 2007.

Operation and maintenance. Our consolidated operation and maintenance expense increased $72.0 million, or 6.1%, from $1,174.5 million for 2006, to $1,246.5 million for 2007.

Operation and maintenance expense by major category was as follows:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2006			2007
		(In thousands)
Production costs		$	262,450		$	282,194
Employee-related costs			421,287			469,504
Operating supplies and services			297,008			298,398
Maintenance materials and services			96,302			112,075
Customer billing and accounting			55,260			39,003
Other			42,237			45,305
Total		$	1,174,544		$	1,246,479

Production costs, including fuel and power, purchased water, chemicals and waste disposal increased by 7.5% for 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. The increase was primarily attributable to higher purchased water costs mainly due to increased demand, as well as higher electricity prices as rate freezes resulting from electricity deregulation expired in some states in which we operate.

Employee-related costs including wage and salary, group insurance, and pension expense increased by 11.4% for 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. These costs represented 35.9% and 37.7% of operation and maintenance expense for 2006 and 2007, respectively. The increase in 2007 was due to higher wage, salary and group insurance expenses in our Regulated Businesses, primarily resulting from an increase in the number of employees to enable service enhancements in our Regulated Businesses as well as wage rate increases. This increase was offset by a reduction in pension expense. Pension expense in excess of the amount contributed to the pension plans is deferred by some of our regulated subsidiaries pending future recovery in rates as contributions are made to the plans. The decrease is primarily attributable to lower pension expense in 2007. In addition, pension expense for 2006 included additional pension expense due to curtailment charges and a special transaction benefit charge.

Operating supplies and services include the day-to-day expenses of office operation, legal and other professional services, as well as information systems and other office equipment, facilities rental charges and other miscellaneous expenses. For 2007, these costs increased by 0.5% compared to the same period in 2006. Factors contributing to this overall increase include higher accounting, legal and consulting costs. Our remediation efforts in connection with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act resulted in an increase of $15.1 million for 2007,

 

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as compared to 2006. The Regulated Businesses’ transportation costs for 2007 increased by $3.2 million due to increased vehicle leasing costs and higher gasoline prices. Also costs in 2006 were lower than 2007 due to a reinstatement in 2006 by our Indiana subsidiary of $2.4 million previously disallowed in the regulatory process. Expenses related to the RWE Divestiture were $0.8 million higher for 2007 than 2006 due to higher divestiture support costs.

Offsetting the increase was approximately $48.8 million of expenses associated with the design and build of the Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant in Phoenix, Arizona which were included in operating supplies and services for 2006 compared to $5.1 million in 2007. The decrease also reflects Non-Regulated Businesses operating contracts that ended during 2006, and a decline in design and build activity by the Applied Water Management Group of $3.4 million due to a downturn in new home construction. Offsetting these Non-Regulated Businesses’ decreases was additional expense associated with several contracts, including Fillmore of $12.4 million, and increased military contract expenses of $11.4 million resulting from increased contracted services primarily due to two projects and a $5.0 million loss recorded on one project.

Maintenance materials and services, which include emergency repairs as well as costs for preventive maintenance, increased by 16.4% for 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. This increase was primarily the result of a larger number of main breaks in 2007 compared to 2006 experienced by several of our operating subsidiaries due to winter weather conditions, and increased paving cost for our New Jersey, Missouri, Illinois and Pennsylvania subsidiaries.

Customer billing and accounting expenses decreased by 29.4% for 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily due to lower bad debt expense of $9.2 million in our Regulated Business and $5.8 million in our Non-Regulated Businesses as a result of an increased focus on collection of past due accounts.

Other operation and maintenance expenses include casualty and liability insurance premiums and regulatory costs. These costs increased by 7.3% in 2007 primarily due to an increase in insurance costs for 2007 due to less favorable claims experience compared to 2006. This unfavorable variance was offset by a reduction in regulatory expenses due to the write-off of certain deferred rate case expenses in 2006 associated with our California subsidiary.

Depreciation and amortization. Our consolidated depreciation and amortization expense increased $8.1 million, or 3.1%, from $259.2 million for 2006, to $267.3 million for 2007. The increase was primarily due to property placed in service, net of retirements, of approximately $798.8 million as a result of an increased focus on infrastructure spending mainly in our Regulated Businesses.

General taxes. Our consolidated general taxes expense, which includes taxes for property, payroll, gross receipts and other miscellaneous items, decreased $1.8 million, or 1.0%, from $185.1 million for 2006, to $183.3 million for 2007. The decrease was primarily due to lower taxes for expatriates because employees seconded by Thames Water to American Water were no longer employed by American Water in 2007.

Loss (gain) on sale of assets. Our consolidated loss on sale of assets was $0.1 million for 2006, compared to a gain of $(7.3) million for 2007 due to non-recurring sales of assets not needed in our utility operations in 2007.

Impairment charges. Our consolidated impairment charges were $221.7 million for 2006 and $509.3 million for 2007. The 2006 impairment charge was primarily attributable to higher interest rates in our Regulated Businesses and a change in the potential net realizable value of our Non-Regulated Businesses. The 2007 impairment charges were primarily due to slightly lower long-term earnings caused by updated customer demand and usage expectations and expectations for timing of capital expenditures and rate recovery as well as new information regarding our market value.

Other income (deductions). Interest expense, the primary component of our consolidated other income (deductions), decreased $82.8 million, or 22.6%, from $366.0 million for 2006, to $283.2 million for 2007. The

 

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decline was primarily due to the repayment of outstanding debt with new equity contributions from RWE in order to establish a capital structure that is consistent with other regulated utilities and also to meet the capital structure expectations of various state regulatory commissions. This decrease was offset slightly by higher interest expense of our Regulated Businesses of $9.8 million mainly due to increased borrowings to fund capital programs.

Provision for income taxes. Our consolidated provision for income taxes increased $39.9 million, or 85.1%, from $46.9 million for 2006, to $86.8 million for 2007. The increase is due to higher taxable income in 2007 as compared to 2006.

Net income (loss). Our consolidated net loss including results from discontinued operations increased $180.6 million, or 111.3%, from $162.2 million for 2006, to $342.8 million for 2007. The increase is the result of the changes discussed above.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and 2005

Operating revenues. Our consolidated operating revenues decreased $43.6 million, or 2.0%, from $2,136.7 million for 2005 to $2,093.1 million for 2006. A decline in operating revenues associated with our Non-Regulated Businesses was partially offset by an overall increase in operating revenues from our Regulated Businesses.

Operating revenues from our Regulated Businesses increased by $18.6 million in 2006 compared to 2005, even with a 2.0% decline in water sales volume primarily due to weather fluctuations in 2006, as compared to 2005. The increase was primarily due to rate increases obtained through general rate cases in Arizona, California and New York as well as other states totaling $12.4 million. In addition, infrastructure surcharges in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio provided $13.7 million in additional operating revenues. Operating revenue also increased due to the addition of approximately 1.6%, or 51,000 customers, in our Regulated Businesses customer base through small acquisitions to our service areas and through growth in existing service areas.

The following table sets forth the percentage of our Regulated Businesses operating revenues and water sales volume by customer class:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		Operating Revenues						Water Sales Volume
		2005			2006			2005			2006
Water service:
Residential		58.2	%		57.5	%		52.4	%		52.1	%
Commercial		19.3	%		19.6	%		21.9	%		22.0	%
Industrial		5.3	%		5.0	%		10.6	%		10.6	%
Public and other		12.2	%		12.4	%		15.1	%		15.3	%
Other water revenues		1.4	%		1.6	%		—			—
Total water revenues		96.4	%		96.1	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Wastewater service		3.6	%		3.9	%
		100.0	%		100.0	%

Water Services—Water service operating revenues from residential customers in 2006 amounted to $1,067.9 million, relatively unchanged from 2005, as rate increases offset changes in sales volume. The volume of water sold to residential customers decreased by 2.5% in 2006 to 217.2 billion gallons, from 222.8 billion gallons for 2005, primarily as a result of wetter and cooler weather conditions in some of our larger states, including New

 

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Jersey, Pennsylvania and Indiana and decreased usage related to enhanced conservation education, the installation of low-flow appliances and reduced household sizes.

Water service operating revenues from commercial customers in 2006 amounted to $362.7 million, a 2.5% increase over 2005, primarily due to rate increases offset by changes in sales volume. The volume of water sold to commercial customers decreased by 1.7% in 2006 to 91.6 billion gallons, from 93.2 billion gallons for 2005, driven by a 0.4% decline in our commercial customer base due to economic conditions in our service areas with the remainder primarily attributable to weather conditions.

Water service operating revenues from industrial customers in 2006 amounted to $92.0 million, a 5.4% decrease over 2005, primarily due to changes in sales volume. The volume of water sold to industrial customers decreased by 1.8% in 2006 to 44.4 billion gallons, from 45.2 billion gallons for 2005, driven primarily by the loss of customers due to economic and business conditions in our service areas.

Water service operating revenues from public and other customers for 2006 amounted to $230.2 million, a 3.0% increase over 2005 primarily due to rate increases and changes in sales volume. Water service operating revenues from municipal governments for fire protection services and customers requiring special private fire service facilities for 2006 amounted to $98.5 million, a 9.6% increase from 2005. Water service operating revenues from governmental entities and resale customers amounted to $131.7 million in 2006, a 1.3% decrease from 2005.

Wastewater Services—Our subsidiaries provide wastewater services in 11 states. Operating revenues from these services increased by 8.9% to $72.2 million for 2006, from $66.3 million for 2005. The increases were attributable to 4.4% growth in the number of wastewater customers served, with the remainder due to rate increases.

Non-Regulated Businesses operating revenues decreased by $62.3 million, or 20.0% from $310.8 million for 2005 to $248.5 million for 2006. The decrease was primarily due to a decline of approximately $63.4 million in operating revenue, representing the effects of the completion of work performed under a contract to design and build the Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant in Phoenix, Arizona. The decrease in operating revenues also reflects the cessation of operating contracts in Houston, Texas; Hazelton, Pennsylvania; and Dedham, Massachusetts that ended during fiscal 2006 and the non-renewal of unprofitable contracts in several smaller communities. The discontinuance of these contracts resulted in a decrease of $11.3 million in aggregate revenue in 2006 compared to 2005. Partially offsetting the decrease was $8.7 million of increased revenue related to the expansion into new markets by the Applied Water Management Group and the Homeowner Services Group, as well as $3.7 million of additional revenues from organic growth of existing O&M contracts, including capital improvement projects performed on behalf of Sioux City, Iowa and a new contract in Fillmore, California for a DBO project.

Operation and maintenance. Our consolidated operation and maintenance expense decreased $27.1 million, or 2.3%, from $1,201.6 million for 2005, to $1,174.5 million for 2006.

Operation and maintenance expense by major category was as follows:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2005			2006
		(In thousands)
Production costs		$	258,609		$	262,450
Employee-related costs			376,296			421,287
Operating supplies and services			379,878			297,008
Maintenance materials and services			97,139			96,302
Customer billing and accounting			42,793			55,260
Other			46,851			42,237
Total		$	1,201,566		$	1,174,544

 

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Production costs, including fuel and power, purchased water, chemicals and waste disposal, increased by 1.5% in 2006 compared to 2005. Increases in chemical prices and energy costs in our Regulated Businesses were the principal drivers of the increase, mitigated by the overall decline in water sales and decreases in costs resulting from reduced Non-Regulated Businesses activities. Energy costs increased due to higher electricity prices as rate freezes resulting from electricity deregulation expired in some states in which we operate. The unit cost of water produced was up 7.3% in 2006 compared to 2005.

Employee-related costs include wage and salary, group insurance, pension expense and expenses related to our long-term incentive plan, which we refer to as the LTIP, for certain key employees. These costs represented 35.8% of operation and maintenance expense in 2006 and increased 12.0% in 2006 as compared to 2005. Wage and salary expenses were up $29.2 million, or 10.0%, in 2006, due to salary increases and workforce additions. The LTIP accounted for $3.1 million of the increase. Group insurance expense, which includes the cost of providing current health care and life insurance benefits as well as the expected cost of providing postretirement benefits, increased 16.0% in 2006 as a result of workforce additions and higher group insurance premiums associated with our active employees. Pension expense increased by 32.9% in 2006 compared to 2005, due to lower than expected returns on plan assets and a decrease in the discount rate actuarial assumption. Additionally, our contributions to a defined contribution plan for employees increased over 2005 as the number of program participants increased.

Operating supplies and services include the day-to-day expenses of office operation, legal and other professional services, as well as information systems and other office equipment and facility rental charges. These costs decreased by 21.8% in 2006 compared to 2005. The expenses in this category include rents, general office expense, and other miscellaneous expenses. A significant factor contributing to the decrease was approximately $63.0 million of expenses associated with the timing of project activity for the design and build of the Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant in Phoenix, Arizona. The majority of the project activity occurred during 2005. These Non-Regulated Businesses operating expenses also decreased as a result of the aforementioned operating and maintenance contracts that ended during 2006. These cost reductions were offset by additional expenses related to expansion into new markets by the Applied Water Management Group and Homeowner Services Group, as well as costs associated with several new O&M contracts. These changes resulted in a decrease of $54.0 million in operating supplies and services by our Non-Regulated Businesses in 2006 as compared to 2005.

In addition to the decline in our Non-Regulated Businesses operating supplies and services, there was a decrease in accounting, legal and consulting costs in 2006. A significant portion of the decrease was due to lower management charges allocated from Thames Water of $7.7 million in 2006 as compared to 2005 and a recovery of $2.4 million previously disallowed in the regulatory process for our Indiana subsidiary. During 2005, the Company also recorded $3.5 million in expense relating to a special program established to protect the environment along the central coastal area of California. In addition, there was a decrease of $3.9 million relating to costs incurred in 2005 that were subsequently not allowed to be recovered in rates at our Kentucky subsidiary. These decreases were offset by higher expenses related to the RWE Divestiture of $7.4 million and increased costs related to the Company’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of $16.9 million from 2005 to 2006.

Maintenance materials and services, which include emergency repairs as well as costs for preventive maintenance, decreased by 0.9% in 2006 compared to 2005. The cessation of some O&M contracts managed by our Non-Regulated Businesses was the primary reason for this decrease.

Customer billing and accounting expenses increased by 29.1% in 2006 compared to 2005, due to higher uncollectible expense due to a decline in the quality of our customer accounts receivable, increases in postage costs to mail customer bills and an increased number of bills being sent as a result of customer growth.

Other operation and maintenance expenses include casualty and liability insurance premiums and regulatory costs. Total other costs decreased in 2006 by 9.8% from 2005, due to improved claims experience following an increase in 2005. Regulatory costs increased during 2006 due to increased regulatory filings by our subsidiaries.

 

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Depreciation and amortization. Our consolidated depreciation and amortization expense decreased $2.2 million, or 0.8%, from $261.4 million for 2005, to $259.2 million for 2006. The decrease was primarily due to a write-off in 2005 of $21.6 million associated with an abandoned information technology project. This decrease was offset by an increase in depreciation expense due to property placed in service, net of retirements, of $697.1 million as a result of infrastructure replacement in our Regulated Businesses.

General taxes. Our consolidated general taxes expense, which includes taxes for property, payroll, gross receipts and other miscellaneous items, was relatively unchanged from $183.3 million for 2005 to $185.1 million for 2006. The increase was primarily due to higher gross receipts taxes as a result of increased Regulated Businesses operating revenues. Gross receipts and franchise taxes that vary based on operating revenues were higher by 7.5% in 2006 compared to 2005. Property and capital stock taxes that are assessed on the basis of tax values assigned to assets and capitalization were down 3% in 2006 compared to 2005 due to property tax appeals and dispositions.

Loss (gain) on sale of assets. Our consolidated gain on sale of assets was $(6.5) million for 2005, compared to a loss on sale of assets of $0.1 million for 2006. The decrease in 2006 was primarily due to the fact that 2005 included sales of various properties and investments not needed in our utility operations.

Impairment charges. Our consolidated impairment charges were $385.4 million for 2005 and $221.7 million for 2006. The 2005 impairment charge was primarily the result of a change in our strategic business plan for our Non-Regulated Businesses and lower margins than previously forecasted in our Regulated Businesses. The 2006 impairment charge was primarily attributable to higher interest rates in our Regulated Businesses and a change in the potential net realizable value of our Non-Regulated Businesses.

Other income (deductions). Interest expense, the primary component of our consolidated other income (deductions), increased $20.7 million, or 6.0%, from $345.3 million for 2005 to $366.0 million for 2006. This increase was primarily due to higher interest rates for new debt issuances, mitigated by overall reduced borrowings as a result of repaying outstanding debt with new equity contributions.

Provision for income taxes. Our consolidated provision for income taxes decreased $4.1 million, or 8.0%, from $51.0 million for 2005, to $46.9 million for 2006. This decrease was primarily due to the mix of taxable income by jurisdiction.

Net income (loss). Our consolidated net (loss), including results from discontinued operations, decreased $162.8 million, or 50.1%, from $(325.0) million for 2005, to $(162.2) million for 2006. The decrease was primarily due to the changes discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our business is capital intensive and requires considerable capital resources. A portion of these capital resources are provided by internally generated cash flows from operations. When necessary, we obtain funds from external sources in the capital markets and through bank borrowings. Our access to external financing on reasonable terms depends on our credit ratings and current business conditions, including that of the water utility industry in general as well as conditions in the debt or equity capital markets. If these business and market conditions deteriorate to the extent that we no longer have access to the capital markets at reasonable terms, we have access to revolving credit facilities with aggregate bank commitments of $810.0 million that we currently utilize to support our commercial paper programs and to issue letters of credit. See “—Credit Facilities and Short-Term Debt.”

In addition, our regulated utility subsidiaries receive advances and contributions from customers, home builders and real estate developers to fund construction necessary to extend service to new areas. Advances for construction are refundable for limited periods, which vary according to state regulations, as new customers begin to receive service or other contractual obligations are fulfilled. Amounts which are no longer refundable

 

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are reclassified to contributions in aid of construction. Utility plant funded by advances and contributions is excluded from rate base. Generally, we depreciate contributed property and amortize contributions in aid of construction at the composite rate of the related property. Some of our subsidiaries do not depreciate contributed property, based on regulatory guidelines.

We use our capital resources, including cash, to (i) fund capital requirements, including construction expenditures, (ii) pay off maturing debt, (iii) pay dividends, (iv) fund pension and postretirement welfare obligations and (v) invest in new and existing ventures. We spend a significant amount of cash on construction projects that have a long-term return on investment. Additionally, we operate in rate-regulated environments in which the amount of new investment recovery may be limited, and where such recovery takes place over an extended period of time, as our recovery is subject to regulatory lag. See “Business—Regulation—Economic Regulation.” As a result of these factors, our working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, was in a net deficit position as of December 31, 2007.

We expect to fund future maturities of long-term debt through a combination of external debt and cash flow from operations. We have no plans to reduce debt significantly.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Our future cash flows from operating activities will be affected by economic utility regulation; infrastructure investment; inflation; compliance with environmental, health and safety standards; production costs; customer growth; and declining per customer usage of water; and weather and seasonality. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Factors Affecting our Results of Operations.”

Cash flows from operating activities have been a reliable, steady source of cash flow, sufficient to meet operating requirements and a portion of our capital expenditures requirements. We will seek access to debt and equity capital markets to meet the balance of our capital expenditure requirements. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully access such markets on favorable terms or at all. Operating cash flows can be negatively affected by changes in our rate regulatory environments. Taking into account the factors noted above, we also obtain cash from non-operating sources such as the proceeds from debt issuances, customer advances and contributions in aid of construction and equity offerings.

The following table provides a summary of the major items affecting our cash flows from operating activities for the periods indicated:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2005				2006				2007
		(In thousands)
Net income (loss)		$	(325,040	)		$	(162,243	)		$	(342,826	)
Add (subtract):
Non-cash operating activities(1)			852,373				664,060				881,013
Changes in working capital(2)			51,348				(96,578	)			16,770
Pension and postretirement healthcare contributions			(53,246	)			(81,491	)			(81,245	)
Net cash flows provided by operations		$	525,435			$	323,748			$	473,712

 

(1)

Includes (gain) loss on sale of businesses, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, removal costs net of salvage, provision for deferred income taxes, amortization of deferred investment tax credits, provision for losses on utility accounts receivable, allowance for other funds used during construction, (gain) loss on sale of assets, deferred regulatory costs, amortization of deferred charges and other non-cash items, net, less pension and postretirement healthcare contributions.

 

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(2)	Changes in working capital include changes to accounts receivable and unbilled utility revenue, taxes receivable (including federal income), other current assets, accounts payable, taxes accrued (including federal income), interest accrued and other current liabilities.

The increase in cash flow from operations during 2007 compared to 2006 was primarily due to improvements in working capital mainly driven by changes in taxes accrued and other current liabilities, slightly offset by changes in accounts receivable and unbilled utility revenues.

The decrease in cash flows from operations during 2006 versus 2005 was primarily the result of higher contributions to pension and postretirement healthcare trusts. Excluding this item, changes in our cash flows from operating activities were generally consistent with changes in the results of operations as adjusted by changes in working capital in the normal course of business.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash flows used in investing activities were as follows for the periods indicated:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2005				2006				2007
		(In thousands)
Construction expenditures		$	(558,446	)		$	(688,843	)		$	(758,569	)
Other investing activities, net(1)			28,281				(2,595	)			11,991
Net cash flows used in investing activities		$	(530,165	)		$	(691,438	)		$	(746,578	)

 

(1)

Includes allowances for other funds used during construction, acquisitions, proceeds from the sale of assets and securities, proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations, removal costs from property, plant and equipment retirements, receivables from affiliates, restricted funds and investment in equity investee.

Cash flow used in investing activities increased in 2007 compared to 2006 and in 2006 compared to 2005 as we continued to increase our investment in regulated infrastructure projects. Cash flows used in investing activities will continue to rise as construction expenditures are expected to be approximately $900 to $950 million during 2008. We intend to invest capital prudently to provide essential services to our regulated customer base, while working with regulators in the various states in which we operate to have the opportunity to earn an appropriate rate of return on our investment and a return of our investment.

Our infrastructure investment plan consists of both infrastructure renewal programs, where we replace infrastructure as needed, and major capital investment projects, where we will construct new water and wastewater treatment and delivery facilities. Our projected capital expenditures and other investments are subject to periodic review and revision to reflect changes in economic conditions and other factors.

The following table provides a summary of our historical construction expenditures:

 

		For the years ended December 31,
		2005			2006			2007
		(In thousands)
Transmission and distribution		$	238,972		$	314,282		$	325,333
Treatment and pumping			137,299			133,074			185,832
Services, meter and fire hydrants			84,148			132,610			179,933
General structures and equipment			81,516			72,892			32,336
Sources of supply			16,511			35,985			35,135
Total construction expenditures		$	558,446		$	688,843		$	758,569

 

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Construction expenditures for the periods noted above were partially offset by customer advances and contributions for construction (net of refunds) of $35.8 million, $47.4 million and $52.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Customer advances and contributions are reflected in net cash flows from financing activities. Capital expenditures during the periods noted above were related to the renewal of supply and treatment assets, new water mains and customer service lines, as well as rehabilitation of existing water mains and hydrants.

Construction expenditures for 2007 increased by $69.7 million or 10.1% over 2006. The increase consisted mainly of infrastructure replacements and upgrades to treatment facilities at several plants including Joplin, Missouri, Maricapa County, Arizona, Franklin Township, New Jersey and Champaign, Illinois.

Construction expenditures for 2006 increased by $130.4 million or 23.4% over 2005. Expenditures related to transmission and distribution increased by $75.3 million in 2006 over 2005 and meter and fire hydrant replacements increased by $48.5 million in 2006 compared to 2005. These increases occurred due to an increase in the rate of infrastructure replacement. In addition, treatment plant improvements caused an increase from 2005 to 2006 in the amount of $15.2 million. These improvements are taking place primarily at our Joplin, Missouri, Maricapa County, Arizona and Franklin Township, New Jersey facilities.

An integral aspect of our strategy is to seek growth through tuck-ins and other acquisitions which are complementary to our existing business and support the continued geographical diversification and growth of American Water’s operations. Generally, acquisitions are funded initially with short-term debt and later refinanced with the proceeds from long-term debt or equity offerings.

We also conduct ongoing reviews of our existing investments. As a result of these reviews, we sold the operations of various non-regulated water-related businesses over the last two years.

The following provides a summary of the major acquisitions and dispositions affecting our cash flows from investing activities in the periods indicated:

2007:

 

•

We paid approximately $15.9 million for the acquisition of a number of water and wastewater systems, the largest of which was S.J. Services Inc., the parent company of Pennsgrove Water Supply Company, Inc. and South Jersey Water Supply Company, Inc. The purchase price, including acquisition costs, for S.J. Services Inc. was $13.5 million in cash.

 

•

We received approximately $9.7 million in cash proceeds from the sale of a group of assets of the Residuals business.

 

•

We received $16.3 million in cash proceeds from the sale of other assets, including $13.0 million of proceeds on a property in Mansfield, New Jersey owned by a Non-Regulated subsidiary.

2006:

 

•

We paid approximately $12.5 million for the acquisition of water and wastewater systems.

 

•

We received approximately $30.2 million in cash proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations including a group of assets of the Residuals business and the Underground business.

2005:

 

•

We received approximately $15.3 million in cash proceeds from the sale of Engineering’s Canadian operations and the assets of Ashbrook Corporation.

On December 21, 2007, New Jersey-American Water, our subsidiary, signed an agreement with the City of Trenton, New Jersey to purchase the assets of the city’s water system located in Ewing, Hamilton, Hopewell and Lawrence townships for a purchase price of $100 million. The agreement was approved by the Trenton City Council but requires approval by various regulatory agencies. We can provide no assurances that the agreement will be approved.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Our financing activities include the issuance of long-term and short-term debt, primarily through our wholly owned financing subsidiary, AWCC. In addition, we have received capital contributions from RWE and intend to issue equity in the future to maintain an appropriate capital structure, subject to any restrictions in the registration

 

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rights agreement to be entered into with RWE. In order to finance new infrastructure, we received customer advances and contributions for construction (net of refunds) of $35.8 million, $47.4 million, and $52.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In connection with the RWE Divestiture, we have made and will continue to make significant changes to our capital structure through debt refinancing and equity offerings.

AWCC issued additional senior notes through private placement offerings totaling $2,117.0 million during 2007. Interest rates ranged from 5.39% to 6.59% and maturities ranged from 7 years to 30 years. RWE made equity contributions to the Company amounting to $1,067.1 million and $1,194.5 million during 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company used the equity contributions and proceeds from the senior notes to offset loans payable to RWE, to repay outstanding commercial paper and for other corporate purposes.

Additionally, during September 2007, AWCC borrowed $1,750.0 million of RWE redemption notes from RWE. The RWE redemption notes bear interest monthly at the one month London Interbank Offered Rate, which we refer to as LIBOR, plus 22.5 basis points and mature on the earliest of the following to occur (a) March 20, 2009, (b) the date on which the Company and RWE mutually agree to terminate the notes with all accrued and unpaid interest and principal becoming immediately due and payable in full, or (c) the date on which RWE no longer owns more than 80% of the voting rights of the Company. The Company used the proceeds from the RWE redemption notes to redeem $1,750.0 million of its 5.9% mandatory redeemable preferred stock held by RWE.

During October 2007, AWCC issued $750.0 million in new senior notes with a term of 10 years and a fixed interest rate of 6.085% and $750.0 million in new senior notes with a term of 30 years and a fixed interest rate of 6.593%. AWCC used the proceeds to extinguish portions of its debt.

The following long-term debt was issued in 2007:

 

Company		Type		Interest Rate		Maturity		Amount
		(In thousands)
American Water Capital Corp.		RWE notes-variable rate		5.72%		2009		$	1,750,000
American Water Capital Corp.		Senior notes		5.39%-6.59%		2018-2037			2,117,000
Other Subsidiaries		State financing authority loans and miscellaneous		1.00%-1.62%		2013-2025			2,109
Total issuances								$	3,869,109

In 2007, in connection with the acquisition of S.J. Services Inc, we assumed $3.5 million of long-term debt consisting of senior notes and state financing authority loans with interest rates ranging from 0.00% to 9.10% and maturities ranging from 2008 to 2025.

The following debt and preferred stock with mandatory redemption requirements were retired through extinguishments, optional redemption or payment at maturity in 2007:

 

Company		Type		Interest Rate		Maturity		Amount
		(In thousands)
Long-term debt:
American Water Capital Corp.		Senior notes-fixed rate		6.87%		2011		$	28,000
American Water Capital Corp.		RWE notes-fixed rate		4.00%-6.05%		2007-2034			465,300
American Water Capital Corp.		RWE notes-variable rate		5.72%		2009			1,750,000
Various Subsidiaries		Senior notes-fixed rate		7.25%-8.75%		2007-2028			101,531
Various Subsidiaries		Miscellaneous		0%-10.06%		2007-2034			114,340
Preferred stock with mandatory redemption requirements
American Water Works Company		RWE preferred stock-fixed rate		5.90%		2012			1,750,000
Various Subsidiaries				4.60%-8.88%		2007-2019			388
Total extinguishments, retirements & redemptions								$	4,209,559

 

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The following long-term debt was issued in 2006:

 

Company		Type		Interest Rate		Maturity		Amount
		(In thousands)
American Water Capital Corp.		Senior notes		5.39%-5.77%		2013-2018		$	483,000
Missouri-American Water Company		Tax exempt first mortgage bonds		4.60%		2036			57,480
Indiana-American Water Company		Tax exempt first mortgage bonds		4.88%		2036			25,770
Other Subsidiaries		State financing authority loans & other		0%-5.00%		2019-2026			16,248
Total issuances								$	582,498

The following debt was retired through extinguishments, optional redemption or payment at maturity during 2006:

 

Company		Type		Interest Rate		Maturity		Amount
		(In thousands)
Long-term debt:
American Water Works Company, Inc.		RWE notes		4.92%		2006		$	150,000
American Water Capital Corp.		RWE notes-fixed rate		4.00%-6.05%		2006-2034			1,086,500
American Water Capital Corp.		RWE notes-floating rate		4.02%-4.66%		2006-2015			482,300
Missouri-American Water Company		Mortgage bonds-fixed rate		5.50%-5.85%		2006-2026			57,565
Indiana-American Water Company		Mortgage bonds-fixed rate		5.35%-5.90%		2022-2026			27,004
West Virginia-American Water Company		Mortgage bonds-fixed rate		6.81%		2006			11,000
Other Subsidiaries				0%-9.87%		2006-2034			17,564
Preferred stock with mandatory redemption requirements
Miscellaneous				4.60%-8.80%		2007-2019			538
Total extinguishments, retirements & redemptions								$	1,832,471

From time to time and as market conditions warrant, we may engage in long-term debt retirements via tender offers, open market repurchases or other viable alternatives to strengthen our balance sheets.

Credit Facilities and Short-Term Debt

The components of short-term debt at December 31, 2007 were as follows:

 

		2007
Commercial paper, net of discount		$	169,267
Book-overdraft			42,198
Other short-term debt			9,049
Total short-term debt		$	220,514

AWCC has entered into a one-year $10.0 million committed revolving line of credit with PNC Bank, N.A. This line of credit will terminate on December 31, 2008 unless extended and is used primarily for short-term working capital needs. Interest rates on advances under this line of credit are based on either the prime rate of PNC Bank, N.A. or the applicable LIBOR for the term selected plus 25 basis points. As of December 31, 2007, $9.0 million was outstanding under this revolving line of credit. If this line of credit were not extended beyond its current maturity date of December 31, 2008, AWCC would continue to have access to its $800.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility described below.

 

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On December 21, 2004, AWCC entered into a $550.0 million 364-day unsecured revolving credit facility with RWE. The facility was renewed on October 28, 2006 and was terminated on December 28, 2006. On September 15, 2006, AWCC entered into a new $800.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility syndicated among a group of ten banks. This revolving credit facility, which originally terminated on September 15, 2011, is principally used to support the commercial paper program at AWCC and to provide up to $150.0 million in letters of credit. AWCC had no loans outstanding under the net $800.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2007. On September 14, 2007, this revolving credit facility was extended for an additional year by the facility bank group, making the new termination date September 15, 2012.

On December 31, AWCC had the following sub-limits and available capacity under the revolving credit facility and indicated amounts of outstanding commercial paper.

 

		Letter of Credit Sublimit			Available Capacity			Outstanding Commercial Paper (Net of Discount)
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)			(In thousands)
December 31, 2006		$	150,000		$	85,986		$	321,339
December 31, 2007		$	150,000		$	60,659		$	169,267

Interest rates on advances under the revolving credit facility are based on either prime or LIBOR plus an applicable margin based upon our credit ratings, as well as total outstanding amounts under the agreement at the time of the borrowing. The maximum LIBOR margin is 55 basis points.

The revolving credit facility requires us to maintain a ratio of consolidated debt to consolidated capitalization of not more than 0.70 to 1.00. On December 31, 2007, we were in compliance with the ratio.

Capital Structure

Our capital structure was as follows:

 

		At December 31, 2005			At December 31, 2006			At December 31, 2007
Common stockholder equity and preferred stock without mandatory redemption rights		29	%		40	%		48	%
Long-term debt		50	%		50	%		49	%
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt		21	%		10	%		3	%
		100	%		100	%		100	%

As a condition to some PUC approvals of the RWE Divestiture, we have agreed to maintain a capital structure which includes a minimum of 45% common equity at the time of the consummation of this offering. The changes to capital resource mix during 2006 and 2007 were accomplished through the various financing activities noted above. The capital structure at December 31, 2007 more closely reflects our expected future capital structure following the consummation of this offering, at which point our credit rating will no longer reflect RWE’s controlling ownership.

Debt Covenants

Our debt agreements contain financial and non-financial covenants. To the extent that we are not in compliance, we or our subsidiaries may be restricted in our ability to pay dividends, issue debt or access our revolving credit lines. We were in compliance with our reporting covenants as December 31, 2007. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Industry and Business—Our failure to comply with restrictive covenants under our credit facilities could trigger repayment obligations.”

 

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Security Ratings

We primarily access the capital markets, including the commercial paper market, through AWCC. However, we do issue debt at our regulated subsidiaries, primarily in the form of tax exempt securities, to lower overall cost of debt. The following table shows the Company’s securities ratings at December 31, 2007:

 

Securities		Moody’s Investors Service		Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service
Senior unsecured debt		Baa2		A–
Commercial paper		P2		A2

On September 19, 2007, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) affirmed its “A–” corporate credit rating on both AWCC and American Water, upgraded its rating on the senior unsecured debt of AWCC to “A-” from “BBB+” and affirmed its “A–2” rating on AWCC’s $700.0 million commercial paper program. On November 15, 2007, S&P placed its “A-” corporate credit ratings on both AWCC and American Water, as well as AWCC’s senior unsecured debt credit ratings, on Credit Watch with negative implications. On January 29, 2008, S&P indicated that if the initial public offering is further significantly delayed, it would likely downgrade both companies’ corporate credit ratings and long-term debt credit ratings. The ratings on American Water and AWCC remain on CreditWatch with negative implications.

On August 28, 2007, Moody’s placed both the long-term and short-term ratings of AWCC on review for possible downgrade. On October 12, 2007, Moody’s downgraded to “Baa2” from “Baa1” the senior unsecured issuer rating of AWCC. In addition, Moody’s assigned a “Baa2” senior unsecured issuer rating to American Water and affirmed AWCC’s “P-2” short-term rating. The rating outlook for both American Water and AWCC is stable.

A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating agency, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.

None of our borrowings are subject to default or prepayment as a result of a downgrading of securities although such a downgrading could increase fees and interest charges under our credit facilities.

As part of the normal course of business, we routinely enter into contracts for the purchase and sale of water, energy, fuels and other services. These contracts either contain express provisions or otherwise permit us and our counterparties to demand adequate assurance of future performance when there are reasonable grounds for doing so. In accordance with the contracts and applicable contract law, if we are downgraded by a credit rating agency, especially if such downgrade is to a level below investment grade, it is possible that a counterparty would attempt to rely on such a downgrade as a basis for making a demand for adequate assurance of future performance. Depending on its net position with a counterparty, the demand could be for the posting of collateral. In the absence of expressly agreed provisions that specify the collateral that must be provided, the obligation to supply the collateral requested will be a function of the facts and circumstances of the Company’s situation at the time of the demand. If we can reasonably claim that we are willing and financially able to perform our obligations, it may be possible to successfully argue that no collateral should be posted or that only an amount equal to two or three months of future payments should be sufficient.

Current Credit Market Position

Due to recent market developments, including a series of rating agency downgrades of subprime U.S. mortgage-related assets and a decline in the fair value of subprime-related investments, the Company performed an assessment to determine the impact, if any, of current market conditions on the Company’s financial position. As of December 31, 2007 there were no investments in subprime mortgage-related assets within the Company’s short-term investment balances.

 

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The Company has also performed an assessment of its investments held in trusts, which will be used by the Company to satisfy future obligations under the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans. Based upon this assessment, it has determined that a de minimis portion of the holdings within the trusts are directly invested in subprime mortgage-related assets or auction rate debt securities. The Company does not believe that any decline in the fair value of these subprime mortgage-related assets or auction rate securities will have a material impact on its results of operations or its future cash funding requirements.

As of December 31, 2007, the Company had issued $169.6 million of auction rate tax-exempt long-term debt (including $24.9 million of variable rate demand bonds, which are periodically repriced to reflect auction rates) that are insured by AAA-rated insurers Ambac Assurance Corporation and MBIA Insurance Corporation. Due to the exposure that these bond insurers have in connection with recent developments in the subprime credit market, rating agencies have put these insurers on review for possible downgrade. Fitch has lowered the credit ratings of Ambac Assurance Corporation from AAA to AA. While these debt instruments are long-term in nature, and only the variable rate demand bonds can be put back to the Company prior to maturity, the interest rates on these instruments are designed to reset periodically through an auction process. In late February 2008, the Company began to experience failed auctions for a portion of these instruments, which had interest rates of 3.65% to 4.90% as of December 31, 2007. When a failed auction occurs on a series of this debt, the Company is required to begin paying a failed-auction interest rate on the instruments. The failed auction interest rate for the majority of the auction rate debt is 10%. Payment of the failed-auction rate interest rates will continue until the Company is able to either successfully remarket these instruments through the auction process or refund and refinance the existing debt through the issuance of an equivalent amount of tax exempt bonds. The Company is currently pursuing a refunding and refinancing plan, which is subject to approval by applicable state financing authorities and utility regulators. If the Company is unable to successfully refund and refinance these debt instruments, the impact of paying higher interest rates on the outstanding auction rate debt is not expected to materially affect the Company’s overall financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

At this time the Company does not believe recent market developments significantly impact its ability to obtain financing and expects to have access to liquidity in the capital markets on favorable terms. In addition, the Company has access to unsecured revolving credit facilities, which are not as dependent upon general market conditions, with aggregate bank commitments of $810 million, of which a portion is currently committed primarily to backstop the Company’s commercial paper program and to letters of credit.

Regulatory Restrictions

The issuance by the Company or AWCC of long-term debt or equity securities does not require authorization of any state PUC if no guarantee or pledge of the regulated subsidiaries is utilized. However, state PUC authorization is required to issue long-term debt or equity securities at most regulated subsidiaries. Our regulated subsidiaries normally obtain the required approvals on a periodic basis to cover their anticipated financing needs for a period of time or in connection with a specific financing.

Under applicable law, our subsidiaries can pay dividends only from retained, undistributed or current earnings. A significant loss recorded at a subsidiary may limit the dividends that these companies can distribute to us.

Insurance Coverage

We carry various property, casualty and financial insurance policies with limits, deductibles and exclusions consistent with industry standards. However, insurance coverage may not be adequate or available to cover unanticipated losses or claims. We are self-insured to the extent that losses are within the policy deductible or exceed the amount of insurance maintained. Such losses could have a material adverse effect on our short-term and long-term financial condition and the results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

We enter into obligations with third parties in the ordinary course of business. These obligations, as of December 31, 2007, are set forth in the table below:

 

Contractual obligation		Total			Less Than 1 Year			1-3 Years			3-5 Years			More than 5 Years
		(In thousands)
Long term debt obligations(a)		$	4,698,219		$	96,085		$	100,157		$	64,699		$	4,437,278
Interest on long-term debt(b)			4,955,887			280,696			550,115			539,506			3,585,570
Capital lease obligations(c)			1,982			152			363			452			1,015
Interest on Capital Lease obligations(d)			1,967			206			362			293			1,106
Operating lease obligations(e)			227,918			28,248			50,655			29,605			119,410
Purchase water obligations(f)			782,084			44,678			86,641			89,803			560,962
Other purchase obligations(g)			86,338			86,338			—			—			—
Postretirement benefit plans’ obligations(h)			27,352			27,352			—			—			—
Pension ERISA minimum funding requirement			76,000			76,000			—			—			—
Preferred stocks with mandatory redemption requirements(i)			24,643			218			436			2,146			21,843
Interest on preferred stocks with mandatory redemption requirements			30,056			2,047			4,061			4,005			19,943
Other obligations(i)			163,930			110,850			53,011			69			—
Total		$	11,076,376		$	752,870		$	845,801		$	730,578		$	8,747,127

 

(a)	Represents sinking fund obligations and debt maturities.

(b)	Represents expected interest payments on outstanding long-term debt. Amounts reported may differ from actual due to future refinancing of debt.

(c)	Represents future minimum payments under noncancelable capital leases.

(d)	Represents expected interest payments on noncancelable capital leases.

(e)	Represents future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases, primarily for the lease of motor vehicles, buildings, land and other equipment.

(f)	Represents future payments under water purchase agreements for minimum quantities of water.

(g)	Represents the open purchase orders as of December 31, 2007, for goods and services purchased in the ordinary course of business.

(h)	Represents contributions expected to be made to postretirement benefit plans.

(i)	Represents capital expenditures estimated to be required under legal and binding contractual obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

From 1997 through 2002, West Virginia-American Water Company, our subsidiary, entered into a series of agreements with various public entities to establish certain joint ventures, commonly referred to as “public-

private partnerships.” West Virginia-American agreed to transfer and convey some of its real and personal property, which we refer to as the transferred facilities, to various public entities, subject to the lien of its General Mortgage Indenture, in exchange for an equal principal amount of industrial development bonds, which we refer to as IDBs, to be issued by the various public entities under a state Industrial Development Bond and Commercial Development Act.

West Virginia-American leased back the transferred facilities under capital leases for a period of 40 years. The leases have payments that approximate the payments required by the terms of the IDBs. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation Number 39, Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts, we have presented the transaction on a net basis in the consolidated financial statements. The carrying value of the transferred facilities was $162.0 million at December 31, 2007.

 

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Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk associated with changes in commodity prices, equity prices and interest rates. We use a combination of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt to reduce interest rate exposure. As of December 31, 2007 a hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates associated with variable rate debt would result in a $1.2 million decrease in our pre-tax earnings. Our risks associated with price increases for chemicals, electricity and other commodities are reduced through long-term contracts and the ability to recover price increases through rates.

Dividends

General

Our board of directors has adopted a dividend policy, effective upon the closing of this offering, to distribute to our stockholders a portion of our net cash provided by operating activities as regular quarterly dividends, rather than retaining that cash for other purposes. Our policy will be to distribute 40% to 70% of our net income annually.

Rationale for Our Cash Dividend Policy

Our cash dividend policy reflects our basic judgment that it is in the best interest of our stockholders to distribute to them a portion of the cash generated by our business rather than retaining these amounts for use in investing activities such as acquisitions or construction expenditures. Because we believe we will generally finance a portion of our construction expenditures from external financing sources, we believe that our investors are best served by distributing a portion of our net cash provided by operating activities. In order to fund construction expenditures, acquisitions (including tuck-in acquisitions) and principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, and pay dividends at the level currently anticipated under our dividend policy, we expect that we will need additional financing. In our judgment, our dividend policy, which is consistent with utility industry practice, will enable us to attract financing required to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions. For information on the risks associated with our dividend policy, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Industry and Business—Our Regulated Business require significant capital expenditures to maintain infrastructure and expand our rate base and may suffer if we fail to secure appropriate funding to make investments, or if we suffer delays in completing major capital expenditure programs” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to this Offering—You may never receive dividends on your investment in our common stock, which may limit your returns.”

Our Initial Dividend Rate

Upon the completion of this offering and subject to applicable law and the discretion of our board of directors, we will declare an initial quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share per quarter, or $0.80 per share per year, to be paid approximately 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter (beginning with the first full fiscal

quarter ending after the consummation of this offering) for at least the first four quarters following the consummation of this offering, which we refer to as the initial four quarters, and a one-time dividend of $             per share (representing the pro rata portion of the expected initial dividend for the remaining period of the quarter following the consummation of this offering) on or about                     , 2008 to stockholders of record on                     , 2008. The quarterly and annual average aggregate dividend amounts for the initial four quarters would be $32.1 million and $128.6 million, respectively. The aggregate dividend amounts are based upon the estimated average 160.7 million shares outstanding after this offering during the initial four quarters. In determining our intended dividend level for the initial four quarters, we reviewed and analyzed the items described below under “—Assumptions and Considerations.”

We expect that dividends will be paid every March, June, September and December of each fiscal year to holders of record approximately 15 days prior to the distribution date. Since the dividends on our common stock will not be cumulative, only declared dividends will be paid.

 

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From 2003 to 2007, inclusive, because we were not a public company, we did not pay dividends on our common stock. However, American Water, prior to its acquisition by RWE in 2003, paid dividends to common stockholders in each of the years since it became publicly traded in 1947.

Basis for Initial Dividend Rate — Minimum net cash provided by operating activities and cash available to pay dividends

In determining our intended dividend rate for the initial four quarters we reviewed and analyzed the following factors:

 

•

our operating and financial performance in recent years,

 

•

our anticipated debt service requirements,

 

•

our expected working capital and other cash needs,

 

•

the borrowing capacity under our credit facilities,

 

•

the dividend restrictions imposed on our subsidiaries by their indebtedness and our subsidiaries’ ability to make dividend payments, including regulatory constraints,

 

•

our access to other financing sources to fund capital expenditures, and

 

•

legal requirements.

We do not as a matter of course make public projections as to future revenues, earnings or other results. However, we have prepared the estimated cash available to pay dividends on outstanding common stock and assumptions set forth below to substantiate our belief that we will have sufficient cash available to pay the initial dividend during the initial four quarters. The assumptions and estimates underlying the estimated financial information below are inherently uncertain and, though considered by us, to the best of our knowledge and belief as of the date of their preparation, to be reasonable and to present our expected course of action and our expected future financial performance, they are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic, and competitive risks and uncertainties, including those described in greater detail in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements.” Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the estimated financial information is indicative of our future performance or that the actual results will not differ materially from the estimated financial information presented below, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the estimated financial information.

The estimated financial information presents the estimated net cash provided by operating activities that would be sufficient to fund the cash dividends for the initial four quarters and has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of, our management.

Neither PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, nor any other independent registered public accounting firm, has examined, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the accompanying estimated financial information contained herein, and neither PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP nor any other independent registered public accounting firm expresses an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP report included in this prospectus relates to the Company’s historical financial information. It does not extend to the accompanying estimated financial information. In the view of our management, the estimated financial information was prepared on a reasonable basis, reflects the best currently available estimates and judgments, and presents, to the best of management’s knowledge and belief, our expected course of action and our expected future financial performance. The estimated financial information was not prepared with a view toward compliance with published guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information. However, this information is not fact and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the estimated financial information.

 

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We believe that in order to fund dividends on our common stock and comply with our anticipated debt covenants for the initial four quarters at the level described above, our net cash provided by operating activities, including net cash provided by operating activities for our operating subsidiaries, for the initial four quarters would need to be at least $558.5 million as set forth in the following table. As described under “—Assumptions and Considerations” below, we believe that our net cash provided by operating activities for the initial four quarters will be at least equal to our estimated minimum net cash provided by operating activities of $558.5 million, and we have determined that our estimates of capital expenditures and debt amortization payments are reasonable. In order to fund capital expenditures at these levels we will be required to borrow under our existing revolving credit facility or to seek additional financing through a combination of public or private debt and equity offerings. Our ability to generate consistent cash flows from operations and obtain financing to fund capital expenditures is dependent upon the economic regulation of our Regulated Businesses, which affords a return of and on our investments. Prior to 2007, rate stay-out requirements imposed as conditions to the approval of the RWE acquisition caused a reduction in cash flows from operations. During 2007, we generated a significant increase in cash flows from operations as the rate case stay-out agreements expired, and we received rate increases to reflect increases in operating costs and a return of and on our prudent investments in fixed assets.

 

		Amount
		(In thousands)
Estimated Cash Available to Pay Dividends Based on Estimated Minimum net cash provided by operating activities:
Estimated minimum net cash provided by operating activities (1)		$	558,480
Plus:
Financing to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and debt amortization, net (2)			826,900
Advances and contributions for construction, net of refunds			56,100
Less:
Estimated construction expenditures (3)			1,091,200
Estimated acquisitions (4)			118,800
Estimated amortization payments on indebtedness (5)			102,900
Estimated cash available to pay dividends on outstanding common stock		$	128,580
Estimated cash dividends (6)		$	128,580

If our dividend policy had been in effect for the year ended December 31, 2007, without making any pro forma adjustments other than the proposed payment of dividends, we would have been able to fund dividends at the level described in this prospectus, but we would not have been able to fund our construction expenditures and fund our acquisitions without using excess cash, borrowings under our revolving credit facility or proceeds from additional financings. At December 31, 2007, we had $530.1 million of available capacity under the AWCC commercial paper program.

 

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The following tables set forth our net cash provided by operating activities and excess cash available to pay dividends for the year ended December 31, 2007, on an actual basis and on a pro forma basis to give effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2007, before one-time transaction expenses and subject to the assumptions described in the table.

 

		Historical Year Ended December 31, 2007			Pro forma adjustments				Pro forma Year Ended December 31, 2007
		(In thousands)
Cash Available to Pay Dividends:
Net cash provided by operating activities (1)		$	473,712		$	(16,207	)(7)		$	457,505
Plus:
Other investing activities, net			27,868							27,868
Financing to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions, net			220,747							220,747
Advances and contributions for construction, net of refunds			35,846							35,846
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			29,754							29,754
Less:
Construction expenditures			758,569							758,569
Acquisitions			15,877							15,877
Historical cash available to pay dividends			13,481			(16,207	)(8)			(2,726	)
Assumed borrowings to fund capital expenditures (7)			114,519							130,726
Excess cash that would have been available to pay dividends (7)		$	128,000		$	—			$	128,000
Amount of dividend on common stock (6)		$	128,000		$	—			$	128,000

 

(1)

Our income and net cash provided by operating activities are entirely dependent upon the results of operations of our subsidiaries. The following table sets forth net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2007 for our regulated subsidiaries in the states where our Regulated Businesses provide services:

 

		Historical Year Ended December 31, 2007
		(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities
New Jersey-American Water		$	123,499
Pennsylvania-American Water			140,268
Missouri-American Water			38,434
Illinois-American Water			32,805
Indiana-American Water			48,032
California-American Water			11,887
West Virginia-American Water			29,522
Subtotal (Top Seven States)			424,447
Other			49,265
Total		$	473,712

Our subsidiary dividend policy requires all regulated subsidiaries to pay quarterly dividends of 75% of their net income in the previous quarter. Regulated subsidiary debt agreements prohibit dividend payments in excess of net income that would reduce the subsidiary’s equity below a pre-determined threshold set when the debt was issued; however, our regulated subsidiaries are permitted to lend excess cash to AWCC, and AWCC is permitted to lend this excess cash to other regulated subsidiaries or American Water.

 

(2)

Represents the net proceeds from a combination of potential debt and equity offerings. The water utility industry routinely funds capital expenditures through a combination of periodic debt and equity offerings. It is our judgment that we must maintain our equity to capitalization ratio between 44% and 50% to secure

 

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additional financing needed to fund our capital expenditures. The increase in financing to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions, net from $220.7 million in 2007 to an estimated $724.0 million (representing $826.9 million net of $102.9 million of financing to fund estimated debt amortization payments) in the initial four quarters is due to the estimated increases in capital expenditures and acquisitions described in footnotes (3) and (4), respectively, as well as the assumed use of operating cash flow to pay dividends in the initial four quarters. We intend to secure anticipated financing through a combination of long-term debt issuance, private debt offerings or commercial paper issuances on terms and conditions similar to those in the agreements governing our existing indebtedness. For further information, see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

(3)

Includes $1,091.2 million of construction expenditures, net of advances for the initial four quarters as compared to $758.6 million in 2007, which is based upon management’s estimate of the amount needed to comply with existing and new regulations, renew aging infrastructure and network assets, provide capacity for new growth and enhance system reliability, security and quality of service. The increase in estimated construction expenditures from 2007 is due to our continued investment in regulated infrastructure projects.

(4)	Includes $118.8 million of acquisitions for the initial four quarters. The increase in estimated acquisitions from 2007 is primarily due to the acquisition by New Jersey—America Water of Trenton’s Water System. See “Prospectus Summary—Recent Developments.”

(5)	We have scheduled debt maturities of $102.9 million during the initial four quarters and do not anticipate additional maturities on indebtedness during the initial four quarters.

(6)	Upon the completion of this offering and subject to applicable law and the discretion of our board of directors, our cash dividend payments on our common stock will be as follows:

 

		Average Number of Shares		Quarterly Base Dividend Per Share			Dividends
							Quarterly Aggregate			Annual Aggregate
							(In thousands)
Common stock issued and outstanding		160,000,000		$	0.20		$	32,000		$	128,000
Estimated offering per quarter for the initial four quarters		727,250			0.20			145			580
Total		160,727,250					$	32,145		$	128,580

 

(7)

We plan to first pay dividends from cash flows provided by operating activities, and the remaining cash flows provided by operating activities will be used to fund construction expenditures. If our dividend policy had been in effect for the year ended December 31, 2007, without making any pro forma adjustments other than the proposed payment of dividends, we would have been able to fund dividends at the level described in this prospectus, but we would not have been able to fund our construction expenditures and fund our acquisitions without using excess cash, borrowings under our revolving credit facility or proceeds from additional financings. As of December 31, 2007, we had $530.1 of available capacity under the AWCC commercial paper program.

(8)	The impact on cash interest expense related to the Transactions, which is defined and further discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, is summarized below. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 

		Year Ended December 31, 2007
		(In thousands)
Issuance of new senior notes		$	(95,085	)
Issuance of RWE redemption notes			(100,122	)
Issuance of commercial paper			(22,036	)
Redemption of RWE redemption notes			100,122
Redemption of RWE notes			8,497
Redemption of preferred stock			74,569
Redemption of commercial paper			13,732
RWE cash equity contribution used to pay short-term debt			4,116
Net increase (decrease) in cash flows from operations		$	(16,207	)

 

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Assumptions and Considerations

Based upon a review and analysis conducted by our management, we believe that our net cash provided by operating activities for the initial four quarters will be at least equal to our estimated minimum net cash provided by operating activities of $558.5 million and that we will meet our financial ratios in our borrowing agreements. We considered various factors in determining our dividend goal for the initial four quarters and establishing our belief concerning the minimum net cash provided by operating activities required to support our dividend policy, including:

 

•

Net cash provided by operating activities was $525.4 million, $323.7 million and $473.7 million in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

•

Our capital expenditures were $558.4 million, $688.8 million and $758.6 million in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

•

Annualized revenues (assuming constant sales volume) resulting from authorized rate increases, including distribution and other surcharges, granted in 2005, 2006 and 2007 (see “—Results of Operations”).

 

•

Scheduled maturities on our existing indebtedness will be $102.9 million in the initial four quarters.

 

•

After giving pro forma effect to our dividend rate, we determined that our revolving credit facility would have had sufficient capacity during the three years ended December 31, 2007 to finance any fluctuations in working capital and other cash needs, including the payment of dividends at the rate disclosed in this prospectus. Our revolving credit facility contains a covenant that requires that we maintain, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a consolidated total debt-to-consolidated total capitalization ratio of not more than 0.70 to 1.0. We do not believe that the payment of dividends at the rate disclosed in this prospectus during the three years ended December 31, 2007 would have caused us to fail to maintain this ratio.

 

•

We are currently permitted to fund the payment of dividends from borrowings under our revolving credit facility but intend to use cash from operations as the principal means to fund dividends over the initial four quarters. We do not believe that the payment of dividends at the level described in this prospectus for the initial four quarters would cause us to fail to maintain the consolidated total debt-to-consolidated total capitalization ratio described above.

 

•

To the extent we finance capital expenditures with indebtedness, we will begin to incur incremental debt service obligations; however, we do not anticipate any additional debt maturities during the initial four quarters.

 

•

We may have access to other potential sources of liquidity, including the issuance of additional debt and equity in capital markets transactions.

 

•

Our ability to pay dividends will depend on the earnings and distributions of funds from our operating subsidiaries, and we cannot be certain that our operating subsidiaries will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or have sufficient surplus or net profits, as the case may be, to make cash contributions to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay dividends; these distributions are also regulated.

 

•

The amount of dividends our subsidiaries may distribute is restricted by the agreements governing their indebtedness.

We have also assumed:

 

•

that our general business climate, including such factors as customer demand for our services, the level of competition we experience and our regulatory environment, will remain consistent with previous periods;

 

•

that our operating expenses and gross margins will not differ materially from previous periods relative to our net revenues;

 

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•

that we will have access to debt markets on terms and conditions similar to those in the agreements governing our existing indebtedness;

 

•

that LIBOR, on which interest under a number of agreements governing our indebtedness is determined, will not increase beyond currently anticipated amounts; and

 

•

the absence of extraordinary business events, such as new industry-altering technological developments or adverse regulatory developments, that may adversely affect our business, results of operations or anticipated capital expenditures.

As noted above, we have estimated our initial dividend level and the minimum net cash provided by operating activities required to pay dividends at that level only for the initial four quarters. We cannot assure you that we will pay dividends during or following that period at the level estimated above, or at all. Dividend payments are within the absolute discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon many factors and future developments that could differ materially from our current expectations. Over time, our capital and other cash needs will invariably be subject to uncertainties, which could affect the level of any dividends we pay in the future.

In accordance with our dividend policy and subject to applicable law and the discretion of our board of directors, we will distribute, as dividends to our stockholders, a substantial portion of the net cash provided by our operating activities. We believe that our dividend policy will limit, but not preclude, our ability to pursue growth. In order to pay dividends at the level currently anticipated under our dividend policy, we expect that we will be required to borrow under our revolving credit facility or to seek additional financing and would need additional financing to fund significant acquisitions or to pursue growth opportunities requiring capital expenditures significantly beyond our anticipated capital expenditure levels. Such additional financing could include, among other transactions, the issuance of additional shares of common stock. Management will evaluate potential growth opportunities as they arise and, if our board of directors determines that it is in our best interest to use cash that would otherwise be available for distribution as dividends to pursue an acquisition opportunity, to materially increase capital spending or for some other purpose, the board would be free to depart from, or change, our dividend policy at any time.

Restrictions on Payment of Dividends

Delaware Law

Under Delaware law, our board of directors may declare dividends only to the extent of our “surplus” (which is defined as total assets at fair market value minus total liabilities, minus statutory capital) or, if there is no surplus, out of our net profits for the then current and/or immediately preceding fiscal year. The value of a corporation’s assets can be measured in a number of ways and may not necessarily equal their book value. The value of our capital may be adjusted from time to time by our board of directors. Our board of directors may base this determination on our financial statements, a fair valuation of our assets or another reasonable method. Although we believe we will have sufficient net profits or surplus to pay dividends at the anticipated levels during the initial four quarters, our board of directors will seek periodically to assure itself of this before actually declaring any dividends. In future periods, our board of directors may seek opinions from outside valuation firms to the effect that our solvency or assets are sufficient to allow payment of dividends, and such opinions may not be forthcoming. If we sought and were not able to obtain such an opinion, we likely would not be able to pay dividends.

Our Subsidiary Indebtedness and Future Indebtedness

Our existing indebtedness is issued by our finance subsidiary, AWCC, and by our operating subsidiaries. Some of the agreements governing the indebtedness of our operating subsidiaries restrict the ability of the operating subsidiaries to pay dividends and make distributions where this would cause them to fail to maintain certain debt-to-equity ratios. Our revolving credit facility contains a covenant that requires that we maintain, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a consolidated total debt-to-consolidated total capitalization ratio of not more than 0.70 to 1.0.

 

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We and our subsidiaries are permitted to incur future indebtedness under the terms of the agreements governing our existing indebtedness, and any such future indebtedness may further restrict or prohibit the payment of dividends. See “Description of Certain Indebtedness.”

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The application of critical accounting policies is particularly important to our financial condition and results of operations and provides a framework for management to make significant estimates, assumptions and other judgments. Although our management believes that these estimates, assumptions and other judgments are appropriate, they relate to matters that are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, changes in the estimates, assumptions and other judgments applied to these accounting policies could have a significant impact on our financial condition and results of operations as reflected in our consolidated financial statements.

Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow are impacted by the methods, assumptions and estimates used in the application of critical accounting policies. Management believes that the areas described below require significant judgment in the application of accounting policy or in making estimates and assumptions in matters that are inherently uncertain and that may change in subsequent periods. Our management has reviewed these critical accounting policies, and the estimates and assumptions regarding them, with our Audit Committee. In addition, our management has also reviewed the following disclosures regarding the application of these critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee.

Regulatory Accounting

Our regulated utility subsidiaries are subject to regulation by state PUCs and the local governments of the states in which they operate. As such, we account for these regulated operations in accordance with SFAS No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation,” which we refer to as SFAS No. 71, which requires us to reflect the effects of rate regulation in our financial statements. Use of SFAS No. 71 is applicable to utility operations that meet the following criteria: (1) third-party regulation of rates; (2) cost-based rates; and (3) a reasonable assumption that all costs will be recoverable from customers through rates. As of December 31, 2007, we had concluded that the operations of our regulated subsidiaries meet the criteria. If it is concluded in a future period that a separable portion of the businesses no longer meets the criteria, we are required to eliminate the financial statement effects of regulation for that part of the business, which would include the elimination of any or all regulatory assets and liabilities that had been recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Failure to meet the criteria of SFAS No. 71 could materially impact our consolidated financial statements as a one-time extraordinary item and through impacts on continuing operations.

Regulatory assets represent costs that have been deferred to future periods when it is probable that the regulator will allow for recovery through rates charged to customers. Regulatory liabilities represent revenues received from customers to fund expected costs that have not yet been incurred. As of December 31, 2007, we have recorded $628.0 million of net regulatory assets within our consolidated financial statements. Also, at December 31, 2007, we had recorded $192.7 million of regulatory liabilities within our consolidated financial statements. See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the significant regulatory assets.

For each regulatory jurisdiction where we conduct business, we continually assess whether the regulatory assets and liabilities continue to meet the criteria for probable future recovery or settlement. This assessment includes consideration of factors such as changes in applicable regulatory environments, recent rate orders to other regulated entities in the same jurisdiction, the status of any pending or potential deregulation legislation and the ability to recover costs through regulated rates.

Goodwill

As of December 31, 2007, we had $2,457.0 million of goodwill. The goodwill is associated primarily with the acquisition of American Water by an affiliate of RWE in 2003 and the acquisition of E’Town Corporation in

 

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2001, representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired, and was assigned to reporting units based on the fair values at the date of the acquisition. The Regulated Businesses have been aggregated and deemed a single reporting unit because they have similar economic characteristics. In the Non-Regulated Businesses segment, the business is organized into eight reporting units.

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” which we refer to as SFAS 142, goodwill is reviewed annually, or more frequently if changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. To test for impairment, we utilize discounted estimated future cash flows and comparable public company market data analyses for the regulated segment to measure fair value for each reporting unit. This calculation is highly sensitive to both the estimated future cash flows of each reporting unit, the discount rate assumed and the change in market data in these calculations. Annual impairment reviews are performed in the fourth quarter. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires management’s judgments, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. In addition, we will need to consider the market price of our common stock at the offering date or a decline over a period of time of our stock price following the consummation of this offering.

For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, we determined that our goodwill was impaired and recorded impairments of $509.3 million, $227.8 million and $396.3 million, respectively, including impairment charges from discontinued operations (See Note 8 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements). Our annual goodwill impairment test is completed during the fourth quarter. We have processes to monitor for interim triggering events. During the third quarter of 2007, as a result of our debt being placed on review for a possible downgrade and the anticipated sale of a portion of the Company in this offering, management determined at that time that it was appropriate to update its valuation analysis before the next scheduled annual test.

Based on this assessment, we performed an interim impairment test and recorded an impairment charge to goodwill to our Regulated Businesses in the amount of $243.3 million in the third quarter of 2007. The decline was primarily due to a slightly lower long-term earnings forecast caused by updated customer demand and usage expectations and expectations for timing of capital expenditures and rate recovery.

We completed our annual goodwill impairment test for 2007 and recorded an additional goodwill impairment charge to the Regulated Businesses reporting unit in the amount of $266.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2007. We determined that an impairment had occurred based upon new information regarding our market value. We incorporated this indicated market value into our valuation methodology and, based on those results, an additional impairment to our carrying value was recorded.

We may be required to recognize additional impairments in the future due to, among other things, the market value of our stock, a decline in our forecasted results as compared to the business plan, changes in interest rates or a change in rate case results. Possible additional impairments may be required at stock price levels that are within the range of estimated prices per share set forth on the cover page of this preliminary prospectus. At this time it is not possible to determine whether further impairments will be required. Further recognition of additional material impairments of goodwill would negatively affect our results of operations and total capitalization. It is reasonably possible that further goodwill impairment charges will be required depending upon changes in market conditions or circumstances.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, other than goodwill which is discussed above, include land, buildings, equipment and long-term investments. Long-lived assets, other than investments, land and goodwill, are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, and are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Such circumstances would include items such as a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset, a significant adverse change in the manner in which the asset is being used or planned to be used or in its physical condition, or a history of operating or cash flow losses associated with the use of the asset. In addition, changes in the expected useful life of these long-lived assets may also be an impairment indicator. When such events or changes occur, we estimate the fair value of the asset from future cash flows expected to result from the use and, if applicable, the eventual disposition of the assets and compares

 

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that to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value is greater than the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. The key variables that must be estimated include assumptions regarding sales volume, rates, operating costs, labor and other benefit costs, capital additions, assumed discount rates and other economic factors. These variables require significant management judgment and include inherent uncertainties since they are forecasting future events. A variation in the assumptions used could lead to a different conclusion regarding the realizability of an asset and, thus, could have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements.

The long-lived assets of the regulated utility subsidiaries are grouped on a separate entity basis for impairment testing as they are integrated state-wide operations that do not have the option to curtail service and generally have uniform tariffs. A regulatory asset is charged to earnings if and when future recovery in rates of that asset is no longer probable.

We performed a valuation of long-lived assets, other than investments and goodwill, as of December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005. As a result of the impairment analyses, we recorded pre-tax charges of $24.0 million including impairments recorded associated with discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2005. No impairment charges were recorded in 2007 and 2006. The 2005 impairment primarily resulted from lower than expected growth, slower development compared with original expectations and changes in the value of a building with a carrying value that exceeded its fair value. These charges are included in impairment charges in the statements of operations. The remaining values as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were determined to be appropriate.

The fair values of long-term investments are dependent on the financial performance and solvency of the entities in which we invest, as well as volatility inherent in the external markets. In assessing potential impairment for these investments, we consider these factors and in one case also receive annual appraisals. If such assets are considered impaired, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. We determined the values of long-term investments were appropriate for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues of the regulated utility subsidiaries are recognized as water and wastewater services are delivered to customers and include amounts billed to customers on a cycle basis and unbilled amounts based on estimated usage from the date of the latest meter reading to the end of the accounting period. Unbilled revenues as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 were $134.3 million and $123.2 million, respectively. Increases in volumes delivered to the utilities’ customers and favorable rate mix due to changes in usage patterns in customer classes in the period could be significant to the calculation of unbilled revenue. Changes in the timing of meter reading schedules and the number and type of customers scheduled for each meter reading date would also have an effect on the estimated unbilled revenue; however, since the majority of our customers are billed on a monthly basis, total operating revenues would remain materially unchanged.

Revenue from non-regulated operations is recognized as services are rendered. Revenues from certain construction projects are recognized over the contract term based on the estimated percentage of completion during the period compared to the total estimated services to be provided over the entire contract. Losses on contracts are recognized during the period in which the loss first becomes probable and estimable. Revenues recognized during the period in excess of billings on construction contracts are recorded as unbilled revenue. Billings in excess of revenues recognized on construction contracts are recorded as other current liabilities on the balance sheet until the recognition criteria are met. Changes in contract performance and related estimated contract profitability may result in revisions to costs and revenues and are recognized in the period in which revisions are determined.

Accounting for Income Taxes

We participate in a consolidated federal income tax return for United States tax purposes. Members of the consolidated group are charged with the amount of federal income tax expense determined as if they filed separate returns.

 

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We estimate the amount of income tax payable or refundable for the current year and the deferred income tax liabilities and assets that results from estimating temporary differences resulting from the treatment of certain items, such as depreciation, for tax and financial statement reporting. These differences result from the recognition of a deferred tax asset or liability on our consolidated balance sheet and require us to make judgments regarding the probability of the ultimate tax impact of the various transactions we enter into. Based on these judgments we may record tax reserves or adjustments to valuation allowances on deferred tax assets to reflect the expected realization of future tax benefits. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates and changes in these estimates can increase income tax expense in the period that these changes in estimate occur.

Accounting for Pension and Postretirement Benefits

We maintain noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering eligible employees of our regulated utility and shared service operations. The pension plans have been closed for any employees hired on or after January 1, 2006. Union employees hired on or after January 1, 2001 and non-union employees hired on or after January 1, 2006 will be provided with a 5.25% of base pay defined contribution plan. We also maintain postretirement benefit plans for eligible retirees. The retiree welfare plans are closed for union employees hired on or after January 1, 2006. The plans had previously closed for non-union employees hired on or after January 1, 2002. We follow the guidance of SFAS 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” and SFAS 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” when accounting for these benefits. In addition, we adopted the recognition and disclosure requirements of SFAS 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans,” effective December 31, 2006. See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the accounting for the defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plans.

Under these accounting standards, assumptions are made regarding the valuation of benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets. Delayed recognition in earnings of differences between actual results and expected or estimated results is a guiding principle of these standards. This delayed recognition of actual results allows for a smoothed recognition of costs over the working lives of the employees who benefit under the plans. The primary assumptions are:

 

•

Discount Rate—The discount rate is used in calculating the present value of benefits, which are based on projections of benefit payments to be made in the future. The objective in selecting the discount rate is to measure the single amount that, if invested at the measurement date in a portfolio of high-quality debt instruments, would provide the necessary future cash flows to pay the accumulated benefits when due;

 

•

Expected Return on Plan Assets—Management projects the future return on plan assets considering prior performance, but primarily based upon the plans’ mix of assets and expectations for the long-term returns on those asset classes. These projected returns reduce the net benefit costs we record currently;

 

•

Rate of Compensation Increase—Management projects employees’ annual pay increases, which are used to project employees’ pension benefits at retirement; and

 

•

Health Care Cost Trend Rate—Management projects the expected increases in the cost of health care.

In selecting a discount rate for our pension and postretirement benefit plans, a yield curve was developed for a portfolio containing the majority of United States-issued Aa-graded non-callable (or callable with make-whole provisions) corporate bonds. For each plan, the discount rate was developed as the level equivalent rate that would yield the same present value as using spot rates aligned with the projected benefit payments. The discount rate for determining pension benefit obligations was 6.27%, and the discount rate for determining other post-retirement benefit obligations was 6.20%, at December 31, 2007. The discount rate for determining both the pension obligations and other postretirement benefit obligations was 5.90% and 5.65% at December 31, 2006 and 2005 respectively.

 

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In selecting an expected return on plan assets, we considered tax implications, past performance and economic forecasts for the types of investments held by the plans. The long-term expected rate of return on plan assets (EROA) assumption used in calculating pension cost was 8.00% for 2007, 8.25% for 2006 and 8.75% for 2005. The weighted average EROA assumption used in calculating other postretirement benefit costs was 7.38% for 2007, 7.95% for 2006, and 8.40% in 2005.

In selecting a rate of compensation increase, we consider past experience in light of movements in inflation rates. Our rate of compensation increase was 4.25% for 2007 and 2006 and 4.75% for 2005.

In selecting health care cost trend rates, we consider past performance and forecasts of increases in health care costs. Our health care cost trend rate used to calculate the periodic cost was 9% in 2007 gradually declining to 5% in 2011 and thereafter.

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the other postretirement benefit plans. The health care cost trend rate is based on historical rates and expected market conditions. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

Change in Actuarial Assumption		Impact on Other Postretirement Benefit Obligation at December 31, 2007				Impact on 2007 Total Service and Interest Cost Components
Increase assumed health care cost trend by 1%		$	57,868			$	6,143
Decrease assumed health care cost trend by 1%		$	(48,220	)		$	(5,001	)

We will use a discount rate and EROA of 8% and 5.9%, respectively, for estimating our 2007 pension costs. Additionally, we will use a discount rate and expected return on plan assets of 8% and 5.9%, respectively, for estimating our 2007 other postretirement benefit costs.

The assumptions are reviewed annually and at any interim remeasurement of the plan obligations. The impact of assumption changes is reflected in the recorded pension and postretirement benefit amounts as they occur, or over a period of time if allowed under applicable accounting standards. The assumptions are selected to represent the average expected experience over time and may differ in any one year from actual experience due to changes in capital markets and the overall economy. As these assumptions change from period to period, recorded pension and postretirement benefit amounts and funding requirements could also change.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which we refer to as FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—An Amendment of ARB No. 51”, which we refer to as SFAS 160. SFAS 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 will be effective for us on January 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the adoption of SFAS 160 will have on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Also in December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R), “Business Combinations”, which we refer to as SFAS 141(R). SFAS 141(R), which will significantly change the accounting for business combinations, is effective for business combinations finalized on or after January 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the adoption of SFAS 141(R) will have on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115,” which we refer to as SFAS 159. This standard permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments

 

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and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2008. We do not believe SFAS 159 will have a significant effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R),” which we refer to as SFAS 158. This statement requires the recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on the balance sheet. Under SFAS 158, actuarial gains and losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition obligations and assets that have not been recognized in net periodic benefit cost under previous accounting standards will be recognized as a regulatory asset for the portion of the underfunded liability that meets the recovery criteria prescribed in SFAS 71 and as accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effects, for that portion of the underfunded liability that does not meet SFAS 71 regulatory accounting criteria. We adopted the recognition and disclosure requirements of the statement on December 31, 2006.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which we refer to as SFAS 157. This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The statement applies when other statements require or permit the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities. This statement does not expand the use of fair value measurement. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS 157-2 which allows a one-year deferral of the adoption of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statements of adopting SFAS 157.

In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” which we refer to as SAB 108. SAB 108 provides guidance on how prior year misstatements should be considered when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements for purposes of determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. SAB 108 was effective for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which we refer to as FIN 48, an Interpretation of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 is intended to address inconsistencies among entities with the measurement and recognition in accounting for income tax deductions for financial statement purposes. Specifically, FIN 48 addresses the timing of the recognition of income tax benefits. FIN 48 requires the financial statement recognition of an income tax benefit when we determine that it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We adopted it as required on January 1, 2007, and it did not have a significant effect on our results of operations or financial position.

During 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ratified EITF Issue No. 06-3, “How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (that is, Gross versus Net Presentation),” which we refer to as EITF 06-3. The Task Force reached a consensus that the scope of EITF 06-3 includes any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer, and that the presentation of such taxes is an accounting policy that should be disclosed. Our accounting policy is to present these taxes on a net basis (excluded from revenues).

See Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements for a discussion of new accounting standards recently adopted or pending adoption.

 

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BUSINESS

Our Company

Founded in 1886, we are the largest investor-owned United States water and wastewater utility company, as measured both by operating revenue and population served. Our nearly 7,000 employees provide approximately 15.6 million people with drinking water, wastewater and other water-related services in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. In 2007, we generated $2,214.2 million in total operating revenue, representing approximately four times the operating revenue of the next largest investor-owned company in the United States water and wastewater business, and $15.1 million in operating income, which includes $509.3 million of impairment charges relating to continuing operations, and a net loss of $342.8 million.

For 2007, our Regulated Businesses generated $1,987.6 million in operating revenue, which accounted for 89.8% of total operating revenue. For the same period, our Non-Regulated Businesses generated $242.7 million in operating revenue, prior to inter-segment eliminations, which accounted for 11.0% of consolidated operating revenue.

Our History as a Public Company

We were founded in 1886 as the American Water Works & Guarantee Company, for the purposes of building and purchasing water systems in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. In 1935, the Company was reorganized under its current name, and in 1947 the common stock of the Company became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Prior to being acquired by RWE in 2003, we were the largest publicly traded water utility company in the United States.

Our Acquisition by RWE

In 2003, we were acquired by RWE and became a private company. The RWE acquisition resulted in certain changes in our business. For example, our operations and management were managed through Thames Water. Also, we agreed not to file rate cases with certain state PUCs for specified periods of time as a condition of the acquisition. All rate stay-out provisions associated with the RWE acquisition have expired. In 2005, RWE decided to divest American Water. In March 2006, RWE decided to divest American Water through the sale of shares in one or more public offerings.

Corporate & Industry Milestones

 

Year		Event
1886		Founding of American Water as the American Water Works & Guarantee Company
1935		Reorganizes as American Water Works Company, Inc. in response to the Public Utility Company Holding Act
1947		First listing of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AWK”
1958		Acquires operations in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire
1962		Acquires contract operations and water systems in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey through merger with Northeastern Water Company
1965		Purchases the water utility assets of Southern Gas and Water Company in West Virginia
1966		Purchases the water utility assets of California Water & Telephone Company Joins Fortune magazine’s list of 50 largest United States public utility companies

 

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Year		Event
1969		Acquires Paradise Valley Water Company in Arizona
1972		Passage of Clean Water Act
1972		Western Pennsylvania Water Company formed through merger of 17 operating subsidiaries
1974		Passage of Safe Drinking Water Act
1986		Acquires operations in New Mexico from Southwest Public Service Company
1989		Western Pennsylvania Water Company and Keystone Water Company merge to form Pennsylvania American Water Company
1993		Acquires operations in Indiana, Missouri and Ohio from Avatar Holdings
1996		Acquires the water service assets of Pennsylvania Gas & Water Company
1998		Acquires wastewater operations in Hawaii
1999		Acquires National Enterprises Inc. with operations in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and New York
2000		Acquires water utilities in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Virginia from United Water Resources
2001		Acquires Azurix North America Corporation RWE signs an agreement to acquire the Company
2002		Acquires water subsidiaries of Citizens Communications Company in Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania
2003		RWE completes acquisition of the Company RWE combines the Company with the United States operations of Thames Water (including E’Town Corporation, Inc.) to form the North American Water reporting unit of RWE Thames Water
2005		RWE announces its intention to divest the Company

Regulated Businesses Overview

Our primary business involves the ownership of water and wastewater utilities that provide water and wastewater services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Our subsidiaries that provide these services are generally subject to economic regulation by the state PUCs in the states in which they operate. The federal government and the states also regulate environmental, health and safety and water quality matters. We report the results of this business in our Regulated Businesses segment.

 

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The following charts set forth operating revenue and customers, respectively, for 2007 for the states in which our Regulated Businesses provide services:

 

Regulated Businesses Operating Revenue (dollars in millions)		Regulated Businesses Customers

 

Non-Regulated Businesses Overview

We also provide services that are not subject to economic regulation by state PUCs through our Non-Regulated Businesses. Our Non-Regulated Businesses include:

 

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our Contracts Operations Group, which enters into public/private partnerships, including O&M, and DBO contracts for the provision of services to water and wastewater facilities for municipalities, the United States military and other customers;

 

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our Applied Water Management Group, which works with customers to design, build and operate small water and wastewater treatment plants;

 

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our Homeowner Services Group, which provides services to domestic homeowners to protect against the cost of repairing broken or leaking pipes inside and outside their homes; and

 

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Terratec Environmental Services Inc., which primarily provides wastewater, residuals, transport, disposal and management services to municipal and industrial customers in Ontario, Canada.

We report the results of these lines of business in our Non-Regulated Businesses segment. For 2007, operating revenue for our Non-Regulated Businesses was $242.7 million, prior to inter-segment eliminations, accounting for 11.0% of total operating revenue for the same period.

Our Industry

Overview

The United States water and wastewater industry has two main segments: (i) utility, which involves supplying water and wastewater services to consumers, and (ii) general services, which involves providing water- and wastewater-related services to water and wastewater utilities and other customers on a contract basis.

 

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The utility segment includes municipal systems, which are owned and operated by local governments or governmental subdivisions, and investor-owned systems. Government-owned systems make up the vast majority of the United States water and wastewater utility segment, accounting for approximately 84% of all United States community water systems and approximately 98% of all United States community wastewater systems. Investor-owned water and wastewater systems account for the remainder of the United States water and wastewater community water systems. Growth of service providers in the utility segment is achieved through acquisitions, including tuck-ins, of other water and wastewater systems and organic growth of the population served by such providers.

The utility segment is characterized by high barriers to entry, including high capital spending requirements. Investor-owned water and wastewater utilities also face regulatory approval processes in order to do business, which may involve obtaining relevant operating approvals, including certificates of public convenience and necessity (or similar authorizations) from state PUCs. Investor-owned water and wastewater systems are generally economically regulated by the state PUCs in the states in which they operate. The federal government and the states also regulate environmental, health and safety and water quality matters for both investor-owned and government-owned water and wastewater utilities.

The general services segment includes engineering and consulting companies and numerous other fee-for-service businesses. These include the building and operating of water and wastewater utility systems, system repair services, lab services, sale of water infrastructure and distribution products (such as pipes) and other specialized services. The general services segment is characterized by aggressive competition and market-driven growth and profit margins.

The aging water and wastewater infrastructure in the United States is in constant need of modernization and facilities replacement. Increased regulations to improve water quality and the management of wastewater discharges, which began with passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972 and the Safe Drinking Water Act in 1974, have been among the primary drivers of the need for modernization. The EPA estimates that approximately $277 billion of capital spending will be necessary between 2003 and 2022 to replace aging infrastructure and to comply with quality standards to ensure quality water systems across the United States. In addition, the EPA estimates that approximately $388 billion of capital spending will be necessary between 2000 and 2019 to replace aging infrastructure and ensure quality wastewater systems across the United States.

The following chart sets forth estimated capital expenditure needs through 2022 for United States water systems:

 

 

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Capital expenditures related to municipal water supply, treatment and distribution and wastewater collection and treatment facilities are typically funded by water and wastewater rates, taxes or the issuance of bonds. However, raising large amounts of funds is challenging for municipal water utilities, which impacts their ability to increase capital spending. In order to meet their capital spending challenges, many municipalities are examining a combination of privatizations and partnerships with the private sector. Privatization involves a transfer of responsibility for, and ownership of, the utility from the municipality to the private sector. Partnerships between municipalities and the private sector include DBO contracts, own, operate and transfer contracts and own, leaseback and operate contracts. Under these types of contracts, the municipality maintains ownership of the water system and the private sector takes responsibility for managing and operating the system.

Fragmentation and Consolidation

The utility segment of the United States water and wastewater industry is highly fragmented, with approximately 53,000 community water systems and approximately 16,000 community wastewater facilities, according to the EPA. As shown in the charts below, the majority of the approximately 53,000 community water systems are very small, serving a population of 500 or less.

The following charts set forth the total United States water industry by system type and the total population served by system type, respectively, for 2005:

 

Number of United States Water Systems by Type:*		United States Population Served by Water System Type:*

 

 

This large number of relatively small water and wastewater utilities results in inefficiencies in the marketplace, since smaller utilities may not have the operating expertise, financial and technological capability or economies of scale to provide services or raise capital as efficiently as larger utilities. These inefficiencies may lead to industry consolidation in the future, as the larger investor-owned utilities acquire smaller, local water and wastewater systems. Larger utilities that have greater access to capital are generally more capable of making mandated and other necessary infrastructure upgrades to both water and wastewater systems. In addition, water and wastewater utilities with large customer bases spread across broad geographic regions may more easily absorb the impact of adverse weather, such as droughts, excessive rain and cool temperatures in specific areas.

 

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Larger utilities are able to spread overhead expenses over a larger customer base, thereby reducing the costs to serve each customer. Since many administrative and support activities can be efficiently centralized to gain economies of scale and sharing of best practices, companies that participate in industry consolidation have the potential to improve operating efficiencies, lower unit costs and improve service at the same time.

Water and Wastewater Rates

Investor-owned water and wastewater utilities generate operating revenue from customers based on rates that are established by state PUCs through a rate-setting process that may include public hearings, evidentiary hearings and the submission by the utility of evidence and testimony in support of the requested level of rates. In evaluating a rate case, state PUCs typically focus on five areas: (i) the amount and prudence of investment in facilities considered “used and useful” in providing public service; (ii) the operating and maintenance costs and taxes associated with providing the service (typically by making reference to a representative 12-month period of time, known as a test year); (iii) the appropriate rate of return; (iv) the tariff or rate design that allocates operating revenue requirements equitably across the customer base; and (v) the quality of service the utility provides, including issues raised by customers.

For most consumers, water and wastewater bills make up a relatively small percentage of household expenditures compared to other utility services.

The following chart sets forth the relative cost of water in the United States as a percentage of total household utility expenditures:

 

 

 

Our Strengths

We believe that we are distinguished by the following key competitive strengths:

Market leader with broad national footprint and strong local presence. We are the largest and most geographically diversified investor-owned water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With operations in 32 states and Ontario, Canada, we serve a population of approximately 15.6 million people, which we estimate is approximately 5 times the population served by the next largest investor-owned water and wastewater company in the United States. Our scale and geographic scope enable us to capitalize effectively on growth opportunities across our service areas, while helping to insulate us from adverse conditions in any one geographic area.

 

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Regulatory, weather and economic diversity. State regulatory decisions, regional droughts and floods and local and regional economic downturns can have a major effect on geographically concentrated

 

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water and wastewater utilities. Our presence in numerous jurisdictions and localities across the United States promotes more stable and predictable financial performance across our overall business.

 

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Economies of scale. As the largest investor-owned water and wastewater utility company in the United States, our Regulated Businesses span 375 individual service areas and include approximately 45,000 miles of distribution and collection mains, 84 surface water treatment plants, 623 groundwater treatment plants and 45 wastewater treatment facilities. Our scale and long-standing history with suppliers provide us with a competitive advantage in procuring goods and services reliably and economically, which enables us to provide high quality, cost-effective service to our customers and allows us to economically employ industry experts to serve all our systems. In addition, our experience in operating utilities in many jurisdictions results in the identification and application of best practices across the entire company.

 

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Active community involvement supports customer satisfaction. We establish an active presence in the local communities where we operate, supported by strong, ongoing community relations and corporate responsibility. We work closely with these communities to help create detailed water development plans, collaborate on growth initiatives and implement various water infrastructure and conservation projects. We are involved in local charities, schools and community organizations. In 2007, we donated approximately $1.7 million to a wide array of charitable projects in communities that we serve. This strong local presence and community involvement complements our high quality service and helps us to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction. We work with internal and external audiences to develop and support activities that contribute to a responsible business and to achieve high economic, social and environmental standards while balancing the needs of our key stakeholders through a multi-faceted corporate responsibility approach. See “Business—Community Relations.”

Regulated Businesses provide financial stability. Our core Regulated Businesses, which consist of locally managed utility subsidiaries that generally are economically regulated by the states in which they operate, accounted for approximately 89.8% of our consolidated operating revenue in 2007. Our Regulated Businesses provide a high degree of financial stability because (i) high barriers to entry provide limited protection from competitive pressures, (ii) economic regulation promotes predictability in financial planning and long-term performance through the rate-setting process and (iii) our largely residential customer base promotes consistent operating results.

 

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Barriers to entry. Generally, water and wastewater utilities operate pursuant to certificates of public convenience and necessity (or similar authorizations) issued by the state PUC in which they operate, which creates a barrier to entry. The requirement to hold such a certificate typically prevents investor-owned water and wastewater utilities from competing with us in our authorized areas. In addition, the high cost of constructing a new water or wastewater system generally inhibits competitive entry into our markets, including by municipal or government-owned utilities, which must either construct new systems or convert our assets to public ownership in order to compete directly with us in our authorized areas. Both of these factors provide a framework that allows us to operate our Regulated Businesses on a predictable and consistent basis.

 

•

Economic regulation. Economic regulation in the water and wastewater utility industry exists as a substitute for competition. The primary regulatory model used by state PUCs involves a determination of an applicable rate base (consisting of allowed investments made in infrastructure), the recovery of prudently incurred operating expenses and an opportunity to earn an appropriate rate of return on our invested capital and a return of our invested capital. This model allows us to project our return on our investment and a return of our investment and recovery of expenses and promotes predictability in financial planning and long-term performance of our Regulated Businesses.

 

•

Residential customer base. Residential customers accounted for approximately 91% of the total customers served by our Regulated Businesses and approximately 58% of total operating revenue for our Regulated Businesses in 2007. Residential usage of water tends to be stable because residential customers need water for daily health and sanitary needs regardless of economic or other external factors. In addition, residential customers generally do not have the option of switching to another

 

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service provider. For these reasons, residential customers represent a stable customer platform, generating consistent operating results for our company over time and across our geographic service areas.

Experience in securing appropriate rates of return and promoting constructive regulatory frameworks. We seek an appropriate rate of return on our investment and a return of our investment and recovery of prudently incurred operating expenses from state PUCs in the form of rate increases. We have a strong track record of providing reliable service at cost-effective rates, which has typically resulted in high customer satisfaction and has generally allowed us to maintain positive relations with local communities and regulators. We have generally been granted rate relief in a timely manner after application, and prior to our acquisition by RWE we often were successful in securing appropriate rate relief when we filed rate cases. In the period following RWE’s acquisition of the Company, as a condition to the approval of the acquisition, we agreed with certain state PUCs that we would not file rate cases for specified periods of time, also known as rate stay-outs. All rate stay-out provisions associated with the RWE acquisition have expired.

A number of states in which our Regulated Businesses operate have adopted efficient rate policies, including some form of single tariff pricing, forward-looking test years, pass-through provisions or infrastructure surcharges. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois are examples of states that have adopted a full or partial single rate policy, under which all customers in a state or certain regions within a state are charged utilizing a single rate structure, regardless of which of our individual systems serves them. The single tariff structure is based on costs that are determined on a statewide or intra-state regional basis, thereby moderating the impacts of periodic fluctuations in local costs while lowering administrative costs for us and our customers. In addition, a number of states in which we operate allow utilities to utilize some form of forecast or forward-looking test year. Forward-looking test years and infrastructure surcharges reduce the regulatory lag associated with the traditional method of recovering rates from state PUCs through lengthy rate cases based on historical information. The forward-looking test year mechanism allows us to earn on a more timely basis a return of our current or projected costs and a rate of return on our current or projected invested capital and other “known and measurable changes” in our business. Pass-through provisions allow for an increase in certain operating costs, such as purchased power and property taxes, to be passed on to, and recovered from, customers outside of a general rate case proceeding. The infrastructure surcharge mechanism allows our rates to be adjusted and charged to customers outside the context of a general rate proceeding for pre-specified portions of our capital expenditures to replace aging infrastructure closer to the time these expenses are incurred. Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, New York, California and Ohio are examples of states that have permitted some form of infrastructure surcharge for investments to replace aging infrastructure. These constructive regulatory mechanisms encourage us to maintain a steady capital expenditure program to repair and improve water and wastewater systems as needed by reducing the regulatory lag on the recovery of prudent expenditures.

Significant growth opportunities with a low risk business profile. We believe we are well positioned to benefit from favorable industry dynamics in the water and wastewater sectors, which provide significant opportunities for future growth in both our Regulated Businesses and complementary Non-Regulated Businesses.

 

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Replacement of aging infrastructure. The EPA estimates that approximately $277 billion of capital spending will be needed between 2003 and 2022 to replace aging water infrastructure and comply with stricter water quality standards, and the EPA estimates that approximately $388 billion will be needed between 2000 and 2019 to replace aging wastewater infrastructure. We intend to invest capital prudently to enable us to continue to provide essential services to our regulated water and wastewater utility customers.

In addition, approximately 84% of community water systems are owned by municipalities or government entities that have varying access to financial resources and may have less extensive experience with large construction programs. In order to meet their capital spending challenges, we believe that municipalities will increasingly examine a range of strategies, including privatizations and partnerships with the private sector. We have successfully developed expertise in managing large capital investment projects and programs as an owner-operator and have an established track record of investing to upgrade, replace and add new pipes, treatment and pumping facilities and other water

 

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system infrastructure. In addition, we have experience designing, building and operating water treatment plants, which treat water from major rivers as well as lakes, reservoirs and groundwater sources within the United States. Our experience and resources position us favorably to partner with municipalities to upgrade and manage their infrastructure projects.

 

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Fragmented industry provides consolidation opportunities. With approximately 53,000 community water systems and roughly 16,000 community wastewater systems in the United States, the water and wastewater industry is significantly more fragmented than the other major utility industries. We expect the factors driving industry consolidation to increase in the future. These include economies of scale, environmental regulations, capital investment needs and need for technical and regulatory expertise. With the presence of our Regulated Businesses in 20 states, we have a large platform on which to grow both organically and through consolidation of this fragmented market. Historically, we have been able to successfully identify, acquire and integrate water and wastewater systems.

 

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Opportunities for non-regulated growth. Our expertise and geographic diversity increases our ability to make opportunistic investments in non-regulated businesses that are complementary to our Regulated Businesses. Our national footprint and public/private partnership experience, including O&M, military and DBO contracts and services, position us to participate in existing and emerging non-regulated water businesses. These include contracting for the supply and treatment of water and wastewater with the United States military, for which we operate and maintain the water and wastewater networks at Forts Leavenworth, Sill and Rucker and for which we have been awarded contracts at Fort A.P. Hill and Scott Air Force Base.

Experienced senior management team. Our three senior managers have an average of 27 years of experience in the utilities industry. Donald L. Correll, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Ellen C. Wolf, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and John S. Young, our Chief Operating Officer, have all held senior management positions at publicly traded companies. Our 14 state presidents have an average of 25 years of experience in the utilities industry.

Industry leader in water quality, testing and research. As the largest investor-owned United States water and wastewater utility company, we are experts in water quality testing, compliance and treatment and have established and own industry-leading water testing facilities. Our technologically advanced quality control and testing laboratory in Belleville, Illinois is certified in 23 states and Puerto Rico. Our laboratories and other facilities perform more than one million water quality tests per year.

Our Strategy

Our goal is to consistently provide customers with safe, high quality drinking water and reliable water and wastewater services. Our business strategies include:

 

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continuing to invest prudently in regulated water and wastewater infrastructure projects;

 

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earning an appropriate rate of return on our investments from state PUCs;

 

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growing our Regulated Businesses through acquisitions; and

 

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continuing to pursue public/private partnerships, including O&M and military contracts and services and other non-regulated businesses that are complementary to our Regulated Businesses.

Continue our prudent investment in regulated infrastructure projects. We intend to invest capital prudently to enable us to continue to provide essential services to our regulated water and wastewater utility customers, while working with regulators in the various states in which we operate to have the opportunity to earn an appropriate rate of return on our investment and a return of our investment.

Over the next five years, we estimate that Company-funded capital investment will total between approximately $4,000 and $4,500 million. We anticipate spending between approximately $770 and $950 million

 

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yearly on Company-funded capital investment for the foreseeable future, depending upon the timing of major capital projects. Our capital investment includes both infrastructure renewal programs, where we replace existing infrastructure, as needed, and construction of facilities to meet new customer growth. Over the next five years, we estimate we will invest approximately $1,700 million to replace aging infrastructure including mains, meters, and supply and treatment facilities. We estimate that we will invest approximately $1,300 million in facilities to serve new customer growth over this same period. In addition, we estimate that complying with water quality standards and other regulatory requirements will require approximately $700 million of investment over the same period. Projects to enhance system reliability, security, and efficiency, or to meet other needs are projected to account for approximately an additional $500 million of investment over the same period.

The charts below set forth our estimated percentage of projected capital expenditures for 2007 to 2011 by purpose of investment and by asset type, respectively:

Earn an appropriate rate of return on our investments. A critical competency of a regulated utility is filing and completing rate cases with state PUCs. We will focus on the timely filing and completion of these rate cases in order to earn an appropriate return on our investments and to obtain recovery of prudently incurred expenses.

Grow our Regulated Businesses through acquisitions. We intend to continue to expand our regulated footprint geographically by acquiring water and wastewater systems in our existing markets and certain markets in the United States where we do not currently operate our Regulated Businesses. Our experienced development team evaluates potential acquisition targets across the country, particularly in higher-growth areas. Before entering new markets, we will evaluate the regulatory environment to ensure that we will have the opportunity to achieve an appropriate return on our investment while maintaining our high standards for quality, reliability and compliance with environmental, health and safety and water quality standards. These acquisitions may include large acquisitions of companies that have operations in multiple markets.

We also intend to continue to grow our regulated footprint through tuck-in acquisitions of small water and/or wastewater systems, typically serving fewer than 10,000 customers, in close geographic proximity to where we currently operate our Regulated Businesses. Tuck-ins allow us to integrate systems, operations and management and achieve efficiencies.

Continue to pursue complementary businesses. While our business mix will continue to focus predominantly on regulated activities, we are pursuing opportunities in non-regulated businesses that are complementary to our Regulated Businesses and our capabilities. We plan to focus on our public/private partnerships, including O&M and military contracts and services. We intend to capitalize on our O&M expertise

 

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as well as our existing municipal and government relationships to identify and bid for new ventures that have attractive risk and return characteristics. We also intend to continue to expand our non-regulated Homeowner Services business, which provides services to domestic homeowners to protect against the cost of repairing broken or leaking pipes inside and outside their homes, in areas within and beyond our existing regulated footprint.

Our Regulated Businesses

Overview of Networks, Facilities and Water Supply

Our Regulated Businesses operate in approximately 1,625 communities spread out across 375 individual service areas in 20 states in the United States. Our primary operating assets include 84 surface water treatment plants, 623 groundwater treatment plants, 1,027 groundwater wells, 45 wastewater treatment facilities, 970 treated water storage facilities, 1,226 pumping stations, 99 dams and approximately 45,000 miles of mains and collection pipes, 40,000 miles of which are water mains and 5,000 miles of which are sewer mains. We own substantially all of the assets used by our Regulated Businesses.

We generally own the land and physical assets used to store, extract and treat source water. Typically, we do not own the water itself, which is held in public trust and is allocated to us through contracts and allocation rights granted by federal and state agencies or through the ownership of water rights pursuant to local law. Sources of supply are seasonal in nature and weather conditions can have a pronounced effect on supply. In connection with supply planning for most surface or groundwater sources, we employ sophisticated models to determine safe yields under different rainfall and drought conditions. Surface and groundwater levels are routinely monitored for all supplies so that supply capacity may be predicted and, as needed, mitigated through demand management and additional supply development.

The following chart sets forth the sources of water supply for our Regulated Businesses for 2007 by volume:

The level of water treatment that we apply varies significantly depending upon the quality of the water source. Surface water sources, such as rivers, typically require significant filtration, while some groundwater sources, such as aquifers, require chemical treatment only. In addition, a small amount of treated water is purchased from neighboring water purveyors. Treated water is transported through an extensive transmission and distribution network, which includes underground pipes, above ground storage facilities and numerous pumping facilities with the ultimate distribution of the treated water to the customers’ premises. We also have installed meters to measure the water that we deliver through our distribution network. We employ a variety of methods of meter reading to monitor consumption, ranging from basic mechanical meters read by traveling meter readers to remote “drive-by” electronic meter reading equipment. The majority of new meters are able to support future advances in electronic meter reading.

 

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The provision of wastewater services involves the collection of wastewater from customers’ premises through sewer lines. The wastewater is then transported through a sewer network to a treatment facility where it is treated to meet required effluent standards. The treated wastewater is finally returned to the environment as effluent, and the solid waste byproduct of the treatment process is disposed of in accordance with local standards.

Maintenance of our networks is a key activity of our Regulated Businesses. We have ongoing main renewal programs in all states in which our Regulated Businesses operate. These programs consist of both rehabilitation of existing mains and replacement of mains that have reached the end of their useful service life. We generally replace rather than rehabilitate our mains, subject to considerations of cost, feasibility and customer service impact.

The following table sets forth operating revenue, operating income and number of customers for 2007 for our regulated subsidiaries in the states where our Regulated Businesses provide services:

 

		Operating Revenue ($ in millions)			% of Total			Number of Customers (at December 31, 2007)		% of Total
New Jersey		$	505.3		25.4	%		634,957		19.2	%
Pennsylvania			416.2		20.9	%		644,720		19.5	%
Missouri			179.9		9.1	%		465,087		14.0	%
Illinois			179.1		9.0	%		306,740		9.2	%
Indiana			146.5		7.4	%		283,088		8.5	%
California			124.4		6.3	%		171,445		5.2	%
West Virginia			105.6		5.3	%		167,744		5.1	%
Subtotal (Top Seven States)			1,657.0		83.4	%		2,673,781		80.7	%
Other†			330.6		16.6	%		638,847		19.3	%
Total Regulated Businesses		$	1,987.6		100.0	%		3,312,628		100.0	%

 

†	Includes data from our operating subsidiaries in the following states: Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Approximately 83.4% of operating revenue from our Regulated Businesses in 2007 were generated from 2.7 million customers in our seven largest states, as measured by operating revenues. In fiscal year 2007, no single customer accounted for more than 1% of our annual operating revenue.

The operational characteristics of our Regulated Businesses, including water and wastewater networks and infrastructure and water sources and supply, vary on a state-by-state basis, as explained below with respect to our top seven states by Regulated Businesses revenues.

New Jersey

New Jersey-American Water serves a population (including resale) of approximately 2.59 million and generated approximately $505.3 million of operating revenue in 2007, representing approximately 25.4% of operating revenue of our Regulated Businesses for that period.

In New Jersey, our infrastructure and assets are designed to collect, treat and distribute water from a variety of surface water sources (including streams, lakes and reservoirs) and groundwater sources. In 2007, we obtained 68% of our water supply from surface water sources and 22% from groundwater sources. Purchased raw water and treated water each accounted for 5% of water supply, respectively, for the same period.

New Jersey-American Water currently operates seven surface water treatment plants and 152 groundwater treatment plants, which process water extracted from 173 groundwater wells. We maintain 123 treated water

 

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storage facilities, 206 pumping stations and seven dams, and our water and wastewater collection and distribution systems comprise 8,113 miles of mains and collection pipes. Our Applied Water Management Group currently provides wastewater treatment services to small communities in New Jersey.

In New Jersey, in order to ensure that we have adequate sources of water supply, we utilize reservoirs, aquifer storage supplies and seasonal wells to provide for water needs during peak summer seasons. Through the optimization of ground and surface water rights, we are able to balance seasonal fluctuations and provide sufficient water supply to our customers year round. We also maintain drought and emergency plans to ensure service reliability through a wide range of weather fluctuations.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania American Water Company serves a population of approximately 2.1 million and generated approximately $416.2 million of operating revenue in 2007, representing approximately 20.9% of operating revenue of our Regulated Businesses for that period.

In Pennsylvania, our infrastructure and assets are designed to collect, treat and distribute water from a variety of surface water sources (including streams, lakes and reservoirs) and groundwater sources. In 2007, we obtained 92% of our water supply from surface water sources and 6% from groundwater sources. Purchased treated water accounted for 2% of our water supply for the same period.

Pennsylvania American Water Company currently operates 36 surface water treatment plants and 71 groundwater treatment plants, which process water extracted from 108 groundwater wells. We maintain 182 treated water storage facilities, 288 pumping stations and 65 dams, and our water and wastewater collection and distribution systems comprise 9,238 miles of mains and collection pipes. We currently operate four wastewater treatment facilities in Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, in order to ensure that we have adequate sources of water supply, we maintain active drought contingency plans in each of our public water systems. The plans identify the source of supply operations that are used during normal and drought weather conditions and specify measures to be taken at different drought trigger levels to increase supply and/or curtail water demand. Water allocation and passing-flow requirements must be managed to maintain adequate supply to our production facilities. In addition, we have taken action to augment supply in systems that have historically had drought-related supply issues (such as Butler, Pennsylvania) by finding alternative raw water sources and making finished water interconnections with other systems. In another of our drought-sensitive areas, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, we are currently in the planning and design stage of a supplemental interconnection with a neighboring water authority and long-term development of additional raw water sources.

Missouri

Missouri American Water Company serves a population of approximately 1.55 million and generated approximately $179.9 million of operating revenue in 2007, representing approximately 9.1% of operating revenue of our Regulated Businesses for that period.

In Missouri, our infrastructure and assets are designed to collect, treat and distribute water from a variety of surface water sources (including rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs) and groundwater sources. In 2007, we obtained 90% of our water supply from surface water sources and 10% from groundwater sources.

Missouri American Water Company currently operates six surface water treatment plants and 15 groundwater treatment plants, which process water extracted from 36 groundwater wells. We maintain 61 treated water storage facilities, 39 pumping stations and one dam, and our water and wastewater collection and distribution systems comprise 5,671 miles of mains and collection pipes. We currently operate four wastewater treatment facilities in Missouri.

 

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In our Joplin service area in Missouri, our source of water supply is limited. To manage this issue on the demand side, the water use of a large industrial customer has been restricted under an interruptible tariff. Additional wells have and will be developed to address supply and reliability deficiencies.

Illinois

Illinois American Water Company serves a population of approximately 1.27 million and generated approximately