American Water Employee Review

Current Employee – been working at American Water

Pros – Top scientists working every day to treat and deliver the most-need, life essential resource. The plant operators and scientists hard every day to make sure that water keeps flowing to homes and businesses. American Water is very active in environmental research and is an active member in many industry organizations such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the American Water Works Organization.
The company just went public and had a very successful IPO. Changes because of that IPO are being looked at as postitve and that the company will be regaining its title of the leader in the industry.

Cons – Very conservative, sometimes inflexible structure hampers internal and external progress. The states in which American Water operates in are all regulated by state regulatory boards. These rules and regulations ad layers and layers onto process when specific projects are being worked on. The company is working on upgrading technological systems, but that happpen slowly and the company is a bit behind the industry standard with regard to Information Technology Services. They are working on it though. This company, like all others tends to be very political. Not sure yet how the economy will effect this company, no layoffs yet, but one never knows.

Advice to Senior Management – Invest more in IT and provide more resources to internal teams. Cut back on the layers of process that it takes to move projects along. Empower all levels of employees to make decision and be held accountable for their responsibilities. Recognize that employees from all areas may be able to provide good ideas. Don't remain siloed.