Company: AWK
Filing Date: 2025-03-27
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001193125-25-064607
Chunk: 86

Company: American Water Works Company, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-03-27
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 86
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ewaterhouseCoopers LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s communications with the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP that firm’s independence. |

Based on the review and discussion referred to above, the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in American Water’s Annual Report on Form 10-Kfor the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, for filing with the SEC. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey N. Edwards (Chair) Martha Clark Goss Patricia L. Kampling Michael L. Marberry

| AMERICAN WATER | 2025 PROXY STATEMENT |     | 65 |

PROPOSAL 3 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM GENERAL The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention, evaluation and oversight of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. As part of this responsibility, the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee annually evaluates the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, performance and independence and assesses whether to continue to retain the firm or select a different firm. The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee has appointed the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm for American Water during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has served as our auditor since 1948. The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and the Board have recommended that the shareholders ratify this appointment. The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and its Chair are also involved in and approve the selection of the lead audit partner, who is limited to no more than five consecutive years in that role before the position must be rotated in accordance with SEC rules. A new audit partner began his five-year rotation in the first quarter of 2023. The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee and the Board believe that the continued retention of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent auditor is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Although shareholder ratification is not required by our organizational documents, or applicable law, the Board believes that it is a sound corporate governance practice to seek shareholder ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. If our shareholders fail to ratify this appointment, the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee may reconsider its selection; however, it