American Water Works Company

American Water received a score of 75 on the 2026 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (1)(2)(3). American Water received a score of 55 on the 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (4)(5)(6). However, the company has not publicly canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs (7).

American Water’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (1)(2)(3). American Water’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (4)(5). American Water Works will not donate to, “Faith-based or religious organizations, including churches, synagogues, mosques or other houses of worship, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Salvation Army, and other organizations that are not required to file for exemption with the IRS as they automatically qualify for 501(c)(3) status as a church. This restriction extends to projects that are supported by a church, for non-church purposes, such as a meal program, where the check would be payable to the church.” Or “K-12 schools that require religious instruction as part of their general education requirements. This restriction extends to colleges and universities that require any type of Theology, Faith or Religious courses to meet core curriculum graduation requirements. Colleges seeking assistance to identify their religious affiliation should visit the NCES website” (6)(7). The company likely uses Benevity as its charitable giving platform. Benevity vets charities according to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Hate List, which includes mainstream libertarian, conservative, family, and religious advocacy organizations (8)(9)(10).

American Water Works Company provides Inclusion and Diversity training for its employees, focused on topics including, “Unconscious Bias & Mutual Respect” (1). The company does not provide viewpoint protection for its employees (2).

American Water’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company potentially agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy. By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2)(3). American Water’s CEO, Susan Hardwick signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace (4)(5).

American Water’s HRC 2026 CEI rating indicates the company has potentially pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2)(3)(4). American Water’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits and lab monitoring, travel and lodging. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (5)(6). American Water donated a combined $200,000 to the National Urban League and affiliates and is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (7)(8). The company is a Brass sponsor of Out & Equal (9).

American Water has not used its PAC donations or lobbied for ideological purposes (1)(2)(3).