New Jersey American Water officially broke ground today on a new operations center in Washington, marking a significant investment in infrastructure, service reliability and resiliency for customers and communities in Warren and Morris counties. The event was attended by Assemblyman Erik Peterson of Legislative District 23; Louann Cox, mayor of Washington Borough; George Willan, deputy mayor of Washington Township (Warren County); and Carolyn Gallagher, aide to New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Commissioner Michael Bange, underscoring strong regional support for the project.

“This new operations center is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a reflection of our promise to continue to provide our customers with high-quality service, today and into the future,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water. “We’re proud to grow in a community where our employees have lived, worked, volunteered, and donated for more than a decade to make Washington stronger.”

The 22,517 square-foot facility, designed by McKernan Architects & Associates, will house local employees and provide room for future growth. Construction is slated to begin in November 2025, with completion expected by December 2026, weather permitting. Work will primarily occur on weekdays during daytime hours.

Beyond infrastructure, New Jersey American Water has built deep roots in Washington through sustained community support. For over 10 years, employees have volunteered to clear trails twice annually in Warren County parks, helping ensure safe and accessible outdoor spaces for residents. The company has also supported beloved local events through the Washington Business Improvement District (BID), contributing both time and funding to help these traditions thrive. New Jersey American Water has also provided grants to local volunteer fire departments and donated a retiring Field Service Representative van to support their operations.

"We're grateful that New Jersey American Water continues to call Washington Borough home,” said Louann Cox, mayor of Washington Borough. “They've been a steady, trusted partner to this community for decades, and their decision to grow and invest right here speaks volumes about their dedication to the people of Washington."

Washington has been served by New Jersey American Water since 1987. This new operations center reinforces the company’s long-standing commitment to the community and its mission to help keep life flowing. Once complete, the new center will contribute approximately $95,000 annually in property taxes to the borough and continue to provide high-quality water service to more than 31,000 customers across the region.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water , is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.

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