American Water Works Company, Inc., the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, has issued its second biennial corporate responsibility report, covering performance for the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years.

American Water reduced its GHG emissions by 16.7 percent from its 2007 base year to 2012. GHG emissions intensity dropped 5.3 percent over the same period.

Over the past year, American Water has also made several acquisitions  resulting in an additional 50 fleet units.

According to Randall Bosler, strategic buyer for American Water, the company fleet totals 5,022 units. This includes light-, medium-, and heavy-utility trucks; vans; SUVs; sedans; forklifts; trailers; backhoes; and skidsteers. All fleet units are operated by American Water employees and are used to perform routine utility operations (customer service, utility maintenance, meter reading, etc.) as well as employee transportation, according to Bosler.

Additional key accomplishments highlighted in the corporate responsibility report include:

• California American Water received final approval to move forward with the largest dam removal project in California history to further restore the Carmel River, improving river flows and helping to restore biodiversity.

• American Water's Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects through partnerships. In 2012, a total of 48 projects throughout American Water's service areas in 10 states were awarded funding to improve, restore, or protect community water supplies and watersheds.

• In 2011, the company launched the American Water Charitable Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to help support American Water employees in their own charitable endeavors, and provide targeted assistance for disaster relief efforts.

"Providing our customers with high-quality water and wastewater service is our top priority, and this report demonstrates American Water's commitment to ensure the sustainability of our operations to meet current and future demands," said Jeff Sterba, president and CEO of American Water. "From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to enhancing customer service and employee engagement, we are focused on conducting business responsibly and delivering sustainable value to our customers, shareholders and the communities we serve."

American Water is one of the largest fleets in the U.S., ranking in at No. 88 on the 2013 Top 300 Commercial Fleets listing.