New Jersey-based American Water came forward Friday as one of the 16 companies to bid on JEA assets.

Owned by American Water Works Inc., the company operates drinking and wastewater services in 46 states and has 7,100 employees nationwide, according to the company fact sheet.

Sachs Media Group, a public relations firm representing America Water, confirmed Friday the company has responded to JEA’s invitation to negotiate as the public utility considers privatization.

American Water operates both market-based and regulated business models and has surface and groundwater treatment plants, wastewater facilities, pumping stations and 80 dams with about 50,000 miles of mains and collection pipes.

American Water is publicly traded and is a member of the S&P 500 Index. It is valued at $21 billion.

“Jacksonville is a unique and special community, and JEA has an incredible history of customer service and community development,” American Water spokesperson Herbie Thiele said in a written statement. “We look forward to the opportunity to contribute our expertise in water and wastewater, which will benefit JEA’s customers, employees and the communities it serves.”

American Water’s announcement preempts JEA’s intention to release the identities of the top bidders during a meeting Monday of its evaluation team. JEA Media Manager Gina Kyle said Thursday that Jacksonville’s public utility is contacting the 16 bidders to seek permission to release their names if they move into the next phase of the sale negotiation.

Three private energy companies in Florida confirmed they made bids: Florida Power & Light parent NextEra Energy Inc., Emera Energy Services Inc. and Duke Energy Corp.

A representative of a fourth company, water and wastewater service provider Veolia North America, told Jacksonville Daily Record news partner News4Jax.com that it’s interested in part of JEA’s assets.

JEA’s Public Evaluation Team meeting is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday on the 19th floor of the JEA Tower at 21 W. Church St.