UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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xDefinitive Proxy Statement
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oSoliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12
Mueller Water Products, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
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oCheck box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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(1)Amount Previously Paid:
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WHEN

WHERE

RECORD DATE
Tuesday, February 7, 2023;
10:00 A.M., Eastern Time
(2)Form, Schedule
The Annual Meeting will be held virtually via live webcast at:
www.meetnow.global/MLMGXU5

Only our stockholders at the close of business on December 12, 2022, the record date for voting at the Annual Meeting, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or Registration Statement No.:
(3)Filing Party:
(4)Date Filed:
postponements thereof.



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December 14, 2017ITEMS OF BUSINESS
To My Fellow Stockholders:
It is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Mueller Water Products, Inc. The meeting will be held on January 24, 2018 at 10:00 A.M., Eastern Time, in the Peachtree Dunwoody Room on the 3rd Floor of Building 500 at Northpark Town Center, located at 1100 Abernathy Road, N.E. in Atlanta, Georgia. The meeting will begin with voting on the matters described in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, followed by my report on our company’s financial performance and operations.
The Board appreciates and encourages stockholder participation in our affairs. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, it is important your shares be represented and voted.
Sincerely,
Scott Hall
President and Chief Executive Officer

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT TO US.
PLEASE REVIEW THE ATTACHED MATERIALS AND SUBMIT YOUR VOTE PROMPTLY.



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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 24, 2018

To the Stockholders of Mueller Water Products, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Mueller Water Products, Inc. will be held at 10:00 A.M., Eastern Time, on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 in the Peachtree Dunwoody Room on the 3rd Floor of Building 500 at Northpark Town Center, located at 1100 Abernathy Road, N.E., in Atlanta, Georgia, for the following purposes:
1.


Board Recommendation
Proposal 1To elect eight directors;
ten directors
FOR each director nominee
2.Proposal 2To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers;
officersFOR
3.Proposal 3To approve, on an advisory basis, the frequency of the advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officersANNUALLY
Proposal 4To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018; and2023FOR
4.To
Stockholders will also transact any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting and any reconvened or rescheduled meeting following any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Only our stockholders at the close of business on December 7, 2017, the record date for voting at the Annual Meeting, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
This Proxy Statement and our 2017 Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com (for beneficial stockholders) and www.edocumentview.com/mwa (for registered stockholders).
We use Securities and Exchange Commission rules allowing issuers to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders over the Internet. A Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or this Proxy Statement will first be mailed to our stockholders on or about December 14, 2017.19, 2022. Please refer to the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy materials email or proxy card you received for information on how to vote your shares and to ensure your shares will be represented and voted at the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors.
Keith L. BelknapSTEVEN S. HEINRICHS
Corporate Secretary
Atlanta, Georgia
December 14, 2017





TABLE OF CONTENTS
19, 2022
Page
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
Audit Fees and Other Fees
Director Compensation Summary
Highlights of 2017 Performance
Highlights of 2017 Executive Compensation
Executive Compensation Program Overview
Other Compensation Practices and Policies



THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON February 7, 2023
This Proxy Statement and our 2022 Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com (for beneficial stockholders) and www.edocumentview.com/mwa (for registered stockholders).

PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 1


LETTER FROM OUR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DEAR FELLOW STOCKHOLDERS,
QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING AND THE ANNUAL MEETINGWe are pleased to report that for the second consecutive year, the Company delivered double-digit net sales growth in Fiscal 2022. We once again increased our quarterly dividend by 5.5 percent and repurchased $35 million in common stock.
44In partnership with the Board of Directors, the Company’s management team continued executing the strategic plan to drive innovation, operational improvements with our key capital projects and safety across the Company.
GENERAL INFORMATIONAligned with our goal to become the leading provider of technology-enabled products for water utilities, we launched nine new products. These new products further strengthen Mueller’s position to help water utilities address the challenges they face from aging infrastructure, climate change, water scarcity and the labor market.
47We expect to see benefits from our key capital projects with investments in our domestic manufacturing capabilities, primarily driven by the initial start-up of the new brass foundry in Decatur, Illinois, and completion of our plant restructuring consolidation into our Kimball, Tennessee facility. These investments improve our sustainability initiatives with a lead-free alloy that will be poured in our new brass foundry and increase efficiencies primarily driven by new equipment and the proximity to our new Kimball facility.
We published our second Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Report in January 2022, which outlined our ESG strategy, targets, performance and goals.
The Company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts expanded during the year with the creation of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council as well as local teams at every facility and another team for our corporate and sales teams.
Our Board of Directors believes in the importance of having best-in-class corporate governance. In October, we announced an accelerated board refreshment process as well as the appointment of two new board members. Brian Slobodow joined the Board in October, and Niclas Ytterdahl is serving as a Board observer until after the 2023 Annual Stockholders Meeting.
I would like to take a moment to recognize Bernard G. Rethore who, after 16 years of invaluable and distinguished service, will be retiring from the Board of Directors at the 2023 Annual Stockholders Meeting. Mr. Rethore has been a superb leader who has provided remarkable service and sound guidance during his tenure. He will be sincerely missed.
My fellow directors and I encourage you to review the accompanying Proxy Statement and associated materials prior to the Annual Meeting on February 7, 2023.
Thank you for being a Mueller Water Products stockholder and for your continued support.
MARK J. O'BRIEN
Procedures for Business Matters and Director Nominations for Consideration at Next Year’s Annual MeetingNon-Executive Chair of Stockholders
EXHIBIT A: RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES TO GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES
the Board
2 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
Please note attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (or their authorized representatives) as of December 7, 2017. You will be required to provide the admission ticket that is detachable from your proxy card or other evidence of ownership, along with photo identification. If your shares are held by a bank or broker, please bring your bank or broker statement evidencing your beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the record date to gain admission to the Annual Meeting.





PROXY SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider, and you should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.
Company Overview
The Mueller Water Products story began in 1857 when a young machine shop apprentice immigrated to America to establish his first business in Decatur, Illinois. In the 165 years since, the Mueller name has become known for innovative water distribution products of superior quality, many of which have become industry standards.
Although the business has undergone many changes throughout the years, our commitment to innovation has never wavered. We are proud of our position as a leading manufacturer and marketer of products and services used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of water in North America and of our broad product and service portfolio found worldwide, which includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, pipe connection and repair products, metering products, leak detection, pipe condition assessment, pressure management products and software technology that provides critical water system data.
This breadth of products and services enables us to deliver sustainable and efficient solutions that bridge the gap between intelligence and infrastructure, helping our customers deliver important water resources to their communities and empowering the smart cities of the future. We are one of the only companies that can fulfill the needs of water utilities from end to end – at the source, at the plant, below the ground, on the street and in the cloud. Built on a solid legacy of innovation, we have the expertise and vision to provide advanced infrastructure and technology solutions for transmitting, distributing, measuring and monitoring water more safely and effectively than ever before, demonstrating why Mueller Water Products is Where Intelligence Meets Infrastructure®. To learn more visit www.muellerwaterproducts.com.
Notable Achievements in Fiscal 2022
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PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARYWe continued execution of our long-term capital allocation strategy, allocating approximately $55 million for capital expenditures, nearing completion of the new lead-free brass foundry and reducing our geographic footprint.
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This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all ofWe launched the information you should consider,Diversity, Equity and you should read the entire Proxy Statement carefully before voting.Inclusion Council.
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2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERSWe increased corporate efficiencies and reduced our geographic and environmental footprint with the consolidation of our facilities in Woodland, Washington; Hammond, Indiana; Aurora, Illinois; and Surrey, British Columbia into the recently acquired facility in Kimball, Tennessee.
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We again increased our annual dividend, which is the seventh increase since 2014.
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DateWe experienced the second consecutive year of double-digit net sales growth and Time:Wednesday, January 24, 2018; 10:00 A.M., Eastern Timeended the year with a record backlog.
Place:
Peachtree Dunwoody Room, 3rd Floor, Building 500
Northpark Town Center, 1100 Abernathy Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgiaimage_6a.jpg
Record Date:December 7, 2017
Voting:Stockholders as of the record date may vote by Internet, telephone, signingWe published our second annual ESG Report, updating our ambitious goals and dating the proxy card or in person at the Annual Meeting.
VOTING MATTERS
MatterBoard of Directors’ recommendations
Election of eight directors
FOR each director nominee
Advisory resolution to approve executive compensation
FOR

Ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for 2018
FOR

Highlights of 2017 Performancetargets.
In fiscal 2017, we improved our operating performance and executed initiatives to return value to our stockholders.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 3

PROXY SUMMARY
Highlights of Fiscal 2022 Performance
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Strong Operating ResultsFocused on Operational Investment and Efficiencies to Increase Long-Term Stockholder Value
We increasedgenerated net sales 3.2% over the prior year to $826.0 million. Ourof $1,274.4 million, operating income of $111.6 million, adjusted earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of $194.5 million and net income per diluted share of $0.48 (with adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.58). Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income are financial measures not calculated in fiscal 2017 were $100.7 million and $123.3 million, respectively.Adjusted operating income from continuing operations improved 4.5% to $121.9 million, from $116.7 million in fiscal 2016. Adjusted income from continuing operations improved 17.1% to $71.2 million, from $60.8 millionaccordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the prior year.U.S. (“GAAP”) and are therefore considered non-GAAP measures. See Exhibit A for a reconciliation of non-GAAP performance measures to GAAP performance measures.
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Dividend Benefits
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Stockholder Value
Increased dividend
We increased ourpaid stockholders a quarterly dividend$0.058 per share dividend during fiscal 2022, an increase of 5.5% from fiscal 2021.
We returned $36.5 million to $0.04 from $0.03. We paid $24.0 million ofour stockholders through dividends in fiscal 2017.2022.
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Repurchased Shares
We repurchased $55.0 millionrepurchased $35 million of our outstanding Common Stock during fiscal 2017.2022.

Proposal One
Election of Ten Directors
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Highlights
The Board recommends a vote FOR each nominee for director.
Director Nominees
Our directors are elected annually by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. All nominees are independent, except Mr. Hall, our President and CEO. The Board held 8 meetings in fiscal 2022 and each director attended at least 93% of the total number of meetings of the Board and committees of which the director was a member.
4 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

PROXY SUMMARY
The following table provides summary information about each director nominee. See “The Board of Directors” for more information about each nominee.
Name and ExperienceAgeDirector SinceIndependentBoard Committees
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Shirley C. Franklin
President of Clarke-Franklin & Associates, Inc.;
Former Mayor of Atlanta
772010
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Scott Hall
President and Chief Executive Officer of
Mueller Water Products, Inc.
582017

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Thomas J. Hansen
Former Vice Chairman of Illinois Tool Works Inc.
732011
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Mark J. O’Brien(1)
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Walter Investment Management Corp.
792006
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Christine Ortiz(2)
Morris Cohen Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
522019
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Jeffery S. Sharritts
Executive Vice President and Chief Customer and Partner Officer of Cisco
542021
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Brian L. Slobodow(3)
Operating Partner of the Operational Resource Group
542022
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Lydia W. Thomas(2)
Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Noblis, Inc.
782008
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Michael T. Tokarz
Chairman of Tokarz Group, LLC
732006
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Stephen C. Van Arsdell
Former Senior Partner of Deloitte LLP;
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte & Touche LLP
722019
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Chair
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MemberA = AuditC = CompensationE = EHSG = GovernanceO = Capital AllocationX = Executive
(1)Mr. O'Brien serves as our Non-Executive Chair. See "Proposal One: Election of Ten Directors — Board Structure — Board Leadership Structure" for more information.
(2)Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board appointed Dr. Thomas as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Dr. Ortiz as Chair of the Environment, Health and Safety Committee effective October 1, 2022.
(3)Mr. Slobodow joined the Board on October 13, 2022 in connection with the Cooperation Agreement as defined and discussed in the “Proposal One - Election of Ten Directors — The Board of Directors — Background to Solicitation” section below.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 5

PROXY SUMMARY
2022 Board Snapshot(1)
INDEPENDENCEAGETENUREDIVERSITY
1 Not Independent
3 50 to 60
4 0 to 6 Years
3 Women
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9 Independent
7 Over 70
6 Over 10 Years
4 Underrepresented Minorities
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(1)In accordance with the Cooperation Agreement, Mr. Slobodow was appointed to the Board in October 2022. The fiscal 2022 metrics do not include or represent his appointment.
Stockholder Engagement
We believe that strong corporate governance should include regular engagement with our stockholders to discuss various topics, including corporate governance, compensation, performance, strategy and other matters. With regular engagement with our stockholders, we are able to strengthen our relationships with stockholders and better understand stockholders’ views on our policies and practices and other matters of importance to our business. In 2022, management and the Board continued to reinforce our commitment to building long-term relationships with our stockholders. During the year, we utilized a variety of avenues for engagement including our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, in-person and virtual meetings, quarterly earnings calls and other investor events.
Fiscal 2022 engagement included:
Twelve investor events, including conferences, road shows and meetings
Topics of 2017discussion included:
Drivers of sales growth including pricing initiatives, end market growth expectations and new product development
Health of key end markets, including municipal repair and replacement and new residential construction, and potential benefits from a federal infrastructure bill
Impacts of inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, manufacturing inefficiencies and labor availability
Environmental, Social and Governance topics, including strategies to achieve targets and goals
Capital spending plans, including three large capital projects
Cash flow expectations, including liquidity and working capital
Capital allocation strategy, including future capital spending and acquisitions, dividends and share repurchases
Our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
We value the stockholder feedback that we receive through our engagement activities.
Sustainability
PRIORITY AND REPORTING
We view sustainability, including environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices, as essential to our long-term viability. As an industry leader for 165 years, we embrace our responsibilities for sustainability stewardship. We recognize that these responsibilities not only address our commitment to our employees and our facilities, but also extend to our other stakeholders, including our investors, customers, suppliers and communities.
Access to clean, safe water is essential. With the depletion of freshwater sources, the impacts of climate change and aging water infrastructure, we understand the importance of managing resources from start to finish. As a good steward and leader in water infrastructure, we embrace the opportunity and responsibility to make the world a better place for the benefit of future generations.
6 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

PROXY SUMMARY
In December 2020, the Company published its inaugural ESG Report, which includes the principal sustainability metrics the Company tracks: water withdrawal/energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste creation. The most current ESG Report may be found at https://www.muellerwaterproducts.com/sustainability-program-vision-and-values. Our ESG Report is not a part of or incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement.
In fiscal 2022, we remained focused on our ESG commitments, which are intended to create value for our stakeholders. We took meaningful steps this year and established long-term environmental and social goals, which will be included in our next ESG Report. We are excited about the progress made through our ESG initiatives.
SUSTAINABILITY APPROACH
Our approach to sustainability programs and initiatives is rooted in and guided by the sustainability reporting standards set forth by the Global Reporting Initiative, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
When we first became a publicly traded company in 2006, our Board formed the Environment, Health and Safety Committee to oversee and guide our progress toward smart sustainability, making sustainability a key consideration in our directors’ deliberations and informing their overall approach to risk oversight.
Management formed the ESG Management Committee in 2020 to enhance even further our focus on developing, monitoring, implementing, measuring and reporting on ESG-related matters.
We tie ESG metrics to our executive compensation to highlight the importance of and focus on sustainability.
SOCIAL STEWARDSHIP
We provide access to benefits and offer programs that are designed to support work-life balance, including physical, financial and mental health resources for employees and their families.
We promote and facilitate a high-performance, inclusive workplace.
We utilize a new associate development program to introduce and train new generations of employees entering the Mueller family.
We partner, each year, with the American Water Works Association and local organizations providing scholarships, charitable donations and employee volunteers.
We drive best practices development and benchmarking through the use of lean principles and our safety excellence and leadership program.
We focus on the prevention of all injuries, with an emphasis on the prevention of serious injuries and fatalities.
We seek to utilize new technologies and data analytics to drive safety performance improvement.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
We strive to reduce our energy, water and material usage, maintaining a close watch on key performance indicators.
We engage our supply chain to improve packaging and freight efficiencies.
We strive to integrate sustainability key performance indicators into our facilities.
We seek to locate our facilities in areas with increased renewable energy sources.
We invest in the modernization of our facilities.
We develop and implement effective programs to upgrade to energy efficient equipment, utilize reusable material and implement cutting-edge technology.
We work to standardize equipment and procedures across all our facilities to promote consistent, efficient manufacturing processes.
GOVERNANCE STEWARDSHIP
We are committed to a best-in-class governance structure built on a comprehensive set of corporate governance guidelines that promote the interests of our stakeholders.
Our Board is led by an independent Chair and supported by fully independent standing committees of the Board.
We promote director effectiveness through director orientation and mentoring, continuing education and regular Board, committee and director self and peer evaluations.
We foster board and committee independence by conducting frequent executive sessions without the CEO or other members of management present.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 7

PROXY SUMMARY
We maintain significant Common Stock ownership guidelines, prohibit hedging and pledging of our Common Stock and adhere to a clawback policy relative to executive compensation.
We maintain a robust stakeholder engagement program.
See “Proposal One — Election of Ten Directors — The Board’s Role and Responsibilities — Board Oversight — Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”)” for information regarding the Company's governance practices.
Proposal Two
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
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The Board recommends a vote FOR this proposal.
Framework of 2022 Compensation
The following table lists the primary elements of our compensation structure. This overview should be read in conjunction with the more complete information set forth under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below.
Pay ElementSalaryBonusOptionsRSUsPRSUs
Recipients


All NEOs







Period of GrantGenerally reviewed every 12 monthsAnnuallyAnnuallyAnnuallyAnnually
Form of DeliveryCashEquity


Type of Performance

Short-term emphasis

Long-term emphasis


Performance
Measures
Mix of financial results and EHS-related operational goalsValue of delivered shares based on stock price on date of exercise or lapseValue of delivered shares based on stock price on vesting datesReturn on Net Assets ("RONA") achievementRelative total shareholder return ("rTSR")
Performance Period / VestingOngoing1 yearGenerally vest annually over 3 yearsGenerally vest annually over 3 yearsMeasured and earned annually and vest at the end of the 3-year award cycleVest at the end of the 3-year award cycle
How Payout
Determined
Predominantly tied to Peer Group data, with an element of Compensation Committee discretionPredominantly formulaic (based on performance against goals), with an element of Compensation Committee discretionCompletion of required service period through each vesting dateCompletion of required service period through each vesting dateFormulaic (based on performance against goals) for specific performance periodsFormulaic (based on performance against peers) for specific performance periods

8 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

PROXY SUMMARY
CEO TARGET COMPENSATION MIX(1)

OTHER NEOs TARGET COMPENSATION MIX(1)
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(1)Excludes Other Compensation. See "Executive Compensation — Summary Compensation Table" for total compensation earned.
ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE
Relative Weighting
Performance MetricHall
Zakas
Heinrichs
Helms
Takeuchi
Adjusted EBITDA50%45%
Net Sales25%20%
Adjusted Working Capital as a % of Net Sales15%15%
Segment Performance(1)
20%
EHS-Related Operational Goals(2)
10%
(1)Applicable to only Mr. Takeuchi.
(2)Applicable to only Ms. Zakas and Messrs. Hall, Heinrichs and Helms.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE
50% Time Based50% Performance Based
25%25%50%
Restricted Stock UnitsStock OptionsRelative Total Shareholder Return
2022 Performance Highlights Related to Executive Compensation
On January 6, 2017, we sold our former Anvil business. On February 15, 2017, we acquired Singer Valve. The results of operations of Anvil and Singer Valve had no impact on the compensation of our named executive officers for fiscal 2017. Accordingly, Anvil’s and Singer Valve’s results of operations and metrics have been excluded from all financial or performance information related to compensation contained in this proxy statement.

The Compensation and Human Resources Committee usedestablished several performance elements,metrics, including those set forth below, to assess and determine incentive plan compensation earned during fiscal 2017.2022.
Table of Contents
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 9


PROXY SUMMARY

  Adjusted Net SalesAdjusted Operating Income from Continuing OperationsAdjusted Income from Continuing OperationsReturn on Net Assets
 
  ($ in millions)($ in millions)($ in millions)(%)
 2017815.7
121.368.534.4
 2016800.6
116.757.334.0
Company Results for Performance Evaluation Basis
Company-WideSegment Performance
(Water Management Solutions)

Return on
Net Assets
Relative Total Shareholder
Return

Net
Sales
Adjusted
EBITDA
Adjusted Working Capital as a % of Net SalesNet
Sales
Adjusted
EBITDA

($ in millions)%($ in millions)%Percentile
20221,247.4195.227.5516.0115.619.644.4
See “Compensation“Proposal Two - Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Highlights of 20172022 Performance Related to Executive Compensation” for more information and Exhibit A for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures used in determining executive compensation to GAAP financial results.
Highlights of 2022 Executive Compensation
Highlights of 2017 Executive Compensation
We design our executive compensation programs to target total compensation (and each principal element of compensation) for executivesour NEOs at or about the regressed 50th percentile (plus or minus 15%) of our customized peer group. The principal elements of these compensation programs are base salary, annual performance-based cash bonus, and long-term incentive and performance-based equity compensation, as well ascompensation. Additionally, our NEOs are covered under our broad-based employee benefit plans.plans and executive severance plan1.
We structure a significant portion of our executives’ overalltotal compensation as incentive compensation/ performance-based compensation.
. For fiscal 2017, incentive compensation, which includes performance-based compensation, represented approximately 74% of the total target compensation of Scott Hall, our CEO, and an average of 65% of the total target compensation of our other named executives (excluding Mr. Hyland).
We structure performance-based compensation to pay for performance. Performance-based incentive compensation represented 42% of our CEO’s total target compensation for fiscal 2017. We set clear and measurable financial goals for Company and segment performance. In evaluating individual performance, we
We assess progress toward strategic priorities.priorities when evaluating individual performance.
We paid performance-basedalign executive compensation with shareholder value with performance metrics, including relative total shareholder return (“rTSR”) and return on net assets (“RONA”).
CEO TOTAL TARGET COMPENSATION(2)

OTHER NEOs TOTAL TARGET COMPENSATION(2)
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Compensation for fiscal 2017 that2022 reflects Company and segment performance.
Our named executives’NEOs’ compensation was both negatively and positively and negatively affectedaffected by Company and segmentour performance in relation to targets set for fiscal 2022.
fiscal 2017Annual cash bonuses earned by Ms. Zakas and Messrs. Hall, Heinrichs and Helms were 89.3% of target. The annual cash bonus earned by Mr. Takeuchi was 91.0% of target.
Annual cash bonuses earned by our continuing named executives ranged from 74% to 121% of target (compared with 101% to 129% of target last year).
Long-term compensation based on RONA was earned at 70.0% of target for fiscal 2022.
Long-term compensation was achieved at 100% of target1 Messrs. Hall and Heinrichs and Ms. Zakas are subject to specific employment agreements and do not receive benefits under the executive severance plan.
2 Excludes Other Compensation. See "Executive Compensation — Summary Compensation Table" for total compensation as earned.

10 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

PROXY SUMMARY
Long-term compensation based on rTSR is earned and vests over the applicable three-year cumulative performance period. Long-term compensation based on rTSR granted for the fiscal 2020 to fiscal 2022 performance period was earned at 88.9% of target.
Long-term compensation in the form of time-based restricted stock units and stock options awarded in fiscal 2022 vests annually over a three-year period.fiscal 2017 based on “return on net assets”

We continue to maintain best practices for executive compensation.
We design our compensation programs to mitigate risk.
Our equity incentive plan prohibits the repricing or exchange of equity-based awards without stockholder approval.
We prohibit hedging and pledging of our Common Stock by executives or directors.
Our executives and directors are subject to stock ownership guidelines.
We can “clawback” cash- or equity-based compensation paid to executives under certain circumstances.
We do not provide excise tax gross-up benefits.
We design our compensation programs to mitigate risk.
We require a “double trigger” with respect to equity award vesting upon a change-in-control.
Our equity incentive plan prohibits the repricing or exchange of equity-based awards.
We prohibit hedging and pledging of our Common Stock by executives or directors.
Our executives and directors are subject to stock ownership guidelines.
We can “clawback” cash- or equity-based compensation paid to executives under certain circumstances.
See “Compensation“Proposal Two - Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Executive Compensation Program Overview”, “— Other Factors Considered by the Compensation Committee” and “— Other Compensation Practices and Policies” for more information regarding our compensation philosophy, structure and developments.


Proposal Three
Advisory Vote on the Frequency of the Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
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DIRECTOR NOMINEES
The Board recommends voting on executive compensation ANNUALLY.
Each director standsSEC rules require us to ask our stockholders, at least every six years, how often they would like for election annually. All nomineesus to hold votes on the compensation of our named executive officers, commonly referred to as “Say-on-Pay.” Accordingly, we are independent, except Mr. Hall, our President and CEO. The Boardrequesting your advisory vote this year to determine whether future Say-on-Pay votes should be held 10 meetings in fiscal 2017 and each director attended over 96% of the total number of meetings of the Board and committees of which heannually, every two years or she was a member.every three years.
The following table provides summary information about each director nominee. See “Matters to be Voted On — Proposal One” for more information about each nominee.
NameAgeDirector SinceIndependentExperience
Board Committees(1)
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Shirley C. Franklin722010
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Executive Chair of Purpose Built Communities, Inc.; former Mayor of AtlantaComp; EHS
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Scott Hall532017 President and Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Water Products, Inc.Exec*
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Thomas J. Hansen682011
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Former Vice Chairman of Illinois Tool Works Inc.Audit; EHS
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Jerry W. Kolb812006
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Retired Vice Chairman of Deloitte & Touche LLPAudit*; Comp; Governance
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Mark J. O’Brien(2)
742006
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Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Walter Investment Management Corp.Exec
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Bernard G. Rethore762006
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Chairman Emeritus and former Chief Executive Officer of Flowserve CorporationAudit; Governance*; Exec
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Lydia W. Thomas732008
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Retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Noblis, Inc.EHS*; Governance
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Michael T. Tokarz682006
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Chairman of Tokarz Group, LLCComp*; Governance; Exec
* Denotes committee chairperson
(1)Proposal Four
Ratification of the Appointment of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2023
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Audit = Audit Committee; Comp =
The Board recommends a vote FOR this proposal.
The Audit Committee has preliminarily appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, subject to negotiation of definitive fee arrangements.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 11


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Background to Solicitation
12 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
(2)Mr. O’Brien serves as our Lead Director. See “Corporate Governance — Board Operations — Board Leadership Structure”
Summary Compensation Table
Proposal Four - Ratification of the Appointment of Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for more information.Fiscal 2023
Table of Contents
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 13



MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON

PROPOSAL ONE:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Proposal One
Election of Ten Directors
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The Board recommends a vote FOR each nominee for director.

The Board of Directors
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Governance Committee”) is responsible for identifying qualified candidates to serve on the Board and recommending nominees to be submitted to our stockholders for election at each annual meeting of stockholders.meeting. After the Governance Committee completes its evaluation of candidates, it presents its recommendation to the Board for consideration and approval.
Gregory Hyland has served as our Executive Chairman since January 2017,We strive to maintain a diverse Board whose collective body of skills and previously served as our Chairman, President and CEO from January 2006 to January 2017. After these many years of distinguished service, Mr. Hyland will retire from the Board at the 2018 Annual Meeting.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Hyland for his many years of service to Mueller Water Products, its Board and stockholders. In connection with Mr. Hyland’s retirement, the Board will follow the recommendationexperience supports achievement of the Governance CommitteeCompany’s strategy. We work to balance industry expertise with independence and reduce the sizeinstitutional knowledge of longer-tenured directors with the Board from nine to eight members.
fresh perspectives brought by new directors. The Governance Committee uses a matrix of key skills and experienceexperiences to evaluate candidates. The Governance Committee carefully reviews all directors and director candidates in light of these factors based on the context of the current and anticipated composition of the Board and our current and anticipated strategic and operating requirements. In reviewing a director candidate, the Governance Committee considers the following elements as qualifications required of all directors:
Personal ethics and integrity
Independence
Collaborative skills
Commitment
• IndependenceInterpersonal skills
Commitment
Business acumen
The Governance Committee does not expect or intend each director to have the same background, skillsexpects and experience; instead, it expectsintends the Board to be composedcomprised of directors with diverse backgrounds, skills and experience.experiences. Although the Board does not have a formal policy regarding diversity, diversity is among the criteria considered by the Board when evaluating candidates. Diversity may include gender, race, ethnicity, geographic origin/foreign citizenship or personal, educational and professional experience. The Governance Committee further believes the backgrounds and qualifications of the directors, considered as a group, should provide an appropriate mix of experience, knowledge and abilities that will enhance the Board’s oversight role.
After sixteen years of distinguished service as a director on our Board, Bernard Rethore will retire from the Board at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Mr. Rethore has more than 30 years of experience at senior executive level positions with public manufacturing companies, including serving under various roles such as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Likewise, Mr. Rethore has shared his knowledge and experience with the boards of multiple public companies, as a member and chair of their executive, audit, compensation, environment, health and safety, governance and special committees. During his time with the Company, Mr. Rethore has served on multiple Board committees and as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since 2015. His extensive management and board experience and broad perspective on matters involving business strategy, capital allocation, merger and acquisition opportunities and corporate governance have been instrumental in the Company’s success over the past sixteen years. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Rethore for his many years of service, oversight, guidance and dedication.
In connection with Mr. Rethore’s retirement, the Board will follow the recommendation of the Governance Committee and reduce the size of the Board from eleven to ten members upon Mr. Rethore’s retirement. See “Proposal One - Election of Ten Directors — The Board of Directors — Background to Solicitation” for information regarding additional Board activity.

14 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Set forth below is a summary of the key areas of skills and experience reflected in our director nominees.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

AND LINK TO STRATEGY


FranklinHallHansenKolbO’BrienRethoreOrtizSharrittsSlobodowThomasTokarzVan Arsdell
CEO/Executive Leadership
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Executive Leadership/CEO
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üüüü
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Corporate Governanceü
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Financial/Capital Allocation
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Government and Regulatory Affairsüü
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üü
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International Business
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üüü
Marketing
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Mergers and Acquisitions

üüü
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Multiple-Part Manufacturing

üü
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Offshore Sourcing
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Strategic Planning
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üü
Compliance/
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Enterprise Risk Managementüüüüüüüüü
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Human Capital Managementüüüü
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Environment, Health and Safetyüüü
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üüü

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Technology
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üüüü


Technology/Systems
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Materials Science and Engineering
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üü
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Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”)üü
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Brandingüüüüüüüü



After evaluating each director and the composition of the full Board, the Governance Committee has recommended each of the current Board members (other than Mr. Hyland)nominee identified above for election. If elected, each of the eightten individuals nominated for election to the Board will hold office until the 20192024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. Each nominee has agreed to serve as a director if elected. However, if for some unforeseen reason a nominee becomes unwilling or unable to serve, proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee selected by the Board. In lieu of designating a substitute nominee, the Board, in its discretion, may reduce the number of directors.See “Proposal One - Election of Ten Directors — The Board of Directors — Background to Solicitation” for information regarding additional Board activity.



PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 15

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Information about the nominees, including information concerning their qualifications for office, is set forth below:
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Shirley C. Franklin

President, Clarke-Franklin & Associates
Age: 7277
Independent Director since: since2010

Committees:
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Experience
President, Clarke-Franklin & Associates, Inc., a management consulting firm (1995 – present)
Co-founder, Authenticity Partners (2022 – present)
Executive Board committees: Compensation, EHSChair, Purpose Built Communities, Inc. (2011 – 2020)
OtherMayor, Atlanta, Georgia (2002 – 2010)
Qualifications
Executive Leadership, Corporate Governance, Strategic Planning and Enterprise Risk Management expertise gained from her civic involvement and three-decade executive management career, as well as her public company boards withinand non-profit board experience. In recognition of her efforts in public service, the last five years:John F. Kennedy Presidential Library awarded Mayor Franklin with its prestigious Profile in Courage Award, honoring her principled leadership and difficult decisions necessary for good governance.
Environment, Health and Safety experience displayed by her dedicated substantial effort to environmental, safety and health initiatives, including launching Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability and its first multi-year sustainability plan and driving over $7 billion dollars in improvements to Atlanta’s public water systems and airport and parks infrastructure. As a Board member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation, Ms. Franklin oversaw the fundraising and disbursement of over $500 million during the COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola and monkeypox outbreaks.
Financial/Capital Allocation knowledge gained during her multi-decade career in the private sector and in public service, as she oversaw numerous complex capital projects, including the launch of the Atlanta Beltline and nearly $5 billion of investment in the city’s infrastructure.
Government and Regulatory Affairs expertise gained from her tenure as Mayor of Atlanta.
Mayor Franklin also provides expertise in Human Capital Management and Branding.
At Delta Air Lines, Inc.Mayor Franklin oversaw a 592% TSR (+485% relative to the S&P 500) during her tenure as a director.
Other Boards and Organizations

Director, Delta Air Lines (2011 – 2017)

Ms. Franklin serves as Executive Chair, of the board of directors of Purpose Built Communities, Inc., a national non-profit organization that works to transform struggling neighborhoods into sustainable communities. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Atlanta Regional Commission on Homelessness and as Chair of the board of directors of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.  From 2002Rights
Board Member, Paul Volcker Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to 2010, Ms. Franklin served as mayor ofpublic service missions
Board Member, CDC Foundation
Board Member on several other non-profit organizations including CF Foundation; Atlanta Georgia. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology fromRegional Commission on Homelessness; National Alliance for Public Charter Schools; and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta
Education
BA, Sociology, Howard University and a Master’s degree in sociology from the
MA, Sociology, University of Pennsylvania.

The Board considered Ms. Franklin’s record of civic involvement and significant executive management experience, which has spanned three decades. During her service as mayor of Atlanta, Ms. Franklin worked to rebuild the city’s water infrastructure.Pennsylvania









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Chair
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MemberA = AuditC = CompensationE = EHSG = GovernanceO = Capital AllocationX = Executive
16 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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J. Scott Hall

President and CEO, Mueller Water Products
Age: 5358
Director since: since2017
Board committees: Executive
Mr. Hall has served as our Committees:
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Experience
President and Chief Executive Officer, since January 2017. He served as Mueller Water Products (2017 – present)
President and CEO, of Textron’sTextron Industrial segment from December 2009 until January 2017. Mr. Hall joined Textron in 2001 as president of(2009 – 2017); President, Textron’s Greenlee business unit (2003 – 2009), President, Textron’s Tempo business unit, a multi-facility roll-up of communication test equipment. He was named president of Greenlee inequipment (2001 – 2003 when Tempo became part of the Greenlee business unit. Prior to joining Textron, Mr. Hall hadGreenlee)
Held several leadership roles, including at General Cable, a leading manufacturer of wire and cable. Mr. Hallcable, where he ran General Cable’sthe Canadian businesses before taking over responsibility for General Cable’sthe Global Communications business. Mr. Hall received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Memorial University of Newfoundlandbusiness
Qualifications
Executive Leadership, International Business, Strategic Planning, Technology and Mergers and his MBA from the University of Western Ontario Ivey School of Business.
The Board considered Mr. Hall’s commercial experience and business leadership skillsAcquisitions gained from his past and current positions in management.management including thirteen years as a CEO of industrial and commercial companies, a communication test equipment producer and leadership of the Canadian and Global Communications businesses at General Cable. Throughout his career, Mr. Hall has been involved in both strategic acquisitions and organic product development within manufacturing companies.
Financial/Capital Allocation, Multiple-Part Manufacturing expertise from his oversight of business units and companies with billions of dollars in sales, as well as extensive understanding of Six Sigma and LEAN manufacturing processes.
Mr. Hall also brings expertise in Government and Regulatory Affairs, Enterprise Risk Management, Human Capital Management, Environment, Health and Safety, and Branding.


Other Boards and Organizations

Director, Altra Industrial Motion, Inc. (2020 – present)
Education
BCom, Memorial University of Newfoundland
MBA, University of Western Ontario Ivey School of Business























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Chair
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MemberA = AuditC = CompensationE = EHSG = GovernanceO = Capital AllocationX = Executive
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 17

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Thomas J. Hansen

Age: 68
Director since: 2011
Board committees: Audit, EHS
Other public company boards: Standex International Corporation, Terex Corporation
Until 2012, Mr. Hansen served asFormer Vice Chairman, ofIllinois Tool Works
Age:73
Independent Director since2011

Committees:
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Experience
Vice Chairman (2006 – 2012); Executive Vice President with responsibility for Worldwide Metal and Plastic Fastener and Components businesses, Fluids & Polymers and Construction businesses, as well as its Industrial Metals and Plastic segment (1998 – 2006); President, Worldwide Metal Fastener and Components businesses (1993 – 1998); President North American Industrial and Automotive Fastener businesses (1990 – 1993); Vice President and General Manager, North American Industrial Metal Fastener and Buckle Divisions (1986 – 1990); General Manager, Shakeproof Industrial Products businesses (1983 – 1986); sales and marketing manager (1980 – 1983); Illinois Tool Works Inc. (“ITW”),
Qualifications
Executive Leadership, Financial/Capital Allocation, International Business, Strategic Planning, Enterprise Risk Management and Environmental, Health and Safety gained through his 32-year career at Illinois Tool Works in roles of increasing responsibility including oversight of manufacturing with various components (industrial metals, plastics, fluids & polymers).
Multi-Part Manufacturing expertise displayed throughout his career at Illinois Tool Works, a diversified manufacturer of fasteners and components, consumable systems and a variety of specialty products and equipment. He joined ITW in 1980
Mergers and Acquisitions experience gained from overseeing various divestitures and acquisitions during his tenure as a salesEVP and marketing managerVice Chairman of the Shakeproof Industrial Products businesses. From 1998 to 2006, Illinois Tool Works.
Mr. Hansen servedalso provides expertise in Corporate Governance, Human Capital Management, and Branding.
At CDW Corp., Mr. Hansen oversaw a 56% TSR (+20% relative to the S&P 500) during his tenure as Executive Vice President of ITW. He earneddirector.
Other Boards and Organizations

Lead Independent Director, Standex International Corporation (2013 – present)
Director, Terex Corporation (2008 – present)
Director, Gill Industries Inc., a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing fromprivately held corporation (2014 – 2018)
Director, CDW Corp. (2005 – 2008)
Education
BS, Marketing, Northern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration degree from
MBA, Governors State University.
The Board considered Mr. Hansen’s experience as a senior executive of a large diversified industrial manufacturing company that faces many of the economic, social and governance issues we face.University











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Chair
Jerry W. Kolbimage_79a.jpg
MemberA = AuditC = CompensationE = EHSG = GovernanceO = Capital AllocationX = Executive
18 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Age: 81
Director since: 2006
Board committees: Audit (Chair), Governance, Compensation
Other public company boards within the last five years: Walter Energy, Inc.

From 1986 to 1998, Mr. Kolb served as a Vice Chairman of Deloitte & Touche LLP, a registered public accounting firm. He is a certified public accountant. Mr. Kolb earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accountancy, with highest honors, from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration degree from DePaul University.

The Board considered Mr. Kolb’s broad perspective in accounting and financial reporting matters and his extensive experience in audit, finance and compensation matters and in executive management based on his 41-year career with Deloitte & Touche.
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Mark J. O’Brien
Age: 74
Director since: 2006
Board committees: Executive and ex officio member of all other standing committees
Other public company boards within the last five years:Former Chairman & CEO, Walter Investment Management Corp.
Mr. O’Brien serves as our Lead Director. He served as Age:79
Independent Director since2006

Committees:
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Experience
Chairman ofand Chief Executive Officer, Walter Investment Management Corp. (formerly Walter Industries’ Homes Business), a mortgage portfolio owner and mortgage originator and servicer from 2009 through December 2015, and he served as its Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to October 2015. Mr. O'Brien has served as (2009 – 2015)
President and Chief Executive Officer, of Brier Patch Capital and Management, Inc., a real estate management and investment firm since 2004. He served(2004 – 2009)
Served in various executive capacities at Pulte Homes, Inc., a home building company, for 21 years, retiring asincluding President and Chief Executive Officer, Pulte Homes, Inc., a homebuilding company (1982 – 2003)
Qualifications
Executive Leadership and Corporate Governance gained through his tenure as the CEO of three different real estate companies in 2003. the homebuilding, property investment, and mortgage finance verticals.
Financial/Capital Allocation and Strategic Planning expertise from his decades at Pulte Homes, where, as part of the senior management team, company revenues tripled to $7.5 billion and earnings per share rose by 450 percent.
Mergers and Acquisitions experience from overseeing the acquisitions of Residential Capital’s mortgage business and Green Tree Servicing (October 2012 and March 2011) during his tenure as CEO of Walter Investment Management.
Mr. O'Brien earnedO’Brien also brings expertise in Government and Regulatory Affairs, International Business, Enterprise Risk Management, Human Capital Management and Branding.
At Pulte Homes Mr. O’Brien oversaw a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from40% TSR during his tenure (+54% relative to the S&P 500).
Other Boards and Organizations

Director, Ditech Holding Corp. (previously Walter Investment Management) (2009 – 2017)
Education
BA, History, University of Miami.Miami
The Board considered Mr. O’Brien’s knowledge of capital markets, municipal finance and the homebuilding and real estate sectors of the economy.













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Chair
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PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 19

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Christine Ortiz
Morris Cohen Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Age:52
Independent Director since2019

Committees:
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Experience
Morris Cohen Professor of Materials Science and Engineering (present); Dean for Graduate Education (2010 – 2016); Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Author of more than 200 scholarly publications and received 30 national and international honors, including the Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering awarded by President George W. Bush
Founder, Station1; an innovative, nonprofit, higher education educational institution
Qualifications
Multiple-Part Manufacturing, Technology and Materials Science and Engineering knowledge through her background as a dean and career as a distinguished scientist and engineer whose research focuses on multi-scale mechanics of structural materials, materials design, nanotechnology, additive manufacturing and computational materials.
Executive Leadership, Strategic Planning and Branding experience gained through her experience as a founder of Station1 innovative higher education educational institution and Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Dean for Graduate Education. At Station1, Dr. Ortiz has partnered with over 90 technology-focused startup companies, social enterprises, and non-profit organizations on research and development projects. As Dean, she supported over 7,000 graduate students in 45 graduate degree programs across 5 academic schools.
Dr. Ortiz also provides expertise in Financial/Capital Allocation, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Enterprise Risk Management, Environment, Health and Safety, International Business and Environmental, Social and Governance.
Other Boards and Organizations

Bernard G. RethoreDirector, Enovis Corporation (2022 – present)
Education
BS, Materials Science and Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
MS, Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University
PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University







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Chair
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20 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Jeffery S. Sharritts
EVP and Chief Customer and Partner Officer, Cisco
Age: 54
Age: 76Independent Director since2021
Director since: 2006
Board committees: Audit, Governance (Chair), ExecutiveCommittees:
Other public company boards within the last five years: Dover Corp., Walter Energy, Inc., Belden, Inc.image_23.jpg
Experience
Mr. Rethore has served as Chairman Emeritus of Flowserve Corporation, a manufacturer of pumps, valves, seals and components, since 2000. From January 2000 to April 2000, he served as Flowserve’s Chairman. Mr. Rethore had previously served as its Chairman,Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer. In 2008, Mr. Rethore was honored by the Outstanding Directors Exchange as an Outstanding DirectorCustomer and Partner Officer at Cisco (2022 – present); Senior Vice President of the Year, andAmericas (2018 – present); Senior Vice President, U.S. Commercial Sales (2014 – 2018); served in 2012, he was designated a Boardseveral executive sales roles, joined in 2000; Cisco
Qualifications
Executive Leadership, Fellow by the National Association of Corporate Directors. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degreeStrategic Planning, Technology and Branding experience gained through his extensive experience in Economics (Honors) from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Joseph P. Wharton Scholar and Fellow.
The Board considered Mr. Rethore’s more than 30 years of experience at senior executive level positions and particular expertise related to sales and marketing of technology-driven products and related services.
Financial/Capital Allocation, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Human Capital Management and International Business experience gained through his role as Senior Vice President of the Americas for Cisco, where he managed a business unit with more than $29 billion of annual sales in 49 countries, oversaw products in both commercial and public manufacturingsector verticals and was central to helping expand Cisco’s commercial sales model to Canada and Latin America.
Other Boards and Organizations
Advisory Board Member, Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Advisory Board Member, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Education
BS, Business Administration, The Ohio State University








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Chair
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PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 21

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Brian L. Slobodow
Operating Partner, Operational Resource Group
Age:54
Independent Director since2022

Committees:
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Experience
Operating Partner, Operational Resource Group, whose clients include a leading middle-market private equity firm (2021 – present)
Operating Executive, Golden Gate Capital (2015 – 2020), where he gained extensive experience on management teams, serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Atrium (2013 – 2015), Chief Executive Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, and a director of U.S. Silica Company (2011 – 2013) and President and Chief Operating Officer of Neways International (2007 – 2011), all of which are former Golden Gate Capital portfolio companies
Vice President, Global Supply Chain (2006 – 2007), Chief Procurement Officer (2005 – 2006) and Director, Contract Manufacturing (2003 – 2005), Johnson & Johnson
Principal, A.T. Kearney (2000 – 2003)
Qualifications
Executive Leadership/CEO, Corporate Governance and Financial/Capital Allocation, through his years of experience as an executive at Golden Gate Capital and in executive leadership at a number of the firm’s portfolio companies.
International Business, Multiple-Part Manufacturing and Strategic Planning, gained through his over 30 years of operations expertise while in various roles at Johnson & Johnson and his service onexecutive leadership at Golden Gate Capital portfolio companies.
Environment, Health & Safety and Environmental, Social and Governance through his experience as CEO of U.S. Silica where Mr. Slobodow lead the boardsdevelopment of multiple public companies, as a memberthe company’s initial ESG strategy and chairrelease of their executive, audit, compensation, environment, healthU.S. Silica’s inaugural ESG annual report.
Mr. Slobodow also brings expertise in Government and safety, governanceRegulatory Affairs, Mergers and special committees. His extensive management experience makes him a valuable contributor to the Board on matters involving business strategy, capital allocationAcquisitions, Enterprise Risk Management, Technology, Materials Science and merger Engineering and acquisition opportunities. Branding.
Other Boards and Organizations
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Director, Marmic Fire and Safety, a full-service fire protection company based in Joplin, MO (2021 – present)
Director, ANGUS Chemical Company (2018 – 2020)
Director, Cole-Parmer (2018 – 2019)
Director, Springs Window Fashion (2016 – 2018)
Education
BS, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Rhode Island
MBA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management








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Chair
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22 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Lydia W. Thomas
Age: 73Former President & CEO, Noblis
Age:78
Independent Director since: since2008
Board committees: Governance, EHS (Chair)
Other public company boards: Washington Mutual Investors FundCommittees:
Other public company boards within the last five years: Cabot Corporationimage25.jpg
Experience
Dr. Thomas served as President and Chief Executive Officer, of Noblis, Inc., a public interest scientific research, technology and strategy company from 1996 to 2007. She was previously with(1996 – 2007)
Senior Vice President and General Manager (1992 – 1996); Vice President (1989 – 1992); Technical Director (1982 – 1989); The MITRE Corporation, Center for Environment, Resources and Space serving as Senior Vice
Founding Member appointed by President Bush, Homeland Security Advisory Council (2002 – 2016)
Qualifications
Executive Leadership, Corporate Governance, Financial/Capital Allocation, Government and General Manager from 1992 to 1996, Vice President from 1989 to 1992Regulatory Affairs, Strategic Planning, Enterprise Risk Management, Environment, Health and Technical Director from 1982 to 1989. In 2013, she was honored by the Outstanding Directors Exchange as an Outstanding Director of the Year. Dr. Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from Howard University, a Master of Science degree in microbiology from American University Safety and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in cytology from Howard University.
The Board considered Dr. Thomas’ Technology expertise gained through her extensive experience at senior executive level positions and particular expertise related to information technology and environment, health and safety matters.matters as well as her service on numerous government advisory committees focused on health and safety, technology and climate. In 2013, Dr. Thomas was honored by the Outstanding Directors Exchange as an Outstanding Director of the Year.
Mergers and Acquisitions experience gained from overseeing the acquisitions of Gill/Balsano Consulting and Jennings Ryan & Kolb (October 2004) as Noblis CEO
Dr. Thomas also provides expertise in International Business, Human Capital Management and Branding.
At Cabot, Dr. Thomas oversaw a TSR of 1,055% (+367% relative to the S&P 500) during her tenure as a director.
Other Boards and Organizations

Member, Constant Associates Inc. Advisory Board (2020 – Present)
Member, Council on Foreign Relations (2011 – Present)
Emerita Member, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory
Director, Cabot Corporation (1994 – 2017)
Director, Washington Mutual Investors Fund (2010 – 2019)
Member, Governor’s Commission on Climate Change, Commonwealth of Virginia (2007 – 2008)
Senior Advisor, Northern Virginia Technology Council (2012 – 2017)
Director, Northern Virginia Technology Council (2003 – 2012)
Member, Virginia Governor’s Higher Education Summit Steering Committee (1994 – 1998)
Member, Virginia Research and Technology Advisory Committee (1990 – 1998)
Education
BS, Zoology, Howard University
MS, Microbiology, American University
PhD, Cytology, Howard University


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Chair
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MemberA = AuditC = CompensationE = EHSG = GovernanceO = Capital AllocationX = Executive
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 23

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Michael T. Tokarz
Age: 68Chairman, Tokarz Group
Age:73
Independent Director since: since2006
Board committees: Compensation (Chair), Governance, Executive
Other public company boards: MVC Capital, Inc. (Chairman)Committees:
Other public company boards within the last five years: Walter Energy, Inc., Dakota Growers Pasta Company, IDEX Corporation, CNO Financial Group, Inc., Walter Investment Management Corp.image26b.jpg
Experience
Since 2002, Mr. Tokarz has served as a memberChairman of the Board, Tokarz Group, LLC, an investment company. From 1996 until 2002, Mr. Tokarz served ascompany (2002 – present)
Co-Founder, Public Pension Capital, a private equity fund (2014 – present)
General Partner, New York Administrative Partner, a member of the limited liability company that serves ascompany’s first Portfolio Management Committee and head of the general partner ofcommercial banking industry group, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., a (KKR) (1985 – 2002)
Qualifications
Executive Leadership, Financial/Capital Allocation and Strategic Planning experience gained during his multi-decade private equity company.career, where he oversaw various investment transaction structures, including leveraged buyouts, debt restructurings, and financings. At KKR, Mr. Tokarz was involved in the firm’s investments in such companies as Beatrice Foods, Safeway, and the Bank of New England.
Corporate Governance and Enterprise Risk Management experience gained through his service on multiple public-company boards in the financial services, insurance, and industrial sectors. In 2007, he was honored by the Outstanding Directors Exchange as an Outstanding Director of the Year. He earned
Mergers and Acquisitions expertise gained through his leadership position at KKR overseeing multiple corporate acquisition and disposition processes. Recent representative transactions in his role at Public Pension Capital include the 2019 sale of Viteos Fund Services and the 2017 acquisition of Inframark.
Mr. Tokarz also provides expertise in Government and Regulatory Affairs, International Business, Multiple-Part Manufacturing and Human Capital Management.
As an IDEX director, Mr. Tokarz oversaw a Bachelor3,598% TSR (+2,580% relative to the S&P 500 and +3,376% relative to the S&P Industrial Select Index).
Other Boards and Organizations

Vice Chair, Shield T3, a COVID-19 testing company owned by the Board of Arts degree in economicsTrustees of the University of Illinois (2020 – present)
Chair, MVC Capital, Inc. (2003 – 2020)
Chair, Walter Energy, Inc. (1987 – 2016)
Director, CNO Financial Group, Inc., (formerly Conseco, Inc.), an insurance provider (2003 – 2017)
Director, Walter Investment Management Corp. (2009 – 2017)
Director, IDEX Corporation (1987 – 2015)
Education
BA, Economics, with high distinction, and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Illinois.Illinois
The Board considered Mr. Tokarz’s knowledge and experience in banking and finance, his entrepreneurial and business leadership skills, his more than 20 yearsMBA, Finance, University of board experience with publicly traded companies and his corporate governance training.Illinois
The affirmative vote












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Chair
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MemberA = AuditC = CompensationE = EHSG = GovernanceO = Capital AllocationX = Executive
24 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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Stephen C. Van Arsdell
Former Senior Partner, Deloitte; Chair & CEO, Deloitte & Touche
Age:72
Independent Director since2019

Committees:
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Experience
Senior Partner of Deloitte LLP and member of the Board of Directors, including as Vice-Chair (2003 – 2009); senior management roles including Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Quality Officer (2010 – 2012) and Deputy Chief Executive Officer (2009 – 2010) of Deloitte & Touche LLP, which he joined in 1975
Qualifications
Executive Leadership/CEO, Corporate Governance, Financial/Capital Allocation and Risk Management skills gained from Mr. Van Arsdell’s time in senior leadership at Deloitte and Deloitte & Touche where he oversaw a national organization of 15,000 professionals providing audit, assurance, risk and capital markets advisory services.
International Business, Strategic Planning, Governmental and Regulatory Affairs experience gained thorough his roles in Deloitte’s international operations, serving as a key member of the Global Audit Leadership Team, where he helped develop the firm’s strategic plans for the global audit practice as well as in his service to some of Deloitte’s most significant clients with extensive international operations.
Mergers and Acquisitions experience from participating in the M&A activities of many clients while at Deloitte and of First Midwest Bancorp as a member of the Board of Directors, as well as in the merger of First Midwest Bancorp and Old National Bancorp.
Other Boards and Organizations
Director, Old National Bancorp (2022 – present)
Director, First Midwest Bancorp (2017 – 2022)
Audit Committee Member, Brown Brothers Harriman, a privately held global financial services firm (2015 – present)
Chair, Board of Trustees, The Morton Arboretum (2020 – present)
Education
BS, Accounting, University of Illinois
MAS, University of Illinois
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)






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Chair
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MemberA = AuditC = CompensationE = EHSG = GovernanceO = Capital AllocationX = Executive
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 25

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
BACKGROUND TO SOLICITATION
General Information
As in recent years, we prioritized capital investments in fiscal 2022 and plan to continue such prioritization through fiscal 2023 to modernize our manufacturing facilities and processes. We believe this modernization will improve product quality, drive non-price margin expansion, reduce our geographic and environmental footprint and expand our product portfolio. Our large valve manufacturing expansion in Chattanooga, Tennessee neared full-scale production during fiscal 2022. We have completed the consolidation of a majoritymultiple facilities into our new facility in Kimball, Tennessee to support machining and assembly capabilities in the Southeast. We anticipate that these investments and activities will enable us to capitalize on the growing need for large valves because of the votes castmigration to more densely populated, urban areas and an increased focus by customers on products made in respectAmerica. In addition, we are nearing completion of our new brass foundry in Decatur, Illinois, scheduled to begin start-up production in 2023.
In fiscal 2022, we delivered our second consecutive year of double-digit net sales growth and ended the year with a record backlog. We also engaged in a program of regular Board refreshment that introduced three new directors since 2019. Board refreshment has been undertaken with attentiveness to continually enhancing the Board’s set of relevant skills and diversity of experience and successively strengthening the Board’s oversight capabilities.
Nominations and Settlement
On October 11, 2022, the Company entered into a cooperation agreement (the “Cooperation Agreement”) with Ancora Catalyst Institutional, LP and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Ancora”), pursuant to which we agreed to appoint two new independent directors to the Board. Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, Brian Slobodow was appointed to the Board immediately and Niclas Ytterdahl is to be appointed to the Board within five business days of the shares2023 Annual Meeting. Mr. Ytterdahl is serving as a board observer until he is appointed as a director. The Cooperation Agreement governs certain matters, such as the size of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxythe Board and the composition of the Board’s committees and provided for the formation of the Capital Allocation and Operations Committee. Effective upon execution of the Cooperation Agreement, Ancora withdrew its notice of intent to nominate director candidates for election to the Board at the 2023 Annual Meeting.
A summary of the Cooperation Agreement is included in a Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2022, with the full Cooperation Agreement filed as an exhibit to the Form 8-K.
The Board has always focused on maintaining a Board comprised of members with a diversity of backgrounds, skills, tenure, and expertise. As part of the Board’s continued refreshment plans and in conjunction with the Cooperation Agreement, the Company announced that it will accelerate the refreshment of the Board by adding several new directors with fresh perspectives in the near term. This plan is intended to further align the Board’s experience and skills with the Company’s strategic direction. As part of this plan, following the 2023 Annual Meeting, each member of the Board who has served for more than 10 years will depart during the next three years, with no more than three directors departing in any one year.








26 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board Refreshment/Board Succession Planning
The Board believes that thoughtful refreshment is necessary to ensure that the Board remains aligned with the needs of the Company as it evolves. To that end, the Governance Committee regularly assesses director succession and entitledboard refreshment, with a focus on maintaining an optimal mix of institutional knowledge, industry expertise and fresh insight among its directors.
While the Board believes that tenure and age are important considerations in assessing Board composition, it also believes that the institutional knowledge and industry expertise contributed by its longer-tenured directors are of significant value to vote shall be required the Company and its current strategic direction. For this reason, the Board does not make membership decisions based solely on either metric.
Of equal importance is the varied perspective that new Board members bring. Four new directors have joined the Board since 2019 — their addition reflects the Board’s strong commitment to elect these nominees (or a substitute nomineediversity across multiple dimensions including technical and financial skills, expertise and career background as designated bywell as personal traits such as age, gender and ethnicity. Additionally, an additional member is scheduled to join the Board) to serve as directors,Board in February 2023, which means thatwill bring the number of votes castBoard members with less than five years of tenure to five. See “Proposal One - Election of Ten Directors — The Board of Directors —Background to Solicitation” for information regarding planned Board refreshment activity.
Board Composition
The Board continues to identify and incorporate directors with diverse experiences and perspectives to provide the Company with thoughtful and engaged board oversight. In fiscal 2022, with Mr. Kolb’s retirement in favor of a nominee’s election exceedsFebruary 2022, the number of votes cast against that nominee’s election. If an incumbentBoard members was ten. Each of our director failsnominees is independent, except Mr. Hall, our President and CEO. As demonstrated by the following key metrics(1), the Board actively seeks highly qualified women, individuals from underrepresented minorities and those with a wealth of diverse skills and talents to receivejoin the Board.
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9 of our 10 directors are independent, including the Chair
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10 of our 10 directors have Executive Leadership/CEO experience
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3 of our 10 directors are women
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4 of our 10 directors are from underrepresented minorities
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7 of our 10 directors have Corporate Governance experience

(1)In accordance with the Cooperation Agreement, Mr. Slobodow was appointed to the Board in October 2022. The fiscal 2022 metrics do not include or represent his appointment.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 27

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Director Nomination Process
In discharging its responsibility related to director nominations, the Governance Committee receives input from other directors and, if applicable, an independent professional search firm. It also considers and evaluates candidates recommended by stockholders, as described below. The Governance Committee utilizes the same process and criteria to evaluate all candidates.
The Governance Committee’s comprehensive evaluation includes multiple stages. The Chair of the Governance Committee interviews each qualified candidate and selects candidates to be interviewed by other members of the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee's evaluation includes a reference and background check, as well as interviews and discussions about the candidate’s qualifications, availability and commitment. The Governance Committee reviews the results of all interviews and makes a recommendation to the full Board with respect to nominating a candidate for election to the Board.
In evaluating candidates, the Governance Committee considers a variety of qualifications, experience, attributes and skills and recognizes that a diversity of knowledge, viewpoints and experience can enhance the Board’s effectiveness. Accordingly, as part of its evaluation, the Governance Committee considers how the candidate’s background, qualifications, experience, attributes and skills may enhance the quality of the Board’s deliberations and decisions.
Nomination Process At-a-Glance
1Establish Candidate Pool
2Conduct Interview by Chair
3Perform Reference / Background Check and Governance Committee Interviews
4Review Results and Recommend


28 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Set forth below is a majoritysummary of the votes cast,key skills and experience necessary for the incumbentBoard as a whole. See “Proposal One - Election of Ten Directors — The Board of Directors” for information concerning each nominee’s relevant skills and experience.
Skill/ExperienceRelevance to Mueller Water Products
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Executive Leadership/CEO experience. Experience serving in top management positions is important since these directors bring perspective in analyzing, shaping and overseeing strategy and the execution of important operational and policy issues at a senior level.
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Corporate Governance expertise. Directors who have corporate governance experience can assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities related to the oversight of our legal, environmental and regulatory compliance.
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Financial/Capital Allocation expertise. Knowledge of financial markets, financing and funding operations, accounting and financial reporting processes is important since it assists our directors in understanding, advising and overseeing our capital structure, financing and investing activities, financial reporting and internal control of these activities.
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Government and Regulatory Affairs expertise. Directors who have served in government positions or who have worked extensively with governments, environmental or regulatory bodies can provide oversight of compliance with rules and regulations and insight into working constructively with government, environmental and regulatory bodies.
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International Business experience. Since we manufacture and sell certain of our products outside the United States, directors with global expertise can provide a useful business and cultural perspective regarding significant aspects of our businesses.
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Mergers and Acquisitions experience. Since we have a strategy of selectively pursuing potential acquisitions, directors who have a background in M&A transactions can provide useful insight into developing and implementing strategies for growing our businesses through combination with other organizations.
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Multiple-part Manufacturing and Operations experience. Experience in manufacturing is useful in understanding our research and development efforts, product engineering, design and manufacturing, operations, products and the market segments in which we compete.
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Strategic Planning expertise. We operate in competitive markets and our businesses are subject to a wide variety of risks. Directors who have strategic planning experience can assist the Board in adopting policies and procedures responsive to the risks we face.
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Enterprise Risk Management experience. In light of the potential financial and reputational damage that can occur when companies fail to oversee compliance and properly manage risk, it is increasingly important to include directors with extensive enterprise risk management experience.
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Human Capital Management experience. Because we recognize that an engaged and diverse workforce is the foundation of our success, it is important that our directors have experience with organizational management and talent development, including employee compensation and benefits, engagement and training, and diversity and inclusion.
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Environment, Health and Safety expertise. We are committed to responsible environmental stewardship and rigorous health and safety oversight. We believe directors with EHS experience can help drive strong environment, health and safety performance not only at the most strategic level but also throughout the organization.
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Technology experience. Directors with backgrounds in engineering disciplines, computer science, software development and cyber security are increasingly important in light of our strategic focus on manufacturing and product technologies.
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Materials Science and Engineering experience. Directors with a background in these areas are important to our understanding of how metals, nanomaterials and other substances meet the electrical, chemical or mechanical requirements of our products.
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Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) experience. Directors with experience overseeing ESG strategy are important to ensure the Company successfully implements and executes the appropriate strategies for sustainability; diversity, equity and inclusion; and human capital management.
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Branding expertise. Directors who have worked to define and maintain perceptions of the nature and focus of an enterprise, specifically during transformative change, can be an invaluable asset.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 29

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Director Candidate Recommendations
A stockholder who wishes to submit a director will promptly tender hiscandidate for consideration by the Governance Committee must do so by writing our Corporate Secretary and including the candidate’s biographical data. See “Questions About Voting and the Annual Meeting.”
Board Tenure Policy
The Board believes that an appropriate mix of tenured directors and newer directors with fresh perspectives is necessary to ensure a vital and effective Board. Since January 2019, the Board has appointed four new directors, advancing both the skill set and experience profile of the Board while simultaneously increasing its diversity. Complementing this strategy of refreshment and enhancement is a commitment to making the most of our longer-tenured directors’ experience and intricate knowledge of the Company’s operations. While the Board believes that age and tenure are important considerations in assessing Board composition, it also believes the best interests of the Company are served by being able to take advantage of all available talent and that a significant degree of continuity year-over-year is beneficial to stockholders. For this reason, the Board does not have absolute limits regarding age of directors or her irrevocable offerthe length of resignationtime that a director may serve but considers these aspects among several factors in re-nomination decisions.
The Board’s Role and Responsibilities
Overview
Our Board is responsible for overseeing the business affairs of the Company, including regularly monitoring the effectiveness of management’s implementation of strategy, policy, risk mitigation tactics and other decisions. As the Company continues to grow and transform, the Board not only guides management, but also assists in reacting to changing environments. The Board receives regular updates and engages actively with the management team regarding key strategic initiatives, technology trends, competitive and economic changes and other important developments and is also involved in strategic planning and review each year. Combined with management’s execution of our business strategy, the Board’s oversight promotes the creation of long-term stockholder value, with a focus on assessing both the potential opportunities available to us and the risks that we might encounter.
Board Oversight
RISK
While the Board maintains oversight responsibility for how we manage risk, it charges management with assessing and mitigating that risk through the development, implementation and maintenance of the Company's risk management processes and cyber security program. As a result, our internal control environment has been specifically designed to identify and manage risks and to facilitate communication with the Board. Our internal audit department, which reports to the Board.Audit Committee, administers our enterprise risk assessment and, in coordination with our legal and compliance functions, is responsible for ongoing enterprise risk management processes. It also regularly reports to the Board and its committees on risk-related issues as a complement to our strategic planning process. Additionally, the Audit Committee consults with management regarding cyber security initiatives and requests that management report to the Audit Committee and/or the full Board regularly on its assessment not only of cyber security, but also of the operational, financial and accounting, competitive, reputational and legal risks to the Company. The Board can then choose to acceptalso considers specific risk topics and receives regular reports from the resignation, reject it or take such other actionheads of our principal businesses and corporate functions that include discussion of the Board deems appropriate. See “Corporate Governancerisks and exposures inherent in their respective areas of responsibility.
30 — Overview” for more information.MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.


ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board recommendsexecutes its risk oversight function both as a vote FOR each nominee for director.
Table of Contentswhole and through delegation to its committees, specifically:

Audit Committee
Oversees risk management related to accounting and financial reporting, the audit process, internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures
Oversees the internal audit function
Monitors legal and compliance issues and active matters
Reviews cyber and data security matters, including our risk mitigation initiatives
Compensation and Human Resources Committee
Oversees risk management related to the risks and rewards associated with our compensation policies and practices
Oversees management development and succession planning across senior positions
Environment, Health and Safety Committee
Oversees risk management related to risks directly related to the environment, health and safety areas
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Oversees risk management related to governance structure and processes and risks arising from related person transactions

PROPOSAL TWO:
ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (“ESG”)
We provideembrace our ESG responsibilities and strive to effectively address the issues that matter most to our stockholders, withemployees, customers, suppliers, investors and the annual opportunitycommunities we serve. We are dedicated to cast an advisory vote on the compensationtransparency and measurement of our named executive officers. ESG performance as we execute our business strategy and expand our manufacturing reputation and expertise. We believe that a comprehensive ESG approach is more than a matter of process. Our ESG approach has been developed from a foundation of best practices and a desire for environmental, social and governance leadership, integrity and accountability.
Due to the significance of our ESG approach, the Board as a whole maintains oversight of the Company’s ESG program, including strategy, initiatives, metrics and policies. To facilitate its oversight, the Board has delegated certain responsibilities to its committees as follows:
The vote on this proposal represents an additional means by which we obtain feedback from our stockholders about executive compensation. OurAudit Committee oversees the appropriateness and reasonableness of the Company's applicable ESG standards, measurement mechanisms and key performance indicators.
The Compensation and Human Resources Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) sets executive compensation.oversees matters related to human capital management, including matters relating to employee compensation, benefits, engagement, training, diversity, inclusion and other social matters.
The overall objective of our executive compensation program isEnvironment, Health and Safety Committee oversees the matters related to encouragethe environmental, materials sustainability and rewardemployee health and safety programs.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the creation of sustainable, long-term stockholder value. To meet this objective,Board regarding the Compensation Committee has designed compensation plans for our executive officers that target total compensation at the 50th percentile (plus or minus 15%) of our customized peer group. A significant portion of our executives’ overall compensation is structured as incentive compensation. For fiscal 2017, incentive compensation represented approximately 74% of our current CEO’s total target compensation,Company’s ESG practices, reviews relevant ESG metrics developed by other Board committees and an average of 65%oversees management’s production of the total target compensation ofCompany’s ESG report.
The Company publishes an annual ESG Report, which includes the other named executive officers. We believe an emphasis on both short-termprincipal sustainability metrics the Company tracks: water withdrawal/energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and long-term incentive compensation aligns executives’ and stockholders’ interests.
We encourage our stockholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis sectionsolid waste creation. The most current ESG Report may be found at https://www.muellerwaterproducts.com/sustainability-program-vision-and-values. The ESG Report is not a part of this Proxy Statement, whichStatement.
Management Succession Planning
Management conducts annual talent reviews. During these reviews, the executive leadership team discusses how our compensation policiessuccession plans for key positions and procedures implement our compensation philosophy.identifies top talent for development needed in future leadership roles. The Board maintains a succession and the Compensation Committee believe these policies and procedures are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders and are effective in implementing our compensation philosophy and in achieving our strategic goals.
Accordingly, we ask for stockholder approval of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the named executive officers of Mueller Water Products, Inc., as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in the Company’s proxy statementcontingency plan for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders.
This vote is advisory and therefore not binding on us, the Board or the Compensation Committee. At last year’s annual meeting of stockholders, over 98% of votes cast were in support of the compensation of our named executive officers. The Board and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders. The Compensation Committee will consider the result of this year’s vote,CEO position as well as other communications from stockholders relating to our compensation practices, and take them into account in future determinations concerning our executive compensation program. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Highlights of 2017 Executive Compensation”.key officer positions.

The Board recommends a vote FOR Proposal Two.


PROPOSAL THREE:
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has authority to retain and terminate the services of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, subject to negotiation of definitive fee arrangements. Although stockholder ratification of Ernst & Young’s appointment is not required, the Board believes submitting the appointment to our stockholders for ratification is a matter of good corporate governance. See below for a description of the fees Ernst & Young billed us for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016.
A representative of Ernst & Young is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to stockholder questions.

The Board recommends a vote FOR Proposal Three.
FEES AND SERVICES OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting for fiscal 2017.
Audit Fees and Other Fees
The following table shows the approximate fees for audit and other services provided by Ernst & Young for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 (in millions).
 2017 2016
Audit fees(1)
$2.4
 $2.5
Audit-related fees
 0.1
Tax fees0.4
 0.1
     Total fees$2.8
 $2.7
(1)Reflects fees for professional services performed by Ernst & Young for annual audits (including out-of-pocket expenses) and quarterly limited reviews of our consolidated financial statements.
Pre-Approval of Services Performed by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee has adopted procedures for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. For both types of pre-approval, the Audit Committee considers whether the services are consistent with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC) rules on auditor independence and whether the independent registered public accounting firm is able to provide the most effective service. Non-audit fees to be incurred by the independent registered public accounting firm for services permitted by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to be performed by such firm must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee Chairman (for individual projects in amounts up to $100,000) or the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee periodically monitors the services rendered and actual fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm to ensure the services are within the parameters approved by the Audit Committee.


REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Committee Composition and Skills
The Audit Committee is comprised of three independent directors meeting the requirements of applicable SEC and NYSE rules. The Board has determined all Audit Committee members are “financially literate” for purposes of the NYSE Listed Company Manual (the “NYSE Manual”) and qualify as audit committee “financial experts” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC. See “Matters to be Voted On— Proposal One” for a description of the business background of each member. No member of the Audit Committee serves on the audit committee of more than three public companies.
Meetings
The Audit Committee met 13 times during fiscal 2017, including eight times by teleconference. Meetings include periodic executive sessions with the independent registered public accounting firm, our internal auditors and our management.
Responsibilities of the Audit Committee, Management and the Independent Auditor
The Audit Committee’s key responsibilities are set forth in its charter, which was approved by the Board and is available on our website. See “Corporate Governance— Board Operations— Board Committee Information” for more information concerning the Audit Committee and its responsibilities. For the audit of our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2017 and our internal control over financial reporting:
Management was primarily responsible for preparing our financial statements and establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee was responsible for monitoring and overseeing our financial reporting and audit functions, as well as our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure.
Ernst & Young, our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2017, was responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and was also responsible for performing an independent audit of, and expressing an opinion on, our internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and Ernst & Young the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2017, our quarterly consolidated financial statements and operating results for each quarter in the fiscal year and the related significant accounting and disclosure issues, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee reviewed management’s report contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017 (“Annual Report”), as well as Ernst & Young’s Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in the Annual Report related to its audits of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee discussed with Ernst & Young matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 16, as amended, “Communication with Audit Committees.” In addition, Ernst & Young provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and the Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young the firm’s independence.
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Based on the foregoing discussions with and reports of management and our independent registered public accounting firm and the Audit Committee’s review of the representations of management, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board the inclusion of our consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report.
Audit Committee
Jerry W. Kolb, Chair
Thomas J. Hansen
Bernard G. Rethore



CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Overview
Our Board is committed to establishing and maintaining strong corporate governance practices that reflect high standards of ethics and integrity and promote long-term stockholder value.
To that end, we recently amended our Bylaws regarding director elections and, beginning with this year’s Annual Meeting, we are requiring our directors to be elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. In connection with this change, we have also amended our Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) to provide that an incumbent director who fails to receive a majority of the votes cast must tender an irrevocable offer of resignation to the Board. The Board will then consider a number of factors in determining whether to accept or reject the resignation, including the director’s contributions to the CompanyPolicies and the reasons he or she did not obtain the requisite stockholder vote.Materials
Our corporate governance structure and processes are set forth in our key governance documents, including the Guidelines. The Guidelines govern the operation of the Board and its committees and guide the Board and its committees in the execution of their respective responsibilities. The Governance Committee reviews the Guidelines at least annually and the Board updates the Guidelines periodically in response to changing regulatory requirements, evolving practices and otherwise as circumstances warrant.
In July 2016, a group of leading executives and institutional investors published a statement of “Commonsense Principles of Corporate Governance.” These Commonsense Principles set forth a number of recommendations and guidelines about the roles and responsibilities of boards, public companies and stockholders, and are intended to provide guidance on corporate governance that “works in the real world.”
Because we believe an important aspect of achieving a strong and effective corporate governance structure is to encourage an open dialog with our stockholders, we have reviewed our policies and procedures in light of the suggestions set forth in the Commonsense Principles. Accordingly, highlighted below are the key areas of our corporate governance practices that we believe align with the Commonsense Principles.
Board Composition and Leadership:
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Our Board is led by a Chairman who is not our CEO
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Each of our director nominees, other than our CEO, is independent
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Our directors have complementary and diverse skills sets, backgrounds and experiences and are continually educated on our industry
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Our Board size promotes an open dialogue among directors
Majority Voting
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We use a majority voting standard in uncontested director elections, and require incumbent directors who fail to receive a majority of the votes cast to tender their resignation
Board Committee Structure:
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We have a well-developed committee structure with clearly understood responsibilities
Director Effectiveness:
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Our Board and committees conduct regular self-assessments, led by our Governance Committee, to assess effectiveness and areas for improvement
Director Responsibilities:
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Each of our directors has input into the setting of the Board agenda
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Each of our directors has unfettered access to management, and committees have the authority to retain independent advisors
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Our Board frequently meets in executive session without the CEO or other members of management
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Our Board focuses on significant risks and seeks the proper calibration of risk and reward while focusing on the longer-term interests of our stockholders
Director Compensation:
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We pay a substantial portion of non-employee director compensation in equity awards



Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Ethics Code”“Code of Conduct”) applies to all of our employees and directors. We also make available an ethics hotlinehelpline that employees and others may use to anonymously report suspected violations of the Ethics Code.Code of Conduct. We will disclose promptly any amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of the Ethics Code of Conduct on our website at www.muellerwaterproducts.com,, as may be required under applicable rules.
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The table
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Listed below listsare some of the Board policies and other materials relating to our corporate governance that are available on our website. We will also provide copies of any of these policies and materials without charge upon written request to our Corporate Secretary at Mueller Water Products, Inc., 1200 Abernathy Road, N.E., Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. The information on our website is not a part of this Proxy Statement.
Corporate Governance Policies and Materials
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Board Committee Charters
Bylaws
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
• Board Committee Charters
Certificate of Incorporation
Bylaws
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Stockholder Engagement
We believe that strong corporate governance should include regular engagement with our stockholders to enable us to understand and respond to stockholder concerns. Understanding the issues important to our stockholders is critical to ensuring that we address their concerns in a meaningful and effective way. In 2022, management and the Board, as appropriate, continued to reinforce our commitment to building long-term relationships with our stockholders. As part of our engagement program, we visit representatives of many of our top institutional stockholders to solicit feedback on performance, strategy, vision, risk management and other matters. We strive to be responsive to our stockholders and are committed to continued engagement.
Board CompositionStructure
Board SizeLeadership Structure
TheOur governance documents provide the Board with the flexibility to select the appropriate leadership structure for the Company, and the Board believes separating the roles of Chair and Chief Executive Officer is currently composedin the best interest of nine directorsthe Company and followingits stockholders. Mr. Hyland’s retirementO’Brien serves as discussed above, will be composed of eight directors. Each director is independent, except Mr. Hyland, our Executive Chairman,Non-Executive Chair, and Mr. Hall serves as our President and CEO. The Board held 10 meetings in fiscal 2017 and each director attendedChief Executive Officer.
Under our Bylaws, the Chair presides over 96% of the total number of meetings of the Board and committees of which he or she was a member.stockholders, while the Chief Executive Officer has general and active management of our property, business and affairs, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Board.
The Board believes this structure facilitates decisive and effective leadership and, when combined with our other governance policies and procedures, provides appropriate opportunities for oversight, discussion and evaluation of decisions and direction by the Board.
Director Independence
The Governance Committee and the Board annually assess the outside affiliations of each director to determine if these affiliations could cause a potential conflict of interest or interfere with the director’s independence. TheOur Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) set forth the categorical standards of independence for the Board. To be considered “independent” for purposes of the director qualification standards:
The director must meet bright-line independence standards under the NYSE Manual;listing standards; and
The Board must affirmatively determine the director otherwise has no material relationship with us directly or as an officer, stockholder or partner of an organization that has a relationship with us. See the Guidelines on our website www.muellerwaterproducts.com for more detail.
Each of our directors, other than our Executive ChairmanPresident and our CEO, is independent pursuant to our director qualification standards and each member of the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Human Resources Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) and the Governance Committee is independent in accordance with the NYSE Manual and our director independencelisting standards.
No member of those committees receives compensation from us other than directors’ fees and no member is an affiliated person of ours (other than by virtue of his or her directorship).
All membersMembers of the Audit Committee meet the additional standards for audit committee members of publicly traded companies required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
All members of the Compensation Committee qualify as “non-employee directors” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and meet the independence requirements of the NYSE Manuallisting standards and additional standards applicable to “outside directors” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Director Nomination Process
In discharging its responsibility related to director nominations, the Governance Committee receives input from other directors and, if applicable, an independent professional search firm. It also considers and evaluates candidates recommended by stockholders, as described below. The Governance Committee utilizes the same criteria to evaluate all candidates, regardless of who recommends the candidate.
Table of Contents32 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.


The Governance Committee’s evaluation includes a reference check, interaction, interviews and discussions about the candidate’s qualifications, availability and commitment. The Chair of the Governance Committee interviews each qualified candidate and selects candidates to be interviewed by other members of the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee reviews the results of all interviews and makes a recommendation to the full Board with respect to nominating a candidate for election to the Board. The Board expects all candidates recommended to the full Board to have received the approval of all members of the Governance Committee.
In evaluating candidates, the Governance Committee considers a variety of qualifications, experience, attributes and skills, and recognizes that a diversity of knowledge, viewpoints and experience can enhance the Board’s effectiveness. Accordingly, as part of its candidate evaluation, the Governance Committee considers how the candidate’s background, qualifications, experience, attributes and skills may enhance the quality of the Board’s deliberations and decisions.


ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Set forth below is a summary of the key skills and experience that is necessary for the Board as a whole. See “Matters to be Voted On — Proposal One” for information concerning each nominee’s relevant skills and experience.
CEO/Executive Leadership experience.  Experience serving in top management positions is important since these directors bring perspective in analyzing, shaping and overseeing the execution of important operational and policy issues at a senior level.
Corporate governance expertise.  Directors who have corporate governance experience can assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities related to the oversight of our legal and regulatory compliance.
Financial/Capital Allocation expertise.  Knowledge of financial markets, financing and funding operations, accounting and financial reporting processes is important since it assists our directors in understanding, advising and overseeing our capital structure, financing and investing activities, financial reporting and internal control of these activities.
Government and regulatory affairs expertise.  Directors who have served in government positions or who have worked extensively with governments or regulatory bodies can provide oversight of compliance with rules and regulations and insight into working constructively with governments or regulatory bodies.

International business experience.  Since we manufacture and sell certain of our products outside the United States, directors with global expertise can provide a useful business and cultural perspective regarding significant aspects of our businesses.
Marketing expertise.  Since we believe many of our products benefit form strong brand recognition, directors who have marketing experience can provide expertise and guidance as we seek to maintain and expand brand and product awareness and a positive reputation.
Mergers and acquisitions experience.  Since we have a strategy of selectively pursuing potential acquisitions, directors who have a background in M&A transactions can provide useful insight into developing and implementing strategies for growing our businesses through combination with other organizations.
Multiple-part manufacturing and operations experience. Experience in manufacturing is useful in understanding our research and development efforts, product engineering, design and manufacturing, operations, products and the market segments in which we compete.
Offshore sourcing expertise.  Directors with knowledge of trends and developments in offshore sourcing are important to us since we periodically evaluate offshore sourcing of certain of our products.
Strategic planning expertise.  We operate in competitive markets and our businesses are subject to a wide variety of risks. Directors who have strategic planning experience can assist the Board in adopting policies and procedures that respond to the risks we face.
Compliance/Risk Management.  Directors with compliance and risk management experience is increasingly important in light of the potential financial and reputational damage that can occur when companies fail to oversee compliance and properly manage risk.

Environment, Health and Safety.  We are committed to responsible environmental stewardship and rigorous health and safety programs. We believe directors with EHS experience can help drive strong environment, health and safety performance not only at the most strategic level but also throughout the entire organization.
Technology/Systems experience.  Directors with backgrounds in the engineering disciplines, computer science, software development or cyber security are increasingly important in light of our strategies around manufacturing and product technologies. 
Diversity.  We are committed to seeking director candidates who offer diverse backgrounds and varied perspectives along with the other requisite skills, experience and character necessary to serve on our Board.
Director Candidate Recommendations
A stockholder who wishes to submit a director candidate for consideration by the Governance Committee must do so by writing our Corporate Secretary and including the candidate’s biographical data. See “Stockholder Information — Procedures for Business Matters and Director Nominations for Consideration at Next Year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders”.



Board Operations
Board Leadership StructureExecutive Sessions
Our governance documents provide the Board with the flexibility to select the appropriate leadership structure for us. The Board does not have a formal policy as to whether the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer should be separate or whether the Chairman should be an employee or a non-employee director.directors meet at least quarterly in executive sessions at which only non-employee directors are present. Our Non-Executive Chair presides at these sessions.
Under our Bylaws, the Chairman presides over meetings of the Board and of stockholders, while the Chief Executive Officer has general and active management of our property, business and affairs, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Board. Mr. Hyland currently serves as our Executive Chairman and Mr. Hall serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. O’Brien serves as our Lead Director.
The Board currently intends to appoint an independent, non-employee director as Chairman of the Board in conjunction with the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Board believes this structure facilitates decisive and effective leadership and, when combined with our other governance policies and procedures, provides appropriate opportunities for oversight, discussion and evaluation of decisions and direction by the Board.
Board Committee Information
The Board currently has fourfive standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Capital Allocation and Operations Committee (“Capital Allocation Committee”), the Compensation Committee, the Governance Committee and the Environment, Health and Safety Committee (“EHS Committee”). An additional committee, the Executive Committee, meets only as needed. Each standing committee member of the Audit, Compensation, Governance and EHS Committees satisfies both the NYSE’s and our definitions of an independent director, and the Board has determineddetermined that all Audit Committee members are “financially literate” and at least one independent member qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under the NYSE Manuallisting standards and qualify as “audit committee financial experts” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Board designated Mr. Van Arsdell as an “Audit Committee financial expert” during 2022.
Each standing committee meets periodically throughout the year, reports its actions and recommendations to the Board, receives reports from management and annually evaluates its performance. Additional information about the committees is provided below. In addition to being a member of the Capital Allocation Committee and the Executive Committee, Mr. O'Brien is an ex officio member of the other standing committees. See the committee charters on our website at www.muellerwaterproducts.com for more detail.
Audit Committee
Audit Committee
CURRENT MEMBERS
Van Arsdell (Chair)
Rethore(1)
Sharritts
Current Members
Kolb (Chair)
Hansen
Rethore
Oversees the integrity of our financial statements, financial reporting activities and accounting policies and procedures.
Selects and oversees the independent registered public accounting firm, approves its services (including both audit and non-audit services) and fees, and evaluates its performance. In its evaluation, the Audit Committee considers the firm’s reputation for independence and integrity, the qualifications and performance of the firm’s personnel and the effectiveness of the firm’s communications, the appropriateness of fees and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board reports on the firm and its peers.
Selects, reviews and evaluates the lead partner of the audit engagement team.
Reviews the scope and results of the independent registered public accounting firm’s audits.
Reviews the scope of the internal audit function, internal audit plans, internal audit reports and corrective actions taken in response to internal audit findings. Evaluates the performance of the internal audit function.
Oversees our internal accounting systems and related internal control over financial reporting, as well as our financial risk management profile.
Oversees our legal compliance and ethics programs and the Ethics Code.Code of Conduct.
Reviews cyber and data security matters, including our risk mitigation initiatives.
Oversees the appropriateness and reasonableness of the Company's applicable ESG standards, measurement mechanisms and key performance indicators.
13 meetings in fiscal 2017
2022

Compensation and Human Resources(1)Mr. Rethore will be retiring from service in February 2023. Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, the Company has agreed to appoint Karl Niclas Ytterdahl to the Audit Committee in February 2023.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Compensation and Human Resources Committee
Current MembersCURRENT MEMBERS
Tokarz(Chair)
Franklin
KolbHansen
Sharritts
Van Arsdell
OverseesReviews, approves and administers our executive compensation and equity-based plans.
Reviews and approves goals and objectives for compensation of our CEO, evaluates performance in relation to these goals and objectives, and determines and approves the compensation of our CEO.
Reviews and approves the compensation of all executive officers.
Reviews and recommends the compensation of non-employee directors.
Reviews and approves stock ownership requirements for officers and directors.
Oversees an annual risk assessment process related to compensation programs.
ManagesReviews succession planning across senior positions.
Oversees matters related to human capital management, including matters relating to employee compensation, benefits, engagement, training, diversity, inclusion and other social matters, including such matters related to the Company’s ESG program.
7 meetings in fiscal 2017
2022
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Current Members
Rethore (Chair)
Kolb
Thomas
Tokarz
• Establishes criteria forEnvironment, Health and qualifications of persons suitable for nomination as directors and reports recommendations to Board.
• Develops and annually reviews the Guidelines.
• Oversees the annual Board and committee self-assessment process.
• Makes recommendations to the Board related to committee structure and membership.
Safety Committee
9 meetings in fiscal 2017
Environment, Health and Safety Committee
CURRENT MEMBERS
Current Members
Thomas Ortiz (Chair)
Franklin
Hansen
Thomas
Reviews policies and procedures related to compliance with laws, regulations and rules pertaining to the environment, health and safety.
Monitors compliance with health, safety and environmental policies, programs and practices.
Encourages activities and initiatives that demonstrate sound environmental stewardship.
Reviews the scope of internal and independent environmental, health and safety audits and assessments.
Reviews results of internal compliance reviews and remediation projects.
Supports the Board’s responsibilities relating to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Reviews the Company’s environmental, health and safety performance and related initiatives.
Oversees matters related to the environmental, materials sustainability and employee health and safety programs.
45 meetings in fiscal 20172022
Executive Committee
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Current MembersCURRENT MEMBERS
Hyland Thomas (Chair)
HallOrtiz
O’BrienRethore(1)
RethoreSlobodow
Tokarz
Establishes criteria for and qualifications of persons suitable for nomination as directors and reports recommendations to Board.
Selects and recommends director candidates to be considered for election.
Develops and annually reviews the Governance Guidelines.
Oversees the annual Board and committee evaluation process.
Makes recommendations to the Board related to committee structure and membership.
Advises the Board regarding corporate governance matters.
Monitors the orientation and continuing education programs for directors.
Oversees the development, updating and production of the Company's annual ESG Report, reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding our ESG practices and reviews applicable Committee ESG metrics.
8 meetings in fiscal 2022
Executive Committee
CURRENT MEMBERS
Hall (Chair)
O’Brien
Rethore(1)
Tokarz
Van Arsdell
Exercises interim powers delegated to it when a matter requires expeditious Board action or when it would not be practical for the full Board to meet.
20 meetings in fiscal 20172022
(1)Mr. Rethore will be retiring from service in February 2023.
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Capital Allocation and Operations Committee
CURRENT MEMBERS(1)
Hall(Co-Chair)
Slobodow (Co-Chair)
O’Brien

Reviews, analyzes, oversees, and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the capital allocation and operations of the Company.
Identifies opportunities to create value, including in relation to improving production rates, accelerating the completion timeline of the facility modernization projects and overseeing any targeted action plans relating to the foregoing.
0 meetings in fiscal 2022
(1)The Capital Allocation and Operations Committee was created October 2022 as a requirement of the Cooperation Agreement. Additionally, pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, the Company has agreed to appoint Karl Niclas Ytterdahl to the Capital Allocation and Operations Committee in February 2023.
Board Practices, Processes and Policies
History of Commitment to Good Governance Practices
The Board has always followed a principled framework in carrying out its oversight responsibilities related to the business of the Company. The Board is committed to good corporate governance practices and a sound governance structure that promote the interests of all stockholders. While the underlying guiding principles of the Board remain consistent, the implementation of these principles continues to be flexible and evolves in response to ever-changing business, legal and social environments.
Director Attendance
As discussed above, the Board held 10 meetings in fiscal 2017 and each director attended over 96% of the total number of meetings of the Board and its committees of which he or she was a member in fiscal 2017. Each current director also attended the 2017
The Board held 8 meetings in fiscal 2022 and each director attended at least 93% of the total number of meetings of the Board and its committees of which she or he was a member in fiscal 2022. Although the Company does not have a formal policy requiring attendance at annual meetings, directors are encouraged to attend, and each then-current director also attended the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.Fiscal 2022 Board/Committee meeting attendance
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Executive Sessions
Our non-employee directors meet at least quarterly in executive sessions at which only non-employee directors are present. Our Lead Director, presides at these sessions.
Board and Committee Evaluations
Each year, the Guidelines require the Board to conduct an evaluation of its own performance. Additionally, our committee charters require each of our committees to conduct an annual performance evaluation. The Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the annual self-assessmentassessment process on behalf of the Board and its committees. Throughout the self-assessmentevaluation process, the Governance Committee solicits comments from directors, via self and peer evaluations and committee and Board assessments, to ensure that the Board andas a whole, its committees and each director are functioning effectively. The Governance Committee reviews comments from each director to assess directors’ contributions to the Board, evaluateevaluates the Board’s


contributions to the Company and identifyidentifies areas for improvement in the Board’s performance. The Governance Committee submitsdiscusses its findings towith the Board in an annual report discussingannually regarding ways in which the Board and its committees can improve their key functions.
Board Risk OversightDirector Orientation and Continuing Education
The Company’s Guidelines establish recommendations for director onboarding and continued education. All new members of the Board maintains oversight responsibility forparticipate in the Company’s new director orientation program, including corporate document and policy reviews, management meetings and site visits. Additionally, directors participate in an in-depth review of the Company strategy and have the opportunity to meet with senior management and obtain insights into the business. All directors are encouraged to participate in continuing education programs, with any associated expenses reimbursed by the Company, to stay current and knowledgeable about the Company’s industry, market and overall environment. Such orientation and continuing education programs are overseen by the Governance Committee.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board is committed to establishing and maintaining strong corporate governance practices that reflect high standards of ethics and integrity and promote long-term stockholder value.
To that end, our managementBylaws provide that our directors must be elected by the affirmative vote of risk and charges management with assessing and managing risk. Our internal control environment is designeda majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. Additionally, the Guidelines provide that an incumbent director who fails to identify and manage risks andreceive a majority of the votes cast must tender an irrevocable offer of resignation to facilitate communication with the Board. Our internal audit department, which reportsThe Board will then consider a number of factors in determining whether to accept or reject the resignation, including the director’s contributions to the Audit Committee, facilitatesCompany.
Our corporate governance structure and processes are set forth in our enterprise risk assessment and ongoing enterprise risk management processes, in coordination with our legal and compliance functions, and regularly reports on risk-related issues tokey governance documents, including the Guidelines. The Guidelines govern the operation of the Board and its committees to complement our strategic planning process. Theand guide the Board and Auditits committees in the execution of their respective responsibilities. The Governance Committee receive regular reportsreviews the Guidelines at least annually, and the Board updates fromthe Guidelines periodically in response to changing regulatory requirements, evolving practices and otherwise as circumstances warrant.
An important aspect of achieving a strong and effective corporate governance structure is to encourage an open dialogue with our legal and compliance functions. The Board also considers specific risk topics and receives regular reports fromstockholders. Accordingly, highlighted below are the headskey areas of our principal businesses and corporate functionsgovernance practices that include discussions of the risks and exposures involved in their respective areas of responsibility.
The Board executes its risk oversight function both as a whole and through delegation to committees. In particular:
we believe align with common best practices.
Board Composition and LeadershipüOur Board is led by an independent Non-Executive Chair who is not our CEO


ü
Audit CommitteeCompensation CommitteeEach of our director nominees, other than our President and CEO, is independent
üOur directors have complementary and diverse skills sets, backgrounds and experiences and are continually educated on our industry
üOur Board size promotes an open dialogue among directors
Director ElectionsüWe use a majority voting standard in uncontested director elections, and require incumbent directors who fail to receive a majority of the votes cast to tender their resignation
üDirectors are elected on an annual basis
Board Committee StructureüWe have a well-developed committee structure with clearly understood responsibilities
ü
With the exception of the newly created Capital Allocation and Operations Committee in accordance with the Cooperation Agreement, each member of our standing committees is independent
Oversees risk
Director EffectivenessüOur Board, committees and directors conduct regular self and peer evaluations, led by our Governance Committee, to assess effectiveness and areas for improvement
Director ResponsibilitiesüEach of our directors has input into the setting of the Board agenda
üEach of our directors has unfettered access to management, relatedand committees have the authority to accounting and financial reporting,retain independent advisors
üOur Board frequently meets in executive session without the audit process, internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures
Oversees the internal audit function
Monitors legal and compliance issues and active matters
CEO or other members of management
ü
Oversees risk management related to theOur Board focuses on significant risks and rewards associated withseeks the proper calibration of risk and reward while focusing on the longer-term interests of our compensation policies and practices
Oversees management development and succession planning across senior positions
stockholders
Director Compensationü
EHS CommitteeGovernance Committee
Oversees risk management related to risks directly related to the environment, health and safety areas
Oversees risk management related to governance structure and processes and risks arising from related person transactions
We pay a substantial portion of non-employee director compensation in equity grants

Related Person Transactions
The Governance Committee administers a written Related Person Transaction Policy that applies to any transaction or series of transactions in which we are a participant, the amount involved exceeds or may be expected to exceed $120,000 and a related person has a direct or indirect material interest. Under the policy, our General CounselChief Legal and Compliance Officer determines whether a transaction meets the requirements of a related person transaction requiring review by the Governance Committee. Transactions that fall within this definition will be referred to the Governance Committee for approval, ratification or other action. Based on its consideration of all of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Governance Committee will decide whether or not to approve the transaction and will approve only those transactions that are in our best interests.interest. In addition, the Board has delegated to the Chair of the Governance Committee the authority to
36 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
pre-approve or ratify any transaction with a related person in which the aggregate amount involved is expected to be less than $500,000.
We did not engage in any transaction during fiscal 2017,2022, and have no currently proposed transaction, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Communicating with the Board
Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with any of our directors, including our Non-Executive Chair and the Chairs of our committees, or our independent directors as a group, on Board-related issues by writing in care of our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive office address: 1200 Abernathy Road, N.E., Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. Stockholders and other interested persons may also communicate with directors by sending an email message to boardofdirectors@muellerwp.com, or with the Audit Committee by sending an email message to auditcommittee@muellerwp.com. These procedures may change from time to time. Please visit our website at www.muellerwaterproducts.com for the most current means of contacting our directors.
Director Compensation
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and considering revisions to director compensation. With the assistance of its independent compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee reviews director compensation and compares it to director compensation paid by other companies in the peer group described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Executive Compensation Program Overview — Peer Group Benchmarking and Total Compensation.”
The Board reviews the Compensation Committee’s recommendations and determines the final structure and amounts of director compensation. The Board has determined compensation for non-employee directors should comprise a mix of cash and equity-based awards consistent with the mix and form of payment implemented by other companies in our peer group. In addition to utilizing an overall compensation structure consistent with market practice, the Board believes the interests of directors are aligned with the interests of other stockholders by linking a significant portion of director compensation to Common Stock performance. Under our stock ownership guidelines, directors are required to hold at least 50% of the Common Stock acquired through equity-based awards until they own Common Stock equal in market value to at least five times their annual retainer. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Compensation Practices and Policies — Stock Ownership Guidelines” for more information.
Annual Retainer
Each non-employee director was entitled to receive an annual retainer of $65,000 for fiscal 2022. In addition, the Chairs of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Governance Committee and the EHS Committee were entitled to receive chair fees equal to $20,000, $15,000, $10,000 and $10,000, respectively. Our Non-Executive Chair receives $100,000 for serving in this capacity. The annual retainers and chair fees are paid quarterly.
Meeting Fees
Each non-employee director was entitled to receive $1,500 for each Board or committee (in which the applicable director was a member) meeting attended during fiscal 2022, except that our Non-Executive Chair, who is an ex officio member of the Audit, Compensation, Governance and EHS Committees of the Board, receives no fees for meetings of these Committees. Meeting fees are paid promptly after the conclusion of each meeting.
Deferred Compensation
The Board adopted the Mueller Water Products, Inc. Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan, as amended, under which non-employee directors may elect to defer all or a portion of their directors’ fees. We make deferred payments in January of the year determined by the non-employee director pursuant to an election filed with our Corporate Secretary. The payments may be made in any calendar year not earlier than the year in which the participant has his or her 72nd birthday or the year of the participant’s termination of his or her services as a director, with the payment made in cash in one, five, ten or fifteen annual installments as determined by the participating director in his or her election form. Mr. Tokarz was the only non-employee director who participated in this plan during fiscal 2022. Mr. Tokarz’s deferred payments are maintained in a stock equivalent account.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Equity-Based Awards
Our Second Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Plan”) provides that, on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, we will grant equity-based awards with an economic value determined by the Compensation Committee to each non-employee director who is re-elected to the Board and has served as a director for at least six months. In addition, the Stock Plan provides that each director will receive an initial equity-based grant on the date on which he or she commences service as a director, the economic value and terms of which will be determined by the Compensation Committee. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Compensation Practices and Policies — Role of Compensation Consultant in Compensation Decisions.”
On February 7, 2022, each non-employee director received equity-based awards in the amount of $115,000, which resulted in the grant of 8,825 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) in accordance with the Stock Plan and related policies. These RSUs will vest for directors remaining in continuous service through the first anniversary of the grant date, although the Compensation Committee may waive this minimum service requirement. On February 7, 2022, in connection with his retirement from service, Mr. Kolb received an equity-based award in the amount of $115,000, which resulted in the grant of 8,825 RSUs that vest one half per year on each of the first two anniversary dates of the grant date.
Travel Expenses
We reimburse directors for their travel and related expenses in connection with attending Board and committee meetings and related activities.
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Director Compensation Summary
The following table shows fiscal 2022 compensation for our non-employee directors.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
 Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
 
Stock Awards
($)(2)
 
Total
($)
Name
Annual
Retainer
($)(1)
Meeting Fees
($)
Other
($)(3)
Total
($)
Shirley C. Franklin65,00030,0001,50096,500114,990211,490
Thomas J. Hansen65,00028,5001,50095,000114,990209,990
Jerry W. Kolb(4)
28,11121,00049,111114,990164,101
Mark J. O’Brien165,00012,000177,000114,990291,990
Christine Ortiz65,00034,5001,500101,000114,990215,990
Bernard G. Rethore75,00043,500118,500114,990233,490
Jeffery S. Sharritts65,00039,000104,000114,990218,990
Brian L. Slobodow(5)
Lydia W. Thomas75,00031,5001,500108,000114,990222,990
Michael T. Tokarz80,00034,500114,500114,990229,490
Stephen C. Van Arsdell80,00039,000119,000114,990233,990
(1)Includes fees earned as Chair of a committee or as Non-Executive Chair.
(2)Reflects the grant date fair value of the RSUs granted during fiscal 2022 computed in accordance with the stock-based compensation accounting rules described in our fiscal 2022 consolidated financial statements, which are included in the 2022 Annual Report. On February 7, 2022, in connection with his retirement from service, Mr. Kolb received an equity-based award in the amount of $115,000.
(3)The members of the EHS Committee received a one-time payment of $1,500 for participation in working sessions related to the oversight of a special health and safety project commissioned by the Board.
(4)Mr. Kolb retired from the Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Due to his retirement from the Board on February 7, 2022, Mr. Kolb received prorated fees during fiscal 2022.
(5)Mr. Slobodow was appointed to the Board on October 13, 2022 in accordance with the Cooperation Agreement.
The following table shows information related to option awards and stock awards made to our non-employee directors that were outstanding at September 30, 2022.
 Option Awards

Stock Awards
 Number of Securities
Underlying Options (#)

Number of Shares or
Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested (#)
 ExercisableUnexercisable      
Shirley C. Franklin— — 

8,825 
Thomas J. Hansen20,447 — 

8,825 
Jerry W. Kolb(1)
— — 

8,825 
Mark J. O’Brien33,025 — 

8,825 
Christine Ortiz— — 

8,825 
Bernard G. Rethore20,447 — 

8,825 
Jeffery S. Sharritts— — 8,825 
Brian L. Slobodow(2)
— — — 
Lydia W. Thomas33,025 — 

8,825 
Michael T. Tokarz33,025 — 

8,825 
Stephen C. Van Arsdell— — 

8,825 
(1)On February 7, 2022, in connection with his retirement from service, Mr. Kolb received an equity-based award in the amount of $115,000, which resulted in the grant of 8,825 RSUs that vest one half per year on the first two anniversary dates of the grant date.
(2)Mr. Slobodow was appointed to the Board on October 13, 2022 in accordance with the Cooperation Agreement.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 39


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Proposal Two
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
image_11a.jpg
The Board recommends a vote FOR this proposal.
We provide our stockholders with the annual opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. The vote on this proposal represents an additional means by which we obtain feedback from our stockholders about executive compensation. Our Compensation Committee sets executive compensation.
The overall objective of our executive compensation program is to encourage and reward the creation of sustainable, long-term stockholder value. To meet this objective, the Compensation Committee has designed compensation plans for our executive officers that target total compensation at or about the regressed 50th percentile of our customized peer group. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Executive Compensation Program Overview — Peer Group Benchmarking and Total Compensation.” A significant portion of our executives’ overall compensation is structured as incentive compensation. For fiscal 2022, incentive compensation represented approximately 83% of our current CEO’s total target compensation (excluding Other Compensation), and an average of 67% of the total target compensation (excluding Other Compensation) of the other named executive officers. We believe an emphasis on both short-term and long-term incentive compensation aligns executives’ and stockholders’ interests. Further, the Company’s results, as measured against the performance metrics established by the Committee in fiscal 2022, produced a performance-based cash incentive compensation payout percentage of 89.3% of target for Ms. Zakas and Messrs. Hall, Heinrichs and Helms and 91.0% of target for Mr. Takeuchi and a long-term incentive payout percentage of 70.0% for incentives based on RONA performance and 88.9% for incentives based on relative total shareholder return for all NEOs, which illustrate rigorous and meaningful targets and highlight the Committee's pay-for-performance philosophy.
We encourage our stockholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, which discusses how our compensation policies and procedures implement our compensation philosophy. The Board and the Compensation Committee believe these policies and procedures are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders and are effective in implementing our compensation philosophy and in achieving our strategic goals.
Accordingly, we ask for stockholder approval of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Mueller Water Products, Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.
At the most recent annual meeting of stockholders, approximately 93% of votes cast were in support of the compensation of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee will once again consider the result of this year’s vote, as well as other communications from stockholders relating to our compensation practices, and take them into account in future determinations concerning our executive compensation program. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Highlights of 2022 Executive Compensation.”
Deferred Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During fiscal 2017, none ofThe Board adopted the members of the Compensation Committee was a former or current officer or employee of Mueller Water Products, Inc. Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan, as amended, under which non-employee directors may elect to defer all or a portion of their directors’ fees. We make deferred payments in January of the year determined by the non-employee director pursuant to an election filed with our Corporate Secretary. The payments may be made in any calendar year not earlier than the year in which the participant has his or her 72nd birthday or the year of its subsidiariesthe participant’s termination of his or had any relationships requiring disclosureher services as a related person transaction. None of our executive officers servesdirector, with the payment made in cash in one, five, ten or has served onfifteen annual installments as determined by the board of directorsparticipating director in his or compensation committee of any other entity that has or has had one or more executive officersher election form. Mr. Tokarz was the only non-employee director who served as a member of the Board or its Compensation Committeeparticipated in this plan during fiscal 2017.2022. Mr. Tokarz’s deferred payments are maintained in a stock equivalent account.
Table of Contents
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 37



Communicating with the Board
Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with any of our directors, including our Lead Director and the Chairs of our committees, or our independent directors as a group, on Board-related issues by writing in care of our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive office address: 1200 Abernathy Road, N.E., Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. Stockholders and other interested persons may also communicate with directors by sending an email message to boardofdirectors@muellerwp.com, or with the Audit Committee by sending an email message to auditcommittee@muellerwp.com. These procedures may change from time to time. Please visit our website at www.muellerwaterproducts.comfor the most current means of contacting our directors.

Table of ContentsELECTION OF DIRECTORS


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and considering any revisions to director compensation. With the assistance of its independent compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee reviews director compensation and compares it to director compensation paid by other companies in the peer group described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Executive Compensation Program Overview — Peer Group Benchmarking and Total Compensation.”
The Board reviews the Compensation Committee’s recommendations and determines the final structure and amounts of director compensation. The Board has determined compensation for non-employee directors should comprise a mix of cash and equity-based awards. The Board believes the interests of directors are aligned with the interests of other stockholders by linking a significant portion of director compensation to Common Stock performance. Under our stock ownership guidelines, directors are required to hold at least 50% of the Common Stock acquired through equity-based awards until they own Common Stock equal in market value to at least five times their annual retainer. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Compensation Practices and Policies — Stock Ownership Guidelines” for more information.
Annual Retainer
Each non-employee director received an annual retainer of $55,000 for fiscal 2017. Annual retainers are paid quarterly. In addition, the Chairs of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee each received $15,000, while the Chairs of the Governance Committee and EHS Committee each received $7,500. Our Lead Director received $50,000 for serving in this capacity.
Meeting Fees
Each non-employee director received $1,500 for each Board or committee meeting attended during fiscal 2017, except that our Lead Director, who is an ex officio member of each standing committee of the Board, receives no meeting fees. Meeting fees are paid monthly.
Equity-Based Awards
Our Second Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2006 Stock“Stock Plan”) provides that, on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, we will grant equity-based awards with an economic value determined by the Compensation Committee to each non-employee director who is re-elected to the Board and has served as a director for at least six months. In addition, the 2006 Stock Plan provides that each director will receive an initial equity-based grant on the date on which he or she commences service as a director, the economic value and terms of which will be as determined by the Compensation Committee. The number of units equivalent to the economic value of those awards is calculated by the Compensation Committees compensation consultant. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Compensation Practices and Policies — Role of Compensation Consultant in Compensation Decisions”.Decisions.”
On January 25, 2017,February 7, 2022, each non-employee director received equity-based awards in the formamount of 6,612$115,000, which resulted in the grant of 8,825 restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The outstanding in accordance with the Stock Plan and related policies. These RSUs will vest for directors remaining in equal installments oncontinuous service through the first second and third anniversariesanniversary of the grant date.
Under our 2006 Stock Plan, once a participant becomes “retirement-eligible,” all outstanding and unvested equity-based awards automatically vest upon retirement. Each of our non-employee directors is “retirement eligible”. Commencing in fiscal 2014, all equity-based awards participants must remain in continuous service from the grant date, through at least the first anniversary thereof to receive accelerated vesting upon retirement from the Board, although the Compensation Committee may waive this minimum service requirement.
Mr. Leonard retired from the Board at the 2017 Annual Meeting. At a January 2017 Board meeting, the Board awarded to Mr. Leonard an equity-based grant equal to 6,612 shares of Common Stock in recognition of his many years of service to the Board and waived the minimum service requirement On February 7, 2022, in connection with his retirement from service, Mr. Kolb received an equity-based award in the award.amount of $115,000, which resulted in the grant of 8,825 RSUs that vest one half per year on each of the first two anniversary dates of the grant date.
Travel Expenses
We reimburse directors for their travel and related expenses in connection with attending Board and committee meetings and related activities.
Table of Contents
38 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.



ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Director Compensation Summary
The following table shows fiscal 20172022 compensation for our non-employee directors.
Fiscal 2017 Director Compensation Table
NameFees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
Stock
Awards
($)(2)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
Annual
Retainer
($)(1)
Meeting
Fees
($)
Total
($)
Shirley C. Franklin55,000
31,500
86,500
89,989

176,489
Thomas J. Hansen55,000
39,000
94,000
89,989

183,989
Jerry W. Kolb70,000
54,000
124,000
89,989

213,989
Joseph B. Leonard(3)
13,750
21,000
34,750
89,989

124,739
Mark J. O’Brien105,000
18,000
123,000
89,989

212,989
Bernard G. Rethore62,500
51,000
113,500
89,989

203,489
Lydia W. Thomas62,500
34,500
97,000
89,989

186,989
Michael T. Tokarz (4)
70,000
42,000
112,000
89,989
20,674
222,663
(1)Includes fees earned as chair of a committee or as Lead Director.DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
(2)Reflects the grant date fair value of the RSUs granted during fiscal 2017 computed in accordance with the stock-based compensation accounting rules described in Note 11 of our fiscal 2017 consolidated financial statements, which are included in the 2017 Annual Report. Since all non-employee directors were retirement-eligible at the grant date, expense is recognized over one year from the date of grant.
(3)Mr. Leonard retired from the Board at the 2017 Annual Meeting. In connection with Mr. Leonard’s retirement, all of his outstanding stock awards vested and became immediately exercisable.
(4)Mr. Tokarz deferred the receipt of all director compensation fees earned in fiscal 2017 into 8,992 stock equivalent shares of Common Stock. “All Other Compensation” represents amounts accrued on identical terms to dividends paid on Common Stock equal to the accumulated stock equivalent share balance. See “— Deferred Compensation” for more information.
 Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
 
Stock Awards
($)(2)
 
Total
($)
Name
Annual
Retainer
($)(1)
Meeting Fees
($)
Other
($)(3)
Total
($)
Shirley C. Franklin65,00030,0001,50096,500114,990211,490
Thomas J. Hansen65,00028,5001,50095,000114,990209,990
Jerry W. Kolb(4)
28,11121,00049,111114,990164,101
Mark J. O’Brien165,00012,000177,000114,990291,990
Christine Ortiz65,00034,5001,500101,000114,990215,990
Bernard G. Rethore75,00043,500118,500114,990233,490
Jeffery S. Sharritts65,00039,000104,000114,990218,990
Brian L. Slobodow(5)
Lydia W. Thomas75,00031,5001,500108,000114,990222,990
Michael T. Tokarz80,00034,500114,500114,990229,490
Stephen C. Van Arsdell80,00039,000119,000114,990233,990
(1)Includes fees earned as Chair of a committee or as Non-Executive Chair.
(2)Reflects the grant date fair value of the RSUs granted during fiscal 2022 computed in accordance with the stock-based compensation accounting rules described in our fiscal 2022 consolidated financial statements, which are included in the 2022 Annual Report. On February 7, 2022, in connection with his retirement from service, Mr. Kolb received an equity-based award in the amount of $115,000.
(3)The members of the EHS Committee received a one-time payment of $1,500 for participation in working sessions related to the oversight of a special health and safety project commissioned by the Board.
(4)Mr. Kolb retired from the Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Due to his retirement from the Board on February 7, 2022, Mr. Kolb received prorated fees during fiscal 2022.
(5)Mr. Slobodow was appointed to the Board on October 13, 2022 in accordance with the Cooperation Agreement.
The following table shows information related to option awards and stock awards made to our non-employee directors that were outstanding at September 30, 20172022.
 Option Awards

Stock Awards
 Number of Securities
Underlying Options (#)

Number of Shares or
Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested (#)
 ExercisableUnexercisable      
Shirley C. Franklin— — 

8,825 
Thomas J. Hansen20,447 — 

8,825 
Jerry W. Kolb(1)
— — 

8,825 
Mark J. O’Brien33,025 — 

8,825 
Christine Ortiz— — 

8,825 
Bernard G. Rethore20,447 — 

8,825 
Jeffery S. Sharritts— — 8,825 
Brian L. Slobodow(2)
— — — 
Lydia W. Thomas33,025 — 

8,825 
Michael T. Tokarz33,025 — 

8,825 
Stephen C. Van Arsdell— — 

8,825 
(1)On February 7, 2022, in connection with his retirement from service, Mr. Kolb received an equity-based award in the amount of $115,000, which resulted in the grant of 8,825 RSUs that vest one half per year on the first two anniversary dates of the grant date.
(2)Mr. Slobodow was appointed to the Board on October 13, 2022 in accordance with the Cooperation Agreement.
   Option AwardsStock Awards
 
Name(1)
Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
 
 ExercisableUnexercisable
 Franklin 65,796
 
 6,612
 
 Hansen 58,999
 
 6,612
 
 Thomas 79,724
 
 6,612
 
 Kolb 55,084
 
 6,612
 
 O’Brien 89,425
 
 6,612
 
 Rethore 33,025
 
 6,612
 
 Tokarz 89,425
 
 6,612
 
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 39


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
(1)Proposal Two
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
image_11a.jpg
Each director is “retirement-eligible” under the 2006 Stock Plan. Commencing in fiscal 2014, all equity-based awards require
The Board recommends a grantee who is or becomes “retirement-eligible” prior to an initial vesting date to remain in continuous service from the grant date through at least the first anniversary thereof to receive accelerated vesting upon retirement. For purposes ofvote FOR this table, all stock options and RSUs outstanding are deemed vested.proposal.
We provide our stockholders with the annual opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. The vote on this proposal represents an additional means by which we obtain feedback from our stockholders about executive compensation. Our Compensation Committee sets executive compensation.
The overall objective of our executive compensation program is to encourage and reward the creation of sustainable, long-term stockholder value. To meet this objective, the Compensation Committee has designed compensation plans for our executive officers that target total compensation at or about the regressed 50th percentile of our customized peer group. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Executive Compensation Program Overview — Peer Group Benchmarking and Total Compensation.” A significant portion of our executives’ overall compensation is structured as incentive compensation. For fiscal 2022, incentive compensation represented approximately 83% of our current CEO’s total target compensation (excluding Other Compensation), and an average of 67% of the total target compensation (excluding Other Compensation) of the other named executive officers. We believe an emphasis on both short-term and long-term incentive compensation aligns executives’ and stockholders’ interests. Further, the Company’s results, as measured against the performance metrics established by the Committee in fiscal 2022, produced a performance-based cash incentive compensation payout percentage of 89.3% of target for Ms. Zakas and Messrs. Hall, Heinrichs and Helms and 91.0% of target for Mr. Takeuchi and a long-term incentive payout percentage of 70.0% for incentives based on RONA performance and 88.9% for incentives based on relative total shareholder return for all NEOs, which illustrate rigorous and meaningful targets and highlight the Committee's pay-for-performance philosophy.
We encourage our stockholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, which discusses how our compensation policies and procedures implement our compensation philosophy. The Board and the Compensation Committee believe these policies and procedures are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders and are effective in implementing our compensation philosophy and in achieving our strategic goals.
Accordingly, we ask for stockholder approval of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Mueller Water Products, Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.
At the most recent annual meeting of stockholders, approximately 93% of votes cast were in support of the compensation of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee will once again consider the result of this year’s vote, as well as other communications from stockholders relating to our compensation practices, and take them into account in future determinations concerning our executive compensation program. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Highlights of 2022 Executive Compensation.”
Deferred Compensation
The Board adopted the Mueller Water Products, Inc. Directors’ Deferred Fee Plan, as amended, under which non-employee directors may elect to defer all or a portion of their directors’ fees. We make deferred payments in January of the year determined by the non-employee director pursuant to an election filed with our Corporate Secretary. The payments may be made in any calendar year not earlier than the year in which the participant has his or her 72nd72nd birthday or the year of the participant’s termination of his or her services as a director, with the payment made in cash in one, five, ten or fifteen annual installments as determined by the participating director in his or her election form. During fiscal 2017, Mr. Tokarz was the only non-employee director who participated in this plan.plan during fiscal 2022. Mr. Tokarz’s deferred payments are maintained in a stock equivalent account.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 37


ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Equity-Based Awards
Our Second Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Stock Plan”) provides that, on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, we will grant equity-based awards with an economic value determined by the Compensation Committee to each non-employee director who is re-elected to the Board and has served as a director for at least six months. In addition, the Stock Plan provides that each director will receive an initial equity-based grant on the date on which he or she commences service as a director, the economic value and terms of which will be determined by the Compensation Committee. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Compensation Practices and Policies — Role of Compensation Consultant in Compensation Decisions.”
On February 7, 2022, each non-employee director received equity-based awards in the amount of $115,000, which resulted in the grant of 8,825 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) in accordance with the Stock Plan and related policies. These RSUs will vest for directors remaining in continuous service through the first anniversary of the grant date, although the Compensation Committee may waive this minimum service requirement. On February 7, 2022, in connection with his retirement from service, Mr. Kolb received an equity-based award in the amount of $115,000, which resulted in the grant of 8,825 RSUs that vest one half per year on each of the first two anniversary dates of the grant date.
Travel Expenses
We reimburse directors for their travel and related expenses in connection with attending Board and committee meetings and related activities.
38 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Director Compensation Summary
The following table shows fiscal 2022 compensation for our non-employee directors.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
 Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
 
Stock Awards
($)(2)
 
Total
($)
Name
Annual
Retainer
($)(1)
Meeting Fees
($)
Other
($)(3)
Total
($)
Shirley C. Franklin65,00030,0001,50096,500114,990211,490
Thomas J. Hansen65,00028,5001,50095,000114,990209,990
Jerry W. Kolb(4)
28,11121,00049,111114,990164,101
Mark J. O’Brien165,00012,000177,000114,990291,990
Christine Ortiz65,00034,5001,500101,000114,990215,990
Bernard G. Rethore75,00043,500118,500114,990233,490
Jeffery S. Sharritts65,00039,000104,000114,990218,990
Brian L. Slobodow(5)
Lydia W. Thomas75,00031,5001,500108,000114,990222,990
Michael T. Tokarz80,00034,500114,500114,990229,490
Stephen C. Van Arsdell80,00039,000119,000114,990233,990
(1)Includes fees earned as Chair of a committee or as Non-Executive Chair.
(2)Reflects the grant date fair value of the RSUs granted during fiscal 2022 computed in accordance with the stock-based compensation accounting rules described in our fiscal 2022 consolidated financial statements, which are included in the 2022 Annual Report. On February 7, 2022, in connection with his retirement from service, Mr. Kolb received an equity-based award in the amount of $115,000.
(3)The members of the EHS Committee received a one-time payment of $1,500 for participation in working sessions related to the oversight of a special health and safety project commissioned by the Board.
(4)Mr. Kolb retired from the Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Due to his retirement from the Board on February 7, 2022, Mr. Kolb received prorated fees during fiscal 2022.
(5)Mr. Slobodow was appointed to the Board on October 13, 2022 in accordance with the Cooperation Agreement.
The following table shows information related to option awards and stock awards made to our non-employee directors that were outstanding at September 30, 2022.
 Option Awards

Stock Awards
 Number of Securities
Underlying Options (#)

Number of Shares or
Units of Stock That
Have Not Vested (#)
 ExercisableUnexercisable      
Shirley C. Franklin— — 

8,825 
Thomas J. Hansen20,447 — 

8,825 
Jerry W. Kolb(1)
— — 

8,825 
Mark J. O’Brien33,025 — 

8,825 
Christine Ortiz— — 

8,825 
Bernard G. Rethore20,447 — 

8,825 
Jeffery S. Sharritts— — 8,825 
Brian L. Slobodow(2)
— — — 
Lydia W. Thomas33,025 — 

8,825 
Michael T. Tokarz33,025 — 

8,825 
Stephen C. Van Arsdell— — 

8,825 
(1)On February 7, 2022, in connection with his retirement from service, Mr. Kolb received an equity-based award in the amount of $115,000, which resulted in the grant of 8,825 RSUs that vest one half per year on the first two anniversary dates of the grant date.
(2)Mr. Slobodow was appointed to the Board on October 13, 2022 in accordance with the Cooperation Agreement.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 39


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Proposal Two
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
image_11a.jpg
The Board recommends a vote FOR this proposal.
We provide our stockholders with the annual opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers. The vote on this proposal represents an additional means by which we obtain feedback from our stockholders about executive compensation. Our Compensation Committee sets executive compensation.
The overall objective of our executive compensation program is to encourage and reward the creation of sustainable, long-term stockholder value. To meet this objective, the Compensation Committee has designed compensation plans for our executive officers that target total compensation at or about the regressed 50th percentile of our customized peer group. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Executive Compensation Program Overview — Peer Group Benchmarking and Total Compensation.” A significant portion of our executives’ overall compensation is structured as incentive compensation. For fiscal 2022, incentive compensation represented approximately 83% of our current CEO’s total target compensation (excluding Other Compensation), and an average of 67% of the total target compensation (excluding Other Compensation) of the other named executive officers. We believe an emphasis on both short-term and long-term incentive compensation aligns executives’ and stockholders’ interests. Further, the Company’s results, as measured against the performance metrics established by the Committee in fiscal 2022, produced a performance-based cash incentive compensation payout percentage of 89.3% of target for Ms. Zakas and Messrs. Hall, Heinrichs and Helms and 91.0% of target for Mr. Takeuchi and a long-term incentive payout percentage of 70.0% for incentives based on RONA performance and 88.9% for incentives based on relative total shareholder return for all NEOs, which illustrate rigorous and meaningful targets and highlight the Committee's pay-for-performance philosophy.
We encourage our stockholders to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, which discusses how our compensation policies and procedures implement our compensation philosophy. The Board and the Compensation Committee believe these policies and procedures are strongly aligned with the long-term interests of our stockholders and are effective in implementing our compensation philosophy and in achieving our strategic goals.
Accordingly, we ask for stockholder approval of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Mueller Water Products, Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.
At the most recent annual meeting of stockholders, approximately 93% of votes cast were in support of the compensation of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee will once again consider the result of this year’s vote, as well as other communications from stockholders relating to our compensation practices, and take them into account in future determinations concerning our executive compensation program. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Highlights of 2022 Executive Compensation.”
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During fiscal 2022, none of the members of the Compensation Committee (comprised of Shirley C. Franklin, Thomas J. Hansen, Jeffery S. Sharritts, Michael T. Tokarz and Stephen C. Van Arsdell) was a former or current officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or had any relationships requiring disclosure as a related person transaction. None of our executive officers serves or has served on the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has or has had one or more executive officers who served as a member of the Board or its Compensation Committee during fiscal 2022.
40 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis is intended to provide our stockholders with information about our fiscal 20172022 compensation program for the following executive officers (collectively, “named executive officers” or “NEOs”):
Gregory E. Hyland, Executive Chairman and former President and Chief Executive Officer
Scott Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer
Evan L. Hart, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Keith L. Belknap, Executive Vice President, Business Development, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Gregory E. Rogowski, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Marietta Edmunds Zakas, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Corporate Development and Communications
Fiscal 2017 Events
On January 6, 2017, we sold our former Anvil business. Neither the divestiture of Anvil nor its results of operations had any impact on the compensation of our NEOs for fiscal 2017. Accordingly, Anvil’s results of operations and metrics have been excluded from all financial and performance information related to compensation contained in this proxy statement.
Effective January 23, 2017, our Board appointed Scott Hall as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hall joined us from Textron, Inc. where he most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of its Industrial segment. Mr. Hall succeeded Mr. Hyland, who assumed the role of Executive Chairman.
On February 15, 2017, we acquired Singer Valve, a manufacturer of automatic control valves. Neither the acquisition of Singer Valve nor its results of operations had any impact on the compensation of our NEOs for fiscal 2017. Accordingly, Singer Valve’s results of operations and metrics have been excluded from all financial and performance information related to compensation contained in this proxy statement.
On September 7, 2017, we announced a strategic reorganization and restructuring plan designed to accelerate our new product innovation and revenue growth. As a result of the reorganization, we will continue to report our financial performance based on two reportable segments. However, the names of these two segments have changed: Our Infrastructure segment was previously reported as “Mueller Co.” and our Technologies segment was previously reported as “Mueller Technologies”. The components of these two segments did not change.

hall6382a.jpg
zakas-6478a.jpg
heinrichs6049a.jpg
helms6626a.jpg
Highlights of 2017 Performance
takeuchi6561a.jpg
In fiscal 2017, we improvedJ. Scott Hall
President and Chief Executive Officer
Marietta Edmunds Zakas
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Steven S. Heinrichs
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and Secretary
Todd P. Helms
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Kenji Takeuchi
Senior Vice President, Water Management Solutions

Notable Achievements in Fiscal 2022
image_6a.jpg
We continued execution of our operating performancelong-term capital allocation strategy, allocating approximately $55 million for capital expenditures, nearing completion of the new lead-free brass foundry and executed initiatives reducing our geographic footprint.
image_6a.jpg
We launched the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council.
image_6a.jpg
We increased corporate efficiencies and reduced our geographic and environmental footprint with the consolidation of our facilities in Woodland, Washington; Hammond, Indiana; Aurora, Illinois; and Surrey, British Columbia into the recently acquired facility in Kimball, Tennessee.
image_6a.jpg
We again increased our annual dividend, which is the seventh increase since 2014.
image_6a.jpg
We experienced the second consecutive year of double-digit net sales growth and ended the year with a record backlog.
image_6a.jpg
We published our second annual ESG Report, updating our ambitious goals and targets.

Highlights of Fiscal 2022 Performance
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Focused on Operational Investment and Efficiencies to return value to our stockholders.

Increase Long-Term Stockholder Value
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Strong Operating Results
We increasedgenerated net sales 3.2% over the prior year to $826.0 million. Ourof $1,274.4 million, operating income of $111.6 million, adjusted EBITDA of $194.5 million and net income per diluted share of $0.48 (with adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.58). Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income are financial measures not calculated in fiscal 2017 were $100.7 millionaccordance with GAAP and $123.3 million, respectively.Adjusted operating income from continuing operations improved 4.5%are therefore considered non-GAAP measures. See Exhibit A for a reconciliation of non-GAAP performance measures to $121.9 million, from $116.7 million in fiscal 2016. Adjusted income from continuing operations improved 17.1% to $71.2, million from $60.8 million in the prior year.
GAAP performance measures.


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Dividend Benefits
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Stockholder Value
Increased dividend
We increased ourpaid stockholders a quarterly dividend$0.058 per share dividend during fiscal 2022, an increase of 5.5% from fiscal 2021.
We returned $36.5 million to $0.04 from $0.03. We paid $24.0 million ofour stockholders through dividends in fiscal 2017.2022.

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Repurchased Shares
We repurchased $55.0$35 million of our outstanding Common Stock during fiscal 2017.2022.


Table of Contents
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 41



EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Highlights of 20172022 Performance Related to Executive Compensation
On January 6, 2017, we sold our former Anvil business. On February 15, 2017, we acquired Singer Valve. The results of operations of Anvil and Singer Valve had no impact on the compensation of our named executives officers for fiscal 2017. Accordingly, Anvil’s and Singer Valve’s results of operations and metrics have been excluded from all financial or performance information related to compensation contained in this proxy statement.

The Compensation Committee used several financial and performance elements (including those set forth below) to assess and determine incentive plan compensation earned during fiscal 2017.2022. Our compensation programs continually evolve to incorporate stockholder feedback, market best practices, and performance and retention considerations. Our stockholders have strongly supported our executive compensation program in the past, as exhibited by an affirmative “say-on-pay” vote of approximately 95% and 93% in each of the last two years. See Exhibit A for a reconciliation of the following non-GAAP financial resultsmeasures used in determining executive compensation to GAAP financial results.
Company Results for Performance Evaluation Basis
Company-WideSegment Performance
(Water Management Solutions)
Return on
Net Assets(3)
(RONA)
Relative Total Shareholder Return(4)
(rTSR)

Net
Sales
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
Adjusted Working Capital (as a % of Net Sales(2)
Net
Sales
Adjusted EBITDA(1)

($ in millions)%($ in millions)%Percentile
20221,247.4195.227.5516.0115.619.644.4
 Adjusted Net Sales
Adjusted Operating Income from Continuing Operations(1)
Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations(2)
Return on Net Assets(3)
 
 ($ in millions)($ in millions)($ in millions)(%)
2017815.7
121.3
68.5
34.4
2016800.6
116.7
57.3
34.0
(1)Defined for this purpose as net income plus interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization expenses, adjusted to exclude significant unusual charges and credits. For the purposes of Adjusted EBITDA for performance evaluation basis, the Company removed the amounts related to Workplace Safety Assessment costs.
(1)Defined for this purpose as operating income adjusted to exclude pension settlement expenses, expenses related to exploring potential acquisitions and divestitures and other charges.
(2)Defined for this purpose as income from continuing operations calculated using our actual effective income tax rate in 2017 and a predetermined income tax rate in 2016 and to exclude other charges, expenses related to exploring potential acquisitions and divestitures, results of operations of new or divested businesses and pension settlement expenses.
(3)Defined for this purpose as the quotient obtained by dividing income tax-effected adjusted operating income from continuing operations plus amortization by the quarterly average of working capital and fixed assets, excluding balances related to acquired or divested businesses. Working capital excludes cash and debt. Fixed assets is property, plant and equipment.
(2)Adjusted Working Capital as a Percent of Net Sales is a non-GAAP measure and means the Average Net Working Capital over the previous five calendar quarters divided by Net Sales for the fiscal year, subject to certain applicable adjustments. ‘‘Average Net Working Capital’’ means, as of September 30, 2022, the average of the last five quarter end balances for each of (i) receivables, as reported, plus (ii) inventories, as reported, minus (iii) accounts payable. For fiscal 2022, there were no adjustments to the working capital as a percent of net sales.
(3)Defined for this purpose as the after-tax quotient obtained by dividing performance evaluation basis adjusted operating income plus amortization of capitalized software and intangible assets by the quarterly average of the sum of working capital, excluding cash, current debt and accrued interest and other items plus property, plant and equipment.
(4)See “Proposal Two - Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation” for more information on rTSR.
Highlights of 20172022 Executive Compensation
We design our executive officer compensation programs to target total compensation at or about the regressed 50th percentile for comparable executive positions at companies in our customized peer group. The principal elements of our compensation program for executives are base salary, annual performance-based cash bonus, long-term incentive equity compensation and broad-based benefit programs.programs and executive severance plan, as applicable.
We consider stockholder feedback on executive compensation. At our 2016 and 2017 annual meetings of stockholders, approximately 98% of the votes cast supported the advisory vote on executive compensation. We carefully consider feedback from our stockholders regarding executive compensation.
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Based on strong stockholder support expressed forWe tie our executiveexecutives' compensation programs, the Compensation Committee applied a consistent pay-for-performance philosophy in structuring executive compensation for fiscal 2017.to Company performance.
Stockholders are invited to express their views or concerns on executiveFor fiscal 2022, 56.0% of our CEO’s total target compensation, directly to the Chairand an average of 47.8% of the Compensation Committee in the manner described under “Corporate Governance — Communicating with the Board.”total target compensation of our other NEOs, could only be earned by meeting performance goals.
PERFORMANCE-BASED TOTAL TARGET COMPENSATION(1)
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(1)Excludes Other Compensation. See "Executive Compensation — Summary Compensation Table" for total compensation as earned.
Our NEOs’ compensation was both negatively and positively affected by Company performance in relation to targets set for fiscal 2022.
Annual cash bonuses earned by our NEOs (excluding Mr. Hall) for fiscal 2022 ranged from $168,359 to $280,528 compared with $234,925 to $443,070 last year.
We42 structureMUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Long-term performance-based compensation to paybased on the RONA financial measure was paid or credited at 70.0% of target and long-term performance-based compensation based upon rTSR was paid or credited at 88.9% of target for performance. fiscal 2022.
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We structure performance-based compensation to pay for performance.
We set clear and measurable financial goals for Company and segment performance. In evaluating individual performance, we assess progress toward strategic priorities.
Performance-based compensation earned by our named executive officers. For fiscal 2017, 42% of our CEO’s total target compensation, and an average of 45% of the total target compensation of our other NEOs (excluding Mr. Hyland), could only be earned by meeting performance goals.
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Our NEOs’ compensation was both positively and negatively affected by Company and segment performance in relation to targets set for fiscal 2017.We consider stockholder feedback on executive compensation.
At our 2021 and 2022 annual meetings of stockholders, approximately 95% and 93%, respectively, of the votes cast supported the advisory vote on executive compensation. We carefully consider feedback from our stockholders regarding executive compensation.Annual cash bonuses earned by our continuing NEOs ranged from 74% to 121% of target (compared with 101% to 129% of target last year).“SAY-ON-PAY” SUPPORT
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Based on strong stockholder support expressed for our executive compensation programs, the Compensation Committee applied a consistent pay-for-performance philosophy in structuring executive compensation for fiscal 2022.
TableStockholders are invited to express their views or concerns on executive compensation directly to the Chair of Contentsthe Compensation Committee in the manner described under “Corporate Governance — Communicating with the Board.”


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Long-term, performance-based compensation was paid or credited at 100% of targetWe utilize best practices for fiscal 2017 becauseexecutive compensation.
üWE DO

ûWE DON’T
üUse incentives to substantially link NEO pay to Company performance

ûRe-price or exchange equity-based awards
üRequire executives and directors to maintain significant stock ownership levelsûPermit hedging or pledging of Common Stock by directors or executives
üMaintain a compensation clawback policyûPay dividends on the “return on net assets” financial measure was at the target level.unvested equity-based incentives
üRequire a double trigger for equity award vesting upon a change-in-controlûProvide excise tax gross-up benefits

We continue to maintain best practices for executive compensationPROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING. 43
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Compensation Program Overview
Guiding Principles
The Compensation Committee has identified the following guiding principles in overseeing the compensation program for our executives:
Competitiveness
Compensation programs should be designed to target at the 50thregressed 50th percentile plus or minus 15%, of total compensation for comparable executive positions at a customized peer group.
Pay for Performance
Where compensation for an executive is tied to the achievement of financial and strategic goals, actual results that exceed target levels should provide above-target payouts, and results that do not exceed threshold levels should not provide payouts.
Responsibility
A significant portion of an executive’s overall compensation should be tied to the achievement of financial performance goals. The portion of an executive’s target total compensation that is incentive based should increase as an executive’s responsibilities increase.
Stockholder Alignment
Executives’ interests are more directly aligned with stockholders’ interests when compensation programs:
Emphasize both short- and long-term financial performanceperformance;
Are significantly impacted by the value of Common StockStock; and
Require meaningful Common Stock ownership.
Peer Group Benchmarking and Total Compensation
Each year, the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant collects peer group compensation data and prepares an executive benchmarking study using a market regression analysis to size-adjust the market data for our net sales size as a whole and for each separate business unit.whole. The Compensation Committee, with input from its independent compensation consultant, reviews the prior year peer group. This review focuses on companies that have a primary manufacturing component to their businesses, have similar organizational structures and are publicly traded or otherwise file financial statements with the SEC. The 20-companyWe believe the resulting peer group approved byprovides a valid and appropriate comparison for the Company’s executive compensation program and governance practices. For fiscal 2022, the Compensation Committee for fiscal 2017did not make any changes to the previous year’s group. (the “PeerThe peer group for fiscal 2022 (“Peer Group”) isconsisted of the companies listed below and is unchanged from the below.fiscal 2016 peer group.

Fiscal 20172022 Peer Group
Ametek, Inc.IDEX CorporationThe Compensation Committee targets total compensation at or about the regressed 50th percentile of the Peer Group
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.Lennox InternationalHelios Technologies, Inc.
Badger Meter, Inc.Hillenbrand, Inc.
Chart IndustriesIDEX Corporation
Circor International Inc.Itron, Inc.
Crane Co.Mueller Industries, Inc.
Briggs & Stratton CorporationOtter Tail Corporation
Circor InternationalEnPro Industries, Inc.Quanex Building Products Corporation
Crane Co.RoperESCO Technologies Inc.
Curtiss-Wright CorporationTennant Co.SPX Flow
Donaldson Company, Inc.Franklin Electric Co.Valmont Industries, Inc.
EnPro Industries,Graco Inc.Watts Water Technologies, Inc.
Graco Inc.Harsco Corp.Worthington Industries, Inc.Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation
The Compensation Committee regularly reviews the target total compensation of each executive and compares it to the total compensation for comparable executive positions in the Peer Group. The Compensation Committee targets total compensation at or about the regressed 50th50th percentile of the Peer Group plus or minus 15% (“targeted 50th percentile range”), subject to individual adjustments based on experience, length of service, individual performance and other factors deemed appropriate by the Compensation Committee.
Table of Contents
44 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.



EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Elements
The following table lists our primary elements of compensation. Each element is targeted at or about the 50thregressed 50th percentile for comparable positions in the Peer Group.
Pay ElementSalaryBonusOptionsRSUsPRSUs
Recipients

     
Who Receives

All NEOs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
 
When Granted







Period of GrantGenerally reviewed every 12 monthsAnnuallyAnnuallyAnnually
Annually
Form of DeliveryCash ---------------------------------------------------------->Equity --------------------------------------------------------->
Cash Equity


Type of Performance

Short-term emphasis ------------------------------------->

Long-term emphasis -------------------------------------->


Performance
Measures
Mix of financial results and EHS-related operational goalsValue of delivered shares based on stock price on date of exercise or lapseValue of delivered shares based on stock price on vesting datesReturn on Net Assets ("RONA") achievementRelative total shareholder return ("rTSR")
Performance Period / VestingOngoing1 yearGenerally vest annually over 3 yearsVestsGenerally vest annually over 3 yearsMeasured and earned annually and vest at the end of the 3-year award cycles
cycleVest at the end of the 3-year award cycle
How Payout
Determined
Predominantly tied to Peer Group data, with an element of Compensation Committee discretionPredominantly formulaic (based on performance against goals), with an element of Compensation Committee discretionCompletion of required service period through each vesting dateCompletion of required service period through each vesting dateFormulaic (based on performance against goals); Compensation Committee verifies results
for specific performance periods
Most Recent Performance Measures__Mix of 90% financial results / 10% EHS-related operational goalsValue of delivered shares basedFormulaic (based on stock price on vesting datesImprovement in return on net assetsperformance against peers) for specific performance periods
Salary
The Compensation Committee regularly compares the salary of each executive to the regressed 50th50th percentile of comparable executives in the Peer Group and uses that benchmark as a guide. Salaries for the NEOs are adjusted, as appropriate, annually on February 1. In February 2017, Mr. Hart received an annual salary increase of 3.1%; Mr. Belknap received a salary increase of 3.0%; Mr. Rogowski received a salary increase of 3.0%; and Ms. Zakas received a salary increase of 4.4%. Ms. Zakas also received payments of $5,000 per monthThe Compensation Committee approved the following salaries for assuming interim human resources responsibilities.our NEOs in fiscal 2022.
Name
Annual Salary Rate at
September 30, 2022
($)
Annual Salary Rate at
September 30, 2021
($)
Salary
Increase
(%)
J. Scott Hall854,000 825,000 3.5
Marietta Edmunds Zakas454,564 437,081 4.0
Steven S. Heinrichs459,426 443,890 3.5

Todd P. Helms372,203 358,750 3.7
Kenji Takeuchi374,920 360,500 4.0
NameAnnual Salary Rate at September 30, 2017 ($)Annual Salary Rate at September 30, 2016 ($)
Gregory E. Hyland1,000,000 900,000 
Scott Hall750,000 N/A 
Evan L. Hart418,000 405,300 
Keith L. Belknap443,500 430,500 
Gregory E. Rogowski446,000 433,000 
Marietta Edmunds Zakas357,000 341,900 

Annual Cash Incentive Awards
The annual cash incentive plan rewards our named executive officers for achieving key financial metrics, which drive our operating results and enhance stockholder value. The Compensation Committee targets annual cash incentive compensation for each executive at the regressed 50th50th percentile of comparable executives in the Peer Group. For fiscal 2017, the total target opportunity for each NEO was within the targeted 50th percentile range of the Peer Group. Based on actual achieved performance against performance goals, each NEO may earn between 0% and 200% of his or her annual cash target opportunity. For fiscal 2017, each NEO could earn an annual cash incentive award based on achievement against2022, the Compensation Committee selected two types of performance metrics: (i) financial performance goals (weighted 90%) and (ii) EHS-related operational goalsperformance metrics (weighted 10%). ForThe financial performance goals the Compensation Committee determined numeric goals targeting percentage improvements over the prior year’s results. All financial performance and EHS-related operational goals were set with minimum (or threshold), target and maximum objectives for each goal.related to



Fiscal 2017 Financialnet sales) and Operational Goals and Results
The Compensation Committee selected financial performance goals for corporate executives based on adjusted income from continuing operations. The Compensation Committee selected this metric to encourage focus on delivering income from continuing operations.
The Compensation Committee selected financial performance goals for Mr. Rogowski based on the Infrastructure segment’s adjusted operating income (defined as operating income, adjusted to exclude certain effects of results of operation’s of newly acquired businesses, pension settlement expenses and other charges), the Infrastructure segment’s adjusted net sales (adjusted to exclude Singer Valve) and adjusted income from continuing operations. The Compensation Committee selected a segment-specific financial performance goal for Mr. Belknap of improvement in adjusted operating income of Technologies and adjusted income from continuing operations.sales. The Compensation Committee selected these performance goals primarilyfinancial metrics to encourage our NEOs to focus on increasing adjusted operating income.
generating income from continuing operations and enhancing long-term stockholder value. The Compensation Committee established operational safety and environmental (“EHS”) objectives applicable to each NEO that wereEHS-related performance metric was tied to reductions in total recordable incidence rates and key performance indicators for sustainability and specific activities identified as leading safety indicators. The EHS objectives for Messrs. Hyland, Hall and Hart and Ms. Zakas were based on company-wide performance. The EHS objectives for Messrs. Rogowski and Belknap were based on Infrastructure and Technologies performance, respectively. The Compensation Committee used adjusted income from continuing operations to determineselected these metrics because they promote, drive and support the availability of a pool from which to pay the operationalCompany’s EHS objectives portion of the incentive award to Messrs. Hyland, Hall, Rogowskiinitiatives and Belknap.

The following table shows the fiscal 2017performance. All financial performance targets and actual results applicable to each NEO.

Performance Targets and Results
   
Results Required to Achieve
Bonus ($ in millions, except for percentages)
2017
Actual
Results
($ in millions)
Actual 2017
Payout
Factor
(% of
Target
Bonus)
unweighted
    
Weight
(% of Target Bonus)  
NameMetric
Threshold
(0%)
Target
(100%)
Maximum
(200%)
Gregory E. HylandAdjusted Income from Continuing Operations9052.7
65.8
79.0
68.5
120.4
 EHS10



128.3
Scott HallAdjusted Income from Continuing Operations9052.7
65.8
79.0
68.5
120.4
 EHS10



128.3
Evan L. HartAdjusted Income from Continuing Operations9052.7
65.8
79.0
68.5
120.4
 EHS10



128.3
Keith L. BelknapAdjusted Income from Continuing Operations5552.7
65.8
79.0
68.5
120.4
Technologies Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)35(5.0)0
5.0
(9.7)0
 EHS10



75.0
Gregory S. RogowskiInfrastructure Adjusted Operating Income40138.4
173.0
207.6
166.2
80.2
Infrastructure Adjusted
Net Sales
25715.7
753.0
790.6
729.6
37.1
Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations2552.7
65.8
79.0
68.5
120.4
 EHS10



137.0
Marietta Edmunds ZakasAdjusted Income from Continuing Operations9052.7
65.8
79.0
68.5
120.4
 EHS10



128.3

Fiscal 2017 Annual Cash Incentive Awards
Fiscal 2017goals were set with minimum (or threshold), target and maximum objectives for each goal as described in the “Performance Targets and Results” table below.
2022 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE TARGETS AND RESULTS
Weighted
Aggregate
Actual % of Target
for Ms. Zakas and Messrs. Hall, Heinrichs and
Helms
89.3%
Metric
Weight
(% of Target Bonus)(
Results Required to Achieve Bonus
($ in millions, except for percentages)(1)
Actual 2022 Payout Factor (% of Target Bonus) unweighted
Hall
Zakas
Heinrichs
Helms
TakeuchiThreshold
(50%)
Target
(100%)
Maximum
(200%)
Adjusted EBITDA50.0%45.0%
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60.6%
Net Sales25.0%20.0%
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190.0%
Adjusted Working Capital as a % of Net Sales15.0%15.0%
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76.8%
Weighted
Aggregate
Actual % of Target
for Mr. Takeuchi
91.0%
WMS Segment Net Sales(2)
10.0%
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142.0%
WMS Segment Adjusted EBITDA(2)
10.0%
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—%
EHS(3)
10.0%—%
(1)See Exhibit A for a reconciliation of non-GAAP performance measures to GAAP performance measures.
(2)Applicable to only Mr. Takeuchi. “Segment Performance” includes (i) the Water Management Solutions (“WMS”) segment’s Net Sales and (ii) the WMS segment’s Adjusted EBITDA, each weighted 10% of Mr. Takeuchi’s total incentive target compensation.
(3)Applicable to Ms. Zakas and Messrs. Hall, Heinrichs and Helms.
FISCAL 2022 ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE AWARDS
Based on actual performance against the performance goals as set forth above, each NEO earned 89.3% of his or her annual cash target opportunity for fiscal 2022 with the exception of Mr. Takeuchi, who earned 91.0%. The table below shows each NEO’s annual cash target opportunity and the amount of the annual cash bonuses paid to each NEO are set forth in the following table:NEO.

At Target Performance

At Actual Performance
Name% of SalaryAmount ($)     % of TargetAmount ($)
J. Scott Hall105 %886,438 

89.3 %791,767
Marietta Edmunds Zakas70 %314,070 

89.3 %280,528
Steven S. Heinrichs60 %272,515 

89.3 %243,410
Todd P. Helms60 %220,602 

89.3 %197,041
Kenji Takeuchi50 %185,031 

91.0 %168,359

46 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NameAt Target PerformanceAt Actual Performance
% of Salary
Amount
($)
% of Target
Amount
($)
Gregory E. Hyland(1)
100301,736
121.2365,674
Scott Hall(1)
100750,000
121.2908,925
Evan L. Hart75310,325
121.2376,083
Keith L. Belknap70307,417
73.7226,627
Gregory E. Rogowski75331,250
85.2282,075
Marietta Edmunds Zakas60211,180
121.2255,929
(1)Mr. Hyland’s 2017 bonus was based on his salary in effect, and performance achieved, during the period in which he served as President and Chief Executive Officer (from October 2016 through January 2017). Mr. Hall’s annual bonus for fiscal 2017 was not pro rated.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation
For fiscal 2017, ourThe long-term incentive program included grantsaligns the interests of performance-based restrictedour NEOs with those of our stockholders and rewards our NEOs for achieving key metrics. This program drives operating results, enhances stockholder value and helps retain our NEOs. Due to the rules for how the grant date fair value of long-term incentive awards must be calculated for accounting purposes, the 2022 Summary Compensation Table may not reflect the same stock units (“PRSUs”)option and time-vested RSUs. ThePRSU values described below. In addition, accounting values can increase or decrease each year, causing volatility in the long-term incentive awards reported. For fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2022, the Compensation Committee targetsset each NEO’s target long-term compensation value for each NEO at or about the regressed 50th50th percentile of comparable executives in the Peer Group.
For fiscal 2017,2022 and fiscal 2021, the NEOs’ target long-term compensation value for each NEO was withinallocated 50% in the 50th percentile target rangeform of performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”), 25% in the Peer Group.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unitsform of time-based stock options and 25% in the form of time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 PRSUs are based solely upon rTSR performance ("Market Units").
For fiscal 2017,2020, the NEOs’ target long-term compensation value was allocated 70% in the form of PRSUs and 30% in the form of RSUs. Fiscal 2020 PRSUs were divided into two categories, based upon applicable performance metric: (i) 57% of the PRSUs (and 40% of the total award) are based upon after-tax RONA achievement ("RONA Units") and (ii) 43% of the PRSUs (and 30% of the total award) are based solely upon rTSR performance, i.e., Market Units.
PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
The following are the key aspects of the PRSUs awarded, granted, earned and/or vested in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021:
PRSUs Awarded for Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2021:
For fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, 50% of each NEO’s target long-term incentive compensation value was awarded in the form of PRSUs. The key terms of the PRSUs are as follows:
Each PRSU award reflects a target number of shares (based onPRSUs awarded in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 was equal to the fair markettarget value divided by the share price of our Common Stock on the award date)date of award.
The fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 PRSUs are based solely upon the Company’s rTSR performance, i.e., Market Units.
Market Units:
The relative total shareholder return or “rTSR” is measured by, during the applicable performance period, computing the total shareholder return of each company that may be issuedwas in the S&P 600 SmallCap Industrial Index at the beginning of the applicable performance period (the “TSR Group”) and comparing the Company’s total shareholder return results thereto in order to determine the quartile ranking within the TSR Group.
The Market Units consist of a single tranche and vest on a 3-year cumulative performance period against the applicable index.
The Compensation Committee establishes the performance period target related to the Market Unit award recipient aton the grant date of the award.
At the end of athe three-year award cycleperiod, the Compensation Committee confirms actual performance against the applicable performance target.
The number of shares of our Common Stock earned at the conclusion of each Market Unit performance period may range from zero to two times the number of target Market Units awarded, based on the level of achievement ofagainst the applicable performance targets.period target.
PRSUs Awarded for Fiscal 2020:
For fiscal 2020, 70% of each NEO’s target long-term incentive compensation value was awarded in PRSUs. The number of PRSUs awarded in fiscal 2020 was equal to the target value divided by the share price of our Common Stock on the date of award. As noted above, the fiscal 2020 PRSUs comprise RONA Units and Market Units.
Market Units: Market Unit details are described above for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022.
RONA Units:
RONA Units are divided into three equal tranches and each tranche is measured and earned over successive one-year performance periods coinciding with our fiscal years.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 47

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee establishes RONA Unit performance period targets for the then-current performance period on an annual basis.
At the end of each performance period, the Compensation Committee confirms actual performance against the applicable performance period target.
The number of shares of our Common Stock earned at the conclusion of each applicable RONA Unit performance period may range from zero to two times the number of target RONA Units in the applicable tranche, based on the level of achievement against the applicable annual performance target.
Each performance period target is established by the Compensation Committee on an annual basis coinciding with our fiscal year.target.
At the end of each fiscal year, the Compensation Committee confirms performance against the applicable performance target, and PRSUsRONA Units representing the level of achievement during thatthe specific performance period are “banked” for potential payout following the end of the three-year award cycle.
EarnedPRSUs Generally:
All PRSUs are settled in shares of Common Stock. The actual number
To receive earned shares of shares a participant may receive ranges from zero to two timesCommon Stock, the target numberNEO must be employed through the last day of shares, depending solely on the level of achievement during each performance period within thethree-year award cycle.
PRSUs do not convey voting rightsrights or earn dividends.accrue dividends until vested.
Timeline for PRSU Grants
GrantFiscal 2015Fiscal 2016Fiscal 2017Fiscal 2018Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2015Performance PeriodPerformance PeriodPerformance Period
Fiscal 2016Performance PeriodPerformance PeriodPerformance Period
Fiscal 2017Performance PeriodPerformance PeriodPerformance Period

PERFORMANCE MEASURE AND RESULT FOR FISCAL 2022
Performance Measure and Result for Fiscal 2017
The applicable performance target for the fiscal 2017fiscal 2022 performance period for PRSUs awarded in fiscal 2020 was based partially on RONA and partially on rTSR. The applicable performance targets for the fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022 performance periods for PRSU awards made in fiscal 2015, fiscal 20162021 and fiscal 2017 was2022, respectively, were based solely on the percentage year-over-year improvementrTSR. No RONA Units were awarded in return on net assets,fiscal 2021 or “RONA.” For these purposes, the termfiscal 2022. “RONA” hashas the meaning described in footnote 4 to the table under “— Highlights of 20172022 Performance Related to Executive Compensation”. Compensation.”
The Compensation Committee determined the RONA target using benchmark data from the Peer Group and assistance from the Company’s independent compensation consultant. For fiscal 2020, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, the Compensation Committee established the RONA target at an absolute percentage on an after-tax basis. For fiscal 2022, the performance necessary to earn aat least 50% of RONA Unit target payout required a 1.16% year-over-year improvement in RONA of 18.0%, the performance necessary to earn 100% of RONA Unit target payout required RONA of 22.0%, and the performance necessary to earn athe maximum 200% of RONA Unit target payout required RONA of at least an 8.00% year-over-year improvement in RONA.23.6%. Actual RONA performance for fiscal 20172022 was 34.41%, compared to19.6%. Therefore, the 2022 performance period RONA of 34.01% for fiscal 2016, a 1.16% improvement. Accordingly, the recipients of PRSU awards were each credited with 100.0%Units will settle at 70.0% of the awards attributable to the fiscal 2017 performance period.awards. See “Executive Compensation — Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table”Table.”
The Compensation Committee determined the rTSR target using benchmark data from the S&P 600 SmallCap Industrial Index (based upon a 20 trading day average) and assistance from the Company’s independent compensation consultant. For fiscal 2020, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022 grants, the performance necessary to earn 100% of Market Unit target payout requires the rTSR to be in the 50th percentile, and the performance necessary to earn the minimum of 50% and a maximum of 200% of Market Unit target payout requires the rTSR to be in the 25th and 75th percentile, respectively. The fiscal 2020, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022 Market Unit grants vest and settle at the end of the corresponding cumulative 3-year performance period. For the fiscal 2020 Market Unit grants, the performance during the actual performance period resulted in a Company rTSR in the 44.4% percentile, resulting in an achievement of 88.9%.









48 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
PRSU PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESULTS FOR FISCAL 2022
ronaa.jpg
rtsra.jpg
PRSU Awards Issued

AWARD ISSUANCES
Common Stock to be issued related to PRSUs awarded in fiscal 20162021 (for the three-year award cycle from fiscal 20162021 through fiscal 2018)2023) and fiscal 20172022 (for the three-year award cycle from fiscal 20172022 through fiscal 2019)2024) will not be issued until the Compensation Committee certifiesconfirms performance results for the fiscal 20182023 and fiscal 20192024 performance periods.periods, respectively. Shares of Common Stock issued in December 2022 to NEOs for the PRSUs awarded in fiscal 20152020 (for the three-year award cycle from fiscal 20152020 through fiscal 2017)2022) and vested in fiscal 2022 are set forth in the following table:below:
PRSU Settlements
 Shares Earned 
Name
Fiscal 2015(1)
(#)
Fiscal 2016(1)
(#)
Fiscal 2017
(#)
Total Shares Issued
(#)
Gregory E. Hyland034,79834,08368,881
Evan L. Hart09,7959,59419,389
Keith L. Belknap06,9596,81613,775
Gregory E. Rogowski09,3959,20218,597
Marietta Edmunds Zakas04,6974,6019,298
(1)Year of AwardSee the definitive proxy statements we filed with the SEC on January 15, 2016 and December 15, 2016, respectively, for information concerning target Performance Period
Fiscal 2020Fiscal 2021Fiscal 2022Fiscal 2023Fiscal 2024
Fiscal 2020


Vested 2020
RONA performance and actual RONA performance for the 2015 and 2016 performance periods.UNIT Awards
(3 Tranches)


Vested 2020 Market Unit Awards
(1 Tranche)
Fiscal 2021

Future Vesting of 2021 Market Unit Awards
(1 Tranche)
Fiscal 2022Future Vesting of 2022 Market Unit Awards
(1 Tranche)
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
As described above, a portion of an executive’s long-term incentive award value has historically been
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 49

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
PRSU SETTLEMENTS OF FISCAL 2020 AWARD

Performance PeriodsTotal Issued Number of Shares
Fiscal 2020Fiscal 2021
Fiscal 2022(1)
Name
Number of Shares Earned(2)
J. Scott Hall22,60328,86967,145118,617
Marietta Edmunds Zakas6,6728,52219,82235,016
Steven S. Heinrichs5,2196,66615,50527,390
Todd P. Helms2,0994,4629,35515,916
Kenji Takeuchi3,2284,1239,59016,941
(1)Fiscal 2022 shares earned includes shares awarded inbased on RONA and rTSR.
(2)See the form of time-based RSUs. definitive proxy statements we filed with the SEC on December 21, 2020 and December 22, 2021, respectively, for information concerning target RONA performance and actual RONA performance for the fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 performance periods.
TIME-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
For fiscal 2017, 50%2022, 25% of each NEO’s target long-term incentive compensation value was awarded in RSUs. The Compensation Committee approves a dollar value for these awards and its compensation consultant calculates the number of RSUs that equals thatawarded was equal to the compensation value baseddivided by the price of our Common Stock on the grant date stock price.of award. Typically, one-third of the RSUs grantedawarded vest on each anniversary of the grantaward date. See “Executive Compensation — Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table”.Table.”
TimingTIME-BASED STOCK OPTIONS
For fiscal 2022, 25% of each NEO’s target long-term incentive compensation value was awarded in stock options. The number of stock options awarded was equal to the compensation value divided by the grant date fair value of our Common Stock on the date of award. Typically, one-third of the stock options awarded vest on each anniversary of the award date. Due to the rules for how the grant date fair value of long-term incentive awards must be calculated for accounting purposes, the 2022 Summary Compensation Table may not reflect the same stock option values described above. In addition, accounting values can increase or decrease each year, causing volatility in the long-term incentive awards reported. The amounts reported in the Option Awards column in the 2022 Summary Compensation Table represent the grant date fair value of stock option awards granted under the Stock Plan to each of the NEOs, calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. We use a Black-Scholes model when determining the grant date fair value of stock options. For information on the assumptions used by us in calculating these values, see Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements in the Form 10-K. To see the value actually received upon exercise of options by the NEOs in fiscal 2022, refer to the 2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested table in this Proxy Statement. Outstanding option awards are reflected in the 2022 Outstanding Equity Awards table in this Proxy Statement. Also see the “Executive Compensation — Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table” for additional information.
TIMING OF EQUITY AWARDS
While the Compensation Committee may grant equity-based awards at any of its scheduled meetings or by unanimous written consent, it generally grantsestablishes awards for executives at its November or December meeting each year, except for awards related to promotions or new hires. GrantsAwards approved during scheduled meetings become effective and are priced as of the date of approval or as of a pre-determinedpredetermined future date based on a date of hire. GrantsAwards approved by unanimous written consent become effective and are priced as of a pre-determinedpredetermined future date. All stock options have a per-share exercise price equal to the closing stock price on the NYSE on the effective date of the grant.award.
Other Cash and Equity Awards
Mr. Hall’s employment agreement provides for an initial long-term incentive opportunity valued at $1.5 million on the date of grant, comprised of (i) 50% in RSUs that vest ratably over three years and (ii) 50% in PRSUs vesting, to the extent earned, at the end of fiscal 2019. The awards for the fiscal 2017 performance period are not pro rated.None.

As an offset for forfeited performance and equity awards under Textron’s incentive plans, Mr. Hall was granted 56,069 RSUs, as determined in accordance with his employment agreement. These RSUs vest in full on the first anniversary of the commencement of Mr. Hall’s employment.
In May 2017, we entered into an agreement with Mr. Rogowski that will provide him with a lump sum payment of $550,000 in cash, provided he remains employed with the Company through February 16, 2020.  The award is forfeited if, prior to such date, Mr. Rogowski’s employment is terminated by the Company with cause (as such term is defined in his employment agreement) or by Mr. Rogowski for any reason.  If Mr. Rogowski’s employment is involuntarily terminated prior to such date by reason of death or disability, a pro rata portion of the cash award would be payable.

Retirement Benefits
We offer retirement benefits to our NEOs and other employees intended to provide a competitive source of retirement income. These retirement benefits are provided through the vehicles described below.
Retirement Savings Plan Applicable to Employees Generally
50 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN APPLICABLE TO EMPLOYEES GENERALLY
The Mueller Water Products, Inc.Group LLC Retirement Savings Plan is a 401(k) plan that provides retirement benefits for our non-union employees and those of our participatingparticipating subsidiaries. Each of our NEOs participated in the plan in fiscal 20172022 on the same basis as our other eligible employees.
Deferred Compensation Plan
Mr. Hyland is the only NEO who participates in a deferred compensation plan. He participates in an unfunded deferred compensation plan (the “Retirement Plan”), pursuant toemployees, under which we credited a bookkeeping account for him, commencing April16, 2007 and each calendar month thereafter through September16, 2010,make matching contributions in accordance with an amount equal to 10%the terms of his then current monthly base salary. The amounts credited to the plan bear interest at 120% of the long-term Applicable Federal Rate (as defined in the Code) until payment. At September30, 2017, $663,814 had been accrued and credited to Mr.Hyland’s deferral account. No further accruals will occur to the account, except for interest. Our fiscal 2017 interest accruals to the plan for Mr.Hyland were $19,754.that plan.
Upon termination of his employment with us, other than for cause, all deferred compensation under the Retirement Plan will be paid as a lump sum to Mr.Hyland.
Other Benefits
PerquisitesPERQUISITES
We provide certain perquisites to theour NEOs that the Compensation Committee believes are reasonable and consistent with itsour overall compensation program. In fiscal 2017,2022, the Compensation Committee offered the NEOs limited perquisites, including a car allowance,allowance (excluding Messrs. Helms and Takeuchi), life insurance, supplementalsupplemental long-term disability insurance and reimbursement for certain financial planning and annual physical examination expenses. See “Executive Compensation — Summary Compensation Table - All Other Compensation”.Compensation.”
Severance BenefitsSEVERANCE BENEFITS
Each NEO is entitled to severance benefits. See “Executive Compensation — Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control”.Change-in-Control.”
Change-in-Control AgreementsCHANGE-IN-CONTROL BENEFITS
Change-in-control agreements are used to create incentives for executives to build stockholder value and to seek the highest value possible for stockholders should we be acquired, despite the risk of losing employment. Our change-in-control agreements for executives provide for vesting of outstanding equity-based awards and payment of severance amounts upon a change-in-control and operate with a “double trigger”for severance payments and equity awards, meaning severance payments and accelerated vesting of equity awards do not occur unless the executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated (other than for causeCause or for termination for good reason)Good Reason as defined in the agreements) within 24 months following a change-in-control. The Compensation Committee believes this structure strikes an appropriate balance of incenting executives without providing benefits to executives who continue to enjoy employment with an acquiring company. The Compensation Committeeagreements also believes this structure is more attractive to potential acquiring companies that may place significant value on retaining members of our executive team and may perceive this objective to be undermined if executives receive significant severance payments solely

upon the closing of such a transaction. The agreements for Messrs. Rogowski and Hart and Ms. Zakas provide for an additional payment sufficient to eliminate the effect of any applicable excise tax on severance payments in excess of any amount determined under 280G of the Code. We would not be able to deduct payments subject to the excise tax for federal and state income tax purposes. The agreements for Messrs. Hall and Belknap contain a “best-of-net” provision, so that, in the event excise taxes would be imposed on payments under the agreements, the NEO will, at his or her discretion, either (1) pay the excise tax without assistance from the Company or (2) have the payments reduced to an amount at which an excise tax would no longer be payable, based on which resultpayable.
The Company provides NEOs without a change-in-control agreement with change-in-control benefits via the Company's executive severance plan approved by the Compensation Committee and instituted by the Company in January 2020. For applicable employees, the executive severance plan provides, upon a change-in-control, for vesting of outstanding equity-based awards if a replacement award (as defined in the executive severance plan) is more favorable tonot available and for payment of severance amounts if the NEO on an after-tax basis.executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated (other than for Cause or for termination for Good Reason as defined in the agreement) within 24 months following a change-in-control, i.e., a “double trigger.”
Employee Stock Purchase PlanEMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) provides all of our employees an opportunity to purchase Common Stock, subject to certain restrictions, through regular payroll deductions. During fiscal 2017, Messrs. Hart and Belknap were the only NEOs to participate in the ESPP.
Health and Welfare BenefitsHEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS
We generally offer group medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance in a flexible benefits package to all active U.S. employees, except as otherwise required by collective bargaining agreements. Employees are provided life insurance up to one times their base salaries at no charge, other than related income taxes, to the employee. For an additional charge, employees may obtain coverage of up to four times their base salary up to a maximum life insurance benefit of $1,250,000. NEOs participate on the same basis as other eligible employees.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 51

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Other Factors Considered by the Compensation Committee
Risk and Incentive Compensation
The Compensation Committee has conducted an assessment of our compensation policies and practices and does not believe these policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. This assessment included a review of the risk profile of our compensation policies and practices for all employees. To facilitate its review, the Compensation Committee engaged its compensation consultant to review our compensation structure to identify design elements that might encourage excessive risk taking. The compensation consultant discussed its review and conclusions with the Compensation Committee. In conducting its review, the Compensation Committee noted several policies and practices that mitigate risk, including:
Using multiple performance measures in annual incentive awards and capping payout levels;
Maintaining the ability to reduce annual incentive awards, based on its independent judgment;
Using multiple long-term incentive vehicles;
Using overlapping multi-year award cycles in connection with performance shares and capping payout levels; and
Maintaining stock ownership guidelines, an anti-hedging policy, an anti-pledging policy and a clawback policy.
Tally Sheets
The Compensation Committee regularly reviews “tally sheets” for each executive. The tally sheets contain information concerning prior years’ compensation, proposed compensation for the current year, outstanding equity-based awards (both vested and unvested) and various termination-of-employment scenarios. The tally sheets enableassist the Compensation Committee to view and evaluatein evaluating the many facets of executive compensation, understandunderstanding the magnitude of potential payouts as a result of termination-of-employment scenarios and considerconsidering changes to our compensation programs, arrangements and plans in light of emerging trends.
Wealth Accumulation Review
The Compensation Committee reviews “wealth accumulation” calculations, such as projections of how much stock an executive is projected to earn or accrue over time through cash and equity-based compensation or through certain benefits.


Other Compensation Practices and Policies
Role of Compensation Consultant in Compensation Decisions
The Compensation Committee has sole authority to select and retain a compensation consultant, including authority to approve fees and retention terms. For fiscal 2017,2022, the Compensation Committee retained Meridian Compensation Partners,Farient Advisors, LLC as its compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee reviews the performance of its compensation consultant annually.
In fiscal 2017,2022, the compensation consultant’s responsibilities included, but were not limited to:
Providing recommendations regarding the composition of our Peer Group;
Preparing and analyzing Peer Group compensation and plan design data;
Reviewing and advising on the performance measures to be used in incentive awards;
Valuing equity-based awards; and
Reviewing and advising on principal aspects of executive and non-employee director compensation, including base salaries, bonuses, perquisites and equity-based awards for executives, and cash compensation and equity-based awards for non-employee directors.
The Compensation Committee considered the independence of its compensation consultant in light of standards under the NYSE Manual.listing standards. The Compensation Committee requested and received a letter from the compensation consultant addressing its independence, including the factors described below:
Other services provided to us by the consultant;
Fees paid by us as a percentage of the consultant’s total revenue;
Policies or procedures maintained by the consultant that are designed to prevent a conflict of interest;
Any business or personal relationships between the individual consultants involved in the engagement and a member of the Compensation Committee;
Any Common Stock owned by the individual consultants involved in the engagement; and
52 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Any business or personal relationships between our executives and the consultant or the individual consultants involved in the engagement.
The Compensation Committee took into account these considerations, along with other factors relevant to the compensation consultant’s independence from management, and concluded the compensation consultant is independent and the engagement of the compensation consultant and the services rendered by the compensation consultant did not raise any conflict of interest.
Role of Management in Compensation Decisions
The Compensation Committee reviews information provided by its compensation consultant and uses that information as a reference point for the components of compensation. The Compensation Committee and the Chief Executive Officer discuss the financial metrics and operational goals intended to closely align performance targets of the business units and the Company as a whole with our strategic goals. The Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee for executives other than himself with respect to annual salary adjustments, annual incentive adjustments and grants of equity-based awards under our incentive plans. The Compensation Committee makes the final decision with respect to the compensation of these executives, taking into consideration the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations.
The Compensation Committee annually receives input from the entire Board with respect to the Chief Executive Officer’s performance and recommends his compensation level to the Board. The Board discusses and approves the annual salary of the Chief Executive Officer. The Chair of the Compensation Committee and another Compensation Committee member designated byNon-Executive Chair of the ChairBoard meet with the Chief Executive Officer to discuss the Chief Executive Officer’s performance and compensation based on evaluations received from the Board. These discussions are considered by the Compensation Committee in setting all elements of compensation for the Chief Executive Officer.

In fiscal 2017,2022, the Chief Executive Officer was present at all of the Compensation Committee meetings but was excused from the executive sessions of the Compensation Committee and did not participate in meetings or deliberations during which his compensation was discussed.
Income Tax Consequences of Executive Compensation
Our compensation programs were designed to permit us to deduct compensation expense under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which historically limited the tax deductibility of annual compensation paid to executives to $1 million, unless the compensation qualified as “performance-based.” The exemption from Section 162(m)’s deduction limit for performance-based compensation has been repealed (subject to certain transition rules), effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, such that compensation paid to our NEOs in excess of $1 million is generally deniesnot deductible. As a corporate taxresult, we may no longer take a deduction for annualany compensation exceeding $1 million paid to our NEOs (other thanin excess of $1 million. In fiscal 2022 and in plans for fiscal 2023, the CFO). The limitation does not applyCompensation Committee continued to design compensation based on achievementprograms and make grants that it believes are performance-based and well aligned with the interests of pre-established performance goals if certain requirements are met. The 2006our stockholders.
Previous grants made under the Stock Plan, and the PRSUs granted thereunder, as well as the annual cash incentive award, arewere structured and were intended to permit such awards to qualify as performance-based“performance-based” compensation to maximize the tax deductibility of these awards. Theseawards under Section 162(m). Those awards may not be fully deductible under all circumstances, as a number of additional requirements must be met for the awards to qualify as performance-based“performance-based” compensation. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes stockholder interests are best served by not restricting its discretion and flexibility in structuring compensation programs, even though such programs may result in certain non-deductible compensation expenses, and therefore, it reserves the discretion to award compensation that is not exempt from the deduction limits of Section 162(m).
Compensation Recovery (Clawback) Policy
Our employment agreements contain a provision requiring the employee,NEOs are required, to the extent required by law, to reimburse us following the publication of a restatement of our financial statements due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws as a result of misconduct for (a)incentive-based or equity-based compensation received and (b)any profits realized from the sale of our securities in each case during the 12 months prior to discovery of the noncompliance. The Compensation Committee has exclusive authority to interpret and enforce this provision.
The Compensation Committee has adopted a “Clawback Policy” to recover pay that is determined to have been wrongfully earned by managerial or executive employees, including our NEOs. As a result, all RSUsequity awards granted after November 30, 2009 include a clause that reduces the number of equity-based awards upon the occurrence of certain events. The Compensation Committee has the exclusive authority to interpret the Clawback Policy and may offset compensation as necessary to recover amounts due under the Clawback Policy.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 53

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging
We do not allow directors or employees to hedge the value of our equity securities held directly or indirectly by them. Our policy prohibits the purchase or sale of puts, calls, options or other derivative securities based on our securities, as well as hedging or monetization transactions, purchases of our equity securities on margin and borrowing against any account in which our securities are held. We prohibit pledging of Common Stock by executives or directors.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
The Compensation Committee has adopted stock ownership guidelines to promote a high level of stock retention among executives and non-employee directors. The guidelines require that the total value of the executive’s or non-employee director’s holdings of Common Stock must equal or exceed the specified target value shown below.
Position/TitleTarget Ownership
Chief Executive Officer and President
image_143a.jpg
6 x
6x base salary
Executive Vice Presidents
image_144a.jpg
3 x
3xbase salary
Senior Vice Presidents
image_145a.jpg
2 x
2x base salary
Vice Presidents
icons_1soga.jpg
1x base salary
Non-Employee Directors
image_146a.jpg
5 x
5x annual retainer
Participants have five (5) years from the date a participant becomes subject to the program to achieve the applicable stock ownership target. If a participating individual is promoted, the promoted participant has three (3) years from the date of promotion to increase his or her holdings to meet the applicable stock ownership requirements. All NEOs and directors are in compliance with our stock ownership requirements.guidelines. Our stock ownership guidelines are available on our website. Seewebsite at www.muellerwaterproducts.com.
Report of the Guidelines for more detail.


REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEECompensation and Human Resources Committee
The Compensation Committee participated in the preparation of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
See “Corporate Governance— Board Operations“Board Structure — Board Committee Information” for information concerning the Compensation Committee and its responsibilities.
Compensation and Human Resources Committee
MichaelMICHAEL T. Tokarz, ChairmanTOKARZ, CHAIR
ShirleySHIRLEY C. FranklinFRANKLIN
Jerry W. KolbTHOMAS J. HANSEN
JEFFERY S. SHARRITTS
STEPHEN C. VAN ARSDELL

Table of Contents
54 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.



EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Executive Compensation Tables
Summary Compensation Table
The amounts reported in the following table, including base salary, annual and long-term incentive amounts, benefits and perquisites, are described more fully under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”.Analysis.”
Name and Principal PositionFiscal
Year
Salary(1)
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards(2)
($)
Option Awards(3)
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(4)
($)
All Other
Compensation(5)
($)
Total
($)
J. Scott Hall
President and Chief Executive Officer
2022844,2272,470,487643,742791,76756,8734,807,096
2021821,8212,910,266540,4911,223,17853,2755,549,031
2020777,7862,509,534946,45652,9904,286,766
Marietta Edmunds Zakas
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
2022448,672642,729163,879280,52854,2701,590,078
2021432,791816,844147,965443,07046,9681,887,638
2020404,692755,866344,71749,3951,554,671
Steven S. Heinrichs
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and Secretary
2022454,191502,452128,111243,41046,3221,374,485
2021440,241642,337116,232386,31243,8161,628,938
2020413,001521,697301,53836,9751,273,211
Todd P. Helms
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
2022367,670349,31689,677197,04129,5051,033,209
2021355,801360,16181,362312,21631,4841,141,023
2020
Kenji Takeuchi
Senior Vice President, Water Management Solutions
2022370,061346,80890,120168,35919,507994,855
2021356,962311,73169,732234,92519,466992,816
2020
Name and Principal Position(1)
Fiscal Year
Salary(2)
($)
Bonus(3)
($)
Stock Awards(4)
($)
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(5)
($)
Change in Pension Value
and Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Earnings(6)
($)
All Other Compensation(7)
($)
Total
($)
Gregory E. Hyland
Executive Chairman, Former President and Chief Executive Officer
2017 968,403

 2,256,468
 365,674
 19,754
 49,624
 3,659,923
2016 900,000
27,000
 2,020,011
 1,160,658
 17,669
 53,791
 4,179,129
2015 900,000
27,000
 2,248,099
 280,485
 19,044
 51,122
 3,525,750
Scott Hall
President and Chief Executive Officer
2017 518,229

 1,657,694
 908,925
 
 108,195
 3,193,043
              
              
Evan L. Hart
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
2017 413,767

 641,505
 376,083
 
 32,035
 1,463,390
2016 401,367

 573,278
 388,208
 
 31,801
 1,394,654
2015 389,673

 652,443
 96,560
 
 31,769
 1,170,445
Keith L. Belknap
Executive Vice President, Business Development, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
2017 439,167

 541,499
 226,627
 
 40,295
 1,247,588
2016 427,000

 470,670
 302,454
 
 37,198
 1,237,322
2015 385,760

 703,181
 89,218
 
 38,787
 1,216,946
Gregory S. Rogowski
Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing
2017 441,667

 632,914
 282,075
 
 37,372
 1,394,028
2016 429,500

 552,069
 389,614
 
 37,226
 1,408,409
2015 418,382

 631,719
 196,283
 
 34,005
 1,280,389
Marietta Edmunds Zakas2017 351,967
60,000
 393,623
 255,929
 
 36,883
 1,098,402
Executive Vice President, Strategy, Corporate Development and Communications2016 338,567
145,000
 271,111
 261,973
 
 36,612
 1,053,263
  



 

 

 

 

 

(1)Salaries for the NEOs are adjusted, as appropriate, annually and are effective on February 1.
(1)Effective January 23, 2017, Scott Hall was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hall succeeded Gregory Hyland, Executive Chairman.
(2)Mr. Hyland served as our President and Chief Executive Officer until January 23, 2017. Mr Hyland’s annualized salary was $900,000 during the period of October 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017, and $1,000,000 during the period of February 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017.
(3)Payments made to Ms. Zakas were in recognition of assuming interim Human Resources responsibilities. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Salary”.
(4)The dollar amounts shown for RSU and PRSU awards represent the aggregate grant date fair values calculated in accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation, excluding the effect of forfeitures. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation” for more information. The dollar amounts shown for fiscal 2017 include the aggregate grant date fair values of PRSUs awarded in fiscal 2015, 2016 and 2017 for the fiscal 2017 performance period assuming target performance. Assuming maximum performance, the aggregate values of PRSUs awarded for the fiscal 2017 performance period would have been: $500,016 for Mr. Hall; $2,512,956 for Mr. Hyland; $713,017 for Mr. Hart; $583,016 for Mr. Belknap; $387,272 for Ms. Zakas; and $693,842 for Mr. Rogowski. Estimated amounts that may be earned over the entire three-year award cycle of outstanding PRSUs are reflected in “Outstanding
(2)“Stock Awards” comprise RSUs, Market Units and RONA Units. All RSUs and Market Units are granted on the date of award. RONA Units are granted annually in three equal tranches, beginning on the date of award. For fiscal 2022, the Stock Awards amounts include the aggregate grant date fair values of RSUs and Market Units granted in fiscal 2022 and the third tranche of RONA Units awarded in fiscal 2020 for the fiscal 2022 performance period. The dollar amounts shown for Stock Awards represent the aggregate grant date fair values calculated in accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation” for more information. The grant date fair value of the fiscal 2020, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022 Market Units was $14.94, $15.39 and $15.76, respectively.
(3)“Option Awards” comprise stock options. All stock amounts for the awards represent the grant date fair value of stock options granted under the Stock Plan to each of the NEOs, calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718. For more information regarding how the Company calculated these amounts, see the audited financial statements contained in our fiscal 2022 Form 10-K. The calculated compensation expense of the option awards recognized for financial reporting purposes will vary from the actual amount ultimately realized by the NEOs due to stock price fluctuations and timing factors related to the NEO’s realization of value from the option. To see the value actually received upon exercise of options by the NEOs in 2022, refer to the 2022 Option Exercises and Stock Vested table. Additional information on all outstanding option awards is reflected in the 2022 Outstanding Equity Awards table and the Grant of Plan-Based Awards Table” below. The dollar amount shown for Mr. Hall includes stock awards made to Mr. Hall as an offset for forfeited performance and equity awards under his prior employer’s incentive plans. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Other Cash and Equity Awards” for more information.
(5)Amounts reflect annual non-equity incentive plan compensation awards earned by our NEOs based on Company and segment financial performance and EHS-related objectives. The amounts earned for fiscal 2017 were paid in December 2017. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Annual Cash Incentive Awards” for more information.
(6)Amounts reflect accruals for deferred compensation for Mr. Hyland under a plan we established for his benefit. See “— Nonqualified Deferred Compensation During Fiscal Year 2017” below.
(7)Amounts reflect the combined value of each NEO’s perquisites and compensation that is not otherwise reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. Amounts for fiscal 2017 are described in “— All Other Compensation” below.
Table of Contentsthis Proxy Statement. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation” for more information. The grant date fair value of the fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022 stock options was $3.05 and $3.43, respectively.

(4)Amounts reflect annual non-equity incentive plan compensation awards earned by our NEOs based on Company financial performance along with and EHS-related objectives and segment performance, as applicable. The amounts earned for fiscal 2022 were paid in December 2022. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Annual Cash Incentive Awards” for more information.
(5)Amounts reflect the combined value of each NEO’s perquisites and compensation that is not otherwise reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. Amounts for fiscal 2022 are described in “— Summary Compensation Table — All Other Compensation” below.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 55


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table - All Other Compensation
The following table provides additional detail regarding the amounts presented in the “All Other Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2022.
NameVehicle
Allowance
($)
Financial
Planning(1)
($)
Contributions
to 401(k)
Plans
($)
Life and
Long-Term
Disability
Insurance
($)
Other(2)
($)
Total
($)
J. Scott Hall24,000 — 15,250 17,623 56,873 
Marietta Edmunds Zakas18,000 7,500 15,079 10,341 3,350 54,270 
Steven S. Heinrichs18,000 1,320 15,250 8,591 3,161 46,322 
Todd P. Helms— 7,500 14,835 7,170 — 29,505 
Kenji Takeuchi— — 14,874 4,633 19,507 
(1)2017NEOs are entitled to reimbursement of up to $7,500 for annual financial planning ($10,000 for the CEO).
(2)Other compensation for Ms. Zakas and Mr. Heinrichs consists of reimbursement of annual physical exam expenses. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Other Cash and Equity Awards.”
Name
Vehicle Allowance or Use of Leased Vehicle
($)
Financial Planning (1)
($)
Contributions
to 401(k)
Plans
($)
Life and
Long-Term Disability Insurance
($)
Other(2)
($)
Total
($)
Gregory E. Hyland14,000
2,825
10,800
18,999
3,00049,624
Scott Hall17,000

10,800
3,739
76,656108,195
Evan L. Hart18,000

10,800
3,235
32,035
Keith L. Belknap18,000
2,100
10,800
6,395
3,00040,295
Gregory S. Rogowski18,000

10,800
5,524
3,04837,372
Marietta Edmunds Zakas14,400
7,500
10,800
4,183
36,883
(1)
NEOs are entitled to reimbursement of up to $7,500 of annual financial planning ($10,000 for the CEO).
(2)For Messrs. Hyland and Belknap, represents reimbursement of annual physical exam expenses. For Mr. Hall, represents relocation reimbursements and expenses. For Mr. Rogowski, represents the incremental cost to us of his spouse accompanying him on a sales incentive trip.


Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
The following table summarizes the equity awardsfiscal 2022 grants made to our NEOs during fiscal 2017on November 30, 2021 on a grant-by-grant basis. Each of the equity-based awards granted during fiscal 20172022 and reported in the following table was granted under, and is subject to the terms of, the 2006 Stock Plan.
Fiscal 2017 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
   
Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)
Estimated Future Issuance of Shares Under Equity Incentive Plans (2)
All Other Stock-Based Awards
(#) (3)
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock-Based Awards
($) (4)
Name
Grant
Date
 
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
Gregory E. Hyland  301,736
603,472
     
 11/29/2016       75,414
999,990
 11/29/2016
(5) 
   12,569
25,138
50,276
 333,330
 12/1/2015
(5) 
   17,768
35,536
71,072
 471,207
 12/2/2014
(5) 
   17,041
34,083
68,166
 451,941
Scott Hall  750,000
1,500,000
     
 3/29/2017       56,069
657,689
 1/23/2017       57,034
749,997
 1/23/2017
(5) 
   9,506
19,012
38,024
 250,008
Evan L. Hart
 310,325
620,650
     
 11/29/2016       21,493
284,997
 11/29/2016
(5) 
   3,582
7,164
14,328
 94,995
 12/1/2015
(5) 
   5,064
10,128
20,256
 134,297
 12/2/2014
(5) 
   4,797
9,594
19,188
 127,216
Keith L. Belknap
 307,417
614,834
     
 11/29/2016       18,853
249,991
 11/29/2016
(5) 
   3,142
6,284
12,568
 83,326
 12/1/2015
(5) 
   4,442
8,884
17,768
 117,802
 12/2/2014
(5) 
   3,408
6,816
13,632
 90,380
Gregory S. Rogowski
 331,250
662,500
     
 11/29/2016       21,568
285,992
 11/29/2016
(5) 
   3,594
7,189
14,378
 95,326
 12/1/2015
(5) 
   4,886
9,772
19,544
 129,577
 12/2/2014
(5) 
   4,601
9,202
18,404
 122,019
Marietta Edmunds Zakas
 211,180
422,360






 

 11/29/2016 




   15,082
199,987
 11/29/2016
(5) 





2,513
5,027
10,054
 66,658
 12/1/2015
(5) 





2,487
4,975
9,950
 65,969
 12/2/2014
(5) 





2,300
4,601
9,202
 61,009
(1)Amounts represent the range of possible cash payouts for fiscal 2017 awards under the annual cash incentive plan as described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Annual Cash Incentive Awards”. The awards that were earned based on actual performance for fiscal 2017 were paid in December 2017 and are shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.FISCAL 2022 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
(2)Represents PRSU awards that may be earned based on the achievement of performance goals in the 2017 performance period. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation — Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units”. Estimated amounts that may be earned over the three-year award cycle of PRSUs granted for fiscal 2015, 2016 and 2017 are reflected in “Outstanding Equity Awards Table” below.
(3)Represents time-vesting RSUs. Each RSU entitles the grantee to receive one share of Common Stock upon vesting. The RSUs generally vest in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation — Time-Based Restricted Stock Units”. The RSUs granted to Mr. Hall on March 29, 2017 vest in full on January 23, 2018. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Other Cash and Equity Awards” for more information.
(4)See footnote 4 to the “Summary Compensation Table” for a description of the methods used to determine grant date fair value of equity-based awards.
(5)Represents the range of shares of Common Stock that may vest after the end of the three-year award cycle applicable to a PRSU award solely with respect to the fiscal 2017 performance period, assuming achievement of threshold, target and maximum performance.
  Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
Estimated Future Issuance
of Shares Under Equity
Incentive Plans
All Other
Option Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
Exercise
or Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/Sh)(6)
All Other Stock-Based
Awards
(#)
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock-Based
Awards
($)(7)
NameAward DateMinimum
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
J. Scott Hall (1)— 886,438 1,772,877 





11/30/2021(2)47,193 643,713 
11/30/2021(3)47,196 94,391 188,782 1,487,602 
11/30/2021(4)187,680 13.64 643,742 
12/3/2019(5)12,433 24,866 49,732 339,172 
Marietta Edmunds Zakas (1)— 314,070 628,141 





11/30/2021(2)12,015 163,885 
11/30/2021(3)12,015 24,030 48,060 378,713 
11/30/2021(4)47,778 13.64 163,879 
12/3/2019(5)



3,671 7,341 14,682 

100,131 
Steven S. Heinrichs(1)— 272,515 545,029 





11/30/2021(2)9,390 128,080 
11/30/2021(3)9,393 18,785 37,570 296,052 
11/30/2021(4)37,350 13.64128,111 
12/3/2019(5)2,871 5,742 11,484 78,321 
Table of Contents
56 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
  Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
Estimated Future Issuance
of Shares Under Equity
Incentive Plans
All Other
Option Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
Exercise
or Base Price
of Option
Awards
($/Sh)(6)
All Other Stock-Based
Awards
(#)
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock-Based
Awards
($)(7)
NameAward DateMinimum
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
Todd P. Helms(1)— 220,602 441,204 
11/30/2021(2)6,573 89,656 
11/30/2021(3)6,575 13,149 26,298 207,228 
11/30/2021(4)26,145 13.6489,677 
2/24/2020(8)1,922 3,844 7,688 52,432 
Kenji Takeuchi(1)— 185,031 370,061 
11/30/2021(2)6,606 90,106 
11/30/2021(3)6,607 13,214 26,428 208,253 
11/30/2021(4)26,274 13.6490,120 
12/3/2019(5)1,776 3,552 7,104 48,449 
(1)Amounts represent the range of possible cash payouts for fiscal 2022 awards under the annual cash incentive plan as described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Annual Cash Incentive Awards.” The amounts that were earned based on actual performance for fiscal 2022 were paid in December 2022 and are shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)Represents time-based RSUs. Each RSU entitles the grantee to receive one share of Common Stock upon vesting. The RSUs generally vest in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the award date. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation — Time-Based Restricted Stock Units” for more information.
(3)Represents the range of shares of Common Stock that may vest after the end of the three-year cumulative award period applicable to a PRSU award based solely on rTSR performance goals established in fiscal 2022, i.e., Market Units, assuming achievement of threshold, target and maximum performance. The grant date fair value of the fiscal 2022 Market Units was $15.76. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation — Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units” for more information.
(4)Represents stock options. Upon vesting, each stock option entitles the NEO to purchase one share of our common stock at a specified exercise price. These stock options vest in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversary of the date of award. Once vested, options will generally remain exercisable until their normal expiration dates, which are ten years from the grant date. Grantees generally have ninety days to exercise any vested options upon termination of employment. This period is extended to one year in the event termination results from death and disability and two years in the case of retirement. All outstanding options will immediately terminate if the grantee is terminated for cause. The grant date fair value of the fiscal 2022 stock options was $3.43.
(5)Represents the range of shares of Common Stock that may vest after the end of the three-year award cycle applicable to a PRSU award solely with respect to the fiscal 2022 RONA performance period goals established in fiscal 2022, i.e., RONA Units, assuming achievement of threshold, target and maximum performance.
(6)Each stock option granted during fiscal 2022 was granted with a per-share exercise price equal to the closing price of the underlying common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the award date.
(7)See footnote 2 and footnote 3 to the “Summary Compensation Table” for a description of the methods used to determine grant date fair value of equity-based awards.
(8)Mr. Helms received an award commensurate with his position and in line with awards granted to the then-current senior officers of the Company at the time of his hiring. This row represents the range of shares of Common Stock that may vest after the end of the three-year award cycle applicable to a PRSU award solely with respect to the fiscal 2022 RONA performance period goals established in fiscal 2022, i.e., RONA Units, assuming achievement of threshold, target and maximum performance.

PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 57

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Outstanding Equity Awards Table
The following table sets forth information detailing the outstanding unexercised options and unvested RSUs and PRSUs held by each of our NEOs at September 30, 2017.2022.


Option Awards

Stock Awards


Number of Securities
Underlying Options
(#)
Option
Exercise
Price
($)(1)
Option
Expiration
Date

Number of
RSUs That
Have Not
Vested
(#)(2)
Market Value of RSUs That
Have Not
Vested
($)(3)
Number of
Performance
Units That
Have Not
Vested
(#)(4)
Market
Value of
Performance
Units That
Have Not
Vested
($)(3)
NameAward DateExercisableUnexercisable

J. Scott Hall12/03/19(5)





18,650 191,536 
12/02/20(6)32,672 335,541 
12/02/20(7)98,018 1,006,645 
12/02/20(8)59,070 118,140 11.86 12/02/30
11/30/21(9)47,193 484,672 
11/30/21(10)94,391 969,396 
11/30/21(11)— 187,680 13.64 11/29/31
Marietta Edmunds Zakas12/03/19(5)





5,506 56,547 
12/02/20(6)8,944 91,855 
12/02/20(7)26,834 275,585 
12/02/20(8)16,171 32,342 11.86 12/02/30
11/30/21(9)12,015 123,394 
11/30/21(10)24,030 246,788 
11/30/21(11)— 47,778 13.64 11/29/31
Steven S. Heinrichs12/03/19(5)4,307 44,233 
12/02/20(6)7,026 72,157 
12/02/20(7)21,079 216,481 
12/02/20(8)12,703 25,406 11.86 12/02/30
11/30/21(9)9,390 96,435 
11/30/21(10)18,785 192,922 
11/30/21(11)— 37,350 13.64 11/29/31
Todd P. Helms02/24/20(5)2,883 29,608 
12/02/20(6)4,918 50,508 
12/02/20(7)14,755 151,534 
12/02/20(8)8,892 17,784 11.86 12/02/30
11/30/21(9)6,573 67,505 
11/30/21(10)13,149 135,040 
11/30/21(11)— 26,145 13.64 11/29/31
Kenji Takeuchi12/03/19(5)2,664 27,359 
12/02/20(6)4,214 43,278 
12/02/20(7)12,647 129,885 
12/02/20(8)7,621 15,242 11.86 12/02/30
11/30/21(9)6,606 67,844 
11/30/21(10)13,214 135,708 
11/30/21(11)— 26,274 13.64 11/29/31
(1)Option exercise prices are equal to the closing price of Common Stock on the NYSE on the respective grant dates.
(2)This column includes unvested RSUs. RSUs vest in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the respective award dates.
(3)Market value for units in this column is calculated by multiplying the number of RSUs or PRSUs that have not vested by the closing price of Common Stock on the NYSE on September 30, 2022 of 10.27 per share, the last trading day of the fiscal year.
(4)This column includes unvested performance units based upon the applicable performance metric specified.
Name   Option AwardsStock Awards

Grant
Date
Number of Securities Underlying Options
(#)
Option Exercise Price
($) (1)
Option Expiration Date
Number of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#) (2)
Market Value of Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($) (3)
Number of Performance Shares That Have Not Vested 
(#)
Market Value of Performance Shares That Have Not Vested 
($) (3)
Exercisable Unexercisable 
Gregory E. Hyland (6)
11/29/07 226,757
 
10.66
11/29/17



 12/02/08 343,155
 
5.49
12/02/18



 12/01/09 154,427
 
5.05
12/01/19



 12/01/15
(4) 
     

35,536
454,861
 11/29/16
(5) 
     75,414
965,299
50,276
643,533
Scott Hall01/23/17
(5) 


 




57,034
730,035
57,034
730,035
 03/29/17 







56,069
717,683




Evan L. Hart11/29/07 10,459
 
10.66
11/29/17



 07/31/08 24,752
 
9.10
07/31/18



 12/02/08 66,539
 
5.49
12/02/18



 12/01/09 84,615
 
5.05
12/01/19



 11/30/10 84,615
 
3.52
11/30/20



 11/29/11 71,942
 
2.03
11/29/21



 12/02/14      9,594
122,803


 12/01/15
(4) 
     20,255
259,264
30,595
391,616
 11/29/16
(5) 
     21,493
275,110
21,493
275,110
Keith L. Belknap04/02/12 22,335
 
3.54
04/02/22



 12/02/14      6,816
87,245


 07/27/15      9,502
121,626


 12/01/15
(4) 
     17,768
227,430
26,838
343,526
 11/29/16
(5) 
     18,853
241,318
18,853
241,318
Gregory S. Rogowski12/01/09 85,839
 
5.05
12/01/19



 11/30/10 85,839
 
3.52
11/30/20



 11/29/11 70,684
 
2.03
11/29/21



 12/02/14      9,202
117,786


 12/01/15
(4) 
     19,544
250,163
29,522
377,882
 11/29/16
(5) 
     21,568
276,070
21,568
276,070
Marietta Edmunds Zakas11/29/07 22,676
 
10.66
11/29/17



 12/02/08 38,022
 
5.49
12/02/18



 12/01/09 34,965
 
5.05
12/01/19



 11/30/10 34,965
 
3.52
11/30/20



 11/29/11 25,260
 
2.03
11/29/21



 12/02/14      4,601
58,893


 12/01/15
(4) 


 



 9,950
127,360
15,029
192,371
 11/29/16
(5) 
     15,082
193,050
15,082
193,050
58 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
(1)Option exercise prices are equal to the closing price of Common Stock on the NYSE on the respective grant dates.
(2)RSUs granted on 12/02/14, 7/27/15, 12/01/15, 11/29/16 and 1/23/17 each vest in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the respective grant dates. RSUs granted on 03/29/17 vest in full on 1/23/18.
(3)“Market value” is calculated by multiplying the number of RSUs or PRSUs that have not vested by the closing price of Common Stock on the NYSE on September 30, 2017 of $12.80 per share.
(4)Includes PRSUs awarded in fiscal 2016 for a three-year award cycle (fiscal 2016 through fiscal 2018). The PRSUs shown are based on actual performance for fiscal 2016 and 2017 and assume target performance for fiscal 2018. Actual performances for fiscal 2016 and 2017 were 102.1% and 100% of target, respectively. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation — Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units”.
(5)Includes PRSUs awarded in fiscal 2017 for a three-year award cycle (fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2019). The PRSUs shown are based on actual performance for fiscal 2017 and assume target performance for fiscal 2018 and 2019. Actual performance for fiscal 2017 was 100% of target. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation — Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units”.
(6)Mr. Hyland is “retirement-eligible” under the terms and for purposes of the 2006 Stock Plan. Accordingly, for purposes of this table, all of his outstanding equity-based awards (other than unearned and outstanding PRSUs) are deemed vested.


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

(5)This row includes RSUs awarded in fiscal 2020 in accordance with the Stock Plan.
(6)This row includes RSUs awarded in fiscal 2021 in accordance with the Stock Plan.
(7)This row includes Market Units awarded in fiscal 2021 for a cumulative three-year award cycle (fiscal 2021 through fiscal 2023). The PRSUs shown assume target performance for the award cycle. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation — Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units.”
(8)This row includes unexercised stock options awarded in fiscal 2021. Stock options vest in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the respective grant dates.
(9)This row includes RSUs awarded in fiscal 2022 in accordance with the Stock Plan.
(10)This row includes Market Units awarded in fiscal 2022 for a three-year award cycle (fiscal 2022 through fiscal 2024) in accordance with the Stock Plan. The PRSUs shown assume target performance for the award cycle. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Elements — Long-Term Equity-Based Compensation — Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units.”
(11)This row includes unexercised stock options awarded in fiscal 2022. Stock options vest in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the respective award dates.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
The following table shows stock options exercised and RSUs and PRSUs vested during fiscal 2017.2022.

Option Awards    RSU Awards    
PRSU Awards(3)
NameNumber of
Shares
Acquired
on Exercise
Value
Realized
on Exercise(1)
($)

Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Vesting
(#)
Value
Realized
on Vesting(2)
($)

Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Vesting
(#)
Value
Realized
on Vesting(2)
($)
J. Scott Hall— — 

53,979 751,589 

118,617 1,218,197 
Marietta Edmunds Zakas— — 

15,676 218,276 

35,016 359,614 
Steven S. Heinrichs— — 

12,331 171,705 

27,390 281,295 
Todd P. Helms— — 

25,110 314,220 

15,916 163,457 
Kenji Takeuchi— — 

4,771 66,140 

16,941 173,984 
  
Option AwardsStock Awards
NameNumber of Shares Acquired on Exercise
Value Realized on Exercise(1)
($)
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting
Value Realized on Vesting(2)
($)
Gregory E. Hyland500,000
4,685,686
108,743
1,437,163
Scott Hall



Evan L. Hart

30,735
406,205
Keith L. Belknap

33,027
420,183
Gregory S. Rogowski

29,538
390,388
Marietta Edmunds Zakas

13,977
184,755
(1)(1)Calculated by subtracting the exercise price of the option from the closing price of Common Stock on the NYSE on the exercise date, multiplied by the number of options exercised.
(2)Calculated as the closing price of Common Stock on the NYSE on the vesting date multiplied by the number of RSUs that vested.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation During Fiscal 2017
Mr. Hyland participates in a deferred compensation plan pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement. None of our other NEOs participate in any executive deferred compensation plan. Mr. Hyland accumulated aggregate earnings from interest in fiscal 2017 of $19,754 and held an aggregate balance on September 30, 2017 of $663,814. These contributions and aggregate earnings are reflected in the “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column of the Summary Compensation Table.option from the actual trade value of the share on exercise, multiplied by the number of options exercised.
(2)Calculated as the closing price of Common Stock on the NYSE on the vesting date multiplied by the number of RSUs or PRSUs that vested.
(3)Consists of RONA Units and Market Units.
Pension Plan
None of our NEOs participate in a defined benefit pension plan. Each NEO participates in our 401(k) plan, under which we make matching contributions in accordance with the terms of that plan.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 59

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Employment, Severance and Change-in-Control Arrangements
At September 30, 2017,2022, we maintained employment agreements with each NEO.NEO except as noted. Each agreement (other than Mr. Hyland’s agreement) provides for an annual equity opportunity, which is subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee, and commensurate with their executive-level position. Each agreement also entitles the employee to receive reimbursement for financial planning services and the cost of an annual physical exam. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to these agreements.
Name
Base Salary
Rate(1)
($)
Annual Target Bonus as
Percent of Base Salary(2)
(%)
Monthly Car
Allowance
($)
Annual
Vacation
Severance Benefits as
Percent of Salary(3)
(%)
J. Scott Hall854,000 105 2,000 4 weeks300.0 
Marietta Edmunds Zakas454,564 70 1,500 4 weeks262.5 
Steven S. Heinrichs459,426 60 1,500 4 weeks262.5 
Todd P. Helms(4)
372,203 60 N/A4 weeks100.0 
Kenji Takeuchi(4)
374,920 50 N/A4 weeks100.0
Name
Base Salary Rate(1)
($)
Annual Target Bonus as Percent of Base Salary(2)
(%)
Monthly Car Allowance
($)
Annual Vacation
Severance Benefits as Percent of Salary(3)
(%)
Gregory E. Hyland(4)
1,000,000
N/A
4 weeksN/A
Scott Hall750,0001002,000
4 weeks300.0
Evan L. Hart418,000
751,500
4 weeks262.5
Keith L. Belknap443,500
701,500
4 weeks240.0
Gregory S. Rogowski446,000
751,500
4 weeks262.5
Marietta Edmunds Zakas357,000
601,200
4 weeks225.0
(1)(1)Salaries are reviewed annually. Amounts shown represent annual salary rates as of September 30, 2017.
(2)Payout can range from zero to up to twice the amount of the target based on the satisfaction of predetermined financial, operational and individual performance objectives. Mr. Hyland’s 2017 bonus was based on his salary in effect, and performance achieved, during the period in which he served as President and Chief Executive Officer (from October 2016 through January 2017).
(3)Severance benefits under Mr. Hyland’s agreement are equal to the amount of salary unpaid from the date of termination through January 2018. Cash severance to Mr. Hyland would also include payout under the Retirement Plan. See “— Nonqualified Deferred Compensation During Fiscal 2017”. Other severance benefits are paid in monthly installments over 24 months, in the case of Mr. Hall, and over 18 months in the case of each other NEO, together with a lump sum payment of unpaid salary and other benefits.
Table of ContentsSeptember 30, 2022.

(2)Payout can range from zero to up to twice the amount of the target based on the satisfaction of predetermined financial, market and operational performance objectives.

(4)Mr. Hyland participates in an unfunded deferred compensation plan. See “— Nonqualified Deferred Compensation During Fiscal 2017”.
(3)Other severance benefits are paid in monthly installments over 24 months, in the case of Mr. Hall, and over 18 months in the case of each other NEO, together with a lump sum payment of unpaid salary and other benefits.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control(4)Messrs. Helms and Takeuchi are subject to the Company's executive severance plan and do not maintain separate employment agreements.
At September 30, 2017,2022, we also maintained change-in-control arrangements with each NEO. Under the existing change-in-control agreements with each NEO (other than Mr. Hyland). The following table sets forth certain information with respect to these agreements.
Under these agreements,Messrs. Hall and Heinrichs and Ms. Zakas, upon a change-in-control (as defined in the agreement) of Mueller Water Products, Inc.the Company and (i) the executive’s employment is terminated other than for Cause or for Good Reason (each as defined in the agreement) within 24 months following a change-in-control or (ii) a replacement award (as defined in the agreement) was not available (i.e., a double trigger), all outstanding options and RSUs would immediately vest. The value of PRSUs reflects the pro rata portion of shares earned during the performance period and payout at target for future performance periods within the award cycle. In addition, if the executive’s employment is terminated other than for Cause or for Good Reason (each as defined in the agreement) within 24 months following a change-in-control, the executive would be entitled to a lump-sum severance payment equivalent to 2.0x base salary and annual incentive bonus (generally calculated as the greater of (i) the Executive’s annual target bonus and (ii) the average of actual annual incentive bonuses over the preceding three years) and continuation of certain benefits, such as group life and medical insurance coverage for a period of 24 months. The agreements for Messrs. Rogowski and Hart and Ms. Zakas provide for an additional payment sufficient to eliminate the effect of any applicable excise tax on severance payments in excess of any amount determined under 280G of the Code. We would not be able to deduct payments subject to the excise tax for federal and state income tax purposes. The agreements for Messrs. Hall and Belknapalso contain a “best-of-net” provision, so that, in the event excise taxes would be imposed on payments under the agreements, Messrs. Hall and Belknapthe NEO will either (1) pay the excise tax without assistance from the Company or (2) have the payments reduced to an amount at which an excise tax would no longer be payable, based on which result is more favorable to him or her on an after-tax basis.
Messrs. Helms and Takeuchi receive change-in-control benefits under the executive severance plan. The executive severance plan provides, upon a change-in-control, for vesting of outstanding equity-based awards if a replacement award (as defined in the Executive Severance Plan) is not available and for payment of cash severance amounts if the NEO’s employment is involuntarily terminated (other than for Cause or for termination for Good Reason as defined in the executive severance plan) within 24 months following a change-in-control (i.e., a double trigger). Such cash severance payments would include a lump-sum payment equivalent to the sum of 1.0x base salary and annual target incentive bonus, a pro rata amount of his annual target incentive bonus (prorated based upon the time of service during the applicable fiscal year) and cash equivalent amounts related to other benefits.
60 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
The following table sets forth the potential benefits each NEO would be entitled to receive upon termination of employment in the situations outlined below. The NEO would not be entitled to the severance benefits described below if he or she terminates employment without Good Reason or is terminated for Cause. The amounts shown are estimates and do not necessarily reflect the actual amounts that would be paid to the NEOs, which would only be known at the time they become eligible for payment. The amounts shown are the amounts that could be payable under existing plans and arrangements if the NEO’s employment had terminated on September 30, 2017, including (other than for Messrs. Hall and Belknap), an estimated gross-up for excise taxes in the event that any payments made in connection with a change-in-control were subject to such taxes.

2022.
The termination events pursuant to which the NEOs are entitled to potential payments are as follows:
A - Severance arrangement for termination without causeCause or for good reasonGood Reason
B - Termination without causeCause after a change-in-control or, if applicable, sale of segment
C - Death, disability or retirement
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL TABLE
 
Name

Cash Severance
($)
Bonus
 Earned as of
 Event Date(1)
($)
Vesting
of Unvested
Long-Term
Awards(2)
($)
Health,
Welfare and
Other Benefits
Continuation(3)
($)
Outplacement(4)
($)
Total
($)
J. Scott HallA2,627,692 (5)791,767 — 45,008 25,000 3,489,467 

B3,546,568 (6)791,767 2,987,789 90,547 298,900 7,715,571 

C— — 2,987,789 — — 2,987,789 
Marietta Edmunds ZakasA1,228,197 (5)280,528 — 60,094 25,000 1,593,819 
B1,575,684 (6)280,528 794,169 133,804 159,097 2,943,282 
C— — 794,169 — — 794,169 
Steven S. HeinrichsA1,241,333 (5)243,410 — 

1,697 25,000 1,511,440 

B1,506,334 (6)243,410 622,228 130,690 160,799 2,663,461 

C—   — 622,228 —   — 622,228 
Todd P. HelmsA597,875 (5)197,041 — 25,900 25,000 845,816 
B621,436 (6)197,041 434,195 25,900 25,000 1,303,572 
C— — 434,195 — — 434,195 
Kenji TakeuchiA572,119 (5)168,359 — 24,256 25,000 789,734 

B588,791 (6)168,359 404,073 24,256 25,000 1,210,479 
C—   — 404,073 — — 404,073 
(1)Each is entitled to a pro rata share of the current fiscal year bonus in the event of termination without Cause or after a change-in-control. Amounts in this table assume a termination date of September 30, 2022 and represent the actual bonus paid for fiscal 2022 since this amount would not have otherwise been paid at that date.
(2)The value of stock options is the difference between the closing price of Common Stock on September 30, 2022 and the option exercise prices per share multiplied by the number of options. The value of RSUs is the closing price of Common Stock on September 30, 2022 multiplied by the number of RSUs. The value of PRSUs reflects the pro rata portion of shares earned during the performance period and payout at target for future performance periods within the award cycle. The closing price of our Common Stock on September 30, 2022 on the NYSE was $10.27.
(3)For all NEOs, excluding Messrs. Helms and Takeuchi, health and welfare benefits are continued for up to 42 months from the separation date based on the current elections and plan premiums.
(4)Services in Case A (without Cause termination) will be reasonable in our sole discretion. Services in Case B (change-in-control termination) will be provided for up to two years but will not exceed 35% of the base salary at the time of termination for Messrs. Hall and Heinrichs and Ms. Zakas or $25,000 for Messrs. Helms and Takeuchi.
(5)Cash severance in Case A (without Cause termination) is equal to a percentage of current annual base salary plus accrued vacation. The percentage applicable to Mr. Hall is 300%. The percentage applicable to Mr. Heinrichs and Ms. Zakas is 262.5%. The percentage applicable to Messrs. Helms and Takeuchi is 100% plus an amount equal to a pro rata annual incentive bonus calculated at target goals. Other severance benefits, if applicable, are paid in monthly installments over 24 months in the case of Mr. Hall and over 18 months in the case of each other NEO, together with a lump sum payment of unpaid salary and other benefits.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 61

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control Table
Name
  
Cash Severance
($)
 
Bonus Earned as of Event Date(1)
($)
Vesting of Unvested Long-Term Awards(2)
($)
Health, Welfare and Other Benefits Continuation(3)
($)
 
Outplacement(4)
($)
 
Sec 280G Excise Tax and Related Gross-Up(5)
($)
Total
($)
Scott HallA2,307,692
(6) 
908,925

27,276
 25,000

03,268,893
 B3,057,692
(7) 
908,925
2,177,753
36,368
 262,500

06,443,238
 C


1,691,059




01,691,059
Evan L. HartA1,129,404
(6) 
376,083

12,867
 25,000
 01,543,354
 B1,404,457
(7) 
376,083
1,323,927
17,156
 146,300
 03,267,923
 C
   

1,010,881

   

 01,010,881
Keith L. BelknapA1,098,515
(6) 
226,627

30,798

25,000
 01,380,940
 B1,238,441
(7) 
226,627
1,262,474
41,064
 155,225
 02,923,831
 C
   

987,881

   

 0987,881
Gregory S. RogowskiA1,205,058
(6) 
282,075

7,803

25,000
 01,519,936
B1,526,060
(7) 
282,075
1,297,971
10,405
 156,100
 03,272,611
 C
   

988,842

   

 0988,842
Marietta Edmunds ZakasA830,712
(6) 
255,929

26,093
 25,000
 01,137,734
B1,082,756
(7) 
255,929
764,724
34,791
 124,950
 02,263,150
 C
 
572,344

 
 0572,344
(6)Cash severance in Case B (change-in-control termination) for Messrs. Hall and Heinrichs and Ms. Zakas is equal to two times annual base salary plus two times the greater of (i) the annual target bonus and (ii) the average bonus over the last three years, plus accrued vacation. Cash severance in Case B (change-in-control termination) for Messrs. Helms and Takeuchi is equal to one times annual base salary and target annual incentive bonus plus pro rata target annual incentive bonus, accrued vacation and ancillary medical benefits. Accrued vacation assumes no vacation has been taken.
CEO Pay Ratio Disclosure
For fiscal 2022, (i) the annual total compensation of our median employee (excluding our CEO) was $60,507 and (ii) the annual total compensation of our CEO was $4,807,096. Based on this information, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to that of the median employee is approximately 79 to 1. Our employee population consists of approximately 3,545 employees located throughout the world, with approximately 81% in the United States.
To identify the median employee for fiscal 2022, we included all part-time and full-time employees that were employed for any portion of fiscal 2022 so long as they were still actively employed on September 30, 2022. Compensation elements used included regular pay (base salary for exempt population and hourly wages for non-exempt population), bonuses, overtime, shift pay and paid time off. Commissions and executive perquisites were omitted from the median employee selection calculation. Using this methodology, we determined the “median employee” was a full-time, hourly employee located in the United States.
ADVISORY VOTE ON FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
(1)Proposal Three
Each is entitled to a pro rata shareAdvisory Vote on the Frequency of the current fiscal year bonus in the event of termination without Cause or after a change-in-control. Amounts in this table assume a termination date of September 30, 2017 and represent the actual bonus paid for fiscal 2017 since this amount would not have otherwise been paid at that date.Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation
image_11a.jpg
The Board recommends voting on executive compensation ANNUALLY.
At our 2011 Annual Meeting, we first provided our stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on how frequently they would like to vote on our executive compensation, which, as described in Proposal Two, is commonly referred to as “Say-on-Pay.” Based on the previous voting results, our Board determined to hold Say-on-Pay votes annually. SEC rules require us to ask our stockholders, at least every six years, how often they would like for us to hold Say-on-Pay votes. Accordingly, we are requesting your advisory vote this year to determine the frequency of future Say-on-Pay votes.
By voting on this Proposal Three, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer that we continue to hold an advisory vote on our executive compensation annually, or whether they prefer such vote to be held every two or three years.
The Board believes that an annual vote is the most effective means for ensuring that our executive compensation policies and procedures are strongly aligned with the interests of our stockholders and are effective in implementing our compensation philosophy and in achieving our strategic goals. The Board’s belief is further based on the premise that this recommendation can be modified in future years if it becomes apparent that a vote once every year is not meaningful or a different voting frequency is recommended by best corporate governance practices.
Accordingly, we ask for stockholder approval of the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, an annual advisory vote on executive compensation.
This vote is advisory and therefore not binding on us, the Board or the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee will consider the result of this year’s vote, as well as other communications from stockholders relating to our compensation practices, and take them into account in future determinations concerning our executive compensation programs.
62 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.


RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(2)Proposal Four
Ratification of the Appointment of Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2023
image_11a.jpg
The value of stock options is calculated as the difference between the closing price of Common Stock on September 30, 2017 and the option exercise prices per share multiplied by the number of in-the-money options. The value of RSUs is the closing price of Common Stock on September 30, 2017 multiplied by the number of RSUs. The value of PRSUs reflects the pro rata portion of shares earned during the performance period and payout at target for future performance periods within the award cycle. The closing price of our common stock on September 30, 2017 on the NYSE was $12.80.Board recommends a vote FOR this proposal.
The Audit Committee has authority to retain and terminate the services of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, subject to negotiation of definitive fee arrangements. Although stockholder ratification of EY’s appointment is not required, the Board believes submitting the appointment to our stockholders for ratification is a matter of good corporate governance. Even if stockholders ratify the appointment of EY, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the fiscal year if it determines that a change would be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.
See below for a description of the fees EY billed us for fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021.
A representative of EY is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. The representative will have an opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to stockholder questions.
Fees and Services of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting for fiscal 2022.
Audit Fees and Other Fees
The following table shows the approximate fees for audit and other services provided by Ernst & Young for fiscal years 2022 and 2021 (in millions). All fees in 2022 and 2021 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

20222021
Audit fees(1)
$2.6 $3.0 
Audit-related fees— — 
Tax fees0.1 — 
Total fees$2.7 $3.0 
(1)Reflects fees for professional services performed by Ernst & Young for annual audits (including out-of-pocket expenses) and quarterly limited reviews of our consolidated financial statements.
Pre-Approval of Services Performed by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee has adopted procedures for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. For both types of pre-approval, the Audit Committee considers whether the services are consistent with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules on auditor independence and whether the independent registered public accounting firm is able to provide the most effective service. Audit and non-
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 63

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
audit fees to be incurred by the independent registered public accounting firm for services permitted by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to be performed by such firm must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee Chair or another designated member of the Audit Committee for individual projects in amounts up to $150,000 or the Audit Committee, and the Audit Committee must approve all such services for individual project in amounts greater than $150,000. The Audit Committee periodically monitors the services rendered and actual fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm to ensure the services are within the parameters approved by the Audit Committee.
Report of the Audit Committee
Committee Composition and Skills
The Audit Committee is composed of three independent directors meeting the requirements of applicable SEC and New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules. The Board has determined all Audit Committee members are “financially literate” for purposes of the NYSE Listed Company Manual (the “NYSE Manual”) and select members qualify as audit committee “financial experts” within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the SEC. See “Proposal One - Election of Ten Directors — The Board of Directors” for a description of the business background of each member. No member of the Audit Committee serves on the audit committee of more than three public companies.
Meetings
The Audit Committee met 13 times during fiscal 2022, including 8 times by video/teleconference. Meetings include periodic executive sessions with the independent registered public accounting firm, internal auditors and management.
Responsibilities of the Audit Committee, Management and the Independent Auditor
The Audit Committee’s key responsibilities are set forth in its charter, which was approved by the Board and is available on our website at www.muellerwaterproducts.com. See “Corporate Governance — Board Operations — Board Committee Information” for more information concerning the Audit Committee and its responsibilities. With respect to the Company's consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2022 and internal control over financial reporting:
Management was responsible for preparing the financial statements and establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee was responsible for monitoring and overseeing the financial reporting and audit functions, as well as the internal control over financial reporting and disclosure.
EY, the independent registered public accounting firm, for fiscal 2022, was responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and was also responsible for performing an independent audit of, and expressing an opinion on, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management and EY the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2022, the quarterly consolidated financial statements and operating results for each quarter in the fiscal year and the related significant accounting and disclosure issues, the Critical Audit Matters (“CAMs”) and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee reviewed management’s report contained in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2022 (“Annual Report”), as well as EY’s Reports of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in the Annual Report related to its audits of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee discussed with EY matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC. In addition, EY provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding EY’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and the Audit Committee has discussed with EY the firm’s independence.
64 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Based on the foregoing discussions with and reports of management and the independent registered public accounting firm and the Audit Committee’s review of the representations of management, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board the inclusion of the consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report.
(3)

Welfare benefits are continued for up to 24 months for Mr. Hall and 18 months for other NEOs from the separation date based on the current elections and plan premiums.Audit Committee

STEPHEN C. VAN ARSDELL, CHAIR
BERNARD G. RETHORE
(4)Services in Case A will be reasonable in our sole discretion. Services in Case B will be provided for up to two years, but will not exceed 35% of the NEO’s base salary at the time of termination.JEFFERY S. SHARRITTS
(5)The change-in-control agreements for Messrs. Hart and Rogowski and Ms. Zakas contain a tax gross-up provision, which require the Company to pay any excise taxes imposed on payments received under their agreements. For purposes of this calculation, the gross-up would have been calculated by determining whether the total amount payable to the executive contingent upon a change-in-control exceeded 2.99 times the average of the annual eligible compensation payable to the executive during the preceding five years. If the total amount payable exceeded the average annual compensation amount, a gross up amount would have been added to the amounts otherwise payable to the executive in order to put the executive in the same after-tax position as if he or she had not been subject to the excise tax. The change-in-control agreements for Messrs. Hall and Belknap contain a “best-of-net” provision, so that, in the event excise taxes would be imposed on payments under the agreements, the executive will either (1) pay the excise tax without assistance from the Company or (2) have the payments reduced to an amount at which an excise tax would no longer be payable, based on which result is more favorable to the executive on an after-tax basis.
(6)Cash severance is equal to a percentage of current annual base salary plus accrued vacation. The percentage applicable to Mr. Hall is 300%. The percentage applicable to Messrs. Hart and Rogowski is 262.5%. The percentage applicable to Mr. Belknap is 240%. The percentage applicable to Ms. Zakas is 225%. Other severance benefits are paid in monthly installments over 24 months in the case of Mr. Hall and over 18 months in the case of each other NEO, together with a lump sum payment of unpaid salary and other benefits.
(7)Cash severance for Messrs. Hall, Hart and Rogowski and Ms. Zakas is equal to two times annual base salary plus two times the average bonus over the last three years, plus accrued vacation. Cash severance for Mr. Belknap is equal to two times annual base salary plus one and one-half times the average bonus over the last three years, plus accrued vacation. Accrued vacation assumes no vacation has been taken.

Table of Contents
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 65



BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
The following table lists information as of December 7, 2017 about12, 2022 regarding the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each incumbent director, each NEO, all of our directors and current executive officers as a group, and each person or group known by us to own more than 5% of our Common Stock. Unless otherwise noted, voting power and investment power in Common Stock are exercisable solely by the named person.
At December 7, 2017,12, 2022, there were 158,540,171156,195,499 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)
Aggregate Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned(2)
Percent of Outstanding Common Stock
Shirley C. Franklin
Director
65,601 (3)*
Scott Hall
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
632,353 *
Thomas J. Hansen
Director
111,360 (3)*
Mark J. O’Brien
Non-Executive Chair
200,668 (3)*
Christine Ortiz
Director
35,232 (3)*
Bernard G. Rethore
Director
196,832 (3)*
Jeffery S. Sharritts
Director
15,301 (3)*
Brian L. Slobodow
Director
— (3)
Lydia W. Thomas
Director
144,890 (3)*
Michael T. Tokarz
Director
405,771 (3)*
Stephen C. Van Arsdell
Director
62,336 (3)*
Marietta Edmunds Zakas
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
447,004 *
Steven S. Heinrichs
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and Secretary
120,815 *
Todd P. Helms
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
64,582 *
Kenji Takeuchi
Senior Vice President, Water Management Solutions
51,698 *
All directors and executive officers as a group (19 individuals)2,687,571 1.7 %
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355
14,378,750 (4)9.2 %
Impax Asset Management Group plc, et al.
7th Floor, 30 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4AJ
12,768,256 (5)8.2 %
66 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
Aggregate Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (2)
Percent of Outstanding Common Stock
Shirley C. Franklin, Director119,965
(3) 
*
Scott Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer75,081
(4) 
*
Thomas J. Hansen, Director106,972
(3) 
*
Gregory E. Hyland, Executive Chairman1,600,501
(5) 
1.0%
Jerry W. Kolb, Director159,777
(3) 
*
Mark J. O’Brien, Director176,566
(3) 
*
Bernard G. Rethore, Director146,470
(3) 
*
Lydia W. Thomas, Director161,227
(3) 
*
Michael T. Tokarz, Director520,276
(3) 
*
Evan L. Hart, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer271,436
 *
Keith L. Belknap, Executive Vice President, Business Development, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer207,920
 *
Gregory S. Rogowski, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing538,195
 *
Marietta Edmunds Zakas
Executive Vice President, Strategy, Corporate Development and Communications
380,876
 *
All directors and executive officers as a group (16 individuals)4,827,957
 3.0%
Vanguard Group Inc.
PO Box 2600, V26, Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600
11,632,394
(6) 
7.3%
BlackRock, Inc.
55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055
10,465,831
(7) 
6.6%
EARNEST Partners, LLC
1180 Peachtree Street, NE, Suite 2300, Atlanta, GA 30309
8,136,500
(8) 
5.1%
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)
Aggregate Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned(2)
Percent of Outstanding Common Stock
BlackRock, Inc.
55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055
12,706,693 (6)8.1 %
Nuance Investments, LLC
4900 Main Street, Suite 220, Kansas City, MO 64112
11,428,817 (7)7.3 %
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
8,369,160 (8)5.4 %
*Less than 1% of outstanding common stock
(1)The address of each of our directors and executive officers is c/o Mueller Water Products, Inc., 1200 Abernathy Road, N.E., Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
(2)Beneficial ownership as reported in the table has been determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Under those rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares “voting power,” which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or “investment power,” which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under such rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he or she may disclaim any beneficial interest. Except as indicated in other notes to this table, directors and executive officers possessed sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock referred to in the table. See “Executive Compensation — Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table” for more information concerning outstanding equity awards to our NEOs and “Director Compensation — Director Compensation Summary” for more information concerning outstanding equity awards to our directors.
(3)Each non-employee director is “retirement-eligible” under and for purposes of the 2006 Stock Plan. Accordingly, for purposes of this table, all outstanding equity-based awards are deemed vested. Beginning with the equity-based awards granted to directors in January 2014, all such awards to directors require a grantee who is or becomes retirement-eligible prior to an initial vesting date to remain in continuous service from the grant date through at least the first anniversary thereof to receive accelerated vesting upon retirement. The beneficial ownership reported in the table assumes each grantee of an award on January 25, 2017 will remain in continuous service through January 25, 2018.
(4)Includes 75,081 RSUs that will vest within 60 days.
(5)Includes 85,812 RSUs that are subject to accelerated vesting upon retirement.
(6)As reported on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2017, Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole investment discretion with respect to 11,632,394 shares and sole voting power with respect to 310,655 shares.
(7)As reported on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 25, 2017, Blackrock, Inc. has sole investment discretion of 10,465,831 shares and sole voting power with respect to 9,926,566 shares.
(8)As reported on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on July 7, 2017, EARNEST Partners, LLC has sole investment discretion with respect to 8,136,500 shares and sole voting power with respect to 2,188,924.
(1)The address of each of our directors and executive officers is c/o Mueller Water Products, Inc., 1200 Abernathy Road, N.E., Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
(2)Beneficial ownership as reported in the table has been determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Under those rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares “voting power,” which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or “investment power,” which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security. The person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any security of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under such rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which he or she may disclaim any beneficial interest. Except as indicated in other notes to this table, directors and executive officers possessed sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock referred to in the table. See “Executive Compensation — Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table” for more information concerning outstanding equity awards to our NEOs and “Director Compensation — Director Compensation Summary” for more information concerning outstanding equity awards to our directors.
(3)Each non-employee director, with the exception of Dr. Ortiz and Messrs. Sharritts and Slobodow, is “retirement-eligible” under and for purposes of the Stock Plan. Accordingly, for purposes of this table, all outstanding equity-based awards for the retirement eligible non-employee directors are deemed vested. Beginning with the equity-based awards granted to directors in January 2014, all such awards to directors require a grantee who is or becomes retirement-eligible prior to an initial vesting date to remain in continuous service from the grant date through at least the first anniversary thereof to receive accelerated vesting upon retirement. The beneficial ownership reported in the table assumes each grantee of an award on February 7, 2022 will remain in continuous service through February 7, 2023 and/or all awards granted on February 7, 2022 will vest on or before February 7, 2023. Excludes Mr. Tokarz's 208,107 stock equivalent shares of Common Stock, which settle in cash in accordance with the Directors' Deferred Fee Plan.
(4)As reported on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2022, The Vanguard Group, Inc. has sole investment discretion with respect to 14,103,557 shares, shared voting power with respect to 142,134 shares and shared investment discretion with respect to 275,193 shares.
(5)As reported on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, Impax Asset Management Group plc and Impax Asset Management Limited each have sole investment discretion and sole voting power with respect to 12,768,256 shares.
(6)As reported on Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 3, 2022, BlackRock, Inc. has sole investment discretion with respect to 12,706,693 shares and sole voting power with respect to 12,410,514 shares.
(7)As reported on Schedule 13F-HR filed with the SEC on November 10, 2022 to report beneficial ownership of shares of the Company’s common stock as of September 30, 2022, and as confirmed by Nuance Investments, LLC, Nuance Investments, LLC has sole investment discretion and sole voting power with respect to 11,428,817 shares.
(8)As reported on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. has sole investment discretion with respect to 8,369,160 shares and sole voting power with respect to 2,278,347 shares.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires executive officers and directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a company’s common stock (together, “Reporting Persons”) to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Reporting Persons are required by SEC rules to furnish companies with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations from the executive officers and directors, we believe our Reporting Persons complied with all Section 16 filing requirements during fiscal 2022, with the exception of (i) one amended Form 3 filing for Mr. Floyd in connection with previously unreported de minimis dividend reinvestments; (ii) one Form 5 filing for Mr. Floyd for fiscal 2020 and 2021 in connection with previously unreported de minimis dividend reinvestments; and (iii) one Form 4 filing for Todd Helms in connection with previously unreported de minimis dividend reinvestments as well as shares withheld to cover the tax liability on the lapse of restrictions on vested awards, which filing was made one business day late due to administrative error.
Table of Contents
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 67



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QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
When and where is the Annual Meeting?
OurThis year’s Annual Meeting will be heldconducted virtually on Wednesday, January 24, 2018February 7, 2023. You will be able to virtually (i) attend the Annual Meeting, (ii) vote your shares and (iii) submit questions during the meeting via live webcast by visiting www.meetnow.global/MLMGXU5.
To participate virtually at the Annual Meeting, you will need the voter control number included in your proxy materials or on your proxy card. We encourage you to allow ample time for online check-in as the meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 A.M.,a.m. Eastern Time,Time. Please note that there is no in-person meeting for you to attend.
The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. We encourage you to access the Annual Meeting prior to the start time to allow you ample time to log in to the live webcast and test your computer audio system. We recommend that you carefully review in advance the procedures needed to gain admission virtually to the Annual Meeting. The virtual meeting platform is fully supported across browsers (Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Chrome and Safari) and devices (desktops, laptops, tablets and cell phones) running the most up-to-date version of applicable software and plug-ins. Note: Internet Explorer is not a supported browser. Participants should ensure that they have a strong internet connection wherever they intend to participate in the Peachtree Dunwoody Room onmeeting. If you encounter any technical difficulties, technical support, including related technical support phone numbers, will be available in the 3rd Floor of Building 500 at Northpark Town Center, located at 1100 Abernathy Road, N.E., in Atlanta, Georgia.virtual meeting platform.
What is the purpose of the Annual Meeting?
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will vote virtually on matters summarized in this Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote.
Who is entitled to vote?
You may vote virtually at the Annual Meeting, and any adjournment or postponement thereof, if you were a holder of record of our Common Stock at the close of business on December 7, 2017,12, 2022, the record date. On the record date, there were 158,540,171156,195,499 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Each share of Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting is entitled to one vote.
Who is soliciting my vote?
The Board is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. We made our proxy solicitation materials available to you on the Internet or, upon your request, we have delivered printed versions of these materials to you by mail, in connection with our solicitation of proxies.
What is included in the proxy materials?
The proxy materials for the Annual Meeting include the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, this Proxy Statement and the Annual Report. If you requested printed versions by mail, these proxy materials also include the proxy card or voting instruction form for the Annual Meeting. These materials were first sent or made available to stockholders on or about December 14, 2017.19, 2022.
What proposals require my vote, what vote is required to approve each proposal, how will abstentions and broker non-votes be treated and how does the Board recommend I vote?
Voting ItemVoting StandardTreatment of Abstentions & Broker Non-VotesBoard Recommendation
Elect DirectorsMajority of votes castNot counted as votes cast and, therefore, no effect
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FOR each director nominee
68 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
Voting Item
Voting StandardTreatment of Abstentions & Broker Non-VotesBoard Recommendation
Approve executive compensation

Executive Compensation
Majority of votes castNot counted as votes cast and, therefore, no effect
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FOR
Approve Frequency of Advisory Vote to Approve Executive CompensationMajority of votes castNot counted as votes cast and, therefore, no effect
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ANNUALLY
Ratify Auditor AppointmentMajority of votes castN/A
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FOR
Will any other business be conducted at the Annual Meeting?
Management is not aware of any items, other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement, that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

How are proxies voted?
Shares represented by all valid proxies received on time will be voted as specified. If a valid proxy form is received and does not indicate specific choices, the shares will be voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations. The Board has designated each of Scott Hall, Keith L. BelknapSteven S. Heinrichs and Kristi O. CrawfordChason Carroll as proxies for the Annual Meeting.
How may I vote?
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, you are a “registered stockholder.” Registered stockholders may vote by:
Internet at the web address noted in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, proxy materials email or proxy card that you received (we(we encourage you to vote in this manner)manner);
Telephone through the number noted in the proxy card that you received (if you received a proxy card);
Signing and dating your proxy card (if you received a proxy card) and mailing it to the indicated address; or
AttendingVirtually attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.your shares.
If your shares are registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you are the “beneficial owner” of those shares and those shares are considered as held in “street name.” If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank or other agent, you should have received a proxy card and voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than directly from us. Simply complete and mail the proxy card to ensure that your vote is counted. You may be eligible to vote your shares electronically over the Internet or by telephone. A large number of banks and brokerage firms offer Internet and telephone voting. If your bank or brokerage account,firm does not offer Internet or telephone voting information, please complete and return your proxy card in the self-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided. To virtually vote at the Annual Meeting, you aremust first obtain a “beneficial stockholder”valid legal proxy from your broker, bank or other agent and you should referthen register in advance to virtually attend the Annual Meeting. Follow the instructions provided byfrom your broker or bank included with these proxy materials or contact your broker or bank to request a legal proxy form.
After obtaining a valid legal proxy from your broker, bank or other agent, to then register to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, you must e-mail to Computershare at legalproxy@computershare.com your name and e-mail address and either (a) the forwarded e-mail from your bank, brokeragebroker or other nominee regarding howcontaining your legal proxy or (b) an attached image of your legal proxy. Upon successful preregistration, a beneficial owner will receive a confirmation e-mail from Computershare confirming registration and providing a control number to vote your shares.enter the virtual meeting as a stockholder. See “How can I register for the Annual Meeting?” below for additional details.
If you plan to vote other than by virtually attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person,your shares, your vote must be received by 11:59 P.M.10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on February 7, 2023.
How can I ask questions pertinent to meeting matters?
Stockholders may submit questions either before the annual meeting (beginning January 23, 2018.31, 2023) or during the Annual Meeting. If you wish to submit a question either before or during the meeting, please log into www.meetnow.global/MLMGXU5 and enter your 15-digit voter control number, then follow the instructions to submit a question. Questions pertinent to meeting matters will be answered during the meeting, subject to time limitations.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 69

QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
How can I change my vote?
You can revoke a proxy prior to the completion of voting at the Annual Meeting by:
Voting again using the Internet or by telephone prior to the Annual Meeting;
Delivering a later-dated proxy card; or
Voting in personyour shares virtually at the meeting (if you are a beneficial stockholder).
What constitutes a quorum for the Annual Meeting?
The holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at the close of business on the record date must be present, either in personpersonally or represented by proxy, to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the Annual Meeting. Shares represented by proxies received but marked as abstentions or as withholding voting authority for any or all director nominees, and shares represented by proxies received but reflecting broker non-votes, will be counted as present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum.
Why did I receive a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials in the mail instead of a printed set of proxy materials?
We are permitted by SEC rules to furnish proxy materials to stockholders by providing access to those documents on the Internet. Stockholders will not receive printed copies of the proxy materials unless they request them. The Notice provides instructions on how to access and review the Proxy Statement and the Annual Report over the Internet at www.proxyvote.com (for beneficial stockholders) and www.edocumentview.com/mwawww.envisionreports.com/MWA (for registered stockholders), and how to submit a proxy over the Internet. If you would like to receive a paper or email copy of the proxy materials, please follow the instructions in the Notice.
What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice, proxy materials email or proxy card?
It means you have multiple accounts holding Common Stock with brokers and/or our transfer agent. You will need to vote separately with respect to each Notice, proxy materials email or proxy card you receive.

What do I need to do if I want to attend the Annual Meeting?
Attendance atThe Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of stockholders, which will be conducted exclusively by webcast. You are entitled to participate in the Annual Meeting only if you were a stockholder of the Company as of the close of business on the Record Date or if you hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. There is limited to our stockholders, members of their immediate families or their representatives. To gain admittance tono physical location for this meeting.
You can attend the Annual Meeting online, vote and submit questions pertinent to meeting matters during the meeting by visiting www.meetnow.global/MLMGXU5. Please follow the registration instructions below.
The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on February 7, 2023. We encourage you may be required to show evidence thataccess the meeting prior to the start time in order to log in to the live webcast and test your computer audio system.
How can I register for the Annual Meeting?
If you wereare a holder of Common Stock on the record date. We reserve the rightregistered stockholder (i.e., you hold your shares through our transfer agent, Computershare), you do not need to limit the number of representatives who mayregister to attend the Annual Meeting.Meeting virtually on the Internet. Please follow the instructions on the Proxy Card or Notice that you received with this Proxy Statement. To access the meeting, you will need the 15-digit control number printed on your card or notice.
If you are a beneficial owner (i.e., you hold your shares through an intermediary, such as a bank or broker), you must register in advance to attend the Annual Meeting virtually on the Internet. To register, you must submit a legal proxy that reflects your proof of proxy power. The legal proxy must reflect your Mueller Water Products, Inc. holdings along with your name. Please forward a copy of the legal proxy and your email address to Computershare either by email to legalproxy@computershare.com (forward the email from your broker or attach an image of your legal proxy) or by mail to Computershare, Mueller Water Products, Inc. Legal Proxy, P.O. Box 43001, Providence, RI 02940-3001.
70 MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal Proxy” and be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on February 2, 2023. You will receive a confirmation of your registration by email (or by mail if no email address is provided) after Computershare receives your registration materials.
How are proxies solicited and what is the cost?
We bear all expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies. We have engaged Alliance Advisors LLCInnisfree M&A Incorporated to assist with the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of $10,000,$150,000, plus expenses. We will reimburse brokers, fiduciaries and custodians for their costs in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial holders of Common Stock. Our directors, officers and employees also may solicit proxies in return for no additional compensation.
How can I submit my proposal for inclusion in next year’s proxy?
SEC rules permit stockholders to submit proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement if the stockholder and the proposal meet the requirements specified in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
When to submit? Any stockholder proposals submitted in accordance with Rule 14a-8 must be received at our principal executive offices no later than August 21, 2023.
Where to submit? Proposals should be addressed to Corporate Secretary, Mueller Water Products, Inc., 1200 Abernathy Road, N.E., Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
What to submit? Proposals must conform to and include the information required by Rule 14a-8.
We encourage stockholders to contact our Corporate Secretary prior to submitting a stockholder proposal or any time they have concerns about us.
How can I present a proposal for consideration at next year’s annual meeting?
Our Bylaws provide that any stockholder proposal, including director nominations, that is not submitted for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement under Rule 14a-8, but is instead sought to be presented directly at next year’s annual meeting of stockholders must be delivered to our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date we commenced mailing these proxy materials.
When to submit? Stockholder proposals submitted under these Bylaw provisions must be received no earlier than August 21, 2023 and no later than September 20, 2023.
Where to submit? Proposals should be addressed to Corporate Secretary, Mueller Water Products, Inc., 1200 Abernathy Road, N.E., Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
What to submit? Proposals must include the information required by our Bylaws, which are available on our website. If the notice delivered to our Corporate Secretary does not contain all of the information specified in our Bylaws, the proposed business will not be transacted at the annual meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors.
STEVEN S. HEINRICHS
Corporate Secretary
Atlanta, Georgia
December 19, 2022
Table of Contents
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 71



GENERAL INFORMATION
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires executive officers and directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a company’s common stock (together, “Reporting Persons”) to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Reporting Persons are required by SEC rules to furnish companies with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations from the executive officers and directors, we believe our Reporting Persons complied with all Section 16 filing requirements during fiscal 2017.
Other Business for Presentation at the Annual Meeting
The Board and management do not intend to bring before the Annual Meeting any matters other than those disclosed in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, nor do they know of any business that other persons intend to present virtually at the Annual Meeting. Should any other matter or business requiring a vote of stockholders arise, the persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to exercise the authority conferred by the proxy and vote the shares represented thereby in respect of any such other matter or business in accordance with their best judgment in the interest of Mueller Water Products, Inc.
Other Information
Consolidated financial statements for Mueller Water Products, Inc. are included in the 20172022 Annual Report filed with the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and the New York Stock Exchange. A copy of the 20172022 Annual Report (excluding exhibits) will be furnished, without charge, by writing to the Corporate Secretary, Mueller Water Products, Inc., 1200 Abernathy Road, N.E., Suite 1200, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. The 20172022 Annual Report is also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.muellerwaterproducts.com.
72 www.muellerwaterproducts.com.MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.



STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION
Stockholder Proposals for Inclusion in Next Year’s Proxy Statement
SEC rules permit stockholders to submit proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement if the stockholder and the proposal meet the requirements specified in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

When to submit?
Any stockholder proposals submitted
EXHIBIT A - RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES TO GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES
The Company presents adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share, adjusted operating income, and adjusted EBITDA as performance measures because management uses these measures in evaluating the Company’s underlying performance on a consistent basis across periods and in making decisions about operational strategies. Management also believes these measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of the Company’s recurring performance. These are considered measures not calculated in accordance with Rule 14a-8 must be received at our principal executive offices no later than August 16, 2018.GAAP and are therefore considered non-GAAP measures. The Company provides the following reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to their most comparable GAAP measures.
Year Ended September 30, 2022
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Performance Measures to GAAP Performance Measures (in millions)
Net income$76.6 
Strategic reorganization and other charges7.2 
Warranty Charge4.5 
Goodwill impairment6.8 
Income tax benefit of adjusting items(4.1)
Adjusted net income$91.0 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding158.0 
Net income per diluted share$0.48 
Adjusted net income per diluted share$0.58 
Net income$76.6 
Income tax expense22.0 
Interest expense, net16.9 
Pension benefit other than service(3.9)
Operating income111.6 
Strategic reorganization and other charges7.2 
Warranty Charge4.5 
Goodwill impairment6.8 
Adjusted operating income130.1 
Pension benefit other than service3.9 
Depreciation and amortization60.5 
Adjusted EBITDA$194.5 



PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING 73


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Where to submit?

Proposals should be addressed to Corporate Secretary, Mueller Water Products, Inc., 1200 Abernathy Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
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What to submit?

Proposals must conform to and include the information required by Rule 14a-8.
We encourage stockholders to contact our Corporate Secretary prior to submitting a stockholder proposal or any time they have concerns about us.
Procedures for Business Matters and Director Nominations for Consideration at Next Year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Our Bylaws provide that any stockholder proposal, including director nominations, that is not submitted for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement under Rule 14a-8, but is instead sought to be presented directly at next year’s annual meeting of stockholders must be delivered to our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date we commenced mailing these proxy materials.a03q5db_2a.jpg
When to submit?

Stockholder proposals submitted under these Bylaw provisions must be received no earlier than August 16, 2018 and no later than September 15, 2018.
a03q5fb_1a.jpg
Where to submit?

Proposals should be addressed to Corporate Secretary, Mueller Water Products, Inc., 1200 Abernathy Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
a03q5fb_2a.jpg
What to submit? Proposals must include the information required by our Bylaws, which are available on our website. If the notice delivered to our Corporate Secretary does not contain all of the information specified in our Bylaws, the proposed business will not be transacted at the annual meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors.
Keith L. Belknap
Corporate Secretary
Atlanta, Georgia
December 14, 2017

Exhibit A
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Performance Measures to GAAP Performance Measures
2017
 GAAP Reporting Adjustments Adjusted Non-GAAP As Reported Singer Valve and Other Performance Evaluation Basis - Adjusted
(in millions)
Net sales$826.0
 $
 $826.0
 $(10.3) $815.7
Cost of goods sold558.5
 (10.8) 547.7
 (5.7) 542.0
Gross profit267.5
 10.8
 278.3
 (4.6) 273.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses156.4
 
 156.4
 (4.0) 152.4
Other charges10.4
 (10.4) 
 
 
Operating income from continuing operations100.7
 21.2
 121.9
 (0.6) 121.3
Interest expense, net22.2
 
 22.2
 
 22.2
Income tax expense24.2
 4.3
 28.5
 2.1
 30.6
Income from continuing operations$54.3
 $16.9
 $71.2
 $(2.7) $68.5
          
          
2016
 GAAP Reporting Adjustments Adjusted Non-GAAP As Reported Adjust to Performance Plan Tax Rate Performance Evaluation Basis - Adjusted
(in millions)
Net sales$800.6
 $
 $800.6
 $
 $800.6
Cost of goods sold532.7
 
 532.7
 
 532.7
Gross profit267.9
 
 267.9
 
 267.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses151.2
 
 151.2
 
 151.2
Pension settlement16.6
 (16.6) 
 
 
Other charges7.2
 (7.2) 
 
 
Operating income from continuing operations92.9
 23.8
 116.7
 
 116.7
Interest expense, net23.6
 
 23.6
 
 23.6
Income tax expense24.2
 8.1
 32.3
 3.5
 35.8
Income from continuing operations$45.1
 $15.7
 $60.8
 $(3.5) $57.3
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