Kentucky American Water Awards $20,000 in Environmental Grants for Scott and Clark County Projects

Kentucky American Water has awarded nearly $20,000 to projects in Scott and Clark counties through the 2012 American Water Environmental Grant Program. Projects coordinated by St. John Catholic School in Georgetown and the City of Winchester are the 2012 grant recipients.

St. John Catholic School – in partnership with Georgetown College, Sheltowee Environmental Education Coalition (SEEC), Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute and Elkhorn Crossing High School – will receive a $10,000 grant toward its efforts to improve the water quality in the North Elkhorn Creek watershed through a wetland restoration project in Scott County and the creation of an outdoor classroom at the site. The classroom will be used for student instruction as well as training for educators.

The City of Winchester – in partnership with Strodes Creek Conservancy, St. Agatha Elementary School, Bluegrass PRIDE and Sekisui, Inc. – will receive a grant in the amount of $9,789 toward a four-acre wetland construction project along Town Branch in Winchester. The project will help remove pathogens, metals, sediment and nutrients from storm water as it overflows into the wetlands during storm events. The restored wetland area will be used for environmental education and research by neighboring universities and area schools.

Kentucky American Water has provided since 2006 approximately $115,000 in grant funds to area organizations through its Environmental Grant Program. This is in addition to its other corporate giving efforts.

“The protection and preservation of healthy watersheds and water supplies requires collaboration. These projects are wonderful examples of how to bring people together, while also creating opportunities to continue educating future generations about environmental stewardship,” said Cheryl Norton, president of Kentucky American Water. “Kentucky American Water is pleased to continue our support of such wonderful efforts to preserve and protect our most precious natural resource, water.”

Kentucky American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately half a million people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.