West Virginia American Water Accepting Applications for 2017 Environmental Grant Program

West Virginia American Water announced today that applications are now being accepted for the company’s 2017 Environmental Grant Program awards. The grant awards will be available in West Virginia American Water service areas across the state.

Established in 2005, West Virginia American Water’s Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies through partnerships.

“West Virginia American Water is committed to ensuring water quality through testing and treatment, as well as through community education and source water protection,” said Jeffrey McIntyre, president of West Virginia American Water. “We believe everyone should be an environmental steward in protecting the state’s water supplies, and providing funding through this program is one way we help communities play an active role in this important effort.”

To qualify, proposed projects must:

• Address a source water or watershed protection need in the community
• Be completed between May 1, 2017 and November 30, 2017
• Be a new or innovative program for the community, or serve as a significant expansion to an existing program
• Be carried out by a formal or informal partnership between two or more organizations
• Provide evidence of sustainability (continued existence after the grant monies are utilized)
• Be located within one of West Virginia American Water's service areas in the following counties: Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Mercer, Putnam, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne and Webster.

Information and application requirements can be found on the Environmental Grant Program page of the company’s website. For additional information, please contact Megan Hannah, Community Relations Specialist, at Megan.Hannah@amwater.com or 304-340-2088. Applications must be postmarked by March 27, 2017 and recipients will be notified by April 19, 2017.

In 2016, a total of 42 projects throughout American Water’s service areas in 10 states were awarded grants totaling $153,350. Of those 42 grants, six were awarded in West Virginia totaling more than $10,000.

West Virginia American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 550,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.westvirginiaamwater.com .

Connect with us: Facebook.com/wvamwater • Twitter.com/wvamwater • YouTube.com/wvamwater