West Virginia American Water Awards $10,000 in Environmental Grants to Watershed Projects in Fayette, Kanawha and Raleigh Counties

West Virginia American Water today announced that six recipients received funding through the company’s 2015 Environmental Grant Program. The program supports innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies through partnerships within West Virginia American Water’s service territory.

In early April, a committee of seven West Virginia American Water representatives reviewed and judged a host of competitive applications from deserving programs and initiatives across the state. Six organizations were chosen to receive $10,000 in total funding for their water education, protection and preservation efforts. Awardees are:

• Coal River Group ($1,500) for its water festival and fecal coliform testing program
• Friends of Blackwater ($2,500) for a teacher training and educational workshop
• Morris Creek Watershed Association ($2,000) to purchase waders for water quality data collection and education
• Shady Spring Elementary School ($1,000) for its “Wet and Wild Wetland” program that encourages student observation and investigation
• Southern Appalachian Labor School ($500) for a prescription drug take back program to help improve and protect water quality in Loop Creek
• Valley High School ($2,500) for educational materials and equipment to conduct water sampling along the Kanawha River

“West Virginia American Water believes customer education and community programs are a key factor to ensuring protection of our water supplies,” said Jeffrey McIntyre, president of West Virginia American Water. “By investing in community-led programs and projects that educate citizens on the value of water, focus on water quality monitoring, and further efforts to clean up streams, we are all playing an active role in safeguarding our water resources.”

As part of West Virginia American Water’s Earth Day celebration, checks will be presented to the 2015 Environmental Grant Program recipients at a reception on Wednesday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kanawha Valley Water Treatment Plant.

In 2014, a total of 45 projects throughout American Water’s service areas in 11 states were awarded Environmental Grants totaling more than $185,000.

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. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 30 states as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.westvirginiaamwater.com .

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