Pennsylvania American Water Awards Environmental Grants to Six Watershed Projects

Pennsylvania American Water announced today that six watershed initiatives across the state have earned financial support through the company’s 2014 Environmental Grant Program. The recipients will receive a share of grant funds totaling nearly $35,000 for their community-based projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds.

A panel of judges selected the winners from approximately 30 grant applications, which were evaluated on such criteria as environmental need, innovation, community engagement and sustainability.

Pennsylvania American Water awarded its 2014 Environmental Grants to the Abington Area Joint Recreation Board (Lackawanna County), Brandywine Valley Association (Chester County), Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (Washington County), Londonderry Township (Dauphin County), Pennsylvania Resources Council (Allegheny County), and Plains Township (Luzerne County).

“This year’s grant recipients are making a real difference in their communities, and we are excited to partner with them to turn their plans into a reality,” said Kathy L. Pape, president, Pennsylvania American Water. She noted that the Environmental Grant Program is in its 10th year supporting local watershed improvement projects across the Commonwealth.

The winning Environmental Grant projects are as follows:

• Abington Area Joint Recreation Board, Lackawanna County
  With the funding, the organization will host an “Earth Camp” that focuses on environmental education, art and fitness for school children in grades fifth through seventh. Students will experience environmental studies and learn more about the water issues facing the world today.

• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Washington County
  The organization plans to protect and restore section of Dutch Fork, a tributary of the Buffalo Creek, by stabilizing stream banks, enhancing fish habitat and installing riparian buffer to improve water quality.

• Brandywine Valley Association, Chester County
  The organization will use the funding to develop environmental educational programs for students in the Coatesville Area School District. Children will gain a better understanding of the watershed and learn stewardship practices to sustain the quality of the community’s water resources.

• Londonderry Township, Dauphin County
  The grant will support restoration of the riparian buffer along sections of the Swatara Creek, with local volunteers planting native trees and shrubs to vegetate the restored floodplain.

• Pennsylvania Resources Council, Allegheny County
  With the funding, PRC will implement a series of household chemical collection events in western Pennsylvania, as well as educate residents about minimizing the amount of waste generated and the health effects of using toxic materials.

• Plains Township, Luzerne County
  The grant will enable the township to construct a rain garden and nature habitat in its municipal park. The project will provide an educational and educational experience for all ages to learn about sustainability, watershed protection, stormwater management and pollution control.

Pennsylvania American Water is a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), which initiated the Environmental Grant Program in 2005 in Pennsylvania to support projects that protect or restore drinking water sources and surrounding watersheds. Since then, American Water has expanded the annual program to many of its state subsidiaries across the nation.

Pennsylvania American Water is the largest water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.1 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 approximately 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 40 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.