BELLEVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Illinois American Water announced today that seven watershed initiatives across the state will receive funding through the company’s 2017 Environmental Grant Program. The recipients will receive a share of grant funds totaling $20,300 for community projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds.
This announcement is being made in conjunction with Earth Day, April 22, 2017, to remind consumers of the vital need to protect our precious resource every day for future generations. “At Illinois American Water, Earth Day is every day. Our team works hard to not only provide water for life, but for our communities to thrive,” said Bruce Hauk, president of Illinois American Water.
Illinois American Water is awarding the 2017 Environmental Grants as
follows:
- Foundation for Ohio River Education will receive their
requested $2,500 grant in full to fund the Ohio River Sweep. The funds
will supply gloves and trash bags to volunteers cleaning up the Ohio
River.
- Gifts In The Moment Foundation in Peoria will receive a
$7,250 grant for the Urban Agriculture Rain Water Collection and
Transportation System project, which will use collected rain garden to
water community garden and agriculture sites via a portable water
trailer.
- Heartlands Conservancy will receive a $2,800 grant for
the Signal Hills outdoor classroom project. The project will create an
outdoor classroom in Signal Hill for students to learn about water
quality and native habitat.
- Hickory Creek Watershed Planning
Group in the Chicago Metro area will receive their requested $4,200
grant for the Hickory Creek Environmental Interpretive Signs and Story
Mapping project. The project will awareness about best management
practices within the Hickory Creek watershed. Three rain gardens will
also be installed.
- Pekin Park District will receive a $2,000
grant for the continued Lick Creek Watershed Invasive Species Control
and Restoration project to eliminate invasive species along the Lick
Creek corridor.
- Peoria Park District will receive their requested
$550 grant in full to support the annual Illinois River Sweep. Funds
will supply two dumpsters and complete tire recycling.
- Peoria
Playhouse Children’s Museum will receive a $1,000 grant for the Wonders
of Water project. Funds support five scholarships to the water camp.
Illinois American Water’s team will offer lessons at the camp.
Customers can make a difference by getting involved in these projects as well as using water wisely. On Earth Day, customers are reminded that they can help protect our precious resources through the following actions:
- Be conscious of daily water use and take the necessary steps to be water smart.
- Be sure that leaking pipes and faucets — indoors and outdoors — are repaired.
- Take care in garden, lawn, garage or other home product use and ensure they do not impact groundwater.
- Dispose of chemicals or other potentially harmful products properly by not pouring them directly into home drains, the sewer, street drains or the lawn.
- Learn more about water through the annual local water quality reports. American Water customers can access their report by zip code on the company’s website at www.illinoisamwater.com under the Water Quality tab.
To learn more about the Environmental Grant Program, Water Quality and Wise Water Use, please visit www.illinoisamwater.com.
About Illinois American Water
Illinois American Water, a 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 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.
With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly-traded 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 by visiting www.amwater.com.
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