American Water Works Company, Inc. this week announced the recipients of the company’s 2009 Environmental Grant Program which gave grants to a total of 25 projects worth more than $114,000. $32,862 was awarded to nine groups in Pennsylvania.

“American Water is committed to ensuring water quality through testing and treatment, as well as through consumer education and community protection programs,” said Debra Vernon, Manager of Corporate Responsibility. “We are all environmental stewards in protecting our water supplies, and this program is one way we help communities play an active role in this important effort.”

The 2009 grant recipients, which are located throughout American Water’s service areas, include the following in Pennsylvania:

-- Cumberland County Recycling & Waste Authorityreceived $4,000 to support the pharmaceutical collection and disposal event for Cumberland County residents. The project offers an environmentally friendly disposal alternative for unwanted and expired medications commonly found in the home.

--Everhart Museum, Lackawanna County was awarded $7,500. The grant will initiate an educational program for children to provide an environmental science experience with hands-on study at the museum and nearby Nay Aug Park. The program, called SPARCS (Science, Park, Art & Responsibility for Children at School), will develop educational units aligned with the Pennsylvania State Standards of Education on stream biodiversity, water well-being, horticulture and personal impact through reducing, reusing and recycling

--California University of Pennsylvania, Washington County was awarded $4,000. The funding will support baseline research of the waters of the Pike Run watershed from which to build future educational programs, service projects and research. The project also includes integrating the data analysis into coursework in the university’s College of Science and Technology, and fostering relationships with community organizers with the goal of reforming a watershed protection group under the previous Pike Run Watershed Association name.

--Montgomery County Department of Parks & Heritage Serviceswas awarded $6,500 to help support “Mowing to Meadows” in Norristown Farm Park to protect the Stony Creek watershed. By converting an abandoned five-acre ball field that lies in the floodplain into a naturalized meadow, the initiative will deliver significant stormwater management benefits including improved watershed and biodiversity, and reduced greenhouse gases from less-frequent mowing.

--Abrahams Creek Watershed Association,Luzerne County received $5,000 to expand efforts to improve water quality, control runoff and prevent creek degradation by restoring riparian buffers along several tributaries within the Abrahams Creek watershed. The project also includes educating local residents about stormwater management, pollution control and issues related to improving the health of the creek.

--South Park Township,Allegheny County was awarded $1,125. The grant will provide the tools to be used by volunteers performing the fall 2009 clean up along the Piney Fork and Peters Creeks, as well as help fund the tire and trash disposal. Community partners include the Tri-Community Anglers Association, Montour Trail Council, Peters Creek Watershed Association and local scouting troops.

--Berks County Solid Waste Authorityreceived a grant for $3,000. The agency is expanding its pharmaceutical collection and disposal activities and education program to help keep over-the-counter and prescription drugs from finding their way into the region’s water supply.

--Borough of Pen Argyl, Northampton County was awarded $737 to assist with volunteer efforts to apply markers to approximately 280 stormwater basins. The project’s objectives are to alert the public that urban stormwater and runoff pollution are serious threats to the health of creeks and rivers that supply drinking water, and to encourage residents to properly dispose of pollutants.

--Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County received $1,000. The funding will assist volunteer efforts to apply markers to approximately 600 storm drains to help discourage residents from dumping illicit materials into storm sewers. The township’s Environmental Advisory Council is partnering with Yardley Borough and local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to conduct the storm drain marking in the Brock Creek, Buck Creek and Delaware River watersheds.