American Water announced this week the organizations that will receive the first three grants under its new Environmental Grant Program-- the Indiana County Conservation District, PA Cleanways of Allegheny County and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

PA Cleanway's grant will support its Tireless Project. Under the project, 20 watershed cleanups on the Monongahela River will occur between June and September 2005. Riverfront blight is a pervasive problem in the Pittsburgh area. Litter, flood debris, and illegal dumping contribute to the blight, and cleaning up the Monongahela River will positively impact Pennsylvania American Water's source of supply for its Pittsburgh Mon-Valley and Washington operations.

The Indiana County Conservation District will receive a grant for its Ramsey Run Restoration project. The project will eliminate access for 30-plus livestock to 282 feet of a tributary of Ramsey Run, which feeds into the source water for the company's Indiana operations. Erosion will be minimized by the project, as will source water pollution from livestock feed and manure. A stormwater project will also be initiated to help prevent road run-off from causing pasture erosion.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council will receive a grant for its Wyoming Valley Streamside Planting program. The project will identify areas in need of streamside buffers within the Wyoming Valley watershed in northeastern Pennsylvania. Plantings will be conducted as part of the buffer project.

Projects were judged based on criteria including clarity of project goals and projected impact, nature and strength of collaboration with other community and/or municipal organizations, as well as evidence that the project will provide sustainable environmental results.

"Every individual and community has the ability to make a difference," said Joi Corrado, Director, Corporate Responsibility, American Water. "Through American Water's Environmental Grant Program, we're seeking to invest in our communities and help support the people behind the projects, who are looking to the future and coming up with innovative ways to improve the sustainability of our water resources."

American Water provides high quality water, wastewater, and other related services to over 18 million people in 29 states and 3 Canadian provinces.

For more information visit the Environmental Grants webpage.

5/20/2005