Pennsylvania American Water announced the awarding of three grants to watershed projects under its American Water Environmental Grant Program this week.

The grantees are suburban Pittsburgh’s Blitz on Banksville Beautification, the Township of Spring (Berks County) and the Octoraro Watershed Association (Chester County). The three organizations will receive a share of grant funds totaling $25,900.

”We have been extremely pleased with the calibre of projects received in the last two years for this program. There are organizations across the state that are making a difference everyday in our watersheds,” said Dan Warnock, president, Pennsylvania American Water. “Through American Water’s Environmental Grant Program, we’re seeking to invest in these organizations and support the people behind the projects, who are looking to the future by improving the sustainability of our water resources."

The Blitz on Banksville Beautification grant will support a project to restore native plants to the stream bank of the Saw Mill Run tributary in the Banksville Wildlife Sanctuary. This unnamed tributary is impacted by roadways, storm water runoff, suspected raw sewage contamination and invasive species. Through removal of invasive plants and the re-establishment of native plant species, Blitz on Banksville Beautification will aim to restore this highly altered urban stream as a habitat to support native biodiversity.

The Township of Spring’s grant will establish a municipal oil recycling center which will encourage the recycling of used oil and motor oil. A goal will be to ensure that the oil is handled in a safe and responsible manner, while conserving a valuable resource and preventing environmental damage. An innovative component of the grant will be the installation of a used oil furnace. Collected oil, slated for recycling, will be beneficially used as a heat source for the township garage.

The Octoraro Watershed Association’s project involves completing a reforestation and streamside buffer restoration project at two sites within the watershed. The Octoraro Watershed was recently ranked among the highest priority watersheds needing water quality restoration due to elevated nitrate levels in Chester County. The project will involve removing invasive species and planting native species and will involve the community in the project.

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

American Water launched the Environmental Grant Program in January 2005 in Pennsylvania. The success of the pilot program in 2005 in Pennsylvania encouraged American Water to offer again its Environmental Grant Program, but to expand it to include six states in addition to Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit the American Water Environmental Grant Program webpage.

7/7/2006