American Water is now accepting applications for its Environmental Grant Program to support innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds and community drinking water supplies.

Applications are due April 13.

Grants of up to $10,000 will be provided. Examples of activities supported by the program include watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, underground tank inspection programs, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives and hazardous waste collection efforts.

"Every individual and community has the ability to positively impact our source water and watersheds," said Dan Warnock, president, Pennsylvania American Water. "We encourage communities, schools and non-governmental organizations to consider their impact and to apply for a grant.

"There are opportunities for communities to lend the water supply and watershed a helping hand," continued Warnock. "It is American Water's hope that this environmental grant program will support and enable our communities to improve the sustainability of this precious natural resource."

To qualify, a proposed project must be located within Pennsylvania American Water's service area, be completed between June 1 and November 1 and be a new or innovative initiative for the community or serve as significant expansion to an existing program.

Projects will be judged based on criteria including clarity of project goals and projected impact, nature and strength of collaboration with other community and/or municipal organizations, evidence that the project will provide sustainable environmental results after the American Water funding ends.

For more information, visit the Environmental Grant Program webpage.

3/9/2007