Pennsylvania American Water Announces Grants for Local Environmental Projects

Pennsylvania American Water announced today that 13 watershed-related projects across the Commonwealth will receive financial support through the company’s annual Environmental Grant Program. The recipients will receive a share of grant funds totaling nearly $75,000 for their community-based projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds.

A panel of judges selected the grant recipients from 50 applications, which were evaluated on environmental need, innovation, community engagement and sustainability.

“On this Earth Day, we are inspired by all of these organizations and their commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Mike Doran, president of Pennsylvania American Water. “We hope that these projects equally inspire our communities to get involved and help protect our natural resources.”

The 2022 grant recipients are:

· Berks Nature, Berks County – Papermill Dam Removal on the Cacoosing Creek ($6,476). Funding will be used to restore the riparian zone along Cacoosing Creek by planting native trees and plants. Additionally, a youth fishing program will be offered following the removal of the dam.

· Dormont Stormwater Authority, Allegheny County – West Liberty Avenue Parking Lot Rain Garden ($10,000). The Authority plans to install a rain garden at the West Liberty Avenue parking lot to provide a natural, pervious area for stormwater runoff. The garden will also help prevent flooding and debris from entering the collection system as a best management practice.

· Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Luzerne County (EPCAMR) – Millcreek Watershed Cleanups ($3,435). The project involves stream cleanups of unnamed tributaries along Mill and Gardner Creeks, along with the installation of dataloggers to monitor flow and pollution from nearby abandoned mines.

· East Pikeland Township, Chester County – Hidden River Park & Preserve Riparian Corridor Revitalization ($10,000). Funding will go toward a riparian revitalization project with native shrubs, trees, and 95 acres of meadow grasses to reduce erosion and restore the native habitat.

· Ellwood City, Lawrence County – Phase III Five Points Community Garden ($6,300). With the grant, the borough will install additional garden beds, complete walking paths, and install signage at the Five Points Community Garden.

· Fairview Township, York County – Lawn to Meadow Conversion ($3,863). The project involves using native plants and grasses, including pollinators, to improve water quality by creating a meadow within the township to reduce runoff into local waterways.

· Indiana County Conservation District – First Waves Indiana ($6,390). First Waves Indiana plans to engage underserved youth in meaningful outdoor experiences, including tree planting, stream biology, paddleboarding, and fly fishing, with a resulting video of the program.

· Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, Lackawanna County – Restoration Plantings ($5,200) With this funding, volunteers will re-establish a native and biodiverse ecosystem as part of a riparian buffer zone restoration planting program along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

· Lackawanna River Corridor Association, Lackawanna County – Managing Stormwater/Rain Barrel Workshop ($2,500). Funding will go toward three rain barrel workshops for residents to educate them on stormwater management and demonstrate rain barrel construction.

· Three Rivers Waterkeeper, Allegheny County – 3 Rivers Watch Expanding Water Quality Monitoring ($9,850). Funding will go toward expanding the organization’s volunteer program, including training for volunteers to assess water quality, as well as increased monitoring, patrolling, and water quality sampling.

· Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County – Water Sampling and Analysis Project ($950). The project involves investigating the origin of pollution sources impairing tributaries to Conodoguinet Creek through water and soil testing. The goal is to reduce pollutants in the streams.

· Warren County Conservation District – Where Would Our Streams Be Without Trees ($690). The Conservation District plans to study the impact riparian buffer restoration has on water quality on Barton Run.

· Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, Northampton County – Restoration and Outreach Projects for Master Watershed Stewards ($9,240). The Coalition and its partners will install four native shrub nurseries for future sources for live stakes that can be used for stream bank stabilization to reduce pollution and erosion.

Pennsylvania American Water initiated its Environmental Grant Program in 2005 to support projects that protect or restore drinking water sources and surrounding watersheds. Since then, American Water has expanded the annual program to many of its state subsidiaries across the nation. To date, Pennsylvania American Water has donated more than $650,000 to fund more than 135 projects.

Pennsylvania American Water Revamps Workforce Readiness and Outreach with New “Career Stream” Program

Like the convergence of three streams into one river, Pennsylvania American Water is taking a three-pronged approach to its comprehensive talent development program, focused on attracting and developing a diverse pool of future candidates with the skills and experience needed to succeed in the water industry. This new Career Stream program offers summer internships, annual scholarships and career education and outreach focused on careers in the water and wastewater business.

“This next generation of our career pipeline development reflects our company’s commitment to taking proactive measures today to continue providing quality service for the next generation,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Mike Doran. “We are proud to be a competitive employer in our local communities and are passionate about attracting and retaining diverse talent because we know that diversity of backgrounds, ideas, thoughts, and experiences is vital to our culture and the way we do business.”

Summer Internships

For the summer 2022, the company is offering 15 full-time 8-week paid summer internship opportunities in operations, water quality and engineering. The internship program seeks to build a future talent pipeline, increase diversity, and bring new perspectives to the company while providing important real-life work experience to college students in the local communities served by Pennsylvania American Water. Internships are targeted toward college juniors and seniors pursuing STEM-focused studies such as biology, chemistry, environmental science and engineering. Available positions are currently posted on the company’s Career Opportunities site, and interns will be announced when the program begins in June.

Stream of Learning Scholarships

For the upcoming 2022-2023 school year, Pennsylvania American Water is offering three $5,000 Stream of Learning scholarships to individuals charting courses of study in fields critical to the water and wastewater industry, specifically focusing on DEP-certified water or wastewater operator certification programs. Eligible applicants must be pursuing 2- or 4-year college, university or technical school degrees or certifications in environmental science, biology, engineering, chemistry or DEP-certified water/wastewater operation programs. Qualified applicants must also maintain a permanent residence in Pennsylvania and be attending a Pennsylvania college, university or career/technical school in the 2022-2023 school year. More information and an online application can be found here. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2022, and winners will be announced in May. More information about becoming a certified water or wastewater operator can be found here.

Career Education and Outreach

Pennsylvania American Water conducts outreach throughout the year to educate students and adults alike about career paths and job opportunities in the water and wastewater industry. Career outreach places a special focus on diverse, underserved, and environmental justice

communities and seeks to educate and attract a diverse field of students and adults to employment at Pennsylvania American Water. The company also partners with schools, colleges, elected officials, government agencies, non-profits and statewide organizations to promote careers in the water industry through participation at school presentations, facility tours, career fairs, community events and more. To request a Pennsylvania American Water representative at an upcoming career fair or outreach event, please contact pa.communityrelations@amwater.com.

Pennsylvania American Water Awards $50,000 to Local Fire Departments

Pennsylvania American Water announced today that it has awarded $50,000 in grants to 100 fire and rescue organizations across the Commonwealth through its annual Firefighting Support Grant Program. The announcement coincides with Fire Prevention Week, which seeks to provide lifesaving public education on fire safety to children, adults and teachers. Since launching the grant program in 2009, Pennsylvania American Water has donated more than $780,000 to help hundreds of fire departments and emergency service organizations across the Commonwealth.

“Through this grant program, we help our local fire departments purchase lifesaving personal protective gear, water handling equipment, firefighting tools and training materials as a ‘thank you’ for the valuable service they provide to our communities,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Mike Doran. “Water systems and fire departments work collaboratively to deliver community fire protection, and we are proud to support to the men and women who serve our local fire departments.”

Pennsylvania American Water awarded $500 each to the following fire departments across its service territory through its 2021 grant program:

  • Allegheny County– Blaine Hill Volunteer Fire Company, Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Fire Company, Elizabeth Township Fire Department, Jefferson Hills 885 Volunteer Fire Company, Mt. Lebanon Fire Department, Mt. Oliver Hook & Ladder Company, Pleasant Hills Volunteer Fire Company, Vigilant Hose Company #1 of Port Vue, Volunteer Fireman’s Association of Liberty Borough, West Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Company, West Mifflin #3 Volunteer Fire Company, and Whitehall Fire Company
  • Beaver County – Big Beaver Volunteer Fire Company
  • Berks County – Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department, Township of Spring Fire Rescue Services, and Wyomissing Fire Department
  • Butler County– Butler Township Volunteer Fire District, City of Butler Bureau of Fire, Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, and Unionville Volunteer Fire Company
  • Centre County – Mountain Top Fire Company
  • Chester County – Liberty Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1 and West End Fire Company No. 3
  • Clarion County – Farmington Township Volunteer Fire Company and Sligo Volunteer Fire Department
  • Cumberland County – Camp Hill Fire Company, New Cumberland Fire Department, New Cumberland River Rescue, Shiremanstown Fire Department, Silver Spring Community Fire Company, and West Shore Bureau of Fire
  • Dauphin County – Hershey Volunteer Fire Company, Steelton Fire Department, and Union Deposit Fireman’s Relief Association
  • Fayette County– Bullskin Township Volunteer Fire Company, Connellsville Township Volunteer Fire Department, Republic Volunteer Fire Company, South Union Fire Company, and Uniontown Fire Department
  • Indiana County – Indiana Fire Association
  • Jefferson County – Central Fire Department and Lindsey Fire Company
  • Lackawanna County– Dunmore Fire Department, Elmhurst Roaring Brook Volunteer Fire Company, Eureka Hose Company No. 4, Eynon Sturges Volunteer Hose Company No. 3, Jessup Hose Company No. 1, Taylor Fire & Rescue, Volunteer Hose Company of Throop, and William Walker Hose Company
  • Lancaster County – Christiana Fire Company
  • Lawrence County– City of New Castle Fire Department and New Beaver Borough Volunteer Fire Department
  • Lebanon County – Citizens Fire Company-Palmyra and The Union Hose Company of Annville
  • Luzerne County – Avoca Hose Company #1, City of Wilkes-Barre Fire Department, Glen Lyon Alden Volunteer Hose Company, Good Will Hose Company #2, Hanover Township Fire Department, Kingston Fire Department, Luzerne Volunteer Fire Department, Mocanaqua Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Mountaintop Hose Company No. 1, Nanticoke City Fire Department, Rescue Hose Company No. 1 – Ashley PA, Wilkes-Barre Township Volunteer Fire Department, and Wyoming Hose Company #2
  • Montgomery County– Black Rock Volunteer Fire Company, Centre Square Fire Company, East Norriton Township Fire, Hancock Fire Company, Norristown Fire Department, Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company, Trappe Fire Company No. 1, and Upper Merion Township Fire and EMS Department
  • Northampton County – Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company
  • Northumberland County– Milton Fire Department, Northumberland Fire Company No. 1, and Northumberland Hook and Ladder Company
  • Schuylkill County– Friendship Fire Company No. 2 of Butler Township and Good Will Hose Company #1
  • Susquehanna County – Hallstead Fire Engine & Hose Company No. 1, Susquehanna Fire Department, and Thompson Hose Company
  • Union County – William Cameron Engine Company•Warren County – City of Warren Fire Department and North Warren Volunteer Fire Department Station 55
  • Washington County – Avella Volunteer Fire Department, Cecil Township Volunteer Fire Company, Chartiers Township Volunteer Fire Department Company No. 1, New Eagle Volunteer Fire Company, North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, North Strabane Township Fire Department, Richeyville Volunteer Fire Company, South Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, South Strabane Fire Department, The Volunteer Fire Department of Carrol Township, and West Brownsville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1
  • Wayne County – Browndale Fire Company #1

Pennsylvania American Water Supplier Diversity Webinar

Please join us on Tuesday, May 25 at 1 p.m. EDT as we discuss the importance of Supplier Diversity and building an Inclusive culture across American Water. Click the link below to register and please share with your colleagues that are interested in this important topic.

Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Time: 1 p.m. EDT

Click here to register: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=-Yw3NcDa8EWExxv7mCB7Wd8MlsmsqzRDq7n-OEFMYw9URVVJMjlOQUhXT0RLRFcyNVBXN1lLQVVWRy4u

Pennsylvania American Water Addresses Most Common Household Leaks During Fix a Leak Week

More than two in three Americans have experienced a leak at their home, according to a recent survey conducted by global research agency Opinium on behalf of Pennsylvania American Water in an effort to better understand Americans’ awareness of household leaks.

The results coincide with the annual recognition of Fix a Leak Week (March 15-21, 2021), a national campaign led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) each year that helps raise awareness about leaks and other water issues that contribute to water waste within homes.

This year’s Fix a Leak Week comes as we approach the one-year mark of COVID-19, when many people began spending more time indoors and water usage increased. In fact, since the start of the public health emergency, about a quarter of Americans say they have been using more water, meaning it’s more important than ever to be aware of common issues and know how to spot them.

“By conducting our survey, we were able to take a comprehensive snapshot of where we stand when it comes to water leaks and water conservation during this unprecedented time,” said Mike Doran, president of Pennsylvania American Water. “As part of our mission in helping to better serve customers, we are using this year’s Fix a Leak Week to help people understand where and how to spot common problematic leaks to help improve home safety and support water efficiency and conservation.”

  • More than half of Americans have experienced leaks in their bathroom (52%) and kitchen (50%). Here are some ways to keep track of some of those common leaks:
    • Test your toilet. Place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak. (Flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
    • Watch what you put down the drain. There are many things we put down the drain that don’t belong there. Check out our list of what should never go down your drain for items that may be hurting your pipes.
  • Up to 77% of Americans reported seeing signs of a potential water leak. Checking up on this can be as easy as doing the following:
    • Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings. Look for any water on the outside of the pipe to identify any leaks.
    • Check outside. Examine the exterior of your home if you think you have a leak. If hoses are left on even a little, they can drip, resulting in wasted water over time. Irrigation systems can leak underground, causing mushy sod and other above-ground indications of issues.
  • Nearly a quarter of Americans report using more water since the beginning of the pandemic. Here’s what you can do if you’re worried about your water usage:
    • Keep track of water usage, especially during cold winter months. If, during January or February, a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there might be a leak.

Pennsylvania American Water is committed to fixing leaks by replacing or upgrading water infrastructure in order to provide clean, safe, reliable water to customers. Over the next 10 years, American Water will be investing $22 to $25 billion to replace and upgrade pipes, pumps, treatment and storage. Visit here for more information about Fix a Leak Week.

Pennsylvania American Water Seeking Entries for Annual “Protect our Watersheds” Art Contest

Pennsylvania American Water announced that entries are being accepted for its 19th Annual “Protect Our Watersheds” Art Contest. The contest is for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students in schools served by Pennsylvania American Water, as well as individual students who live in the company’s service area. The contest encourages students to tap into their artistic talents to express the importance of protecting water resources across the Commonwealth.

Pennsylvania American Water recently sent contest information and applications to nearly 400 schools in its service territory, encouraging teachers to promote the contest as a fun and imaginative way to draw students’ attention to protecting and preserving Pennsylvania’s watersheds. As part of their entry, students must write a brief narrative on the personal impact of watershed protection.

“This contest demonstrates our company’s commitment to watershed education and protection,” said Mike Doran, president of Pennsylvania American Water. “These students will be the next generation of environmental stewards. By stressing the importance of watershed protection at an early age, we can help protect this precious resource for generations to come.”

New this year, participants will have a chance to be featured in the company’s first ever “Protect Our Watersheds” wall calendar. Twelve students’ artwork will be chosen for the calendar, and the grand prize-winning artwork will be featured on the cover along with the student’s essay and short bio.

The deadline for artwork submission is April 23, 2021. Contest rules and entry forms are available on the company’s website. Winners will be selected based on creative vision, artistic talent, understanding of watershed protection and the ability to communicate that understanding. All entrants will receive a Watershed Champion Certificate, and the top seven winners will also receive bookstore gift cards. For additional information, please contact pa.communityrelations@amwater.com.

For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.