Water Utility Offers $10,000 in California for Community Improvement Projects

Company Website: http://www.amwater.com/images/common/ca-logo.gif
CORONADO, Calif. -- (Business Wire)

California American Water announced today that applications are now being accepted for its 2015 Environmental Grant Program.

The company will award several grants for a combined total of $10,000 to innovative community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds and drinking water supplies within the state.

A wide variety of conservation projects are eligible for funding, such as watershed cleanups, educational programs, biodiversity projects, waterway restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives and hazardous waste collection efforts.

“We are all environmental stewards in protecting California’s diverse watershed, and this program is one way we help communities play an active role in this important effort,” said Rob MacLean, president of California American Water. “I encourage municipalities, schools, environmental organizations and civic groups to apply for a grant to support projects that will benefit their local water ecosystem.”

To qualify, proposed projects must:

• Be located within one or more of California American Water's service areas;
• Address a source water or watershed protection need in the community;
• Be completed between May 1, 2015 and November 30, 2015;
• Be a new or innovative program for the community, or serve as a significant expansion to an existing program;
• Be carried out by a formal or informal partnership between two or more organizations; and
• Provide evidence of sustainability (continued existence after the American Water grant monies are utilized).

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

In 2014, The Carmel River Watershed Conservancy was awarded $6,000 to fund its Steelhead Recovery Signage Project in Carmel. The project involved designing, planning, constructing and installing “Steelhead Recovery Site” signs at critical public access points along the Carmel River and its tributary creeks. The signs help preserve the rearing habitat and riparian quality for the threatened species by informing and educating the public of the names of the Carmel River’s tributary creeks along with the importance of treating them as steelhead recovery sites.

The second recipient was Mira Loma High School, which was awarded $4,000 for their Arcade Creek Project in Sacramento. The project allows students to conduct and evaluate field research to determine the overall health of the Arcade Creek by identifying non-native species and invasive species removal. Students participate in restoration outings, removing invasive species and consistent monitoring to assure they do not reoccur.

Grant information and application forms can be found by visiting www.amwater.com/EnvironmentalGrantProgram

Applications must be postmarked by Friday, March 13, 2015 and mailed to:

California American Water
8657 Grand Avenue
Rosemead, CA 91770
Attention: Brian Barreto

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 600,000 people. Information regarding California American Water’s service areas can be found on the company’s website www.californiaamwater.com.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 40 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

Contacts:

California American Water
Kevin Tilden, 619-522-6362
Mobile: 619-206-8099
kevin.tilden@amwater.com

Source: California American Water