Illinois American Water’s Pekin District Investing $1.5 million to Complete Transmission Water Main Upgrade

Project will enhance water service and fire protection to downtown Pekin

Illinois American Water’s Pekin District is investing approximately $1.5 million to install over
4,000 feet of 16-inch water main near the Pekin water treatment plant. The project will help increase water flow and pressure to downtown Pekin.

Cord Crisler, operations superintendent for the Pekin District, explained the project is part of an overall effort to help enhance water service and fire protection in Pekin. He said, “We work closely with our local firefighters, testing and operating every hydrant in our service area. We also monitor water flow. We expect these improvements will not only improve water flow, but will also contribute to an improved ISO rating for the City of Pekin. That’s one of our goals.”

An Insurance Services Offices (ISO) rating assesses community fire protection capabilities for insurance carriers. An upgraded rating illustrates improved public safety. It can also help decrease insurance costs for residents and businesses. The initial construction of the transmission water main upgrade project began last year when about 3,000 feet of 16-inch water main was installed. The work completed in 2018 represents an additional investment of about $1.1 million to ensure quality, reliable water service for a total investment of $2.6 million to upgrade over 1.3 miles of transmission
water main.

Crisler explained the company works to replace water mains annually to keep up with aging infrastructure. He said, “Like other water systems across the country, our water infrastructure is reaching the end of its useful lifespan. In fact, the U.S. EPA reports that the nation’s water utilities need to invest more than $384 billion by 2030 to safeguard public health.

This is why Illinois American Water is continuously investing to ensure reliable water service today and future generations.”

Illinois American Water’s water main replacement program focuses on replacing mains where leaks occur, corrosion has caused damage or the size of the pipe isn’t sufficient. For more information about Illinois American Water, visit www.illinoisamwater.com

About Illinois American Water - Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American

Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing.

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