Illinois American Water Announces Environmental Grant Recipients in Conjunction with Earth Day $15,000 Awarded for Water Source Protection Projects
Illinois American Water announced today that five watershed initiatives across the state will receive funding through the company’s 2016 Environmental Grant Program. The recipients will receive a share of grant funds totaling $15,000 for community projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds.
This announcement is being made in conjunction with Earth Day, April 22, 2016, to remind consumers of the vital need to protect our precious resource every day for future generations. “At Illinois American Water, Earth Day is every day. Our team works hard to not only provide water for life, but for our communities to thrive,” said Bruce Hauk, president of Illinois American Water.
Illinois American Water awarded the 2016 Environmental Grants as follows:
- The Alton Community School District #11’s Rock Spring Park Watershed Restoration Project will receive a $4,000 grant. A bio retention system and rain garden will be constructed in an outdoor classroom area of Rock Spring Park to remediate storm water accumulation and resulting stagnant pools. Middle School students will be involved in the project based learning on the design, construction and maintenance. This storm water capture technique will provide education to students and public about best management practices as well as beautification program.
- The City of South Beloit will receive a $3,000 grant for the community’s Nature At the Confluence Stream Team Programming which will educate and engage residents in clean water and community revitalization. Programming will include citizen science stream monitoring, rain barrel & container gardening, watershed interpretive signage and more. An educator workshop will also be held. Illinois American Water Project Wet certified instructors will introduce WET curriculum to surrounding schools.
- Urbana Park District Douglas Creek Restoration Project will receive a $4,000 grant. The project will restore native plants, trees and shrubs in the wetland and creek channel. Interpretative signing will be installed to educate Meadowbrook Park’s visitors about the important and impact of local waterways.
- Peoria Park District’s Illinois River Sweep will receive their full grant request of $1,500 to fund supplies for the annual Illinois River clean-up effort. Over 100 volunteers are expected to attend the event which removes trash and debris from the river shorelines. Illinois American Water also donates radio advertising to the River Sweep.
- The Pekin Park District will receive a $2,500 grant for the Lick Creek Watershed Invasive Species Control and Restoration project. This project focuses on invasive species control and restoration along the Lick Creek corridor of McNaughton Park. Volunteers will be trained to remove invasive species along 15 acres of the Lick Creek Corridor.
Customers can make a difference by getting involved in these projects as well as using water wisely. On Earth Day, customers are reminded that they can help protect our precious resources through the following actions:
• Be conscious of daily water use and take the necessary steps to be water smart.
• Be sure that leaking pipes and faucets — indoors and outdoors — are repaired.
• Take care in garden, lawn, garage or other home product use and ensure they do not impact groundwater.
•Dispose of chemicals or other potentially harmful products properly by not pouring them directly into home drains, the sewer, street drains or the lawn.
•Learn more about water through the annual local water quality reports. American Water customers can access their report by zip code on the company’s website at www.illinoisamwater.com under the Water Quality tab.
To learn more about the Environmental Grant Program, Water Quality and Wise Water Use, please 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 1.2 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.
American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. Marking its 130th anniversary this year, the company employs 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
This announcement is being made in conjunction with Earth Day, April 22, 2016, to remind consumers of the vital need to protect our precious resource every day for future generations. “At Illinois American Water, Earth Day is every day. Our team works hard to not only provide water for life, but for our communities to thrive,” said Bruce Hauk, president of Illinois American Water.
Illinois American Water awarded the 2016 Environmental Grants as follows:
- The Alton Community School District #11’s Rock Spring Park Watershed Restoration Project will receive a $4,000 grant. A bio retention system and rain garden will be constructed in an outdoor classroom area of Rock Spring Park to remediate storm water accumulation and resulting stagnant pools. Middle School students will be involved in the project based learning on the design, construction and maintenance. This storm water capture technique will provide education to students and public about best management practices as well as beautification program.
- The City of South Beloit will receive a $3,000 grant for the community’s Nature At the Confluence Stream Team Programming which will educate and engage residents in clean water and community revitalization. Programming will include citizen science stream monitoring, rain barrel & container gardening, watershed interpretive signage and more. An educator workshop will also be held. Illinois American Water Project Wet certified instructors will introduce WET curriculum to surrounding schools.
- Urbana Park District Douglas Creek Restoration Project will receive a $4,000 grant. The project will restore native plants, trees and shrubs in the wetland and creek channel. Interpretative signing will be installed to educate Meadowbrook Park’s visitors about the important and impact of local waterways.
- Peoria Park District’s Illinois River Sweep will receive their full grant request of $1,500 to fund supplies for the annual Illinois River clean-up effort. Over 100 volunteers are expected to attend the event which removes trash and debris from the river shorelines. Illinois American Water also donates radio advertising to the River Sweep.
- The Pekin Park District will receive a $2,500 grant for the Lick Creek Watershed Invasive Species Control and Restoration project. This project focuses on invasive species control and restoration along the Lick Creek corridor of McNaughton Park. Volunteers will be trained to remove invasive species along 15 acres of the Lick Creek Corridor.
Customers can make a difference by getting involved in these projects as well as using water wisely. On Earth Day, customers are reminded that they can help protect our precious resources through the following actions:
• Be conscious of daily water use and take the necessary steps to be water smart.
• Be sure that leaking pipes and faucets — indoors and outdoors — are repaired.
• Take care in garden, lawn, garage or other home product use and ensure they do not impact groundwater.
•Dispose of chemicals or other potentially harmful products properly by not pouring them directly into home drains, the sewer, street drains or the lawn.
•Learn more about water through the annual local water quality reports. American Water customers can access their report by zip code on the company’s website at www.illinoisamwater.com under the Water Quality tab.
To learn more about the Environmental Grant Program, Water Quality and Wise Water Use, please 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 1.2 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.
American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. Marking its 130th anniversary this year, the company employs 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
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