Illinois American Water Announces 2018 Environmental Grant Program

BELLEVILLE, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The application process is now open for Illinois American Water’s 2018
Environmental Grant Program. The program supports innovative,
community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect
watersheds through partnerships. Diverse activities like watershed
cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, wellhead
protection and hazardous waste collection efforts are supported through
grants of up to $10,000.

"Since 2009, we’ve contributed over $175,000 to 46 Illinois water
protection projects. Our commitment to protecting the environment runs
deep and we’re proud to support the efforts of local organizations that
share our vision,” said Bruce Hauk, Illinois American Water President.

To qualify, proposed projects must be located in
an Illinois American Water service area and:

– address a source water or watershed protection need in the community
–
be completed between May 1, 2018 and November 30, 2018
– 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
– provide
evidence of sustainability (continued existence after the American Water
grant monies are utilized)

In 2017, Illinois American Water awarded seven grants totaling $20,300
as follows:

– Foundation for Ohio River Education received a $2,500 grant for Ohio
River Sweep supplies.
– Gifts In The Moment Foundation in Peoria
received a $7,250 grant for the Urban Agriculture Rain Water Collection
and Transportation System project, which uses collected rain and a
portable water trailer to water community garden and agriculture sites.
–
Heartlands Conservancy received a $2,800 grant for the Signal Hills
outdoor classroom to support water quality and native habitat education.
–
Hickory Creek Watershed Planning Group in the Chicago Metro area
received a $4,200 grant for the Hickory Creek Environmental Interpretive
Signs and Story Mapping project. The project raises awareness about best
management practices within the Hickory Creek watershed. Three rain
gardens were installed.
– Pekin Park District received a $2,000
grant for the Lick Creek Watershed Invasive Species Control project.
–
Peoria Park District received a $550 grant to supply dumpsters and tire
recycling for the Illinois River Sweep.
– Peoria Playhouse
Children’s Museum received a $1,000 grant to support five water camp
scholarships.

Grant information and application forms can be found at www.illinoisamwater.com.
Applications should be emailed to [email protected]
by March 26, 2018.

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 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.

Contacts

Karen Cotton
External Affairs Manager
[email protected]