Illinois American Water Announces over $5.7 Million Investment for over 21,000 Feet of Water Main Installation and Main Break Prevention

PEORIA, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Illinois American Water’s Peoria District is investing over $5.7 million
to improve its distribution system. The investment includes installing
over four miles of water main in Peoria, Limestone Township and
Bartonville. In addition, 11 pressure-reducing valves will be installed
in the system’s high service zone in Peoria for main break reduction.
Weather permitting; crews will begin work in early September, starting
at various times with total completion of this work by the end of the
year.

PRESSURE REDUCING VALVES

In the Peoria District’s high service zone, water main breaks have been
trending up in recent years, a problem amplified by high operating
pressures. Eleven new pressure reducing valves will be installed to help
reduce pressure in those areas from over 100 psi to closer to the
recommended 80 psi. This investment will enable stable water pressure
and help reduce future water main breaks.

According to Christian Volz, engineering manager for the Peoria District
service area, Illinois American Water continuously looks for
opportunities to improve system operations. He said, “Our engineering
team investigates every water main break and determined this to be the
best, most prudent approach to help prevent water main breaks and reduce
related service and traffic impact from those breaks.”

The pressure reducing valves will be installed in Peoria as follows:
–
West of Willow Knolls at W. Willow Knolls & W. War Memorial
–
South of War Memorial at W. Willow Knolls & W. War Memorial
–
South of War Memorial at W. Baring & W. War Memorial
– North of
Camille at W. Camille & N. Hamilton
– West of Melody at W.
Glen, between N. Melody & N. Glen Park
– North of Clarewood at
N. University & W. Clarewood
– West of Sheridan at N. Sheridan
& W. Lake
– South of Lake at N. Sheridan & W. Lake
–
East of California at E. War Memorial & N. California
– South
of London at E. London & Atlantic
– West of Dayton at E. Rouse,
between Dayton & Columbus

Once the pressure reducing valves are in place, Illinois American
Water’s engineering team will determine the appropriate time to bring
the new pressure system online. This is expected to occur next year.

When that phase of the project occurs, customers will be contacted via
Illinois American Water’s customer notification system regarding any
impact to water service and necessary steps. The Company’s notification
system contacts customers via telephone and text or email. Customers
should update their contact information and choose their notification
preference online at www.illinoisamwater.com
or by calling 800-422-2782.

MAIN REPLACEMENT WORK

Illinois American Water’s main replacement program focuses on replacing
mains where leaks occur, corrosion has caused damage or the size of the
pipe isn’t sufficient. Over four miles of water main will be installed
in Peoria, Limestone Township and Bartonville. A map of the proposed
work can be viewed here – http://arcg.is/1GPuLf.

Volz said, “We invest annually to ensure that local water quality and
service continues to be as good as or better than local, state and
federal quality standards. These projects will benefit all of our
customers because they help ensure adequate flow to homes and businesses
for service and fire protection.”

Customers affected by the work will be notified via letter about the
impact and any necessary steps. The letter will include a local contact
for questions.

The U.S. EPA reports that the nation’s water utilities will need to make
more than $335 billion in infrastructure investments over the next 20
years to ensure public health. These investments include replacing
thousands of miles of pipe and upgrades to treatment plants, storage
tanks and other assets. Illinois American Water’s investment in the
Peoria District is just another example of continuous investments and
improvements being made.

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 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

Illinois American Water
Karen Cotton, 309-566-4126
[email protected]
www.amwater.com