American Water Wins Distinguished U.S. Water Prize

American Water , the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, announced recently it was selected to receive a 2014 U.S. Water Prize by the U.S. Water Alliance. The award ceremony will take place on April 7 in Washington, D.C.

American Water was recognized for being a leader in water research and advancing the science of water for more than 30 years. American Water has dedicated itself to promoting the value and wise use of water in developing a leading water-related research program to achieve significant advancements in the science of drinking water and wastewater.

Today, the company’s Innovation & Environmental Stewardship team consists of more than 20 scientists, fully dedicated to environmental protection and research in the fields of engineering, chemistry, microbiology, public health, and environmental science.  American Water's research team has been awarded 79 competitive research grants totaling over $32M. Just in 2013, six research grants were awarded for a total of nearly $2M.

American Water’s Innovation & Environmental Stewardship team has leveraged its expertise to validate innovations using the company’s large and geographically diverse footprint, ultimately becoming an early-adopter of new technologies for industry use. This unique program, called the Innovation Development Process (IDP) tests new ideas, both from within the company and from business partners, to create greater efficiencies in strategic areas such as water reuse, desalination, wastewater operations and bio-energy.Through the IDP, American Water is bringing new solutions and technologies to the marketplace. Since the program’s inception in 2009, approximately 400 ideas were reviewed and several have proceeded to pilot testing and the preparation of a business case.

“American Water is honored to be recognized as a leader in promoting and advancing water sustainability,” said Jeff Sterba, president and CEO of American Water. “American Water has spent more than 125 years learning and growing in the water and wastewater industry.  At a time when many utilities have feared doing research, American Water has been an example that an investment in research is a commitment to sound utility management and increased sustainability for current and future generations.”

Created, sponsored and administered by the U.S. Water Alliance, the United States Water Prize is the first of its kind to recognize successful efforts in protecting and improving the health of watersheds in this country.

About American Water
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 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 30 states and parts of Canada. For more information, visit www.amwater.com.