Over $6,000 in grants awarded to three local projects
Davenport, Iowa (June 4, 2010) -- Iowa American Water announced today that three local watershed protection initiatives will receive funding through the company's 2010 Environmental Grant Program. The recipients will receive a share of grant funds totaling over $6,000 which the company earmarked for community-based projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds.
A panel of judges selected the winners from five grant applications which were evaluated on criteria such as environmental need, innovation, community engagement and sustainability. In a ceremony today, Iowa American Water awarded its 2010 Environmental Grants to:
- Partners of Scott County Watersheds awarded $3,200 for its Infiltrate Iowa Project
- Waste Commission of Scott County awarded $2,000 for its Operation Medicine Cabinet Program
- Keep Scott County Beautiful, $1,000 for its Xstream Cleanup 2010
Iowa American Water also recognized Bettendorf student Pavane Gorrepati for a campaign she developed to increase environmental awareness locally and nationally, to inspire conservation efforts by young people, to promote sustainability and to advance environmental education. Gorrepati was presented with a special recognition award and gift certificate for her efforts. Pavane is a student at Rivermont Collegiate. She recently was recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for her efforts at a ceremony in Washington, DC.
"The Environmental Grant Program has been very successful in helping local organizations carry out meaningful, sustainable initiatives that benefit our watersheds," said Randy Moore, president of Iowa American Water. "Again this year, the grant recipients along with the efforts by Pavane Gorrepati exemplify the type of environmental stewardship in which we are proud to partner to better protect our drinking water resources."
According to Clare Kerofsky, watershed coordinator for Partners of Scott County, "The funding received from Iowa American Water allows us to install practices that cleanse and reduce stormwater improving water quality and reducing flood levels and occurrences. The funding allows us to use the installation of the practices (soil quality restoration and rain gardens) as demonstration projects for developers, landscape contractors and residents promoting the installation of additional rain gardens and other infiltration practices."
The following describes the 2010 grant recipients' projects:
- Partners of Scott County's Infiltrate Iowa Project will promote and install infiltration practices that improve water quality, reduce flooding and provide habitat for wildlife such as birds, butterflies and insects.
- The Waste Commission of Scott County's Operation Medicine Cabinet program is a three-day event to collect pharmaceuticals free of charge from Scott County residents. The program will also educate the public that flushing pharmaceuticals poses a risk to our drinking water.
- Keep Scott County Beautiful's Xstream Cleanup 2010 represents Chad Pregracke's Living Lands and Waters local annual cleanup of the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The effort aims to clean over 30 streams and near stream sites in the Quad Cities.
Established in 2007, Iowa American Water's Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects in local communities served by American Water. In 2010, American Water's Environmental Grant Program is providing grants totaling more than $128,000 to help support 32 projects in eight states.
Iowa American Water
Iowa American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 200,000 people.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
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