California American Water Funds 2011 Environmental Grant Program

California American Water announced it is accepting applications for its 2011 Environmental Grant Program.

The company will award several grants for a combined total of $10,000 to innovative community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds and drinking water supplies within the state.

A wide variety of conservation projects are eligible for funding, such as watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives and hazardous waste collection efforts.

"We all share in the tremendous benefits California’s diverse watersheds provide and, just as much, the responsibility to maintain them," said Rob MacLean, president of California American Water. "That is why we are encouraging municipalities, schools, environmental organizations and civic groups to apply for a grant to support projects that will benefit their local water ecosystem."

To qualify, a proposed project must be:

• Located within one or more of California American Water's service areas;
• Completed between May 1, 2011 and November 30, 2011; and
• A new or innovative community initiative or serve as a significant expansion to an existing program.

Projects will be judged based on criteria that include clarity of project goals and projected impact, strength of collaboration with other community and/or municipal organizations and evidence that the project will provide sustainable environmental results after California American Water's funding ends.

In 2010, the program supported the MEearth Habitat to establish a Water Conservation Demonstration Center as part of the educational offerings of its new Green Classroom, which opened last fall in the company’s Monterey service district. The funds were used to install a small greywater garden and rainwater harvesting system for two structures, interpretive signage and a series of workshops to teach the community how to develop these projects in homes and businesses.

The second recipient was Mount Olive Alternative High School located within the company’s Los Angeles service district for its Mount Olive Outdoor School Experience (MOOSE) program. The grant was used to establish raised bed gardens at eight schools to demonstrate drought-tolerant planting, effective irrigation, vermiculture, composting and vertical gardening as part of the science curriculum.

Grant information and application forms can be found online at californiaamwater.com.

Applications must be postmarked by April 26, 2011, and mailed to:

California American Water
4701 Beloit Drive
Sacramento, CA 95838
Attn: Luke Gianni

California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 600,000 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 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a yearlong campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.