California American Water Funds 2011 Environmental Grant Program

California American Water announced today the recipients of its 2011 Environmental Grant Program awards. Two projects located within its California service areas will be supported by grants totaling $10,000.00.

The first recipient is The Energy Coalition, located within the company’s San Diego service district, which is receiving $5,000 for its “Hydrating San Diegans” program. The grant will be used to bring their award-winning environmental education program to various schools throughout San Diego. The program seeks to raise awareness about the critical need to conserve both water and energy. This program will help reduce the student’s domestic water and energy use, with the goal of lowering their family’s water and electric bills by 5 to 10 percent.

“The Energy Coalition is honored to receive a California American Water Environmental Grant. Empowering students to motivate their families to manage their energy and water usage is central to PEAK’s ongoing work,” said Nikole Reaksecker, Senior Program Manager of The Energy Coalition’s PEAK Student Energy Actions Program. “By educating students and their families about the critical need to take action to conserve our limited natural resources, we hope to preserve resources for future generations.”

The second recipient is KVIE Public Television, which was awarded $5,000 to fund its 60-minute television program “Debating the Delta” that will educate more than 200,000 regional viewers on the choices we face in saving the state’s water supply. The Delta’s future is one of the most critical issues facing the state and one that affects all of its residents. This program presents a wide range of informed opinions so Californians can gain a deeper understanding of the critical Delta issues. California American Water decided to support this program as part of its ongoing effort to raise awareness regarding the state’s tentative water supply and empower citizens to make informed decisions about this and other related public policy as well their own water use.

"We're very grateful to California American Water for their generous support of this program," said David Lowe, KVIE President and General Manager. "A major part of our mission is being our region's storyteller, and providing a significant venue for discussing critical issues like the future of the delta and our state's water supply in a balanced, objective forum. We're confident our production will engage viewers in the diverse viewpoints of a wide variety of experts on all sides of this topic to create a better informed electorate."

Established in 2005, American Water’s Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies in the communities it serves.

“California American Water is committed to the health and well being of our water resources through consumer education and community source protection programs,” said Debra Vernon, Manager of Corporate Responsibility. “We are all environmental stewards in protecting our water supplies, and this program is one way we help communities play an active role in this important effort.”

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.