American Water recently announced the names of three Pennsylvania organizations selected to receive funding from its new Environmental Grant Program being piloted in Pennsylvania.
The grantees include the Indiana County Conservation District, PA Cleanways of Allegheny County and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
PA Cleanway's grant will support its Tireless Project. Under the project, 20 watershed cleanups on the Monongahela River will occur between June and September 2005.
Riverfront blight is a pervasive problem in the Pittsburgh area. Litter, flood debris, and illegal dumping contribute to the blight, and cleaning up the Monongahela River will positively impact Pennsylvania American Water's source of supply for its Pittsburgh/Mon-Valley and Washington operations.
The Indiana County Conservation District will receive a grant for its Ramsey Run Restoration project. The project will eliminate access for 30-plus livestock to 282 feet of a tributary of Ramsey Run, which feeds into the source water for the company's Indiana operations.
Erosion will be minimized by the project, as will source water pollution from livestock feed and manure. A stormwater project will also be initiated to help prevent road run-off from causing pasture erosion.
Lastly, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council will receive a grant for its Wyoming Valley Streamside Planting program. The project will identify areas in need of streamside buffers within the Wyoming Valley watershed in northeastern Pennsylvania. Plantings will be conducted as part of the buffer project.
American Water launched its grant program in January. These three grants are the first to be made in Pennsylvania. Grant applications offering innovative ways to improve, restore or protect watersheds and community drinking water supplies were sought from communities and community-based organizations.
Projects were judged based on criteria including clarity of project goals and projected impact, nature and strength of collaboration with other community and/or municipal organizations, as well as evidence that the project will provide sustainable environmental results.
"Every individual and community has the ability to make a difference," said Joi Corrado, Director, Corporate Responsibility, American Water. "Through American Water's Environmental Grant Program, we're seeking to invest in our communities and help support the people behind the projects, who are looking to the future and coming up with innovative ways to improve the sustainability of our water resources."
With a history of over 100 years, American Water provides high quality water, wastewater and related services to more than 18 million people in 29 states and three Canadian provinces.
Source: American Water
