American Water Receives Ten National Awards for Excellence in Water Quality

VOORHEES, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK), the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, is proud to announce the achievement of ten Directors Awards of Recognition from the Partnership for Safe Water. Three plants are receiving inaugural awards for maintaining Phase III certification for 15 years, five plants are receiving awards for maintaining Phase III certification for ten years, one plant is receiving an award for maintaining Phase III certification for five years, and one plant is being presented with its first Directors Award for Phase III certification. The awards will be presented during the 2013 American Water Works Association Annual Conference in Denver, Co., on June 9-13, 2013.

The Partnership for Safe Water Program is a voluntary initiative developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other water organizations that is designed to increase protection against microbial contamination through treatment optimization. Only about three percent of all public surface water plants are part of the program and with 80 plants in the program, American Water accounts for 20 percent of the participating plants nationwide.

"Our goal is to continuously strive to optimize operations and improve the quality of water we deliver to our customers," said Jeff Sterba, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We're pleased to achieve this national recognition from the Partnership as a testament to our employees’ expertise, dedication to excellence and commitment to protecting public health.”

As a member of the Partnership for Safe Water, American Water demonstrates its commitment to improve the quality of drinking water delivered to customers by optimizing system operations. With a total of 68 surface water treatment plants recognized, American Water has had more plants receive Phase III certification than any other water utility in the country. More than 40 percent of all water treatment plants nationwide to receive Phase III certification are American Water plants.

This is the first year the Partnership is recognizing 15 year awards. The following American Water treatment plants are being recognized in 2013 for maintaining the Phase III Directors Award status for 15 years:

Kentucky American Water

• Kentucky River Station Water Treatment Plant in Lexington, Ky.
• Richmond Road Station Water Treatment Plant in Lexington, Ky.

West Virginia American Water

• Huntington Water Treatment Plant in Huntington, W.Va.

The following American Water treatment plants are being recognized in 2013 for maintaining the Phase III Directors Award status for ten years:

Illinois American Water

• Alton District Water Treatment Plant in Alton, Ill.
• Cairo District Water Treatment Plant in Cairo, Ill.
• East St. Louis Water Treatment Plant in East St. Louis, Ill.

Missouri American Water

• Jefferson City Water Treatment Plant in Jefferson City, MO.
• Central Water Treatment Plant in St. Louis County, MO.

The following American Water treatment plant is being recognized in 2013 for maintaining the Phase III Directors Award status for five years:

Pennsylvania American Water

• Clarion Regional Water Treatment Plant in Clarion Borough, Pa.

The following American Water treatment plant is being recognized with its first Phase III Directors Award of Recognition in 2013:

Pennsylvania American Water

• Shady Lane Water Treatment Plant near Spring City, Pa. in Chester County

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 as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.

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