VOORHEES, NJ, Jan. 28, 2014 -- On Jan. 23-24, the U.S. Water Alliance awarded American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation's largest publicly-traded water and wastewater utility company, a 2014 U.S. Water Prize for developing adequate water research and advancing the science of water for more than 30 years.
Awardees of the 2014 U.S. Water Prize were announced at the California Irrigation Institute Conference held in Sacramento, Calif., where American Water was recognized for promoting the value and wise use of water in developing a leading water-related research program to achieve significant advancements in the science of drinking water and wastewater.
The company's Innovation & Environmental Stewardship team consists of more than 20 scientists, fully dedicated to environmental protection and research in the fields of engineering, chemistry, microbiology, public health, and environmental science. American Water's research team has been awarded 79 competitive research grants totaling over $32 million. Just in 2013, six research grants were awarded for a total of nearly $2 million.
Accordingly, this team has leveraged its expertise to validate innovations using the company's large and geographically diverse footprint, ultimately becoming an early-adopter of new technologies for industry use. This unique program, called the Innovation Development Process (IDP) tests new ideas, both from within the company and from business partners, to create greater efficiencies in strategic areas such as water reuse, desalination, wastewater operations, and bio-energy. Through the IDP, American Water is bringing new solutions and technologies to the marketplace. Since the program's inception in 2009, approximately 400 ideas were reviewed, and several have proceeded to pilot testing and the preparation of a business case.
Created, sponsored and administered by the U.S. Water Alliance, the United States Water Prize is the first of its kind to recognize successful efforts in protecting and improving the health of watersheds in this country. The award ceremony will take place on April 7, in Washington, D.C.
See also: "U.S. Water Alliance announces 2014 U.S. Water Prize winners".
About American Water
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 and parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.
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