Water supply solution to provide much-needed drought protection in central Kentucky

LEXINGTON, KY, Oct. 23, 2010 -- Kentucky American Water hosted a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the long-awaited solution to Central Kentucky's water supply deficit today. The company held the event at its new water treatment plant in Owen County, named the Kentucky River Station II at Hardin's Landing. Hardin's Landing refers to a late 19th century riverboat stop owned by the Hardin family of Owen County, which was located up the river from the plant.

Kentucky American Water and American Water representatives joined project contractors and community officials at the ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony of the company's new Central Kentucky water treatment plant and pipeline project. The event was held at KRS II at Hardin's Landing treatment plant in Owen County, Ky. Nearly 200 people attended.Various levels of drought conditions have been declared this month for approximately 50 counties throughout Kentucky, including Fayette. The completion of the company's $164 million Central Kentucky Water Supply Solution -- a new treatment plant, a new booster pump station in Franklin County and a 31-mile underground water transmission line to Fayette County -- now help assure the company's Central Kentucky customers that plenty of water is available to meet their needs, resolving an issue that has plagued the region for approximately 20 years.

The company's primary source of water supply for its Central Kentucky customers is the Kentucky River. With the addition of the new plant, the company now withdraws water from the river at pool 3 at the Owen-Franklin County line as well as pool 9 in Fayette County.

During the ceremony, Kentucky American Water President Nick Rowe and American Water President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Sterba commended all of those who had worked tirelessly to study the water supply issue, develop a solution and succeed in constructing the facilities on time and on budget. Rowe also emphasized that the plant can be expanded to meet other communities' water supply needs, and that the company remains open to such discussions with prospective partners.

The company placed the facilities into service on Sept. 20 after a little more than two years of construction, and before the start of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Contractors were Reynolds-Rogers, PAE & Associates and Garney Construction.

Kentucky American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately half a million 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 16 million people in 35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com. Kentucky American Water is now on Twitter. Follow us at kyamwater.

###