VOORHEES, NJ, Apr. 28, 2009 -- American Water Works Company Inc., the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company, announced that it was named Water Company of the Year at Global Water Intelligence's Global Water Awards held on Monday, Apr. 27, 2009 in Zurich, Switzerland. American Water was recognized for being a leader in the water industry and its commitment to delivering water solutions. The Water Company of the Year award was received by American Water's president and chief executive officer Don Correll following an address by the ceremony's keynote speaker, former United States Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore.
"As the largest investor-owned U.S. water services company, American Water is very pleased to receive this international award," said Donald Correll, president and CEO of American Water. "Recognizing the many challenges our country faces in resolving major water and wastewater issues, American Water is proud to lead the way to delivering solutions. From desalination to infrastructure investment to curb water loss to partnerships with the public sector, we believe a collaborative and proactive approach is the best way to start and tackle what the EPA has described as a trillion dollar challenge."
Among American Water's 2008 accomplishments cited by the Global Water Awards was its re-establishment of the financial strength and operational excellence of its regulated business as well as its management of the U.S.'s largest seawater desalination plant in Tampa Bay, securing two contracts with the U.S. military to provide water and wastewater services, completing the second largest IPO in the U.S. of the year, and launching a new customer communications strategy.
The GWI Global Water Awards recognize excellence in the global water industry -- the projects, the technologies and the people who have made a difference over the past year. The awards represent what the industry perceives as being the most deserving of merit during the year.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company.
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