Oct 17, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

American Water Honored by National Association of Water Companies

American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest publicly-traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, received two awards from the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) at the 2017 NAWC Water Summit honoring their commitment to innovation and passion to serving their customers and communities.

American Water’s geothermal pilot was recognized in the “sustainability” category with a 2017 Management Innovation Award, which honors NAWC members for their groundbreaking, industry-changing ideas. The company has taken a creative approach to traditional geothermal technology and developed a new renewable energy application that will lower energy costs and reduce a building’s carbon footprint. The American Water geothermal system allowed the William L. Buck Elementary School in Valley Stream, N.Y. to save 41,000 kBTU /square foot/year, and kept the building cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

“We are honored to be recognized by our peers for our innovative work on geothermal energy,” said Walter Lynch, chief operating officer, American Water. “Our modified geothermal system is able to provide heating and cooling for a 40,000 square foot school without utilizing fossil fuels during the winter. This unique innovation could transform traditional geothermal systems and introduce a new application in renewable energy for communities seeking creative and cost-effective approaches to sustainability.”

In addition, Katherine (Katie) Jamriska, supervisor of Water Quality and Environmental Compliance for Indiana American Water, was selected as the grand prize winner of the 2017 NAWC Living Water Awards, which recognizes an employee who is “living water” through their extraordinary commitment to quality, service and community. Jamriska is the fifth recipient of this prestigious honor, earned for continuously looking for ways to better serve Indiana American Water’s customers, protect source water, and improve water quality.

“Katie’s dedication to better serving her community, coupled with her passion to protect our nation’s most precious resource, is exactly the type of candidate our Living Water Awards seek to acknowledge. I congratulate both Katie and Indiana American Water for the tremendous work they do in the communities they serve,” said Michael Deane, executive director of the NAWC. “Katie’s efforts will continue to provide benefit to water utilities and their customers, the industry as a whole, and the natural environment.”

About the NAWC

The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) is the voice of the private water industry and the organization exclusively representing this group of quality water service providers, innovation drivers, creative financiers and responsible partners. To learn more about NAWC, visit NAWC.org or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly-traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

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