Illinois American Water presents 2018 environmental grant to Bolingbrook Park District
In conjunction with Earth Week, Illinois American Water announced that 10 watershed initiatives across the state will receive funding through the company's 2018 Environmental Grant Program.
This annual program is a reminder to consumers of the vital need to protect our precious resource every day for future generations.
"At Illinois American Water, Earth Day is every day. Our team works hard to not only provide clean water for life, but for our communities to thrive," said Bruce Hauk, president of Illinois American Water.
Illinois American Water is awarding the 2018 Environmental Grant to the Bolingbrook Park District for their DuPage River Ecological Improvements Project, which focuses on removing invasive species from along the DuPage River and restoring the natural landscape. The project will reduce the occurrence of invasive species to less than 10 percent in the area. In addition, native planting will restore the natural landscape.
Mike Glester states, "Bolingbrook Park District is proud to be working with Illinois American Water on the DuPage River Ecological Improvements Project, along the east branch of the DuPage River. Grant money will be used to help fund native wetland plants that will be installed this fall after extensive invasive species removal has taken place. Native species establishment is the most critical variable when performing a restoration. This is especially difficult here in a flood-prone area where seed would otherwise get washed away. The grant allows us to provide a strong ecological restoration by approaching native species establishment with a certain vigor that would otherwise be absent. This partnership with Illinois American Water is a wonderful addition to our continuous watershed efforts and really enhances all the strong support we have received from the District community and volunteers."
Customers can make a difference by getting involved in these projects as well as using water wisely. Customers can help protect our precious resources through the following actions:
• Be conscious of daily water use and take the necessary steps to be water smart.
• Be sure that leaking pipes and faucets - indoors and outdoors - are repaired.
• Take care in garden, lawn, garage or other home product use and ensure they do not impact groundwater.
• Dispose of chemicals or other potentially harmful products properly by not pouring them directly into home drains, the sewer, street drains or the lawn.
• Learn more about water through the annual local water quality reports. American Water customers can access their report by ZIP code on the company's website at www.illinoisamwater.com under the Water Quality tab.
To learn more about the Environmental Grant Program, Water Quality and Wise Water Use, visit www.illinoisamwater.com.
About Illinois American Water - Illinois American Water, a 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 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.
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 6,900 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 46 states and Ontario, Canada. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.