National Effort to Raise Awareness and Educate Public about Challenges Facing Water Infrastructure and Water Resources, and Need for Investment

American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, announced its participation in the national Value of Water Coalition advocacy and educational event, Imagine a Day Without Water. Across the country, organizations, elected officials, corporations, environmental advocates, and more are joining together to educate people about how water is essential, the challenges facing water and wastewater systems, and the need for investment.

A water main breaks somewhere in the U.S. every two minutes. Most pipes have an average life expectancy of 50 years, but in many major cities, water pipes are more than 100 years old. Communities cannot afford to go a day without water if those systems reach their breaking points.

“This is an opportunity for everyone who cares about safe, reliable water to raise attention to the importance of investing in water infrastructure and resources,” says Maureen Duffy, vice president of Corporate Communications and External Affairs, American Water. “By spotlighting the need for investment in water and innovation across the country, coalition members, including water providers, utility companies, mayors, legislators, elected officials and advocates, are coming together to educate and engage the public on an issue that is critical to us all.”

A variety of local and national events, policy resolutions and social media campaigns are being held across the country by coalition members to support the event. Just some of the things happening around American Water include:

Illinois American Water is sponsoring an elementary school art contest encouraging students to draw a picture and write a sentence on what a day without water would mean to them. Winning students and their drawings will be featured on a future Illinois American Water bill insert. The winning class will also receive a $100 donation.

Tennessee American Water is partnering with the Tennessee Aquarium to hold educational events throughout the week on the importance of water for aquarium visitors.

Pennsylvania American Water is hosting a photography contest that challenges customers to submit original photography depicting how a day without water would impact them.

Missouri American Water is hosting an art contest at local elementary schools, challenging students to draw and write about what a day without water means to them.

New Jersey American Water is hosting a number of activities in local schools to commemorate the event. They include a student production of a video infomercial to demonstrate how much people depend on water, a school tour of a local water treatment plant, a series of memes developed by a school graphic design class to be used on social media channels, and a live demonstration of what goes into maintaining a water system. In addition, the New Jersey Legislature passed a resolution calling for citizens to imagine a day without water on Oct. 6-8.

American Water’s Dr. Mark LeChevallier, also authored this week’s “Dr. Water” blog post on the subject, located at https://drwater.amwater.com/blog/essentialneed/.

“We are thrilled that American Water is joining Imagine a Day Without Water. The truth is, of course, we can’t go a day without water. For homes, that would mean no water to take a shower, make coffee, clean, do laundry, or flush the toilet. For businesses from restaurants to manufacturing plants, water is essential to daily operations,” said Radhika Fox, Director of the Value of Water Coalition. “During Imagine a Day Without Water, we’re speaking with one voice across the nation about how water is essential, invaluable, and needs investment.”

From October 6-8, 2015, groups are hosting events, elected officials are issuing proclamations and resolutions, water advocates are spreading the message over social media, and everyone from schools to aquariums are joining in the effort. Everyone participating in Imagine a Day Without Water is coming together to educate the nation that water is essential and that we must invest in it for future generations.

More information about Imagine a Day Without Water can be found here: http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/.

About the Value of Water Coalition

The Value of Water Coalition educates and inspires people about how water is essential, invaluable, and needs investment. The Coalition has come together to advance positive solutions to our nation's pressing water challenges, and is made up of local and national leaders who have come together at a time when our water infrastructure is at risk. The group is united in elevating the importance of water to the economic, environmental and social well-being of America. More information can be found by visiting http://thevalueofwater.org.

About American Water

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs 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 at www.amwater.com.

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American WaterDenise Venuti FreeExternal Communications Manager856-309-4690denise.free@amwater.com

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