Community Programs

Being a good neighbor is part of our mission at American Water. We are dedicated to New Jersey and do make sure we show it. We give back to the community by supporting innovative, environmental grant programs that improve, protect or restore drinking water supplies and surrounding watersheds.

Maintaining Rodgers Refuge
We’ve partnered with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Princeton Township, to help maintain the Rogers Refuge in Princeton Township. The plan involves removal of phragmites, which is an intrusive plant that can destroy wetlands. We have supported this important effort with our financial investment and the time of our people. As part of the project, we constructed a wood observation platform with boardwalk access. It is open to the public for educational purposes, so come and see it for yourself.

Enhancing Biodiversity with the Audubon Society
We’ve also developed a partnership with the New Jersey Audubon Society that allows access to our watershed property during bird migration season. We can then identify native plants and habitats that can increase biodiversity and benefit a wide variety of wildlife.

Improving Water Quality Through River Friendly Programs
We actively participate in New Jersey’s River Friendly programs, which work to improve water quality by reducing non-point source pollution, conserving water and supporting native habitat. The River Friendly program was created by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA), the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association (SBMWA) and the South Branch Watershed Association (SBMWA) to implement water resource protection projects in the Raritan River Basin. The program was made possible through a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Providing a Hand Up to Customers in Need
We also support community low-income customers through American Water’s H20 Help to Others Program®. In New Jersey, a second assistance program, the Low Income Payment Program also can lower service bills by 20% for qualifying customers.

Supporting Local and Global Needs
American Water has named United Way and Water for People its Charities of Choice. Each year, American Water employees from across the nation participate in a nationwide campaign for these organizations. Last year, we raised $556,840 for United Way and $208,000 for Water for People nationwide.

Improving the Riverbank in Delran
In Burlington County, we’re working with the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the Friends of the Taylor Wildlife Preserve to improve the riverbank of the Delaware River in Delran. The NJ Natural Lands Trust owns approximately 47 acres. The initiative includes creating and maintaining hiking trails with self-guided trail signs, targeting certain invasive plants and seeding with natives, creating a riparian buffer near the Dredge Harbor area and building a trailhead sign with a refuge trail map.

Reducing Air Pollution with our "No Idle" Policy
New Jersey American Water has a "No Idle" policy as part of a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection voluntary program to reduce air pollution. Simply put, we turn off our vehicles when we stop. We also ask our vendors and contractors to make the same pledge.

Improving the Environment by Using Solar Energy
New Jersey American Water installed the state's largest ground mounted solar electric system at its Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset, NJ as part of the Company's energy saving's initiatives.

The system, which can produce more than 500,000 kilowatts of energy a year, will supplement up to 15 percent of the peak usage power needed to run the plant. The project also translates into environmental benefits. Reducing energy usage by 585,000 kilowatts a year results in an avoidance of 1,577 pounds of nitrogen oxide, 4,875 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 699,856 pounds of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the air. According to the EPA and US Climate Technology Cooperation, this savings in carbon dioxide pollution is equivalent to planting 94 acres of tree seedlings or preserving 2.6 acres of land from deforestation.

The employees of New Jersey American Water play an active role in the communities we serve by getting involved in a variety of environmental and educational activities related to water – everything from watershed clean-up efforts to school programs focused on drinking water and source water protection. Below are some of the community programs we're supporting.

April
New Jersey Conference of Mayors
April 10-11, 2008

Ocean City's Earth Day Celebration 2008
April 20, 2008
Bayside Center, 520 Bay Ave., Ocean City, NJ
Noon - 4 p.m.

New Jersey American Water is proud to participate in Ocean City’s Earth Day Celebration 2008. This event is open to the public and doesn’t cost a cent! The day boasts children's activities, community group displays, clean communities awards, entertainment, food and environmental give-a-ways. For more information, call 609-525-9285 or visit www.ocnj.us.

Third Annual Delaware Valley ICS Regional Chili Cook Off
April 26, 2008
11 a.m. - 7p.m.
Gloucester County College

New Jersey American Water is a sponsor of this annual event that brings together community members to taste the best chili made in the Garden State.

May
Water Week
May 4-10, 2008

Water is precious. Water is the one resource on which our very lives depend. Yet, water is often taken for granted. In recognition of water's life-sustaining impact, New Jersey American Water Company celebrates National Water Week each year. Held the first full week in May, this national celebration helps to educate the public on the value of quality tap water and the services we provide.

Highlights of our New Jersey American Water's Watershed Month and Water Week activities include:

- the offering of school and community education programs on the value of water. Education makes us all better stewards of this remarkable resource. If your school or group is interested in having a speaker come and talk about your water, contact our customer service center. [PLEASE LINK to the “Contact Us” page on NJAW’s.]

- the presentation of a host of region-specific activities and special events to reach people of all ages concerned with environmentalism and wiser water usage. These activities may include watershed cleanups, speaking engagements and more.

June
Gloucester County Waterfest
June 1, 2008
Scotland Run Park
Clayton, NJ

New Jersey American Water is proud to participates in the Gloucester County Waterfest. This one-day educational event features interactive exhibits and keynote presentations through which attendees can explore watershed basics, learn how human activity on the land affects the quality of water in rivers and streams and discover solutions to water pollution.

September
6th Annual Water Festival
Cinnaminson Township Public Schools

New Jersey American Water proudly participates in this event. We explore the watershed with students using our EnviroScape and demonstrate how the water travels from the source to tap.

Cherry Hill Senior Festival

New Jersey American Water is an active participant in this annual event, educating attendees on wise water use and providing information on our customer assistance programs.

October
American Water’s United Way Employee Campaign

Each year, American Water conducts a nationwide employee campaign benefiting United Ways across the nation. We match dollar for dollar our employees’ donations. In 2007, American Water raised more than $556,000 for this worthy cause. We are confident that our participation will successfully fund thousands of programs nationwide that help address critical community needs such as investing in our youth, overcoming disease and disabilities, caring for families and seniors, providing emergency food and shelter for families in need, and building stronger and safer communities.