Iowa American Water Supports Infrastructure Week 2015

This week, in an effort to shine a spotlight on the nation’s critical need for investment in its water and wastewater systems, Iowa American Water is participating in the national observance of Infrastructure Awareness Week. After working around the clock for more than 100 years, the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure is aging and in need of repair and improvement. In the U.S. today, a water main breaks every two minutes, and the American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that $4.8 trillion needs to be invested in water infrastructure over the next 20 years to maintain a state of good repair.

Iowa American Water invests about $10 million annually to upgrade its treatment facilities and distribution systems. Water providers and water-reliant businesses are rising to the challenge and creating innovative solutions to help solve America’s infrastructure crisis. This is a chance for people to become more educated about the issues and the myriad ways water utility providers are working to ensure the quality water services Americans rely on for their homes and businesses and the continued health of our nation’s economy.

As a member of the Value of Water Coalition, American Water will be sharing the organization’s activities and initiatives through social media channels and its weekly Dr. Water blog by Mark LeChevallier, director of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship.

During Infrastructure Week 2015, more than 80 organizations are set to host dozens of events. Participants in Infrastructure Week events will range from Vice President Biden and cabinet secretaries to local city councilmembers, academics, utility groups and private sector partners, all coming together to raise awareness about the state of infrastructure in our country and highlight the need for investment. For more information please visit http://infrastructureweek.org/ and follow the conversation at #RebuildRenew on Twitter.

Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Works Company, Inc. is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 200,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs 6,400 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.