West Virginia American Water Continues Planned Infrastructure Work, Requests that Customers Maintain Physical Distance from Workers
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (March 27, 2020) – Amidst the current COVID-19 public health emergency, West Virginia American Water will continue planned infrastructure projects across its service areas to provide reliable water and wastewater services to its customers. This essential utility work is consistent with Governor Jim Justice’s Executive Order for essential businesses to remain in operation during the stay-at-home order.
Water and wastewater utilities are part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “critical infrastructure sectors,” as safe drinking water is critical to protecting public health, and properly treated wastewater is vital for preventing disease and protecting the environment.
“Safe, reliable water and wastewater service is essential, especially during a public health emergency. It is imperative that we continue to repair and renew aging pipe and upgrade pumps, valves, plants and other critical infrastructure to keep our systems operating efficiently and effectively,” said Robert Burton, president of West Virginia American Water. “We thank Governor Justice and the Public Service Commission for recognizing the need for critical water and wastewater services provided by utilities during this unprecedented time.”
Information about most planned infrastructure work is provided to customers in advance through company flyers and the West Virginia American Water infrastructure upgrade map available on the company website. Customers can be notified of emergency work and repairs by email, text or phone call through our customer notification system. Customers are encouraged to sign up for alerts and update their contact information through their account at myaccount.amwater.com.
West Virginia American Water also requests that customers maintain physical distance from company employees and contractors on the job. If you see a utility crew performing essential work in your area and have a question, please do not approach the crew. Instead, visit the West Virginia American Water website or call customer service at 1-800-685-8660 for more information. We appreciate our customers’ understanding of this request and their help in protecting our employees’ health and safety.
“Our operational employees are essential and need to report to work to continue delivering our critical services,” said Burton. “We recognize this is a time of uncertainty and challenge, and we thank our dedicated, hard-working teams for rising to this challenge. Their safety, and the safety of our customers and communities, is the top priority as we work through this event.”
West Virginia 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 services to approximately 550,000 people. 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 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. More information can be found at www.westvirginiaamwater.com.
Connect with us: Facebook.com/wvamwater ● Twitter.com/wvamwater ● YouTube.com/wvamwater ● Instagram: @wvamwater
Media Contact:
Megan Hannah, External Affairs Manager
Office: (304) 340-2088
Mobile: (304) 380-8455
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (March 27, 2020) – Amidst the current COVID-19 public health emergency, West Virginia American Water will continue planned infrastructure projects across its service areas to provide reliable water and wastewater services to its customers. This essential utility work is consistent with Governor Jim Justice’s Executive Order for essential businesses to remain in operation during the stay-at-home order.
Water and wastewater utilities are part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “critical infrastructure sectors,” as safe drinking water is critical to protecting public health, and properly treated wastewater is vital for preventing disease and protecting the environment.
“Safe, reliable water and wastewater service is essential, especially during a public health emergency. It is imperative that we continue to repair and renew aging pipe and upgrade pumps, valves, plants and other critical infrastructure to keep our systems operating efficiently and effectively,” said Robert Burton, president of West Virginia American Water. “We thank Governor Justice and the Public Service Commission for recognizing the need for critical water and wastewater services provided by utilities during this unprecedented time.”
Information about most planned infrastructure work is provided to customers in advance through company flyers and the West Virginia American Water infrastructure upgrade map available on the company website. Customers can be notified of emergency work and repairs by email, text or phone call through our customer notification system. Customers are encouraged to sign up for alerts and update their contact information through their account at myaccount.amwater.com.
West Virginia American Water also requests that customers maintain physical distance from company employees and contractors on the job. If you see a utility crew performing essential work in your area and have a question, please do not approach the crew. Instead, visit the West Virginia American Water website or call customer service at 1-800-685-8660 for more information. We appreciate our customers’ understanding of this request and their help in protecting our employees’ health and safety.
“Our operational employees are essential and need to report to work to continue delivering our critical services,” said Burton. “We recognize this is a time of uncertainty and challenge, and we thank our dedicated, hard-working teams for rising to this challenge. Their safety, and the safety of our customers and communities, is the top priority as we work through this event.”
West Virginia 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 services to approximately 550,000 people. 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 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. More information can be found at www.westvirginiaamwater.com.
Connect with us: Facebook.com/wvamwater ● Twitter.com/wvamwater ● YouTube.com/wvamwater ● Instagram: @wvamwater
Media Contact:
Megan Hannah, External Affairs Manager
Office: (304) 340-2088
Mobile: (304) 380-8455