The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE:AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., in partnership with New Jersey American Water, gathered with students, key faculty and staff members at Salem High School to celebrate the installation of new hydration stations made possible through the $25,000 State Strategic Impact grant. The ribbon cutting ceremony marked a major step forward in promoting student wellness and environmental sustainability throughout the Salem City School District.
"These new bottle filling stations will provide students and staff with greater access to clean, reliable tap water throughout the school day," said Herbert Schectman, business administrator and board secretary for the Salem City Board of Education. "This investment promotes healthier lifestyle choices, builds trust in our local water supply and reduces plastic waste in our schools by providing sustainable hydration options – benefiting both our students and the environment."
The Foundation grant funded the installation of six bottle filling stations across three schools, providing approximately 1,400 students, faculty and staff with access to safe, clean and reliable tap water. Each student also received a reusable water bottle to encourage healthy hydration habits and reduce single-use plastic waste.
"One of the best parts of this job is seeing meaningful projects like this come to life. We're proud to partner with the American Water Charitable Foundation to invest in a healthier, more sustainable future for Salem students," said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water and a member of the board of trustees for the American Water Charitable Foundation. "These stations not only provide students with easy access to clean, fresh water, but they also play a key role in teaching the importance of sustainability."
"The hydration stations have been a wonderful addition for our students — they use them every day and truly appreciate having access to clean water," said John R. Mulhorn, principal of Salem High School. "We're grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation for supporting not just our school, but the entire district. It's encouraging to see this kind of partnership, and I look forward to what we can continue to accomplish together in the future."
Funding for this project was made possible through AWCF's State Strategic Impact grant program which supports high-impact projects and initiatives throughout American Water's footprint. State Strategic Impact grants are part of the Foundation's Keep Communities Flowing grant program, focused on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE:AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water, focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested more than $20 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.
About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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Media Contact:
Chelsea Kulp
Director, Communications and External Affairs
New Jersey American Water
Chelsea.kulp@amwater.com
