American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation's largest publicly traded water utility, announced today it has been awarded a research grant from the WateReuse Research Foundation to develop best management practices to control potential health risks and other issues associated with storage and distribution of reclaimed water.

The project, valued at $377,578, will utilize "Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Process" as a basis to prioritize water quality parameters that impact aesthetic and water quality issues during storage and distribution of reclaimed water. Water quality information will be supplemented with extensive case studies, using the company's geographically dispersed systems, to define best management practices.

"Complex interactions during storage and distribution can create health-related and aesthetic issues that have a tremendous impact on acceptance of reclaimed water by the end-user," said Dr. Mark LeChevallier, Director of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship. "This research will provide the reuse industry with tools to identify and optimize processes responsible for these issues, in turn, helping to promote public acceptance and support for various reuse applications including flushing, heating/cooling, irrigation, and industrial applications."

The project team will consist of LeChevallier as Principal Investigator, with American Water's Dr. Zia Bukhari and Dr. Patrick Jjemba, serving as Co-Principal Investigators.

About the WateReuse Research Foundation

The WateReuse Research Foundation is an educational, non-profit public benefit corporation that serves as a centralized organization for the water and wastewater community to advance the science of water reuse, recycling, reclamation and desalination. The Foundation sponsors applied research which addresses the full range of scientific, technical, policy, and social science issues related to water reuse and desalination. For more information, visit www.watereuse.org.

About American Water

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.

American Water
Denise Venuti Free
External Communications Manager
856-309-4690
denise.free@amwater.com