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Maryland American Water Recognized by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

AQUARIUS Program Selects Company for Exceptional Project - Excellence in Problem Solving

Bel Air, Md. (February 28, 2022) — Maryland American Water has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2021 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund’s (DWSRF) AQUARIUS program.

EPA’s AQUARIUS program nationally recognizes DWSRF recipients whose projects demonstrate an exceptional focus on sustainability and protection of public health. Maryland American Water was chosen as the exceptional project, under the category of “Excellence in Problem Solving” for their Bel Air Water Treatment Plant Intake.

“We are honored that this important project, which was built partially through DWSRF funding, has been selected as an exceptional project by the AQUARIUS program. It was our commitment to find a solution for the water supply challenges in Bel Air that led to the partnership with Gannett Fleming, Allan Myers and Bowen Engineering to construct the Bel Air Impoundment and water treatment improvements, including the new intake,” said Barry Suits, President, Maryland American Water.

Maryland American Water has been providing drinking water for the Town of Bel Air since the 1930s. For more than 20 years, Maryland American Water had purchased additional water as needed from Harford County, but the county’s water supply was not a viable, long-term solution. The impoundment can store approximately 90-million gallons of water from Winter’s Run, Bel Air’s source of water supply, which is enough to serve as a reliable backup supply and sustain the water needs of the town during times of drought or other water supply emergencies.

“This project is a perfect example of how water companies like American Water can leverage the DWSRF to provide value for our customers,” said Cheryl Norton, Chief Operating Officer, American Water. “By being able to tap into the State Resolving Fund program, we were able to help mitigate the overall cost impact of this project and solve a decades-long supply issue to benefit customers both now and in the future.”

State Revolving Funds are EPA-state partnerships that provide a permanent, independent source of low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality and drinking water infrastructure projects. Since their inception, EPA’s SRFs have provided more than $189 billion in financial assistance to nearly 43,000 water quality infrastructure projects and 16,300 drinking water projects across the country.

The Bel Air intake project received $3.8 Million from the DWSRF to make modifications to allow flexibility to draw water into the water treatment plant from the river if conditions are favorable or from the impoundment if river conditions are not ideal. The project is also an example of Maryland American Water’s commitment to environmental stewardship and included shore bank stabilization to support the long-term integrity of Winter’s Run.

“EPA is proud to recognize the work of Maryland American Water through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund AQUARIUS program,” said Jennifer McLain, Director of EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. “By enhancing both the reliability and sustainability of their system, Maryland American Water demonstrates the potential benefits of using water infrastructure funds to address multiple public health and environmental problems for the betterment of the community.”

Maryland American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 25,000 people. For more information, visit www.marylandamwater.com and follow Maryland American Water on Twitter and Facebook.


Media Contacts

Marybeth Leongini

External Affairs Manager

571-344-0998

marybeth.leongini@amwater.com