CAMDEN, N.J., Sep 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., today announced its participation in American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) annual Source Water Protection Week, September 27 through October 3, 2026. 

“Providing safe, clean, reliable drinking water begins at the source,” said Matthew Csik, Vice President, Water Quality and Environmental Compliance, American Water. “Source Water Protection Week is a reminder for employees, customers and communities of the steps we take to safeguard our most precious resource and prevent source water pollution.”

American Water’s Source Water Protection Program provides a structured framework for assessing risks, engaging stakeholders and implementing proactive measures to safeguard drinking water supplies.

The company’s source water protection efforts include:

• Conducting nearly 1 million tests each year at American Water state-of-the-art research laboratories.
• Application of the most advanced technology, equipment and filtration processes.
• Constant collaborative work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other state and local agencies to meet or surpass water quality standards and address emerging contaminants so that potential impacts to water quality are minimized.

Read more about how the company strengthens operational readiness, uses technology to stay ahead of water quality challenges, builds stronger communities through partnership and prepares for emerging issues through recent case studies in states across our service areas here.

Protecting our source water is a community effort. During Source Water Protection Week, we encourage individuals to take the following actions and incorporate them into year-round practices:

• Plant landscaping around homes or businesses with more permeable surfaces, such as mulch, that allow water to soak into the ground. Try to limit concrete and asphalt, which contribute to runoff.
• Use native plants that require minimal fertilizer, herbicides and watering.
• Do not over-apply chemicals to plants and avoid application immediately before it rains.
• Plant a rain garden that uses native plants and grasses to capture and absorb rainwater from rooftops and roads. These planned gardens help simplify lawn maintenance, control erosion and reduce runoff into streams and storm water systems.
• Keep litter, pet waste and yard waste out of streets and storm drains. Pet waste contains bacteria that can find its way into waterways through runoff.
• Select non-toxic or less toxic alternatives to typical household products, such as cleaning agents.
• Dispose of pharmaceuticals by taking them to collection sites, where available. Don’t flush them down the toilet!
• Use hazardous waste collection sites and services to dispose of items such as chemicals, paints, motor oil and batteries.
• Report any hazardous material spills, illegal dumping or suspicious activity to local or state authorities.

Learn more about American Water and Source Water Protection here. 

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 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 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, X and Instagram.

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SOURCE American Water