CAMDEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK), the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, announced today it was recently awarded $480,000 from the Water Research Foundation (WRF), to define a framework for the water industry to monitor for opportunistic pathogens, including Legionella, the bacteria that can cause a form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires disease.
“We never forget that at the end of every water pipe there’s a family depending on us to provide life’s most critical need. That every treatment plant serves as a barrier against potential disease. And that every community should be stronger because we are there,” said Dr. Zia Bukhari, principal scientist, American Water and lead for this study. “Even though Legionella is primarily an issue in the plumbing systems of large buildings, this award from WRF demonstrates that American Water is leading the way for water-related research and achieving advancements in the science of drinking water and wastewater.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionella bacteria have been responsible for 66% of waterborne disease outbreaks. American Water has focused significant research efforts on Legionella and various other contaminants; placing an emphasis on advanced detection methodologies and customer education/communication to help develop a holistic management strategy and to provide science based future recommendations.
American Water is collaborating with Biodetek, an Arizona based testing laboratory, and Environmental Science, Policy & Research Institute (ESPRI), a Pennsylvania based not for profit organization, on this innovative project.
WRF is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.
About American Water
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 and Ontario, Canada. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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