American Water Environmental Grant Program

ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT PROGRAM

Our commitment to protecting the environment runs deep and we’re proud to support the efforts of local organizations that share our vision.

Established in 2005, our annual Environmental Grant Program offers funding for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and groundwater supplies in our local communities.

We are pleased to offer assistance to community partners to help make a positive impact on the environment, and we encourage you to apply for this annual grant program, which typically accepts applications during the first quarter of each year.

To qualify for Environmental Grant funding, a proposed project must be:

  • Located within an American Water service area
  • Be completed between May and November of the grant funding year
  • Be a new or innovative community initiative, or serve as significant expansion to an existing program.

For more information on this year's program, please see our 2023 Program Brochure and Grant Application Form.

The deadline to apply is March 31. All projects must be completed by the end of November of this year.

The 2022 Indiana American Water Environmental Grant Program winners are:

City of Richmond—Awarded $2,000 - Growing a Resilient Community Native Tree Planting

      Funds will be used to purchase trees, supplies, educational materials and volunteer incentives for tree planting projects in areas with increased heat vulnerability and low tree canopy coverage as identified by the City's Heat Watch Campaign and tree inventory. These plantings will help the City to reduce stormwater runoff, purify water, and lower near-surface air temperatures. 

Falls of the Ohio Foundation—Awarded $1,500 - Fishing Derby & Invasive Species Education

      Funds will be used to partner with several other groups to create and promote a new fishing event that will bring awareness to the invasive species, including Asian Carp & Garlic Mustard Weed, that negatively impact the Falls of the Ohio area in Southern Indiana. The Falls of the Ohio has one of the largest exposed Devonian-era fossil beds on the planet, creating a space that holds significant natural, cultural, and historic significance. The project will educate the community on the significance of invasive species and how they can help remove them from our environment to enhance water quality and stream diversity in the Ohio River. 

Kosciusko County Soil & Water Conservation District - Awarded $3,600 - Paddling to Water Conservation Event

      Funds will be used to replace an older raft for this program, which involves a memorable educational rafting experiences on Grassy Creek and two local lakes for students to learn about the connection between ground water and surface water, land and water, as well as connections between all components within a watershed.  Indiana American Water funded the startup of this program in 2008. The program, which reaches about 500 students each year, teaches students about water quality, conducting water tests, wetlands, point and non-point source pollution, and water conservation. 

Red Tail Conservancy District – Awarded $1,000 - Fen Restoration Project at Prairie Creek Reservoir

      The Fen Restoration project is aimed at restoring and stewarding one of the rarest wetland habitat types in Delaware County, located at the southern tip of Prairie Creek reservoir in Muncie, Ind. A fen, formerly referred to as a raised bog, hosts numerous threatened and endangered species and only exists where the water table is at or near the surface of the soil, making them groundwater fed. Funds will be used to purchase supplies and materials for this project, which will also help improve water quality and ensure proper management and restoration of this site now as well as permanent stewardship for the future.

The Watershed Foundation – Awarded $1,100 - Deeds Creek Dam Removal & Habitat Restoration

      This grant will be used to help fund removal of a low-head dam on Deeds Creek and restore habitat in the area surrounding the dam. Deeds Creek is the largest tributary and source of sediment and nutrients draining to Pike Lake, which is located within the city limits of Warsaw, Ind. The lake has been classified as hypereutrophic by the Indiana Clean Lakes Program and is heavily utilized by local residents and visitors. The project will improve safety for water recreation activities and water quality in the lake and will also address streambank erosion, loss of habitat, and most importantly, the blocking of fish passage upstream and downstream of this site.

Shelbyville High School Earth Club – Awarded $800 - Sapling Giveaway & Blue River Watershed Cross Country Tree Planting

      Funds will be used to fund a Shelbyville High School student-led initiative to plant native trees along the cross country course located in the Blue River watershed. The project will help to improve water quality in the watershed, educate the public on invasive species, reduce air pollution, conserve water, support wildlife and mitigate climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

     

    Entries in Indiana should be sent to:

    Indiana American Water
    ATTN: Joe Loughmiller
    153 N. Emerson Ave.
    Greenwood, IN 46143