NJAW receives 2017 Sustainable Business Leadership Award

Photo Courtesy of Sustainable Jersey
From left are Richard Dovey of Sustainable Jersey; Denise Venuti Free of New Jersey American Water; and Anne-Marie Peracchio and Randall Solomon, both of Sustainable Jersey.

EWING, NJ — Sustainable Jersey presented New Jersey American Water with the Sustainable Business Leadership Award, which recognizes companies in New Jersey that support the Sustainable Jersey mission and demonstrate a significant commitment to sustainability in New Jersey.

New Jersey American Water is an excellent example of how a business can take sustainability and community responsibility seriously and contribute locally to improving the quality of life in New Jersey, according to Sustainable Jersey in a recent press release.

“New Jersey American Water has taken exemplary steps to reduce the company’s environmental footprint,” Sustainable Jersey Director Randall Solomon said in the release. “Five of their water treatment plants have been nationally recognized with directors awards for participating in the U.S. EPA’s Partnership for Safe Water program. The plants earned this award for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards.”

NJAW is proactively upgrading aging infrastructure, with a commitment to ensuring quality and service for their customers. NJAW incorporates sustainability and resiliency, including alternate power sources, into its comprehensive capital planning program, and its parent company, American Water, was at the forefront of environmental leadership when, in 2006, it became the first U.S. water or wastewater utility to join the EPA’s Climate Leaders program and subsequently the Carbon Disclosure Program.

“Their annual Environmental Grant Program offers funding for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve watersheds, surface water and groundwater supplies in the local communities,” Solomon said.

At the local level, New Jersey American Water is actively promoting environmental education through its Water Learning Center and Education Toolkit for students, as well as contributing each year to community events, activities and organizations that advance sustainability throughout its service areas. New Jersey American Water is the largest water service provider in the state, serving approximately 2.7 million people in 191 communities.

“We are honored to receive this important recognition from Sustainable Jersey for our commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement in our service areas across the state,” NJAW President Rob MacLean said. “We are stewards of the communities we serve, and we are proud of the role we play in protecting our environment.”