Submissions are now being accepted for New Jersey American Water’s 2011 Environmental Grant Program. The program will award up to $10,000 to innovative programs that address water source or watershed protection needs.

Organizations engaging in activities that improve a community's water supply or improve, restore or protect watersheds will be considered for funding. Such projects may include wildlife habitat improvement, storm water management, wellhead protection initiatives, watershed cleanups, or reforestation efforts.

To be eligible, organizations:

• Must be located within New Jersey American Water's service area
• Must complete the project between January and December 2011
• Must establish a new or innovative program or a significant expansion to an existing program
• May be a partnership between two or more organizations
• Must provide evidence of sustainability
• Salaries and compensation requests are ineligible

Applications must be received by March 22, 2011. Eligible candidates will be notified by April 15. Grant recipients will be announced later this year after eligible applicants have submitted a written review on the results and impact of their project.

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and will be selected based on various criteria such as project goals, impact, innovation, design, collaboration, sustainability, and community engagement among other requirements. Since it began 2009, New Jersey American Water’s Environmental Grant Program has provided more than $25,000 in funding.

To apply, or for more information on New Jersey American Water's 2011 Environmental Grant Program, contact Gary Matthews at 732-302-3141 or gary.matthews@amwater.com. Visit www.newjerseyamwater.com for the 2011 program brochure or to download an application form.

New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.5 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states, as well as Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a yearlong campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.