AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC. October 5, 2015 Daphne Kirksey, External Affairs Manager daphne.kirksey@amwater.com
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National Effort to Raise Awareness and Educate Public about Challenges Facing Water Infrastructure and Water Resources, and Need for Investment
Chattanooga, Tenn. (October 5, 2015) - Today Tennessee American Water announced its participation in the national advocacy and educational event, Imagine a Day Without Water. Across the country, organizations, elected officials, businesses, environmental advocates, and more are joining together to educate people about how water is essential, the challenges facing water and wastewater systems, and the need for investment. The Tennessee Aquarium and Tennessee American Water have partnered to bring special programs free with Aquarium admission on October 7 and October 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
There will be media availability at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, in the lower lobby of the Aquarium's River Journey building.
While nature provides water, it takes pipes, pumps, equipment, and people working 24/7 to deliver clean water to homes and businesses, and then remove and treat wastewater so it can safely be reused or returned to the environment. Many people take our water sources and the water service for granted. The Tennessee Aquarium and Tennessee American Water want to change that by raising the awareness of the importance of water protection and the importance of continued investments needed to assure drinking water is available for our health, economy and safety.
'As they tour our buildings, Aquarium guests gain a better understanding of how the water that flows from the mountains to the sea connects all life,' said Dr. Anna George, director of the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute. 'We need to be very thoughtful about our approach to water and understanding how we impact it. Then, we need to ensure that we are protecting water so that it's drinkable, fishable and swimmable, and saving enough in rivers and streams to support all life.'
Across the U.S., water systems are aging. Every two minutes a water pipe bursts somewhere in the U.S.
'We need water in our homes to take a shower, make coffee, clean, do laundry, or flush the toilet. For businesses from restaurants to manufacturing plants, water is essential to daily operations,' said Tennessee American Water President Deron Allen. 'Investing in the water
system is a top priority. Annually we make $17 to 19 million in infrastructure improvements to make sure that water is here today and for future generations.'
The Tennessee Aquarium leads in research and conservation efforts in restoring freshwater ecosystems and helping people appreciate the need for environmental health right in our backyard. As a water utility, Tennessee American Water continuously maintains and improves the water system which delivers clean, safe, reliable, and affordable water straight to homes and businesses.
Whether watershed protection or infrastructure needs, the Tennessee Aquarium and Tennessee American Water invite the public to Imagine a Day Without Water and what they can do to be a part of the conversation. Special programs will include animal exhibits, games about water use, hands-on water filtration experiments and behind-the-scenes tours of the water treatment system of the Aquarium.
More information about Imagine a Day Without Water can be found here: http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/
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Tennessee American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water services to more than 370,000 people in Tennessee and northern Georgia. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market- based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.tennesseeamwater.com.
The Tennessee Aquarium inspires wonder, appreciation and protection of water and all life that it sustains. Admission is $29.95 per adult and $18.95 per child, ages 3-12. Each ticket purchased helps support Aquarium conservation programs. The IMAX® 3D Theater is next door to the Aquarium. Ticket prices are $9.95 per adult and $8.50 per child. Aquarium/IMAX combo tickets are $35.95 for adults and $24.95 for children. Excursions aboard the new River Gorge Explorer depart daily into 'Tennessee's Grand Canyon.' Cruise tickets are $32.00 per adult and
$24.50 per child (3-12). Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.tnaqua.org or by phone at 1-800-262-0695. The Aquarium, located on the banks of the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, is a non-profit organization. Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Aquarium and IMAX are accessible to people with disabilities.
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