Report on Pennsylvania American Water’s Recognition for Water Quality Excellence and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

On June 26, 2025, Pennsylvania American Water announced that 21 of its drinking water treatment plants received prestigious awards from the Partnership for Safe Water. These awards recognize continuous efforts to optimize water treatment and distribution system performance, directly contributing to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Awards and Recognition

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) honored Pennsylvania American Water’s facilities at the Directors and Presidents levels for their excellence in water quality. The awards include:

1. 25-year Directors Award – 19 treatment plants
2. 10-year Presidents Award – 2 treatment plants

List of Award-Winning Water Treatment Plants

• Aldrich Water Treatment Plant, Washington County (25-year Directors Award)
• Bangor Water Treatment Plant, Northampton County (25-year Directors Award)
• Brownell Water Treatment Plant, Lackawanna County (25-year Directors Award)
• Butler Water Treatment Plant, Butler County (25-year Directors Award)
• Ceasetown Water Treatment Plant, Luzerne County (25-year Directors Award)
• Clarion Water Treatment Plant, Clarion County (10-year Presidents Award)
• Crystal Lake Water Treatment Plant, Luzerne County (25-year Directors Award)
• Ellwood City Water Treatment Plant, Lawrence County (25-year Directors Award)
• Fallbrook Water Treatment Plant, Lackawanna County (25-year Directors Award)
• Forest City Water Treatment Plant, Lackawanna County (25-year Directors Award)
• Hays Mine Water Treatment Plant, Allegheny County (25-year Directors Award)
• Hershey Water Treatment Plant, Dauphin County (25-year Directors Award)
• Indiana Water Treatment Plant, Indiana County (25-year Directors Award)
• Kittanning Water Treatment Plant, Armstrong County (25-year Directors Award)
• Milton Water Treatment Plant, Union County (25-year Directors Award)
• Montrose Water Treatment Plant, Susquehanna County (25-year Directors Award)
• Nesbitt Water Treatment Plant, Luzerne County (25-year Directors Award)
• New Castle Water Treatment Plant, Lawrence County (25-year Directors Award)
• Norristown Water Treatment Plant, Montgomery County (10-year Presidents Award)
• Philipsburg Water Treatment Plant, Clearfield County (25-year Directors Award)
• Silver Spring Water Treatment Plant, Cumberland County (25-year Directors Award)

Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

Pennsylvania American Water’s dedication to delivering safe, clean, and reliable tap water aligns closely with the following SDGs:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all through optimized water treatment processes.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Protecting public health by providing water that meets or exceeds state and federal drinking water standards.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Utilizing advanced water treatment technologies and continuous optimization to improve infrastructure resilience.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Promoting sustainable water use and efficient resource management.

Organizational Statements

Justin Ladner, President of Pennsylvania American Water, emphasized the critical importance of safe and reliable water to communities and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to high standards and continuous improvement.

Brandy Braun, Director of Water Quality and Environmental Compliance, highlighted the dedication of water quality professionals, operators, and engineers whose efforts have sustained water safety and health protections for over 25 years.

Additional Initiatives

• Partnership for Safe Water: A voluntary national program involving over 400 surface water treatment plants aimed at optimizing treatment to reduce microbial contamination.
• Partnership for Clean Water: A global optimization and recognition program for wastewater utilities, in which Pennsylvania American Water currently has 10 participating systems, including five new entrants this year.

About Pennsylvania American Water and American Water

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in Pennsylvania, providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people.

American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States, serving over 14 million people across 14 states and 18 military installations. The company’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence supports multiple SDGs by ensuring access to safe water and sanitation.

Further Information

For a complete list of award-winning water systems, please visit the official document.

Additional details about American Water and its sustainability efforts can be found at amwater.com, and on their social media platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article focuses on water treatment plants achieving water quality excellence, ensuring safe, clean, and reliable tap water for communities.
   • Participation in the Partnership for Safe Water and Partnership for Clean Water highlights efforts to optimize water and wastewater treatment systems.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • By providing safe drinking water that meets or surpasses state and federal standards, the article addresses public health protection.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The continuous optimization and recognition programs for water treatment plants demonstrate innovation and infrastructure improvements in water services.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Reliable and safe water services contribute to sustainable urban and community development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Water Quality Recognition Awards
   • The article mentions the Partnership for Safe Water awards at Directors and Presidents levels, which recognize water treatment plants for achieving water quality excellence over 10 and 25 years.
   • These awards serve as indicators of continuous optimization and compliance with water quality standards.
2. Compliance with State and Federal Drinking Water Standards
   • Meeting or surpassing regulatory standards is an implied indicator of water safety and quality.
3. Participation in Voluntary Optimization Programs
   • Number of water treatment plants participating in the Partnership for Safe Water and Partnership for Clean Water programs indicates commitment to improving water and wastewater services.
4. Coverage and Reliability of Water Services
   • Providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water to approximately 2.4 million people in Pennsylvania is an implied indicator of service reach and reliability.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: amwater.com