Illinois American Water reminds residents to clear snow from fire hydrants

[February 03, 2015]  LINCOLN - Illinois American Water is reminding residents to clear snow from fire hydrants that may be located on or near their property. The recent snow accumulation,
combined with the after-effects of plowing roads and parking lots, has left many fire hydrants partially or completely buried in snow.

By keeping fire hydrants clear of snow, the public can help firefighters easily locate the fire hydrants in the event of an emergency and allow them to access water quickly, preserving valuable time and potentially saving lives and structures. Illinois American Water annually inspects and maintains over 29,000 hydrants throughout Illinois.

If you have a fire hydrant on or near your property, please take a few minutes to clear away the snow so it is visible in the event of an emergency. Remember, quick access to fire hydrants benefits everyone.

About Illinois American Water
Illinois 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 and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.2 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 6,600 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 14 million people in more than 40 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

[Karen Cotton, Illinois American Water]