Illinois American Water Launches Facebook Photo Contest during National Drinking Water Week
Contestants include city of Lincoln Fire Department

[May 14, 2015]  BELLEVILLE - Illinois American Water announced today that several local volunteer fire departments will have the opportunity to earn funds through a Company sponsored social media photo contest. The contest is being launched during National Drinking Water Week, May 3-9, 2015 to highlight the role drinking water plays in critical fire protection.

The social media contest supports this year’s National Drinking Water Week’s theme, “What do you know about H2O?” because it brings awareness to the role drinking water plays in fire protection. According to Illinois American Water President, Bruce Hauk, customers may be surprised to learn that Illinois American Water tests and maintains every fire hydrant – over 29,000 – across the Illinois American Water system.

Hauk said, “We are proud of the role our team plays in ensuring public safety and we value the partnerships we have with local firefighters. This contest is another opportunity to give back to our local heroes.”

The public is invited to vote for their favorite photo today through May 15, 2015 at www.facebook.com/ilamwater.  The organizations participating are listed below along with their Illinois American Water service area:

Alton District – Godfrey Fire Protection District and Q.E.M. Fire Protection District
Cairo District – Cairo Fire Department
Champaign County District – Urbana Fire Department
Chicago Metro District – Northwest Homer Fire Protection District and Lemont Fire Protection District
Interurban (Metro East) District – Northwest St. Clair County Fire Department


Photo taken during the Oasis Fire
is the entry for the city of Lincoln

Lincoln District – Lincoln Fire Department
Pekin District – Pekin Fire Department
Peoria District – Peoria Fire Department
Pontiac District – Pontiac Fire Department
South Beloit District – South Beloit Fire Department
Sterling District – Sterling Fire Department
Streator District – Streator Fire Department

The three photos with the most votes will earn their organization $1,250 (first place), $1,000 (second place) and $750 (third place). The winners will be announced shortly after the contest closes.

[Karen Cottom, Illinois American Water]

About Illinois American Water
Illinois 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 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 (NYSE: AWK) 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 approximately 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in more than 45 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.