Illinois American Water announces typography art contest for area seventh-graders

[March 12, 2014]  BELLEVILLE — Illinois American Water is inviting seventh-grade classrooms within the company's service area to participate in the company's Value of Water Service Typography Art Contest. The purpose of this contest is to raise students' awareness about the value of water service and to assist classrooms in learning about their local water service and watershed protection.

"A large part of our environmental efforts focus on education to our customers and their families so we can help ensure water for future generations," said Karla Olson Teasley, president of Illinois American Water. "When customers understand the value of their water service, they are more likely to help us protect this precious resource."

Through the contest, students are asked to describe what water service means to them. They are encouraged to consider the complex system needed to deliver water to the tap, while the typical customer pays just pennies per gallon for this essential service.

Teachers within Illinois American Water's service area can participate by accessing instructions and materials online at http://www.amwater.com/ilaw/
learning-center/value-of-water.html. A flier is available there for distribution to students. An example of typography art is represented on the contest fleer.

The winning submissions will be included in a large typography art display. The final artwork may also be featured in a future bill insert sent to customers in the company's service area. The winning student's classroom will also be awarded a gift certificate to be used for a classroom celebration of the winning submission.

All completed entries should be sent by April 18 to External Affairs Manager Karen Cotton at 7500 N. Harker Drive, Peoria, IL 61615. By submitting an entry, the student, teacher and school are agreeing to have the submission, including identification information like name and school, used in Illinois American Water materials. Questions can be directed to [e-mail].

[Text from file received from 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 water or wastewater services to more than 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 publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,600 who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 40 states and parts of Canada. More information is available at www.amwater.com.