American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, announced today that Emilie Bedard, a doctoral student at Ecole Polytechnique Montreal, has been chosen as the recipient of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) 2012 American Water Scholarship. The scholarship is an annual award of $5,000 presented to a graduate level student to assist with the development of professionals interested in service to the water industry.

Bedard was selected for this scholarship due to her exceptional academic abilities, industrial experience and personal motivation to contribute to the advancement of science in the field of drinking water, especially when it impacts children’s health. Her current research focuses on the occurrence and control of pathogens in water distribution networks, specifically in hospitals. She will be working with a children’s hospital to further her research.

“American Water is pleased to present this prestigious award to Emilie, who is most deserving of this honor,” said Dr. Mark LeChevallier, director of Innovation & Environmental Stewardship and member of the award selection committee. “Not only is Emilie an exceptional scholar and researcher, she also serves as a mentor and leader to her peers, and we are proud to help her advance her drinking water research studies.”

Prior to this research, Bedard gained experience working for Procter & Gamble. She has also been involved in research projects within National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Industrial Chain in Drinking Water at Ecole Polytechnique. Bedard has also been awarded the AWWA Holly A. Cornell Scholarship, the NSERC Julie Payette Scholarship and the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship for her determination to contribute to the advancement of science. Bedard received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal in 1997. In 2011, after a year in her master’s degree, Bedard transitioned directly to PhD studies.

Administered by the AWWA, the 2012 American Water Scholarship was announced at the organization’s ACE12 event in Dallas, Tex. For more information about AWWA scholarships, visit www.awwa.org/Conferences.

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 approximately 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in more than 30 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.

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