Illinois American Water announced today its 2024 end-of-year investment total for system improvements. More than $277 million was invested to fund critical system upgrades and improvement projects across the company’s service areas throughout the year.

Since 2013, Illinois American Water has invested an estimated $2 billion in water and wastewater infrastructure to address aging infrastructure, overall safety and to meet stringent regulatory standards.

"We continue to proactively and strategically invest in our water and wastewater infrastructure to continue providing safe, clean, reliable water services to our customers,” said Rebecca Losli, President of Illinois American Water. "The capital investments we make across our systems in Illinois provide strong, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. This allows us to continue to meet or surpass water quality standards and environmental standards."

Each year, Illinois American Water invests millions of dollars in its infrastructure, which includes both maintenance and upgrades to its treatment and distribution, or pipeline, systems. This includes investments in treatment plants, tanks, pump stations, miles of pipe, water mains, fire hydrants and metering equipment.

System improvement highlights during 2024 include:

• Alton: The $6.3 million upgrades at the water treatment plant included the installation of state-of-the-art ultraviolet light equipment to treat water from the Mississippi River as well as installing new service lines, pipes, and manholes and upgrading systems to improve service reliability.
• Jerseyville: The $31.5 million investment enhances the delivery of clean, safe water, allowing the facility to more effectively treat the raw water and for more efficient use of chemicals used in the water treatment process.
• Lincoln: A new, $40 million water treatment plant was completed, producing an estimated five million gallons of water per day and featuring a deeper water intake as well as new electrical and security systems.
• Major improvements and projects also were completed at the water treatment plants in East St. Louis, Hardin, Cairo and Nettle Creek Township.
• Water Mains: A $67 million investment to install, replace or rehabilitate more than 42 miles of main. Pipe improvement projects are critical to help maintain water quality, pressure, fire protection and service reliability. This also includes a $16.5 million investment of more than 23 miles for sanitary sewer collection main rehabilitation.
• Fire Hydrants: A $6.8 million investment to replace 345 fire hydrants and 782 valves.
• Wastewater Treatment & System Improvements: More than $27.2 million in improvements to wastewater treatment facilities, including blower improvements at the Godfrey Wastewater Treatment Plant; lift station improvements in Tolono and Homer Glen; and effluent sewer lining at the Alton Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“Illinois American Water is continually investing in the local communities where we operate, ensuring that water and wastewater infrastructure that is reaching the end of its useful life is replaced,” continued Losli. “Proactive capital investments are a crucial part of maintaining service reliability, water quality and water flows for fire protection in every community.”

Losli added that in addition to helping the company continue to provide safe, clean, reliable service for customers, this level of capital investment contributed to more than 4,200 jobs last year in Illinois.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Illinois American Water

Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.4 million people. American Water also operates a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

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"The capital investments we make across our systems in Illinois provide strong, sustainable and resilient infrastructure" said Rebecca Losli, President of Illinois American Water. Read more of the latest news from Illinois American Water!