South Central Reporter

Illinois American Water said in late January that it would provide up to $10,000 in grant funding to companies that demonstrate environmentally innovative projects.

The grant is titled the "2021 Environmental Grant Program."

"More than $247,000 has been contributed to 74 projects since the program began in 2009," Illinois American Water President Justin Ladner told Ed Glen Today. "At Illinois American Water, we know how precious our water resources are, and we want to do our part to protect the environment. We are excited to also partner with local environmental heroes to improve, protect, and restore watersheds."

Illinois American Water offering environmental grants. | Adobe Stock

Past projects awarded grant money included watershed repair, reforestation projects, biodiversity projects, well and water protection efforts, hazardous waste and environmental education, among others.

To qualify, a company must do its business in the Illinois American Water service area and complete the project between May 1 and Nov. 30.

The grants will be awarded to those entities that initiated a new community-based project or expanded on an existing one.

Project designers can be two or more organizations in a partnership and must demonstrate the project will be sustainable after the grant money is used.

Last year, Illinois American awarded eight grants totaling more than $25,000 to such companies and organizations as the Bolingbrook Park District, DuPage River and the Hidden Lakes Bank Stabilization and Habitat Enforcement project, the latter to control sediment deposits in a stream bed.

Other projects included educational efforts about water quality, watershed improvements such as trash cleanup and increasing the efficiency of storm runoff drainage.

Ladner said the grant money could be awarded to a wide variety of innovative environmental solutions.

"Everyone has the ability to positively impact their local watershed and source water," Ladner said. "Some of our greatest water savers are our young customers who turn off the water when brushing their teeth and remind their parents to do the same. Everyone can be an environmental hero."

The application deadline is Wednesday, March 31.