Pennsylvania American Water on Dec. 30 recognized the 15th anniversary of its partnership with Conservation Consultants Inc. (CCI), which has provided more than 13,000 customers across the state with free water-saving devices, advice, and plumbing repairs through the Help to Others (H20) Program(TM).
"Thanks to our partnership with CCI, Pennsylvania American Water has been able to go beyond providing financial assistance to customers in need and actually help them incorporate wise water usage practices in their everyday lives," said Pennsylvania American Water President Kathy L. Pape. She added that the company is presenting CCI with a $1,000 donation to mark the anniversary.
The partnership with CCI began in 1993 as part of the water company's Help to Others program to assist customers across the commonwealth. The program provides eligible customers with assistance in three ways:
- 65-percent discount on their water bills’ monthly service charge.
- Grants of up to $500 per year.
- Water-saving devices and education on how to use water wisely, through CCI’s services.
"Pennsylvania American Water’s assistance to customers takes on another level of importance with the current state of the economy," said CCI Water Conservation Program Manager Patricia Lovelace. "The result is cost savings for these households and their efficient use of energy resources."
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical U.S. family of four spends around $820 every year on water and sewer fees, plus another $230 in energy charges for heating water. Families can save $115 a year in water supply charges and help protect the environment by applying simple water conservation tips, like finding and fixing plumbing leaks.
CCI enlists local plumbers to volunteer their time to install water-saving devices and address repairs, such as dripping faucets that waste significant amounts of water. Plumbers also install water-saving devices underwritten by CCI and Pennsylvania American Water, including toilet-tank displacement devices, faucet aerators, and low-flow showerheads.
The program is administered by the Dollar Energy Fund, which is an independent, non-profit organization established to help those in need pay their utility bills.CCI, based in Pittsburgh’s South Side, has been the leader in energy and water conservation, helping families and businesses for nearly 30 years. CCI works with local low-income families to help them lower their utility bills by using energy smarter. The company also works with small businesses and families giving advice on all things energy.
Pennsylvania American Water, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 2 million people.