Illinois American Water and Village of Ransom to Celebrate Completion of Water Quality Project

Community Event Planned for Wednesday, April 19, at 2 PM

The Village of Ransom is celebrating the completion of a critical water quality project. The community is invited to attend the event on Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at 2 p.m. at Allen Township Fire Protection District located at 102 S. Lincoln Street in Ransom. Illinois American Water’s Mobile Education Center will be on site with fun activities and hands-on water testing.

Less than a year after acquiring the Village of Ransom water system and more than a decade since the Village drinking water system was placed under an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consent decree, Illinois American Water completed critical investments to deliver safe drinking water to residents. Illinois American Water resolved water quality issues by connecting Ransom’s distribution system to the company’s Streator District water system. This investment of approximately $2 million included installing 10 miles of water main and constructing a new pump station to ensure safe drinking water and adequate water pressure.

Prior to Illinois American Water ownership, the community water source had exceedingly high levels of radium and did not meet EPA safe drinking water standards. This led to the EPA issuing a consent decree for noncompliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

“Everyone should have access to safe drinking water at their tap. We are very proud to bring this critical service back to Ransom residents,” said Dave Clifton, operations superintendent for the Streator District.

Village of Ransom acting President Matt Hauser said, “The sale of the Village water system to Illinois American Water provided our community with needed quality water at an affordable price to the consumer. Their expertise and commitment to invest has provided a reliable benefit to our public health and economic future."

For more information about Illinois American Water, visit www.illinoisamwater.com.

About Illinois American Water

Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly-traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

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Illinois American WaterKaren CottonExternal Affairs Manager309-566-4126