American Water Works : Iowa American Water Issues Drinking Water Safety Assurance

Davenport, IA (July 8, 2024) As the Mississippi River is forecast to crest at 20 feet today, residents in the Iowa Quad Cities served by Iowa American Water can rest assured that their drinking water continues to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Safe Drinking Water Act standards and regulations.

Despite the flooding that is occurring in the Quad Cities, Iowa American Water's treatment plant along the bank of the Mississippi River is secure and protected by the permanent floodwall that was constructed in collaboration with the U.S. Corps of Engineers. The $11.8 million project, a 2,200-ft long floodwall completed in October 2013, is an example of a successful public/private partnership. Iowa American Water partnered with the Corps of Engineers and the City of Davenport.

"We want to stress to our customers that their drinking water continues to meet all U.S. EPA standards for safety. As we always do, we will continue to take all safety precautions necessary to protect our water treatment facility as well as water quality to continue to provide our customers the reliable, high quality water service they expect and deserve from us," said Brad Nielsen, vice president of Operations for Iowa American Water. "Our water professionals remain vigilant and proactive, continuously monitoring the quality of the water as it travels through our treatment facility and adjusting our treatment processes accordingly."

Iowa American Water continually monitors water quality-sampling the Mississippi River water and the water as it passes through the various stages of the treatment process. Based on the results of testing, the company has confidence that the water continues to be safe.

The floodwall protects the water treatment plant to a river stage of 29.33 feet. The previous flood of record in the Quad Cities was in May 2019, when the river stage reached 22.70 feet. "Protecting our customers' drinking water supply is our number one priority at Iowa American Water, and the permanent floodwall safeguards the drinking water supply for over 130,000 residents in the Iowa Quad Cities," Nielsen added. "It's business as usual at our customers' taps because we're going the extra mile on our end."

Iowa American Water's Clinton District is served by seven deep wells and is unaffected by the current flooding.

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 6,500 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.

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