New tool illustrates active water projects
Pennsylvania American Water: Map lets customers see where some of their dollars are being spent
HARRISBURG » Pennsylvania America Water has unveiled a new tool that lets customers view details about water and wastewater pipe projects across the company’s service areas.
The company recently unveiled a userfriendly, interactive web-based map showing its 2017 infrastructure upgrade projects. The map displays project details, dollars invested and streets with planned upgrades, and is one way for customers to see how the money they spend on water each month is being used.
“Often, customers do not see their water bills at work because we may not be upgrading infrastructure in their neighborhood, and underground water and wastewater pipes are typically considered out of sight, out of mind,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Jeffrey McIntyre in a press release. “This innovative tool showcases our projects and provides details using an interactive map that is accessible from any computer or smartphone.”
The interactive map can be accessed at https://amwater.com/paaw/waterquality/system-updates .
Once on the site, visitors will see a view of Pennsylvania, with blue circles that show the total number of projects in specific areas — projects that are underway or already complete.
The map allows users to pan and zoom in to specific areas, using their computer mouse or the (+) and (-) symbols in the upper left corner, according to directions on the site.
At the bottom of the screen, a summary of the number of projects, total dollars invested and length of upgraded water lines are shown. As visitors zoom in, they will be able to see information about projects close to
home, in their neighborhood or on their street. Projects shown on the map are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Fifty-two cents of every dollar of a customer’s monthly bill is reinvested into system improvements and replacing aging infrastructure, McIntyre said, while 29 cents is directed to operating expenses such as fuel and power. The remaining 19 cents
goes for tax-related costs.
Pennsylvania American Water typically invests $250 million to $300 million for maintenance and upgrades to its water and wastewater systems, according to a press release.
“It is widely known that our nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure is aging and needs to be repaired or replaced,” McIntyre said. “Our engineering and operations teams work closely with
local communities to identify problem areas, which helps us plan where to proactively replace and upgrade our infrastructure. For customers, it means improved service reliability, water quality and fire protection.”
Pennsylvania American Water is a subsidiary of American Water, the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing water and/or wastewater services to approximately
2.3 million people.
The company serves approximately 670,000 water and wastewater customers in 36 counties across Pennsylvania including approximately 21,000 customers in Berks County, 49,000 in Montgomery County and 12,000 in Chester County.