Illinois American Water Investing Approximately $2 Million in Champaign County to Replace and Install over 7,000 Feet of Water Main

Illinois American Water's Champaign County District is investing approximately $2 million to upgrade its water service distribution system. The investment includes replacing and installing over 7,000 feet of water main across the service area including Champaign, Urbana and Savoy.

A map of the proposed work can be viewed here – http://arcg.is/0Kr0uu. This investment notice does not include the water main extension project near Sadorus. That project, which includes over three miles of water main installation and is an investment of over $1.2 million, is nearing completion. Once completed, the Sadorus community will be connected to Illinois American Water's Champaign County water service distribution system.

According to Dave Farrar, senior manager of field operations and production, Illinois American Water's water main replacement program focuses on replacing mains where leaks occur, corrosion has caused damage or the size of the pipe isn't sufficient. Much of the pipe to be replaced will be upsized from 2-inch galvanized pipe to 6-inch and 8-inch ductile iron pipe. In addition several loops will be created within the distribution system to help ensure quality water service.

Farrar said, "Continuous investment in our local water infrastructure is critical for ensuring customers receive quality, reliable drinking water service. This work to replace and upgrade water mains will help ensure adequate water pressure and flow to homes, businesses and for fire protection. Water main replacements also help to decrease the occurrence of water main breaks and related traffic and service impact."

Customers affected directly by the work will be notified via letter about the impact and any necessary steps. The letter will include a local contact for questions. Illinois American Water reminds motorists traveling through construction zones to obey speed limits, focus on the road and discontinue cell phone use.

About Illinois American Water – Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water 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 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to over 14 million people in 45 states and Ontario, Canada. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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