New Jersey American Water has opened its 16th annual Volunteer Fire and EMS Grant Program, accepting applications through April 10, 2026. Since 2011, the company has awarded 332 grants totaling more than $451,000 to 207 volunteer fire departments and emergency response units across its New Jersey service area. This year, eligible organizations can request up to $2,500 per grant for personal protective gear, communications equipment, first aid supplies, firefighting tools, vehicle maintenance and training costs. A committee of New Jersey American Water employees—many of whom serve as volunteer responders—will evaluate proposals to ensure funds address frontline operational needs. The initiative underscores American Water’s commitment to community resilience and supports critical emergency infrastructure, reinforcing stakeholder confidence in the company’s local engagement strategy.

As part of routine annual maintenance, New Jersey American Water will convert its Swimming River plant in Colts Neck and its Jumping Brook plant in Neptune from chloramine to free chlorine disinfection from the week of February 16 until mid-April 2026. These facilities serve approximately 2.9 million customers in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Customers may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor during the period, which the company has advised can be mitigated by refrigerating water in open containers. Throughout the changeover, water quality will be monitored continuously to ensure compliance with federal and state standards. This planned process safeguards long-term water quality and system integrity while demonstrating disciplined operational protocols that mitigate regulatory risk.

Rebecca Losli, President of Illinois American Water—a subsidiary of American Water—has been selected for the 2027 Honorary Commanders program at Scott Air Force Base. Over the next two years, she will partner with Col. Jeffrey A. Smith to deepen engagement between American Water’s Military Services Group, which serves 18 installations and 670,000 military customers, and the base’s 932nd Airlift Wing. This appointment enhances American Water’s strategic relationships within the defense community, bolstering the company’s reputation as a reliable provider of critical water services on military installations and potentially positioning it favorably for future contract renewals or expansions in the federal sector.