NJ American Water grants $40K to five organizations

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In January, New Jersey American Water issued a call for applications for its 2023 Environmental Grant Program. On May 30, the Camden utility announced the five recipients of more than $40,000 in grants. 

The initiative offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and groundwater supplies in local communities. 

“We understand that clean water is not only essential for people but also crucial for the well-being of our environment. That’s why we take great pride in providing the funds needed to support these innovative projects,” Danielle Kearsley, environmental program lead, said in a statement. 

“Through investments in the restoration and protection of our watersheds, we actively contribute to the preservation of our precious water sources and the thriving ecosystems they support, helping to ensure their sustainability for generations to come,” Kearsley added. 

The 2023 Environmental Grant Awardees are:

Delaware River Greenway Partnership: $7,000

This partnership is an all-volunteer litter cleanup and tree-planting effort in Belvidere, benefiting the Pequest River, a key Delaware River tributary. 

Pinelands Preservation Alliance: $5,000

The alliance will use the funds to plant approximately 50 trees in Lumberton Township to assist in naturally retaining stormwater to help reduce flooding in the community through green infrastructure. 

Readington Township Environmental Commission: $10,000

This project will assist in locating the exact source of existing E. Coli impacts on the South Branch of the Rockaway Creek in Readington to determine whether it is due to malfunctioning septic systems or Bovine excretions. The Rockaway Creek flows in the Lamington River, which flows into the North Branch of the Raritan, which is used as drinking water for more than 1 million people in New Jersey.  

Somerset County Park Commission: $10,000

The commission’s reforestation project in Duke Island Park will help stabilize the riparian buffer along the lower Raritan River. The project will help replace trees lost during Hurricane Ida and the Emerald Ash Borer and ultimately allow for water quality improvements as native plant root systems will help to filter out toxins and help alleviate flooding.   

Toms River Environmental Commission: $8,430

These funds will be used for a pollinator garden in Ortley Beach, to be built between the parking lot and beach boardwalk between Coolidge Avenue and the oceanfront in Ortley Beach. 

Since its launch about 15 years ago, the Environmental Grant Program has provided more than $471,000 in funding to 56 community-based environmental projects, according to New Jersey American Water.