Kentucky American Water

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 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing.

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Current Sustainable Practices

Sustainability Management and the Green Team

  • Designate a Sustainability Coordinator or Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.
  • Provide time for quarterly updates from Sustainability Coordinator in upper management meetings.

Awareness, Education, and Outreach

  • Include a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
  • Provide a sustainability information board in a common area such as a break room or kitchen.
  • Include a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
  • Host annual trainings or workshops to educate employees about sustainability issues, policies and procedures.
  • Promote sustainability accomplishments in external marketing materials (website, social media, newsletter, press releases, TV/radio ads).
  • Provide volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
  • Host an environmental event at your location.
  • Sponsor an environmental booth at an existing community event.
  • Participate in a present or attend sustainability workshop.

Energy Efficiency

  • Establish a power-down policy and checklist that includes items such as shutting off lights at night.
  • Set water heater thermostats to a maximum of 120 degrees or install an inline water heater.
  • Apply for energy credits, rebates or incentives
  • Sign up for a green energy program with your electric provider
  • Replace incandescent or CFL lights with LED lights 25-50% replacement.
  • Delamp vending machines.
  • Establish a regular filter maintenance policy for your HVAC system.
  • Have your HVAC system evaluated every 2 years by a certified service provider.
  • Establish a policy for purchasing that requires Energy Star rated appliances and electronics.
  • Establish a dress code that encourages employees to dress for thermal comfort.
  • Assess energy consumption by conducting a plug load inventory.
  • Install power strips for computers and equipment to power down during non-business hours.
  • Install programmable thermostats and use them to adjust temperature during unoccupied hours.
  • Install occupancy sensors in bathrooms, meeting room, and other infrequently used areas.
  • Conduct an energy audit or assessment (within the last three years).
  • Install or upgrade to energy efficient fans.
  • Install energy efficient (i.e. Energy Star) rated windows in all conditioned spaces.
  • Insulate roof to control energy loss.
  • Install efficiency-rated HVAC of minimum standard SEER rating of 14.0.
  • Take measures to insulate HVAC system and ductwork to minimize heat loss.
  • Assess building envelope and address any leaks.
  • Daylight work spaces wherever possible.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

  • Implement a basic recycling program.
  • Conduct a waste audit (within the past two years).
  • Provide clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas. Recycling bins must be paired with a waste bin.
  • Train and require janitorial service or staff responsible for cleaning to segregate waste and recyclable materials.
  • Use reusable mugs and dishware instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
  • Establish a policy for environmentally friendly printing such as two-sided printing, reusing copy paper, and electronic document sharing.
  • Establish an electronic waste policy that diverts all e-waste away from landfill.
  • Replace at least 50% of paper stock with post-consumer recycled paper.
  • Develop or participate in an existing composting program.

Water Quality

  • Establish a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
  • Organize or participate in a storm drain stenciling.
  • Establish a policy for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease, distribute to staff, and post in key areas.
  • Perform a stormwater pollution survey on your property with BGGS staff or other qualified professional.
  • Coordinate or participate in a community litter clean-up.
  • Install outdoor ash trays to prevent cigarette litter, and make pocket ash trays available to staff who smoke.
  • Before washing parking lots, sweep debris/litter and do not use cleaners.

Water Conservation

  • Assess, track, and document water consumption using Energy Star Portfolio Manager or similar program.
  • Conduct a water audit within the last three years. Monitor and record water usage, check indoor and outdoor pipes and fixtures for drips and leaks.
  • Establish a policy for purchase of high efficiency (i.e. WaterSense) rated fixtures and appliances.
  • Install water efficient faucets in all of the restrooms.
  • Install water efficient toilets in all of the restrooms.

Water Quality

  • Establish a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
  • Organize or participate in a storm drain stenciling.
  • Establish a policy for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease, distribute to staff, and post in key areas.
  • Harvest rainwater through rain barrel system.
  • Perform a stormwater pollution survey on your property with BGGS staff or other qualified professional.
  • Establish preventative maintenance program for sanitary sewer lateral lines on your property.
  • Post information in restrooms about proper disposal of flushable wipes and other items.
  • Coordinate or participate in a community litter clean-up.
  • Install outdoor ash trays to prevent cigarette litter, and make pocket ash trays available to staff who smoke.
  • Before washing parking lots, sweep debris/litter and do not use cleaners.

Urban Forestry and Landscapes

  • Participate in a community reforestation project.
  • Establish a sustainability statement for landscape contracts.
  • Establish a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting.
  • Establish an Integrated Pest Management policy to reduce use of pesticides in the landscape.
  • Establish environmentally friendly lawn care policies to reduce chemical pesticide and fertilizer use.
  • Plant a pollinator garden.
  • Plant a rain garden.
  • Audit irrigation system for leaks (within last three years).
  • Adjust irrigation system to water during cool periods

Sustainable Purchasing

  • Establish a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in your workplace.
  • Establish a policy to purchase non-Styrofoam cups and plates for use at the workplace or at events.
  • Establish a policy for purchasing locally, if available.
  • Establish a policy to purchase/lease EPA SmartWay Certified fuel-efficient vehicles.

Transportation Efficiency

  • Establish an incentives or recognition program to encourage employees to use alternative transportation, such as carpooling, bicycling, or use of public transit.
  • Establish and implement a no-idling policy.
  • Hold an employee seminar highlighting alternative modes of transportation.
  • Adopt a telecommuting option and make it available to employees.
  • Install weather-protected bike storage (indoor or outdoor).
  • Provide employee shower and dressing room facility.
  • Offer a group bicycle education/training opportunity.

Member since 2021