CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A handful of organizations in the service area of West Virginia American Water Company are a part of a new program aimed to help the environment.
West Virginia American Water Company (WVAWC) announced recently that 10 organizations ranging from schools to government facilities will be in its pilot Bottle Filling Station Grant Program.
WVAWC said the program aims to provide reusable bottle filling stations to non-profit organizations, schools, and local government facilities with the purpose of reducing harmful plastic waste from single-use bottles and encouraging hydration and healthy living among users.
“This is for the environment, climate change and water pollution,” Megan Hannah, External Affairs Manager for WVAWC told 580-WCHS.
“We want to be a part of sparring change for people to think about using reusable water bottles and tap water versus bottled water.”
Hannah said that the application process showed a great need for the service with more than 90 organizations applying. She added that WVAWC originally planned on funding 4-5 programs but the response was overwhelming.
The Putnam County Public Library in Hurricane is one of the beneficiaries of the grant. Megan Tarbett, the Director of Putnam County Public Library told 580-WCHS that she is excited about this addition.
“Every day someone asks us about being able to fill their water bottles, where to get a drink of water while they are at the library,” Tarbett said. “That’s a need we were seeing and when this grant opportunity came up, we thought it was perfect.”
“We are very excited to be able to bring this to not only the patrons of Teays Valley, but we are the main library for the entire county so we are excited to be able to share that.”
A committee of WVAWC employees reviewed and selected the organizations including AD Lewis Community Center in Huntington, Salt Rock Elementary School in Salt Rock, Fayette County Public Library in Oak Hill, CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia Capitol Complex, Flinn Elementary School in Charleston, Lewis County High School, in Weston, Lewis County Park in Weston, and Mercer Elementary School in Princeton.