West Virginia American Water announced today that its president, Jeff McIntyre, is providing testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on the West Virginia Freedom Industries chemical spill.

McIntyre is presenting the details of the water company’s response. Among the details McIntyre provided were the company’s priorities since the event began.

“I would like to underscore West Virginia American Water’s focus during the Freedom Industries chemical spill and aftermath,” added McIntyre. “Safety is our #1 priority. Throughout this event, our primary focus has been and remains the safety of our customers and employees.

Continuous sampling, testing, and treatment is critical. During emergency events like this one, we evaluate the source water entering the system, treat it as deemed necessary or appropriate, and take additional corrective or protective measures – such as boil water advisories and “Do Not Use” orders such as the one that was implemented here – if necessary. For example, we have performed more than 2,500 analyses since the Freedom Industries chemical spill. We also operate as part of the emergency response team alongside local, state, and federal authorities.

Our present objective is no detectable MCHM in the distribution system water. We are continuing to flush and sample water throughout the distribution system until there is a non-detect level of MCHM (less than 0.01ppm/10 ppb) at all of the sample locations.

We are partnering with local, state and federal officials. We remain fully committed to working with federal, state, and local authorities to provide information, address concerns, and protect our customer’s tap water.

We strive to provide our customers with nothing less than clean, safe drinking water. We will work with the state health authorities to assure our customers in the Kanawha Valley that their water is both clean and in full compliance with all applicable Safe Drinking Water Act standards and requirements.”

McIntyres’s written testimony will be posted at 10:30 a.m. on West Virginia American Water’s website, in the press resources section and at http://www.amwater.com/wvaw/about-us/news.html.

West Virginia American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 550,000 people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.westvirginiaamwater.com.

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