Students, Faculty and Staff in Salem City School District Gain Access to Clean Water Through New Hydration Stations
Photo Credit: New Jersey American Water
CAMDEN – The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., in partnership with New Jersey American Water, gathered with students, key faculty and staff members at Salem High School to celebrate the installation of new hydration stations made possible through the $25,000 State Strategic Impact grant. The ribbon cutting ceremony marked a major step forward in promoting student wellness and environmental sustainability throughout the Salem City School District.
“These new bottle filling stations will provide students and staff with greater access to clean, reliable tap water throughout the school day,” said Herbert Schectman, business administrator and board secretary for the Salem City Board of Education. “This investment promotes healthier lifestyle choices, builds trust in our local water supply and reduces plastic waste in our schools by providing sustainable hydration options – benefiting both our students and the environment.”
The Foundation grant funded the installation of six bottle filling stations across three schools, providing approximately 1,400 students, faculty and staff with access to safe, clean and reliable tap water. Each student also received a reusable water bottle to encourage healthy hydration habits and reduce single-use plastic waste.
“One of the best parts of this job is seeing meaningful projects like this come to life. We’re proud to partner with the American Water Charitable Foundation to invest in a healthier, more sustainable future for Salem students,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water and a member of the board of trustees for the American Water Charitable Foundation. “These stations not only provide students with easy access to clean, fresh water, but they also play a key role in teaching the importance of sustainability.”
“The hydration stations have been a wonderful addition for our students — they use them every day and truly appreciate having access to clean water,” said John R. Mulhorn, principal of Salem High School. “We’re grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation for supporting not just our school, but the entire district. It’s encouraging to see this kind of partnership, and I look forward to what we can continue to accomplish together in the future.”
Funding for this project was made possible through AWCF’s State Strategic Impact grant program which supports high-impact projects and initiatives throughout American Water’s footprint. State Strategic Impact grants are part of the Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing grant program, focused on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities.