Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of the state’s largest investor-owned water utility American Water, recently launched a website that allows customers to see where their utility payments are being used.
The user-friendly online map is accessible from any computer or mobile device. It shows the locations and details of water and wastewater pipe improvement projects expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
The utility plans to invest approximately $355 million this year.
“Investing in our infrastructure is a key component to providing reliable service today and for future generations,” Jeffrey McIntyre, Pennsylvania American Water president, said. “We are committed to showing our customers how we are putting their water bills to work on replacing and upgrading aging infrastructure to keep their service reliable and affordable, and we want to be transparent about when and where these infrastructure projects are taking place.”
Communicating projects to customers has always been a challenge, McIntyre said, but the map can be used to build awareness.
McIntyre cited a J.D. Power water utility survey that concluded customers are more satisfied with a water utility when they know the utility is replacing old infrastructure.
American Water provides drinking water, wastewater, and other related services to approximately 14 million people.