FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 1, 2025
Contact: Patrick Starr, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Phone: (267) 479-6101
Email: [email protected]
PEC and Essential Utilities Announce Third Round of ‘Protect Your Drinking Water’ Grants
Philadelphia — September 28th through October 4th is Source Water Protection Week. In recognition of this event initiated by the American Water Works Association, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and Essential Utilities are pleased to announce the third round of grants aimed at improving the health of Pennsylvania waterways.
The “Protect Your Drinking Water” program will award grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for watershed protection and education projects that address pollutants of concern to public water supplies, such as fertilizer runoff, road salts and bacteria. In its 2024 and early 2025 rounds, the program awarded over $87,000 to eight organizations in the Chester/Ridley/Crum, East Branch of Brandywine Creek, and Neshaminy Creek Watershed areas. The 2026 grants will not only focus on the above-noted watershed areas but will also address groundwater sources of drinking water in specific areas of Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester Counties.
The grant program, administered by PEC’s Water Team in partnership with Essential Utilities, is made possible thanks to a generous donation through the company’s Essential Foundation.
“Success stories submitted by our 2024 grant awardees highlight on-the-ground projects such as a rain garden and stream side tree planting, along with a range of public education events such as Stream Learning Days, a STEM Summer Camp, and Back to School Science Days,” said PEC Senior Program Manager Paul Racette. “Our current grantees are hard at work installing a meadow, promoting residential stormwater management practices, launching an ‘adopt-a-buffer’ stream bank planting program, and more.“
The goal of the program is to raise awareness and engage new partners in source water protection. Effective source water protection helps reduce public health risks and water treatment costs, among other benefits to communities and the environment.
Grants will fund projects such as green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), stream bank stabilization, agricultural best management practices, spill prevention planning, groundwater recharge, and educational programming. Outcomes could include on-the-ground projects, as well as the development and implementation of citizen, municipal, and student educational programs.
PEC is committed to empowering the public to be active, informed stewards. Educating people about where their drinking water comes from is an essential step toward improving the health and function of our local waterways.
“Through this grant program, we are calling on our communities to help us Protect Your Drinking Water,” said Essential’s Corporate Giving and Community Affairs Lead, Krista Seng. “With PEC’s assistance, we have been able to build meaningful partnerships to help safeguard our sources for current customers and future generations. Investing in these projects helps to improve water quality over time and educates more people on the link between waterways and their tap water, as well as the role we all can play in keeping it safe.”
The grant application opens on October 22, 2025. Please visit PEC’s website for more information: https://pecpa.org/apply. Applications will be due by January 16, 2026, at 5:00 pm EST.
About PEC
Founded in 1970, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC)’s mission is to protect and restore the natural and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education, and advocacy. We work closely with government, business, nonprofit, and community stakeholders to advance our shared goals in energy and climate policy, trail development and outdoor recreation, watershed protection and restoration, reforestation, and conservation-focused economic development. PEC is active throughout the Commonwealth, with regional offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, State College, and Dallas, PA. Learn more at www.pecpa.org.
About Essential Utilities
Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting thousands of acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint. Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across nine states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. Learn more at www.essential.co.