Engineers from New Jersey American Water shared their expertise with aspiring seventh and eighth grade engineers from across the state at the National Engineering Week Future Cities Competition, held on Saturday, January 17, on the Busch Campus at Rutgers University.

“Water and the Economy” is the focus of this year’s Future Cities Competition. The students, who are charged with designing simulated cities of the future with self-sufficient water systems, flocked to the NJAW booth and peppered its engineers with in-depth questions about how the Company treats and delivers reliable water service to more than 2.5 million New Jersey residents.

The New Jersey American Water booth featured a barrel with a floating faucet and running water, an aquifer display, and a PowerPoint presentation that detailed the role engineering plays in the operation of a water utility. Students were given New Jersey American Water T-shirts and other take-away items as souvenirs.

“It was a pleasure to meet so many students who have a genuine interest in engineering and the water industry,” said Suzanne Chiavari, Vice President of Engineering, New Jersey American Water. “We were happy to give them a better understanding about the complexities of treating and supplying millions of gallons of water to homes throughout the state. New Jersey American Water wishes them well in the Future Cities competition and as they advance in their educational and professional careers.”

The Future City Competition is a part of the National Engineers Week activities; the program was developed for seventh and eighth grade students to help them discover and foster interests in math, science and engineering. The team that wins the regional competition will be invited to tour a New Jersey American Water Treatment Plant and will receive an all-expense paid trip to the national Future Cities finals in Washington, D.C. in February 2009.

New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.5 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada.

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