Reinforcing a shared dedication to environmental stewardship, New Jersey American Water and the American Water Charitable Foundation have presented a $35,000 grant to The Watershed Institute.
The funding is part of the Foundation’s 2026 Water and Environment Grant Program—an initiative under the Keep Communities Flowing framework that invests in clean water, conservation, and environmental education.
The awarded funds will directly support a critical community-based initiative titled Working with Community Members to Address the Threat of CyanoHABs. The project aims to build local capacity to identify, document, and prevent harmful cyanobacterial algal blooms (CyanoHABs) across the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed.
With this financial boost, The Watershed Institute will purchase advanced monitoring technology—including an AlgaeTorch, a FluoroProbe, and an ioLight microscope. These specialized tools will elevate detection and analysis capabilities for chlorophyll, phycocyanin, and phytoplankton communities.
The high-tech equipment will be utilized by approximately 55 volunteer community scientists conducting rigorous water quality checks across 80 monitoring locations through the institute’s established StreamWatch program.
Beyond field monitoring, the grant will fund educational presentations targeted at elected officials, local governments, environmental commissions, and area residents across the Stony Brook, Upper Millstone, and Lower Millstone watersheds. The outreach campaign is designed to increase public awareness regarding the causes of harmful algal blooms and practical mitigation strategies, ultimately strengthening long-term watershed resilience.
The initiative is projected to directly benefit roughly 300 individuals while indirectly reaching up to 3.5 million residents through public education and regional partnerships.
“Providing safe and reliable water is what we do, but giving back to the communities we serve is part of who we are,” Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water said. “Through the Foundation’s Water and Environment Grant Program, we’re proud to invest in local organizations that protect our water resources, educate future stewards and strengthen communities across New Jersey.”
Jim Waltman, Executive Director of The Watershed Institute, echoed that sentiment: “This grant will support The Watershed Institute’s efforts to better understand and prevent harmful algal blooms that threaten local waterways. With this funding, the organization will purchase new tools to improve detection and monitoring, while expanding community outreach to increase awareness and encourage actions that help protect our water quality.”
This year, the American Water Charitable Foundation awarded more than $179,000 through its Water and Environment Grant Program to ten non-profit organizations across New Jersey American Water’s service territory. To learn more about the Foundation’s philanthropic initiatives, visit the American Water Charitable Foundation Portal.
