CHERRY HILL, N.J., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- A 14-member management team from Japan's Nippon Soda company, requested that their visit to the United States include a visit to New Jersey American Water's Canal Road water treatment plant in Somerset, NJ. The Japanese were just the latest in a line of international visitors that have come to New Jersey American Water in 2009 to see what many consider to be a flagship water treatment facility. Accompanied by a translator, the Japanese business men and women traveled from New York City to see how the northern New Jersey plant uses a unique mix of technologies to treat up to 80 million gallons of drinking water per day. Production Manager Oleg Kostin, who managed the initial construction of the facility briefed the group on the plant's history, and its integration into New Jersey American Water's system. "I feel like I birthed this plant," said Kostin. "It's my baby." It was a comment that, translated, drew quite a few laughs from the Japanese guests. "The group members were delighted with the warm reception they received in New Jersey," said Howard Sigman of the Consulate General of Japan. "In fact, they said the visit to the Somerset facility was the highlight of their trip to the US." New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE:AWK), 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. More information can be found by visiting http://www.amwater.com/. DATASOURCE: New Jersey American Water CONTACT: Richard Barnes of American Water, +1-856-310-2245, Web Site: http://www.njawater.com/

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