Charleston, W.Va. – September 29, 2026 -- West Virginia American Water has rolled out FlowCam flow-imaging technology to rapidly detect algae and cyanobacteria in source-water samples, part of a broader push during American Water Works Association's Source Water Protection Week (September 27 to October 3) to reduce contamination risks and treatment costs across its supply network.
The utility, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), serves approximately 610,000 people in the state and employs around 315 people.
FlowCam imaging enables earlier detection of biological changes in water supplies
The flow-imaging system captures high-resolution images of algae and cyanobacteria, allowing faster organism classification and enumeration. This supports quicker treatment decisions before contamination escalates.
Elk River pilot program tests upstream monitoring equipment above drinking-water intake
The ongoing pilot evaluates monitoring hardware along the Elk River to track water-quality changes upstream of the company's intake point. Objectives include assessing equipment performance, establishing seasonal baseline conditions and strengthening operational response capabilities.
Utility coordinates with ORSANCO and emergency agencies on interstate spill response
West Virginia American Water participates in the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, supporting interstate monitoring for water quality, harmful algal blooms, organics detection and spill response across the Ohio River Basin. The company also actively coordinates with emergency-management agencies to strengthen spill notification, sampling readiness and incident-response procedures.
Separately, the utility is collaborating with West Virginia forestry partners and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on watershed stewardship tied to forested land health and long-term drinking-water reliability.
Company urges customers to adopt year-round runoff-reduction practices
"Protecting our source water is the first step in providing safe, clean, reliable drinking water," said Scott Wyman, West Virginia American Water President, noting that reduced pollution in rivers, lakes and groundwater lowers treatment costs.
The company is asking residents and businesses to use permeable landscaping materials such as mulch, avoid over-applying chemicals before rainfall, keep pet and yard waste out of storm drains, switch to non-toxic household products, and dispose of pharmaceuticals and hazardous waste through designated collection sites rather than flushing or dumping them.