California American Water has contributed $10,500 to the Mark West Area Community Fund (MWACF), a non-profit looking to bring a new community park to a portion of Sonoma County that was devastated by the 2017 Tubbs Fire.

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California American Water supports the Mark West Area Community Fund to build a park at the site of a former preschool that burned down in the 2017 Tubbs Fire. (Photo: Business Wire)

MWACF is currently fundraising to purchase a one-acre empty lot in the heart of the Mark West Area, located at 4614 Old Redwood Highway. The site was once home to the Mark West Community Preschool, which burned down in the Tubbs Fire. If MWACF’s efforts are successful, the land will once again welcome the laughter of children and gathering of family, friends, and neighbors as the new Mark West Area Community Park. The nonprofit has a fundraising deadline of October 2023 to purchase the land for the park.

“We are very grateful to have California American Water’s support in our efforts to build our community’s first gathering plaza,” said Brad Sherwood, President of the Mark West Area Community Fund. “We hope this space will include elements like a community garden, pavilion, picnic tables, playground, and open space with native plants and trees to serve a diverse population with children, youth, and senior activities.”

On October 9, 2017, the raging Tubbs Fire destroyed homes and businesses throughout the Mark West Area. While much of the community has been rebuilt, MWACF leaders believe the new Mark West Area Community Park can serve as a catalyst for the continuing rebirth of the community.

“Our team knows firsthand the devastation that was caused by the Tubbs Fire,” said Nichole Baxter, External Affairs Manager for California American Water’s Northern Division. “We’re proud to partner and support the Mark West Area Community Fund and bring a family gathering space back to this awesome neighborhood that has worked so hard to rebuild.”

About California American Water

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 700,000 people.

About American Water

American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18^th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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