BELLEVILLE – Illinois American Water recently announced that the application process is open for the company's 2013 Environmental Grant Program.

The grants support community-based environmental projects to improve, restore or protect watersheds, surface water, and groundwater supplies through partnerships.

The company will award grants of up to $10,000. The program is designed to support activities such as watershed cleanups, reforestation efforts, biodiversity projects, streamside buffer restoration projects, wellhead protection initiatives and hazardous waste collection efforts.