News Release

“Water Works: 150 Years of the Louisville Water Company”
Historic Exhibit to Premier October 23rd as part of a Communitywide Celebration

Visitors and residents alike will get a chance to see how Louisville water is filtered, touch a leather bucket that served as an early firefighting tool and taste what the American Water Works Association called the “Best Tasting Tap Water in the Country,” all as part of a new historical exhibit that will highlight the history and innovation of the first 150 years of the Louisville Water Company.

“Water Works: 150 Years of the Louisville Water Company” is in development at the Frazier International History Museum and is scheduled to premier Saturday, October 23, 2010 as the culmination of a months-long schedule of anniversary events for Louisville Water Company. The interactive exhibit will continue through March 27, 2011 at the museum, located at Ninth and West Main Streets. It will include memorabilia, photographs, original architectural renderings and video storytelling, all designed to illustrate the company’s history and how “water works” throughout the community. One continuous display will follow water along its path through pipelines right to a home sink. Louisville Water manages more than 4,000 miles of pipe today.

“We are excited that through this partnership we will be able to tell our unique story in such powerful and visual ways,” said Louisville Water Company President and CEO Greg Heitzman. “As we revisit our history, we can also celebrate the incredible innovation that we have brought to this community the past 150 years.”

In the late 1800’s Louisville Water pioneered research that led to the development of filtration and later was one of the first water companies in the country to add fluoride to its drinking water, promoting the reduction in tooth decay.

Said Frazier Museum Executive Director Madeline Burnside, PhD., “The Louisville Water Company’s wonderful archive and rich history of innovation, locally and nationally, make the partnership on this exhibit a natural. Continuing the trend we began with the Fontaine Ferry and WWII exhibits, the Frazier Museum has an interest in showcasing the impact the water company has made on this community and beyond.”

The Frazier assigned a curatorial team early this year and the museum and utility have collaborated on timelines, artifacts and display development. The exhibit will include an opening reception to highlight water company employees, museum members and special guests.

Approved school curricula and tours and outreach programming will complement the finished exhibit.

Louisville Water Company launched its 150 year anniversary celebration in March with the dedication of new historic markers and expanded tours called “Walking Wednesdays” at the Crescent Hill Reservoir and Gatehouse off of Frankfort Avenue.

Additional anniversary activities include restoration of the original pumping station and historic Water Tower and a juried art exhibit there in partnership with the Louisville Visual Art Association.

A number of events and activities are still being developed and scheduled.  Updated event information is available at www.louisvillewater.com or by calling 502.569.3695.

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Louisville Water Company supplies drinking water to over 780,000 people in Louisville Metro, Bullitt, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer Counties.  The company produces an average of 124 million gallons of drinking water each day.

2010 marks the 150^th anniversary of Louisville Water Company.  As Kentucky’s first public water utility, Louisville Water is recognized for its quality, innovation and value.