Artesian Resources' Dian C. Taylor Receives Prestigious Samuel S. Baxter Memorial Award

NEWARK, Del., April 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Artesian Resources Corporation (NASDAQ: ARTNA) announced today that Dian C. Taylor, Chair, President and CEO, was the recipient of the 2013 Samuel S. Baxter Memorial Award from the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin (WRADRB) at their 31^st Annual Recognition Dinner held April 17 at the Down Town Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Samuel S. Baxter Memorial Award, one of six awards presented, is given to an individual who best exemplifies the characteristics that Samuel S. Baxter exhibited in his long and successful career as a pioneer in water resource management.  "I am humbled and very much appreciative of the recognition given to me.  This award not only recognizes me personally, but the entire Artesian family.  We are committed to ensuring that sound water management remains one of the cornerstones of our mission," said Dian Taylor. The award was presented to Ms. Taylor by Delaware's Lieutenant Governor, Matt Denn who said "For over 100 years Artesian has contributed to the growth and vitality of our State.  Under Dian's leadership, the education of customers, the general public and school children on water conservation issues and environmental protection have been exemplary.  Her community outreach serves as an example of how one person can make a major impact on so many others." 

Beginning when Dian Taylor first assumed her role at Artesian in 1991, she worked to instill throughout the company the need to encourage customers to conserve water and protect the environment.  Under Dian's visionary leadership, Artesian has grown from serving water customers only in northern New Castle County, Delaware to being the largest investor-owned water utility on the Delmarva Peninsula.  As a result of her stewardship, Artesian now serves over 300,000 people across all three counties in Delaware and in a growing service territory in Cecil County, Maryland.

In 1992 she instituted Artesian's Water Education Program in local schools and they have now reached nearly 20,000 children across the Delmarva Peninsula.  Recognizing the importance of preserving and conserving our precious water resources, the Company embarked into total water resource management in 2004 when it commenced providing wastewater treatment services with land application of the reclaimed water.  Under Dian's leadership, in 2010 the Company instituted the Artesian Water Recycling Partnership, an initiative with the Town of Middletown and involving Delaware's Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Agriculture, which enables farmers to irrigate their fields with reclaimed water.  This partnership has put to beneficial use millions of gallons of reclaimed water each day, improving crop yields. 

About Samuel S. Baxter

Samuel S. Baxter was appointed the City of Philadelphia's first Water Commissioner in 1952.  As Commissioner his first objective was to remove contaminants from the city's drinking water which he accomplished after only one year.  He went on to have a long and successful career and was known as one of the nation's leading civil engineers.  He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and served as its President during the early 1970's.  Mr. Baxter was a member of the American Public Works Association and served as its national President in 1947.  He was also President of the American Water Works Association from 1965 to 1966.    

About the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin

The Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin (WRADRB) was established in 1959 by representatives from industry, public and private utilities and other organizations that had wide-ranging interests in water resources and sought to ensure public participation in the management of the Delaware River and its tributaries.  Their mission is to promote sound water resource management within the Delaware River Basin. 

About Artesian

Artesian Resources Corporation operates as the holding company of eight wholly-owned subsidiaries offering water, wastewater services and related services on the Delmarva Peninsula.  Artesian Water Company, the principal subsidiary, is the oldest and largest investor-owned water utility on the Delmarva Peninsula and has been providing superior water service since 1905.

SOURCE Artesian Resources Corporation