Waterford resident Fred Grimsey has received Aquarion Environmental Champion Award from Aquarion Water Co.

The company announced winners of the seventh annual awards at a ceremony on June 3 at Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport.

Aquarion accepted hundreds of nominations from across the state in four categories: business, nonprofit organization, adult and student (grades 9 to 12). The awards recognize volunteer projects that significantly have contributed to the improvement of environmental quality through the protection, conservation, restoration and stewardship of Connecticut’s water, air, soils, and plant and wildlife habitats, the company said in a news release.

This year’s business, nonprofit and adult winners received a $2,500 grant to the environmental nonprofit of their choice, and the student award was a $1,000 prize.

Grimsey was awarded for his work to improve the health of the Niantic River. He purchased a boat and began a pump-out service to remove waste from the tanks of pleasure craft using the river. Last year, his efforts kept 16,000 gallons of sewage out of the river and Long Island Sound, Aquarion said.

Grimsey also has worked to preserve the remaining natural areas of the Niantic River watershed with the nonprofit group Save the River-Save the Hills, the company said. He also launched a water quality monitoring program to help reduce runoff polluting the river during rainstorms.

Aquarion Water Co. is the public water supply company for more than 625,000 people in 51 cities and towns throughout Connecticut. In southeastern Connecticut, Aquarion supplies customers in Stonington and Mystic.