Member News

Veolia Water North America Enters 2010 with Four Wins

Veolia Water North America started 2010 with four public-private partnership (PPP) wins, representing significant environmental cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Though diverse in their size and scope, the four PPP contracts demonstrate real commitment to helping communities address their environmental challenges while helping ratepayers and municipal leaders with reduced costs during difficult economic times. The four contracts are collectively valued at approximately $75 million.

"Veolia Water North America continues to be on the right track as it enters 2010," said Laurent Auguste, president and CEO of Veolia Water Americas. "The company is unwavering in its mission to provide sustainable solutions and value to support the increasingly difficult challenges for cities in the 21st century. Despite these economic hard times, we continue to grow our business by taking care of customers and by focusing on account management, numerous contract renewals and new business development."

As the benchmark innovator for public-private partnerships, Veolia Water moves into 2010 positioned to help communities address the contemporary trends of population growth, more stringent environmental requirements, cost-effectiveness and economic development.

The 2009 contract wins include:

In Lithia, Fla. (near Tampa), Veolia Water was selected by Tampa Bay Water in a competitive procurement to engineer, procure the new equipment and provide construction management services (EPCM) for a new ozonation process to enhance sulfide removal at the Lithia Hydrogen Sulfide Removal Facility, which is operated by TBW partner Hillsborough County. The total contract budget is estimated at approximately $40 million.

In Gloucester, Mass., Veolia Water entered into a partnership to handle operations and maintenance of the city's potable water and wastewater treatment facilities. Under the terms of the five-year, $15 million contract, Veolia Water will partner with the city to improve drinking water quality and water infrastructure for the city's wastewater and water treatment facilities. The city will continue to retain control of all its assets and all employees from the old facility will be retained.

In Novato, Calif. (in Marin County north of San Francisco), Veolia Water entered into a five-year partnership for startup, operation and maintenance of the district's new wastewater treatment facilities, and the decommissioning of the old wastewater facilities. The five-year contract is valued at approximately $10 million and includes the option for two, three-year renewals. Veolia Water's guaranteed price for five years will provide the district with cost savings in excess of $7 million and guarantee environmental compliance to district ratepayers. In addition, all eligible municipal employees were provided job opportunities with Veolia Water in Novato and their current status as members of the Teamsters' union will be honored.

In Port Angeles, Wash. (north of Seattle), the National Park Service (NPS) retained Veolia Water to operate and maintain a new $65 million water treatment plant on the Elwha River. Per the five-year, $5 million contract, Veolia Water operates and manages the 53 MGD surface water treatment facility to mitigate any negative water quality impact from the removal of two dams, aimed at supporting the repopulation of Chinook salmon, an endangered fish species. In addition to maintaining water quality and meeting performance standards, Veolia Water's overall responsibility includes mitigating negative impacts to fish passage caused by the dam decommissioning.

"These public-private partnerships all offer tremendous benefit to taxpayers, from environmental and water quality improvements to cost savings and greater public control," said Auguste. "They offer an excellent example of how the strength of the public and private sectors can forge great environmental benefits for the public good. We're looking forward to continuing our record of success as we start 2010."

American Water's Laura Monica Named to New Jersey's 2010 Best 50 Women in Business

Laura Monica

American Water Works Company Inc., the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company, just announced that Laura Monica, senior vice president of corporate communications and external affairs, was named one of New Jersey's 2010 Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ.

Monica, who currently serves as chair of NAWC’s Communications Committee, is being honored for her extraordinary leadership in re-engineering American Water's external affairs functions; spearheading a national communications campaign to educate customers and other audiences about the company and the complexities of the water industry; initiating the company's first formal corporate social responsibility program; and serving as a role model within the New Jersey–based national company. NAWC board members, and other committee leaders, will be able to personally offer their congratulations on March 2, 2010, during the Winter Leadership Meeting where Monica is slated to make a presentation on behalf of her new committee.

NJBIZ's 2010 Best 50 Women in Business honors 50 women who are shaping the economic future of New Jersey through their commitment to business growth, professional excellence and the community. Monica, along with her fellow honorees, will be recognized in a gala awards ceremony in Somerset, N.J., on April 7, 2010, and featured in the April 12 edition of NJBIZ.

Severn Trent Services Receives Environmental Business Journal Award for Products that Advance the State of the Art in Water and Wastewater Treatment

For the second consecutive year, Severn Trent Services received the Environmental Business Journal’s (EBJ) Technology Merit Award in the Water/Wastewater category as part of the Journal’s annual EBJ Business Achievement Awards. According to the EBJ, the company was recognized “for the introduction of several new products that advance the state of the art in water and wastewater treatment.” The products include the MicroDynamics® Closed Vessel Microwave Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system; the Capital Controls® Series 70CV3000 Chloromatic™ Intelligent Gas Flow Control Valve and the Severn Trent De Nora OMNIPURE™ Series 55 and MARINER OMNIPURE® Series M55 marine sanitation systems. The 2009 award will be presented by EBJ, a leading business newsletter for the environmental industry, at the 2010 Environmental Industry Summit, March 3–5, 2010, in San Diego.

The annual EBJ Business Achievement Awards program recognizes firms for their strong financial performance and growth as well as for specific projects or other business achievements, which are significant in the advancement of the environmental industry.

Severn Trent Services’ MicroDynamics closed vessel microwave powered UV disinfection system features an innovative UV design for water applications that uses microwave energy to energize electrodeless lamps. The system offers extended bulb life and reliability, operating cost savings, and health and safety benefits for employees on site due to its unique design. The bulb replacement and maintenance costs of MicroDynamics systems can be as little as half of competing UV technologies, primarily driven by the unique microwave powered electrodeless lamps.

The company’s new Capital Controls Series 70CV3000 Chloromatic intelligent gas flow control valve is a wall-mounted system designed for automatic control of chemical feed in water or wastewater applications. The Series 70CV3000 is an integrated, microprocessor-based controller with control valve that responds to multiple process signals from a water flow transmitter or chlorine residual analyzer. The system eliminates the need for continuous operator monitoring and manual adjustment of the gas feed rate resulting from changes in flow or residual levels. The automation of the chemical feed process yields a reduction in gas consumption for water and wastewater utilities, since manual system feed rates are based on peak process conditions.

Severn Trent De Nora’s OMNIPURE Series 55 and MARINER OMNIPURE Series M55 marine sanitation systems are designed to meet stringent new MEPC.159(55) effluent standards and performance tests for sewage treatment plants across a variety of offshore and marine installations. These standards, adopted by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environmental Protection Committee, apply to all sewage treatment systems installed on board on or after January 1, 2010. Both products incorporate a highly effective electrolytic technology that produces a sodium hypochlorite disinfection solution from seawater in the presence of sewage to effectively treat all sewage. The systems have received Bureau Veritas Process Type approval for IMO Resolution MEPC.159(55).

Tennessee American Water’s Unique $1.6 Million Upgrade of Lookout Mountain

Tennessee American Water announced the start of an approximately $1.6 million unique water main replacement and upgrade project for improved water service to Lookout Mountain. The project will replace water pipes dating back to the early 1920s.

“The new water mains will enhance service reliability, water pressure, fire protection and allow for continued growth in both Lookout Mountain, Tennessee and Georgia,” said John Watson, president of Tennessee American Water.

Perhaps the most unique aspect to this project is what will be used during the construction. The bluff where the construction will take place is about a half-mile south of the Incline Railway. The slope is nearly vertical in some places. The challenging terrain and elevation will require the use of mules to carry equipment, zip lines to transport tools and materials, and a 240-ton truck crane to lift pipes and rock climbing equipment for construction workers.

“This is not your garden variety pipeline construction project,” said Watson. “Because much of the work occurs on United States National Park Service (USNPS) land, we had to take great pains to be sure the existing hiking trails remained unimpeded by the water line so a wooded pedestrian bridge will be constructed over a portion of the water main.”

The Lookout Mountain project will replace 1,000 feet of 8-inch and 12-inch welded steel water main positioned vertically on the east brow of Lookout Mountain. The main has been in service for about 90 years and is the sole water supply for the residents of Lookout Mountain in both Tennessee and Georgia.

“Over the years this main has been damaged by occasional rock slides and normal shifts, and changes to the hard-to-reach bluffs and terrain resulting from weather,” said Watson.

The water mains will be replaced with two 12-inch steel and 12-inch ductile iron water mains.
The higher pressure and aerial portion of the project will use steel pipe, while the underground portions of the project will use ductile iron.

Tennessee American Water expects to complete the project in May. Tennessee American Water is committed to making continued investment in its water system. In the last 15 years the company has invested more than $115 million in improvements and upgrades to respond to growth and new federal and state regulations for water quality. Yet, water still costs less than a penny a gallon.

“These regular, annual investments are necessary to maintain the high-quality, reliable service our customers have come to expect and to position the community for economic growth,” said
Watson.

Connecticut Water to Acquire Assets of Jensen Communities’ Water Systems

The Connecticut Water Company has purchased the water systems of Jensen Communities’ properties in Killingworth and Mansfield, Conn. Under the arrangement, approximately 1,000 residents of the Jensen Communities would become CWC customers, and CWC will own, operate and maintain the water system infrastructure necessary to provide water service.

The Jensen Beechwood Community in Killingworth has 300 homes, while the Rolling Hills community in Mansfield has 200 residences. Both properties are designated for people age 55 and over. Connecticut Water currently serves over 88,000 customers or nearly 300,000 people in 54 communities in Connecticut, including customers in two small water systems in Mansfield.

“We look forward to serving the residents of both communities and providing them with high-quality water and service,” said Eric W. Thornburg, Connecticut Water president and CEO. “We are committed to addressing any water quality issues now and in the future.” Connecticut Water has more than 225 employees, including highly qualified professional engineers, water treatment and distribution system operators and customer service representatives who will work to ensure the newly acquired customers receive safe, reliable drinking water and quality service.”

CWC is already planning to address water quality issues that have affected Jensens’ Beechwood system in Killingworth. The Beechwood water system has exceeded the standard or maximum contaminant level (MCL) for uranium, which can be naturally occurring in some water supplies. Connecticut Water will evaluate treatment options, obtain regulatory approval and invest in the technology necessary to bring the Beechwood system into compliance with water quality standards. The Rolling Hills water system is in compliance with drinking water regulations.

CWC has also reached an agreement to acquire the customers and assets of the Hawk’s Nest Beach Water Company (Hawks Nest) in Old Lyme, Conn., for $300,000. In addition to serving 105 customers, or about 350 people, Hawks Nest has water supply resources that CWC can use to supplement its supply for existing customers in Old Lyme. The acquisition requires the approval of the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC). A decision by the DPUC is expected later this year.

These are the fourth and fifth acquisitions announced or completed by Connecticut Water since 2008. In January 2008, CWC added 6,600 people through the acquisition of the Eastern Operations of Birmingham Utilities, and in January 2009, the company added another 2,250 through the completed acquisition of the Ellington Acres Company. In August 2009, Connecticut Water acquired the Legend Hills water system in Madison, provided treatment for uranium removal, and extended the system to serve two public schools. When combined, these acquisitions have increased the number of people served by CWC by approximately 10,000.

SouthWest Water-Operated Water Wells Receive High Scores from Mississippi State Department of Health

SouthWest Water Company announced that the Mississippi State Department of Health awarded high scores to three wells the company operates for the Pearl River County Utility Authority (PRCUA). The PRCUA coordinates the delivery of water, wastewater and storm water services for residents of Mississippi's Pearl River County.

The newly commissioned Poplarville water well scored 4.7 points out of possible 5, and the City of Picayune's Westchester and Timberlane/Virginia Manor water wells at Dixie Utilities both received a rating of 4. Prior to SouthWest Water taking over operations of these wells in 2008, they had earned low ratings on the State's inspections.

“SouthWest Water's hard work has greatly improved our systems," said PRCUA Operations Manager Cliff Diamond. "Their emergency response time has been excellent, and the authority is pleased with the professional service and commitment they have shown us."

Southwest Water staff focused on optimizing major aspects of operations, such as implementing a water main flushing program, increasing water pressure and improving chlorination, which resulted in many residents commenting on better-tasting water. The staff also organized and improved record keeping at the water facilities.

"The state department's rigorous inspection and sanitary evaluation of the wells and their subsequent high scores are a testimony to the turnaround we've done on this system in just over a year," said SouthWest Water's Project Manager Michael Switzer.

Each water system in Mississippi is subject to an annual evaluation by the state department of health in the following areas:

• Technical – Evaluates the functioning of processes and equipment, system maintenance and emergency backups.
• Managerial– Evaluates record keeping, operational policies and procedures, long-range improvement plans and the effectiveness of the cross connection control program.
• Financial – Evaluates the review and adjustment of water rates, annual budget, financial accounting system and state audit reports.

The Pearl River County Utility Authority (PRCUA) began a public-private partnership with SouthWest Water in 2008. The company was awarded a five-year contract to operate and maintain PRCUA's three water and four wastewater treatment facilities in Pearl River County, handle customer billing and collections, and provide meter reading and meter replacement services. PRCUA's customer base includes approximately 20,000 residents and 8,000 service connections, primarily located in the cities of Picayune and Poplarville. On site, SouthWest Water provides certified operators with extensive knowledge in operations, maintenance, and management of treatment facilities as well as distribution and collections systems.

Veolia Water North America's Environmental Commitment Recognized at New England Water Environment Association Ceremony

Three employees from Veolia Water North America (Veolia Water) were recognized last week by the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) for outstanding work preserving water quality in New England.

At the awards ceremony, held at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel, Veolia Water's employees took home the 2009 Operator of the Year Award, the Alfred E. Pelonquin Award and the J.J. Courchaine Collections Systems Award.

"The NEWEA awards truly recognize environmental achievement," said Keavin Nelson, Veolia Water North America‘s president of northeast and south. "Seeing these employees' professionalism and dedication to water quality acknowledged by such a leading environmental organization is something we're very proud of at Veolia Water."

The three Veolia Water professionals who were recognized for their achievement:

Michael Hodde, of the Veolia Water-operated Woonsocket, R.I., wastewater facility received the 2009 Rhode Island Operator of the Year Award, given annually to recognize a high level of interest and performance in wastewater operations and significant contributions to the wastewater field.

Scott Goodinson, of the Veolia Water-operated Cranston, R.I., wastewater facility, received the 2009 Alfred E. Peloquin Award. This award is given annually to an individual who has shown a high level of interest and performance in wastewater operations in each of the six New England states. It recognizes significant contributions to the wastewater field in such areas as improvements to the environment, cost-effective plant operations and related activities. The award is accompanied by a nomination from NEWEA to the Water Environment Foundation for consideration of a national award.

Richard Salisbury, also of Cranston, R.I., received the 2009 J.J. Courchaine Collections Systems Award. The award recognizes outstanding efforts in the operation, maintenance, management and design of a wastewater collection system.

The NEWEA is a volunteer organization of more than 2,100 New England water and wastewater professionals who contribute their energy and expertise to manage the water environment in New England. The organization's awards recognize the best water quality professionals from within the NEWEA organization, plus additional professionals from the public education, journalism, educational institution and municipal utility/public works community from all New England states.

Veolia Water has long been part of the Northeast environmental community, operating facilities on the East coast for more than 25 years. The company employs more than 500 employees in New England.

"Michael Hodde, Scott Goodinson and Richard Salisbury are committed to New England's water quality, and it shows," said Nelson. "At Veolia Water, we take great pride in managing New England's water resources to ensure environmental quality and compliance. These awards are a tangible recognition of these employees' hard work in the communities where they serve."