Member News

American States Announces Management Succession Plan: Floyd Wicks to be Succeeded by Robert Sprowls

American States Water Company announced the appointment of Robert J. Sprowls, the company’s chief financial officer, executive vice president-finance, corporate secretary and treasurer, as chief executive officer and president effective January 1, 2009. He will succeed Floyd E. Wicks, who will then be retiring after 21 years with the company and 40 years in the water industry. Wicks will continue as a director of the company and has been named vice chair of the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2009. Wicks has also agreed to continue to serve as a consultant to the company.

Commenting on the announcement, Wicks said, “Bob has served the company exceptionally well both as the chief financial officer and corporate secretary. I am highly confident that he will provide strong and effective leadership as the CEO of the company when he succeeds to that position next year.”

Sprowls also commented, “I am honored and excited to be selected by the Board to lead this strong company and excellent management team and our dedicated employees located from California to the Carolinas.”

Bob Sprowls has served as executive vice president-finance, chief financial officer, corporate secretary and treasurer since January 2008. He previously served the company as senior vice president-finance, chief financial officer, corporate secretary and treasurer of the company and Golden State Water Company from June 2004 to January 2008. Prior to joining the company, he served as president of Central Illinois Light Company (CILCO) from April 2001 to January 2003, prior to its sale to Ameren Corporation. Sprowls led CILCO’s electric and natural gas transmission and distribution business unit from 1999 to 2003 and served as CILCO’s chief financial officer from 1998 to 1999. The company anticipates that Mr. Sprowls will also join the Board of Directors on or before the effective date of his new appointment.

Floyd Wicks has been the president and chief executive officer of the company since its formation as a holding company for Golden State Water Company in 1998. He has served as president and chief executive officer of Golden State Water Company since April 1992, and president and chief executive officer of each of the company’s other subsidiaries since their formation or acquisition. The company has benefited from his leadership and guidance.

Connecticut Water To Host Collections Day for Unwanted Medications

Connecticut Water, in cooperation with CVS/pharmacy and the State Department of Consumer Protection, is hosting an Unwanted Medication Collections event at its Clinton office at 93 West Main Street (Route 1), Clinton, on Saturday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, aptly titled “Rx for Safe Disposal,” is free and open to customers and residents of the company’s 54 service towns, as well as residents in those towns where the company’s watersheds and water supplies are located. Connecticut Water has partnered on this event with a number of state and local nonprofit organizations that share its commitment to protecting the environment.

“As part of Connecticut Water’s commitment to the environment and sustainable practices that benefit the communities we serve, we wanted to provide an environmentally sound way to dispose of these products,” said Cindy Gaudino, Connecticut Water’s manager of Source Protection and Real Estate. “Although there is a very low risk of the presence of pharmaceuticals in our drinking water due to unique laws in Connecticut that prohibit waste discharges into public drinking water supply sources, we recognize our customers are concerned about their proper disposal.”

Although it was not a requirement, Connecticut Water performed tests at two of its water treatment plants in April 2008 to determine if any pharmaceutically active compounds were present in the drinking water delivered to customers. The company tested for 67 parameters and none of the compounds were detected at either treatment plant. These results, coupled with the 120 parameters routinely tested for, confirm the quality of the treatment and drinking water provided by Connecticut Water to its customers.

In addition to the environmental benefits, getting outdated and unused medication out of medicine cabinets prevents misuse and reduces the chances of children getting into them.

“We are pleased to be the first water utility in the state to offer this type of collection day,” said Maureen Westbrook, vice president of Customer and Regulatory Affairs. “We believe this is a practical, meaningful response to the public’s concerns about the potential impacts of disposal of pharmaceutical products and are proud to partner with several other organizations in this important effort.”

Tidewater Utilities, Inc. Named Best in the Business

Middlesex Water Company announced that its wholly owned, regulated Delaware subsidiary, Tidewater Utilities, Inc., has been named Best in the Business by Workplace Dynamics LLC in Malvern, Pa., a survey conducted by The Delaware News Journal.

Tidewater Utilities, Inc. is a water utility serving more than 41,000 homes and businesses in more than 375 residential communities and commercial establishments throughout Delaware. The Best in the Business list identifies leading workplaces in Delaware based upon the opinions of their employees. The results of the employee survey were compared across organizations, with the best 45 companies out of 107 that participated appearing on the list. This is The News Journal's ninth Best in the Business survey of Delaware managers, employees and community organizations.

Gerard L. Esposito, president of Tidewater Utilities said, "We are delighted to achieve this distinction for the second time. Our employees are the cornerstone of our success; they take pride in their work and in their employer. It is their expertise and dedication that helps Tidewater to continue delivering quality service to our customers."

NAWC New England Chapter to Hold Semi Annual Meeting

On November 13-14, 2008, join your colleagues in the water industry at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel and Spa, located in New Castle, N.H., for the fall semi-annual meeting of the New England Chapter of National Association of Water Companies (NENAWC).

The program will feature both a keynote speaker as well as a panel discussion entitled “Balancing Customer and Company Needs in Difficult Times,” moderated by Steven Camerino of the law firm McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton. Bill Black, Office of the Public Advocate in Maine; Paul Osborne, assistant director, Rates & Revenue Division, of the Mass DPU; and Consumer Counsel Mary Healy of Connecticut are among the panelists.

Reigning over the sea with style and grace, the Wentworth is New Hampshire’s premier coastal resort with Victorian elegance, Oceanside guest rooms and superb cuisine. Rich in history, culture and attractions, the hotel is minutes away from downtown Portsmouth where there are more than 100 restaurants and shops, numerous oceanfront state parks, historical tours, and much more for you to enjoy.

Rooms are limited and are expected to sell out. Reserve your room today by contacting the hotel at 1.603.422.7322. Mention the NENAWC Fall Meeting to obtain your discounted room rate of $179.00. The last day for reservations will be October 14, 2008.

For more information on the hotel, visit its Web site at www.wentworth.com.

On behalf of the NENAWC Board of Directors, we look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
~ Laurie I. Felleman, treasurer & Site Selection Committee chair

SEMS Technologies Believes Water Systems Deserve Help with Compliance and Utility Management

SEMS Technologies recently joined the National Association of Water Companies as an associate member, because it believes private water companies have been underserved with affordable automation tools for compliance and utility management.

SEMS built a reputation for helping water systems in complying with the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 by offering a software tool to complete Vulnerability Assessments and Emergency Response Plans, which was used by more than 25,000 water services across the country. Since September 2007, SEMS has expanded its software beyond just those security tools to help automate compliance with other governmental regulations, day-to-day operation procedures, recordkeeping and reporting. Now, with a single tool, water utilities can easily create consumer confidence reports, develop and implement a cross connection control plan, complete discharge monitoring and monthly operating reports, complete and administer an Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE), manage assets and equipment maintenance, and much more. SEMS helps ensure utilities stay in compliance on an ongoing basis since the software is specifically designed to continually evolve as regulations change or are created even if they are state specific.

Mitch Copman, president of SEMS Technologies says, "We recognize that it is a significant challenge for water systems big and small to efficiently provide safe and affordable water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our mission is to help alleviate some of the burdens utility operators and managers face by automating compliance, asset management and maintenance procedures. Understanding the conflict utilities face in increasing water rates and the limited budgets they work with, we purposely offer our software on a subscription basis with a 'cancel anytime' policy for about the cost of Internet or cable service. This model not only eliminates the need for a significant one-time capital expense, but it is also what holds our feet to the fire to constantly improve and evolve the tool to ensure our customers stay in compliance."

For more information on SEMS Technologies or to setup a demo of the software, contact John Bobber at 866.758.6582 or e-mail Mitch, directly at mitchc@semstechnologies.com.

Aqua America Expands Indiana Operations with $9.7 Million Acquisition

Aqua America, Inc. announced that one of its Indiana subsidiaries has closed on the acquisition of the South Haven Sewer Works, Inc., a wastewater company valued at approximately $9.7 million. The newly acquired wastewater system serves approximately 4,000 customers in the community of South Haven in Porter County in northwest Indiana. The acquisition of South Haven Sewer Works is expected to be immediately accretive.

Aqua said it plans to invest approximately $3 million over the next three years in capital improvements to decrease storm water infiltration and reduce overflows and to upgrade the system's sewage treatment plant.

"This new acquisition will enable Aqua to create synergies and economies of scale between South Haven and our growing Indiana operations," said Aqua America Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Nicholas DeBenedictis. "Aqua is committed to reaching new customers in Indiana, and we look forward to enhancing wastewater service for South Haven residents."

Suez Environment Completes Acquisition of Utility Service Co.

United Water’s parent company, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT North America, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Utility Service Company of Perry, Ga., the nation’s leading water tank maintenance service company, for $220 million. Utility Service also provides other asset management services such as sales and leasing of new tanks and antenna site management for 2,000 municipalities and private water utilities in 35 states.

“We are very excited that Utility Service Company will join the SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT family because its core business is very complementary to ours,” said Tony Harding, CEO of United Water. “We believe that this transaction creates business synergies that will enable both companies to offer a broader range of services to clients.”

Under the terms of the agreement, the entire Utility Service management team will remain in place and the company will retain its brand identity. “This is probably the greatest opportunity our team at Utility Service Company will ever have,” said Carl Cummings, CEO of Utility Service Company. “By sharing our talent, technology and commitment, we will have greater access to the marketplace which can create further growth opportunities for both companies.”

West Virginia American Water Acquires Systems

Fayetteville, W.Va., residents voted overwhelmingly to sell the town’s water and sewer systems to West Virginia American Water. The preliminary vote count showed that 86 percent of voters were in favor of the sale. The final tally will come after the vote canvass on Aug. 14. The vote is the final step in a months-long process to transfer ownership from the town to West Virginia American Water, the state’s largest private water provider. It also marks the company’s first sewer acquisition. In all, there are 1,858 water customers and 1,081 sewer customers.

“I want to thank Fayetteville voters for their support of the sale,” said West Virginia American Water President Wayne Morgan. “We are pleased to be part of the community, and I am excited to be able to use the company’s expertise to provide wastewater services for the first time in West Virginia.”

The town has been purchasing water from West Virginia American Water since January, when the Public Service Commission issued an interim emergency service agreement. With the sale now approved by voters, the company awaits final closure on the $3.9 million purchase agreement.

Aqua America Announces Appointment of New Investor Relations Director

Aqua America, Inc. announced the appointment of Brian Dingerdissen as director, investor relations. In his new role, Dingerdissen will oversee Aqua's Investor Relations program including expanding the company's visibility with institutional and retail investors, promoting the company's mission and objectives and explaining Aqua's financial performance.

"Aqua's success depends on well-informed shareholders who make the critical investments that enable us to grow and improve our services and infrastructure," said Aqua America Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis. "I'm confident that Brian's strong understanding of the water industry and outstanding communications skills will serve our investors well, especially in these uncertain economic times."

Dingerdissen joined Aqua in 2005 as senior associate of investor relations. In this role, he managed communications with shareholders, developed investor presentations and supervised Board meeting preparations. He also acted as liaison between Aqua's chairman and the investor community. In the past year, Dingerdissen has worked with Aqua's southern regional president to review and improve operational and management structures within newly acquired water and wastewater systems.

Dingerdissen is a graduate of the Villanova School of Business and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. He has also completed the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissions' rate school.

American Appoints Walter Lynch and John Young to New Leadership Roles

American Water Works Company, Inc., announced that Walter Lynch has been appointed to the newly created position of president of regulated operations and John Young has been appointed as president of American Water Services, a new entity that will support the company's growth initiatives and service offerings. Young will also continue to serve as president of American Water Works Service Company, providing operating support to all aspects of the business. Both Lynch and Young will report to president and CEO, Don Correll.

"Walter and John are key leaders in this company," said Don Correll, president and CEO of American Water. "These changes were made to continue to strengthen American Water, to support our growth and to drive performance. Walter and John have vast experience in this industry and I have every confidence that through these new positions, they will help this company achieve its full potential."

In his new role, Lynch will be responsible for the successful performance of American Water's 20 regulated states, serving approximately 1,625 communities. All of the state presidents will now report to him. In addition, Lynch will lead the company's two national customer call centers.

As president of American Water Services, Young will work to align the organization's capabilities to support various growth opportunities like the company's recent successes with the Tampa Bay desalination project in Florida and the Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant in Arizona. Young will also continue to lead multiple operational functions, as well as lead the business transformation of the company's information technology effort. This critical effort will ensure the company employs the proper technology to execute its key strategies.

Lynch joined American Water in 2001 and most recently served as the executive vice president of business operations for the company's Eastern Division. The division encompasses eight states stretching from Tennessee to New York and has approximately 2,600 employees. Prior to that, he was president of American Water's Northeast Region. In this role, he oversaw more than 1,000 employees and was responsible for operations that provided more than 2 million people in New Jersey and New York with water and wastewater services. Lynch also served as president of American Water Products and Services Group. In this capacity, he led and developed 10 non-regulated business lines with more than $500 million in revenue and 1,500 employees. Before joining American Water, he was involved in various start-up and growth organizations in the environmental industry. He also worked for Mobil Oil Corp. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Lynch holds a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering and attained the rank of Captain before his departure from the U.S. Army in 1990.

Young joined American Water in 1977 and has held a variety of operations, engineering and executive positions, including chief operating officer, vice president of engineering, vice president of technical services, and vice president of operations and investment performance. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Design/Build Institute of America (board member), the American Water Works Association (board member, section chair and Fuller awardee), and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He also serves on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Drinking Water Advisory Council and several EPA working groups. A registered professional engineer in a number of states, Young holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Duke University and a master's in environmental engineering from the University of North Carolina.

Aqua Wastewater Management Renews Contract to Provide Grease Removal and Septic Service for Wawa Stores

Aqua Wastewater Management, Inc., announced that it has renewed an agreement with Wawa, Inc. to provide grease-removal and septic tank pumping and cleaning services for 172 Wawa stores in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Under the agreement, Aqua cleans and removes septic and grease waste from the contracted stores. Service includes waste removal, power washing the tank, and jetting the inlet and outlet lines. Aqua also provides 24/7 emergency response to Wawa.

"Aqua is proud to serve a regional icon like Wawa," said Aqua Wastewater Management President Anthony J. Donatoni. "We have the resources and expertise Wawa can depend on for wastewater service, and we're gratified that Wawa wants to continue this relationship as much as we do."

"Wawa places a high value on doing things right, and we've been delighted with Aqua's performance," said Larry Harrington, vendor manager at Wawa.

Aqua services Wawa stores in Chester and Delaware counties in Pennsylvania and in Burlington, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset and Warren counties in New Jersey.

Six Watershed Projects Receive Environmental Grants from Pennsylvania American Water

Pennsylvania American Water announced that six watershed initiatives across the state will receive funding through the company's 2008 Environmental Grant Program. The recipients will receive a share of grant funds totaling approximately $26,000, which the company has earmarked for community projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds.

A panel of judges selected the winners from nearly 30 grant applications, which were evaluated on such criteria as environmental need, innovation, community engagement and sustainability. The 2008 grantees are the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners, Brandywine Valley Association (Chester County), River Alert and Information Network (Washington and Allegheny counties), Abrahams Creek Watershed Association (Luzerne County), Moshannon Creek Watershed Coalition (Centre and Clearfield counties) and South Park Township (Allegheny County).

"Again this year, we've been impressed with the quality of the environmental initiatives that local organizations have developed and proposed," said Kathy Pape, president, Pennsylvania American Water. "The Environmental Grant Program enables us to help support communities that are taking the lead with innovative watershed projects, which will enhance the sustainability of our precious water resources."

The following summaries describe the projects that earned environmental grants:

River Alert and Information Network (RAIN) - The organization is a collaboration of 33 southwestern Pennsylvania water systems that, along with its partners, has developed an education program aimed at young people about the importance of watershed protection. The initiative includes the production of video, displays and other communications media that promote source water protection to encourage school-age children to take greater interest in where their families get drinking water. In addition, boat excursions for teachers and students are planned along the Monongahela River to learn about source water protection. The project is part of RAIN's long-range plan to establish and early warning and detection network along the Allegheny, Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers.

Abrahams Creek Watershed Association (ACWA) - In collaboration with West Wyoming and Wyoming boroughs, the association is preparing to introduce best management practices for residents within the watershed. To overcome poor watershed management practices that have existed for years, the project is aimed at changing attitudes and actions through educational initiatives. This outreach includes workshops and demonstrations for residents and local officials on a range of topics, including storm water management, streamside buffer restoration and invasive plant removal. In addition, the grant will enable ACWA to undertake streamside buffer restoration by removing invasive plants and allow native vegetation to return.

Brandywine Valley Association (BVA) - The organization has created a unique program called "Red Streams Blue" to improve the quality of impaired streams in the Brandywine Valley and to protect other waterways from pollution. The grant will help BVA develop a restoration plan for Little Buck Run to correct impairments to the watershed, plus ongoing water quality monitoring will be conducted to document changing patterns. All data collected will be used to promote awareness among residents, township officials, developers and policymakers about the actions and tools needed to improve the watershed. In addition, the group will develop a model to be used in other watersheds where impaired streams exist.

Lawrence County Board of Commissioners - As part of its Greenways Plan, the county is creating a water trail along the Beaver River in the Beaver Watershed. The grant will make it possible for the county to clean up two watershed sites — Hickory Run and Bevington Boat Launch, which are instrumental to the establishment of the water trail. Grant funds will be used to provide tools and supplies needed for the clean-up, as well as for the disposal of debris and tires collected.

Moshannon Creek Watershed Coalition (MCWC) - The organization plans to develop a conceptual design report for a treatment system to address acid mine drainage in the headwaters of the Moshannon Creek. The grant will be used to prepare an abatement study to quantify and document the environmental pollution from the MC FORE acid mine discharge, which has been caused by extensive coal and clay mining from years past. This study will help the organization obtain state and federal funding to permit and construct the treatment solution for the acid mine discharge. Furthermore, the project represents a new initiative to begin water quality restoration and protection activities for Moshannon Creek.

South Park Township - The municipality plans to expand its stream clean-up program that began four years ago. The grant will provide the tools needed for this year's clean-up and provide for the disposal of the trash and tires collected along Piney Fork Creek and Peters Creek. The stream clean-up brings a number of organizations together to participate, including Girls Scouts, Tri-Community Anglers, Montour Trail Group and South Park High School's Environmental Club. In addition to improving the watershed, the initiative helps provide natural recreational facilities for local residents.

American Appoints New Member to BoD

American Water Works Company, Inc., announced that Julia L. Johnson has been appointed as an independent member of the company's Board of Directors effective August 1, 2008. "American Water is pleased to have Julia join our Board of Directors," said Don Correll, president and CEO of American Water. "Ms. Johnson brings more than 20 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge in the utility industry to American Water. She is an excellent addition to our Board."

Johnson is president of NetCommunications, L.L.C., a strategy consulting firm specializing in the communications, energy and information technology public policy arenas. Prior to founding NetCommunications, Johnson was senior vice president of policy and strategic communications for MILCOM Technologies, Inc., a military technology commercialization company.

Prior to her work at MILCOM, Johnson served on the Florida Public Service Commission for two consecutive terms from 1992-1999. In that capacity, she served as the chief regulator of Florida's $16 billion water and wastewater, electric, gas and communications industries. She served as chairperson from 1997-1999. Johnson served as the state chair of the Federal/State Joint Board on Universal Service, which provided regulatory policy recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission on the deployment of communications infrastructure and universal service support mechanisms, bringing Internet access to schools and libraries across the nation. Johnson also chaired Florida's Information Service Technology Development Task Force, which advised Florida's governor and legislature on information technology policy and related legislative issues.

Johnson also serves on the Board of Directors of Allegheny Energy, Inc., a utility holding company, which, through its subsidiaries, engages in power generation operations, as well as natural gas distribution and transmission, MasTec, Inc., a provider of telecommunications and energy infrastructure construction and Northwestern Corporation, a provider of electricity and natural gas. Ms. Johnson holds a Juris Doctorate and a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Florida.