Committed to Protecting our Waterways: NACWA Recognizes Veolia and Three Municipal Partners for Superior Environmental Compliance

BOSTON, Nov. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As a leading contributor to U.S. environmental policy, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recently awarded the cities of Gresham, Oregon, New Orleans, and Milwaukee, Peak Performance Awards for achieving 100 percent compliance at their wastewater facilities. As a result, this honor recognizes Veolia's operations at each of these cities, and its expertise and commitment to protecting the environment.

Launched in 1972, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements have been responsible for major improvements to U.S. water quality throughout the last several decades.  Through the regulation of point sources, such as wastewater treatment facilities, the discharge of pollutants into waters is limited, monitored and controlled.  By achieving 100 percent compliance with its NPDES permit requirements over the past year, Gresham, New Orleans, and Milwaukee were all honored recently with a Peak Performance Award by NACWA.

"As the operations and maintenance provider for the wastewater facilities serving these cities and towns, Veolia is honored by NACWA's recognition and we commend our municipal partners for their environmental dedication and leadership," said John Gibson, president and COO of Veolia North America's Municipal & Commercial business.  "These awards reflect the commitment by Veolia and our partners to safely operate these cities' treatment facilities and systems, while also helping to protect our local waterways."

Veolia's operations at these sites highlight the company's dedication to safety, preserving our natural resources and minimizing environmental impact in the communities where the company operates:

• Milwaukee – In its 18^th and 19^th years of perfect compliance, respectively, the Jones Island and South Shore treatment plants continue to demonstrate environmental leadership as recipients of Platinum Peak Performance Awards – an honor recognizing 100 percent compliance over a consecutive five-year period.  Since 2008, Veolia has provided operations and maintenance services for both water reclamation facilities that serve 28 municipalities, while achieving several awards and providing millions in cost savings.  "Veolia has continuously exceeded all regulatory and contract standards…extending Veolia's contract is the best approach for our ratepayers and the environment.  We look forward to working with Veolia for years to come." –  Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Executive Director Kevin Shafer. 
  
• New Orleans – As the recipient of the Platinum Peak Performance Award for its West Bank facility, the city has been recognized for achieving 100 percent compliance over the last five years.  As a member of one of the largest wastewater partnerships in the U.S., Veolia has supported the city's wastewater infrastructure since 1992.  Together, Veolia and the city have been recognized with numerous awards, generated more than $35 million in savings, and completed millions in infrastructure upgrades to prevent destructive flooding, improve resiliency and protect environmental health.  "Our relationship has produced a stellar record for clean water quality while saving tens of millions of dollars for ratepayers." – Executive Director Cedric S. Grant. 
  
• Gresham, Oregon – Having achieved 100 percent compliance at its 20 million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plant over the past year, the city was awarded a Gold Peak Performance Award. Under one of the industry's most comprehensive asset-management programs, Veolia has operated the city's wastewater system since 2005 – a public-private partnership that has yielded numerous environmental and operations awards, in addition to improving sustainability and reducing electricity costs through its net zero energy status.

Veolia group is the global leader in optimized resource management. With over 174,000 employees worldwide, the Group designs and provides water, waste and energy management solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of communities and industries. Through its three complementary business activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, preserve available resources, and to replenish them. In 2014, the group Veolia supplied 96 million people with drinking water and 60 million people with wastewater service, produced 52 million megawatt hours of energy and converted 31 million metric tons of waste into new materials and energy. Veolia Environnement (listed on Paris Euronext: VIE) recorded consolidated revenue of $30.3 billion in 2015. www.veolia.com

SOURCE Veolia North America