Paris, Jan. 3, 2003 -- Vivendi Environnement, through its water division Vivendi Water, was awarded two substantial municipal services outsourcing contracts in Germany on December 18.
In Thuringia, Vivendi Environnement received a contract from an organizing authority representing Gera and its surrounding districts to manage the entire water cycle for 165,000 people.
The 10-year operating contract is worth a cumulative total of over 130 million euros, and provides for significant productivity gains in drinking water production and distribution, as well as in wastewater collection and treatment. A customer management center will be set up in Gera. The district authorities retain responsibility for financial investments.
In Weisswasser, Saxony, Vivendi Environnement won a contract to manage all municipal services. In synergy with the neighboring Gorlitz operation, which involves similar services, Vivendi Environnement will be responsible for the city's water, wastewater and heating services, and gas and electricity distribution.
The 20-year operating contract is worth a cumulative total of 500 million euros. Some 40,000 people will be covered by drinking and wastewater services, and 25,000 people for the other services. Vivendi Environnement will invest a total of 30 million euros in the acquisition of a 74.9% holding in SWW, Weisswasser's municipal services company.
Vivendi Water, a subsidiary of Vivendi Environnement, is a global provider of water and wastewater services for municipal authorities, industrial companies and consumers. The company provides the entire range of outsourcing and design-build services, as well as equipment and systems. With operations in more than 100 countries, Vivendi Water serves over 110 million consumers and 40,000 industrial customers worldwide. It has revenues of 13.6 billion euros for 2001 and 85,700 employees.
Vivendi Environnement (Euronext Paris: VIE and NYSE:VE), comprised of Vivendi Water (worldwide water products and services), Onyx (solid waste and industrial services), Dalkia (energy management), Connex (transportation and logistics) and FCC (Spanish company engaged in environmental and construction related industries), is the largest environmental services company in the world with more than 295,000 employees, including FCC, in about 100 countries and annual revenues of more than €29.1 billion. Visit the company's web site at www.vivendienvironnement-finance.com.
