HARRINGTON PARK, NJ, Feb. 29, 2008 -- United Water, which has operated the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's wastewater system since 1998, issued a statement thanking the community for "ten extraordinary years" of providing service to the Greater Milwaukee community. The company's contract with the MMSD expires on Feb. 29.
"Ten years ago, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) made history when it entered into the nation's largest public-private partnership for municipal wastewater operations," said Tony Harding, United Water's CEO. "A decade later the results of the partnership show the wisdom of the MMSD's decision and the many benefits it brought to the Milwaukee area. These include substantial savings and stabilized rates as well as significant improvements in operations, employee development, community relations, minority business opportunities and environmental compliance."
Harding acknowledged the hard work and commitment of United Water Milwaukee employees whose efforts helped achieve record performance for the MMSD system. He noted that highlights of these achievements include:
• Treating an average of 200 million gallons of wastewater daily for 10 years with an outstanding record of environmental compliance.
• Exceeding the cost savings goal of $140 million. Savings are now on track to reach $170 million.
• Reducing user rates. Customers pay 14% less today than in 1997.
• Capping natural gas costs for 10 years saved the MMSD $40 million in addition to the projected contract savings.
• Improving equipment condition by 33%. This vastly enhanced the system's operating efficiency.
During United Water's tenure both the Jones Island and the South Shore wastewater treatment plants were recognized by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for 10 consecutive years of exceptional effluent performance -- -placing the MMSD's facilities in the top 10% in the nation.
"The success of the United Water Milwaukee partnership clearly demonstrates how much can be accomplished when government and private enterprise work together to develop sustainable solutions," said Harding. "This partnership will have a positive impact on the community and the environment for generations to come. It has been a privilege to be part of this extraordinary effort and we extend our best wishes to the MMSD for the same level of success in the years to come."
United Water provides water and wastewater services to more than seven million people in the United States and is a subsidiary of the Suez Environment division of the Suez Group.
Suez Environment has a wide-ranging portfolio of know-how providing sustainable solutions to the requirements of local authorities and businesses.
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