SUEZ EXPANDS TO FOUR NEW COMMUNITIES IN NEW JERSEY
December 19 2018 - 09:06AM
Significantly improved water quality, major investments in
infrastructure and the commitment to serve its customers 24/7, 365
days a year – these are just some of the benefits new customers
will enjoy now that they are part of the SUEZ family.
SUEZ has expanded in New Jersey, acquiring four utility
operations in December and adding nearly 9,000 residents to the
more than 1.5 million the company already serves across the state.
With much-needed repairs of the water and wastewater systems
already under way, residents in West Milford, Lake Glenwood, East
Brookwood and Independence are learning about SUEZ’ dedication to
providing the highest quality service at affordable rates. SUEZ
acquired the four operations for $12.6 million. More acquisitions
are expected in New Jersey and across the nation in the coming
months.
“We are expanding because municipalities, homeowners
associations and other small independent operators are finding it
increasingly difficult to maintain their aging facilities and meet
today’s health, safety and environmental regulations,” said David
Stanton, President, Utility Operations. “They are turning to SUEZ,”
he added, “because they know the company has the expertise, the
experience and the capital to transform troubled operations. Our
investment plan ensures that our neighbors, now our new customers,
will receive safe, reliable services.”
Investments will Improve the Customer
Experience
On the first day of ownership of each of the four acquisitions
in New Jersey, SUEZ crews went to work to begin essential upgrades
to facilities and services. In total, SUEZ will invest $55 million
over the next five years to benefit these new customers.
In West Milford alone, SUEZ will invest $50 million over the
next five years on eight water and six wastewater systems that are
in serious disrepair. Every wastewater system has critical
deficiencies -- in fact, some are spilling sewage. New treatment
plants will be built that will comply with all health and
environmental regulations. Fourteen of the buildings that house
treatment equipment were so hazardous they had to be remediated
before SUEZ employees could work in them. Four of the water systems
have lead, copper and other health issues SUEZ is addressing. The
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection worked closely with SUEZ as it prepared
for the acquisitions, reviewed the projects and the regulatory
issues, and established timelines for the work that needs to be
done to bring these systems up to date.
In Lake Glenwood, SUEZ will rehabilitate treatment facilities
and improve the distribution system. In East Brookwood, SUEZ will
upgrade the well systems to improve water quality and security and
to meet coming environmental regulations. The Independence system
will receive much-needed health, safety and security improvements.
In addition to the infrastructure improvements, all four of the new
operations receive more stringent sampling and testing to ensure
water quality.
“Our continued growth demonstrates the confidence municipalities
and independent operators have in us to rehabilitate these systems,
improve water quality and serve customers with dedication,” Stanton
said.
“We will bring these systems into compliance with health and
safety standards and ensure they operate well for generations to
come,” he said. “We are proud of our growth in New Jersey and proud
that our new customers are already benefiting,”
About SUEZ North America
SUEZ North America operates across all 50 states and Canada with
3,260 employees dedicated to environmental sustainability and smart
and sustainable resource management. The company provides drinking
water, wastewater and waste collection service to 6.4 million
people on a daily basis; treats over 600 million gallons of water
and over 450 million gallons of wastewater each day; delivers water
treatment and advanced network solutions to 16,000 industrial and
municipal sites; processes 55,000 tons of waste for recycling;
rehabilitates and maintains water assets for more than 4,000
municipal and industrial customers; and manages $4.1 billion in
total assets. The company posted revenues of $1.064 billion in 2017
and is a subsidiary of Paris-based SUEZ.
SUEZ
With 90,000 people on the five continents, SUEZ is a world
leader in smart and sustainable resource management. We provide
water and waste management solutions that enable cities and
industries to optimize their resource management and strengthen
their environmental and economic performances, in line with
regulatory standards. To meet increasing demands to overcome
resource quality and scarcity challenges, SUEZ is fully engaged in
the resource revolution. With the full potential of digital
technologies and innovative solutions, the Group recovers 17
million tons of waste a year, produces 3.9 million tons of
secondary raw materials and 7 TWh of local renewable energy. It
also secures water resources, delivering wastewater treatment
services to 58 million people and reusing 882 million m3 of
wastewater. SUEZ generated total revenues of $19.6 billion in
2017.
Debra Vial
SUEZ North America
201-225-6800
debra.vial@suez.com
Steve Goudsmith
SUEZ North America
201-225-6809
steven.goudsmith@suez.com