United Water Wins Award for Innovative Reuse of Recycled Materials

National Association of Water Companies Recognizes United Water New York Environmental Innovation

United Water is pleased to announce that it has been chosen as the winner of the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) 2014 Management Innovation Awards for its use of recycled glass as backfill material in construction. The annual NAWC Management Innovation Awards recognize member companies in the private water service industry for their groundbreaking, industry-changing ideas.

United Water conducted a one-year pilot program and successfully used recycled crushed glass instead of virgin stone to backfill the trench for a 12–inch water main replacement project in Orangetown, NY. The use of crushed glass resulted in an approximate 35 percent savings in the cost of the backfill material and allows for the reuse of material that would normally be disposed of in a landfill.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the Town of Orangetown and the Rockland County Health Department approved the use of the material.

“We live in a circular economy and our ability to develop sustainably hinges on finding solutions for waste to take on a new and useful purpose,” said Bertrand Camus, CEO of United Water. “Our employees are encouraged to conduct research and innovation pilots like this one so that we, as a company, can contribute to industry knowledge and offer more sustainable operating solutions.”

United Water conducts research and innovation with the support of its parent company, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT which reinvests nearly $95 million of its annual profits in water and solid waste research. The R+i Alliance boasts one of the largest commitments to water and waste research in the world and is a leader for the industry.

“We are pleased to have leveraged the resources of our global network to bring this cost saving innovation to customers in our New York Division,” said David Stanton, President of United Water Utilities Segment.

“For over 35 years, the NAWC Management Innovation Awards competition has been recognizing our members for their new and innovative programs. Each of this year’s entries truly showed how our members are moving water forward through their leadership and work at the forefront of the water industry,” said Michael Deane, NAWC executive director. “Submissions included everything from conservation efforts and management plans to technological advancements and community support initiatives.”

Entries were judged on degree of innovation, short- and long-term benefits to the company, value to the water utility industry, the potential for duplication at other companies and presentation quality.

ABOUT UNITED WATER

United Water is one of the nation’s leading environmental companies, providing water and wastewater services to approximately 5.3 million people in the United States. In addition to owning and operating 16 water and wastewater utilities, United Water operates 84 municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems through innovative public-private partnerships and contract agreements. Founded in 1869, United Water is a subsidiary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT.

About SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT

Natural resources are not infinite. Each day, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT (Paris:SEV, Brussels:SEVB) and its subsidiaries deal with the challenge of protecting resources by providing innovative solutions to industries and to millions of people. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT supplies drinking water to 97 million people, provides wastewater treatment services for 66 million people and collects the waste produced by 50 million people. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT has 79,550 employees and, with its presence on a global scale, is a world leader exclusively dedicated to environmental services. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, reported sales turnover of 14.8 billion Euros ($19.6 billion USD) at the end of financial year 2012.

About the NAWC

The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) is the voice of the private water industry and the organization exclusively representing this group of quality water service providers, innovation drivers, creative financiers and responsible partners. To learn more about NAWC, visit NAWC.org or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

United WaterRich Henning, [e-mail] Rizzi, [e-mail]