Paramus, NJ, Dec. 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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.