Norwalk, CT, Nov. 12, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwalk, Connecticut has awarded SUEZ a $78 million contract for the operation and maintenance of its wastewater system. The partnership; which includes the management of an 18 MGD conventional wastewater treatment facility, 210 miles of sanitary sewers, and 25 pump stations, will be part of the City’s on-going effort to enhance service and protect the environment. The contract will span 10 years and service over 89,000 people.
When it comes to the environment and sustainability, Norwalk has become a leader in Connecticut. In January 2019, it passed a plastic bag ordinance, which banned single-use plastic bags in the City. Just recently, Norwalk passed a ban on Styrofoam and plastic stirrers. Plastic straws are also restricted and available only on-demand. The City is also looking to replace fleet vehicles with hybrid models, and have auto-water and light shut-offs to conserve water/electricity in municipal buildings.
“Protecting the environment is a top priority for the City of Norwalk because it directly affects our entire community,” said Norwalk Mayor Harry W. Rilling. “Ensuring residents have access to basic resources, that their health is being protected, and that they enjoy a good quality of life is critical to the growth of our City.”
Seeking an industry expert in water and wastewater management to further their sustainability efforts, Norwalk released an RFP on November 6, 2018. SUEZ responded to the RFP with the goal of bringing advanced technology and leading industry tools to the City of Norwalk.
“Norwalk is a big win for SUEZ and will continue to set the standard for excellence in operations and customer service in the New England region moving forward,” said Nadine Leslie, CEO of SUEZ North America. “This new partnership aligns with our company’s vision to expand and bring innovation to different communities all while enhancing the customer experience.”
One of the new solutions offered in the contract includes optimizing technology and automation systems, such as the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System and the Geographic Information System (GIS). Other smart sewer maintenance and management implementations include; acoustics, H2S gas monitors, sonar and level management tools. The City will also have access to a network of SUEZ experts and resources across North America. These additions will continue to modernize the system and allow the operation to run at a higher level of efficiency.
“The new partnership with SUEZ will allow us to expand the scope of services of our wastewater system without affecting residents and their day-to-day lives,” said Ralph Kolb, Senior Environmental Engineer with the Norwalk Water Pollution Control Authority. “Not only will it bring technology that will transform our infrastructure, but it will also set the foundation for growth and collaboration to secure a more sustainable future.”
The contract is set to begin in May of 2020 and is expected to bring operational excellence and enhanced compliance to Norwalk’s wastewater system. SUEZ is known for investing in each community it serves, and looks forward to collaborating with the City and local stakeholders for years to come.
About SUEZ in North America
SUEZ North America operates across all 50 states and Canada with 2,825 employees dedicated to environmental sustainability and smart and sustainable resource management. The company provides drinking water, wastewater and waste collection service to 6.6 million people on a daily basis; treats over 560 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 160,000 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 $1.1 billion in 2018 and is a subsidiary of Paris-based SUEZ.
About 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 optimize their resource management and strengthen their environmental and economic performances, in line with regulatory standards. With the full potential of digital technologies and innovative solutions, the Group treats over 45 million tons of waste a year, produces 4.4 million tons of secondary raw materials and 7.7 TWh of local renewable energy. It also secures water resources, delivering wastewater treatment services to 66 million people and reusing 1.1 billion m3 of wastewater. SUEZ generated total revenues of 17.3 billion euros in 2018.