Veolia Water Responds to Criticism of Control and Environmental Record

Dear Editor,
Regarding the story: Marin County Qualifies Measure to Stop Agency From Outsourcing Jobs

There are several inaccuracies in the article that deserve correcting - namely on local control, district jobs, and the environmental record of Veolia Water North America, which is partnering with Novato to manage the city's wastewater treatment plant:

Control of the Novato Sanitary District Remains in local hands: The Novato Sanitary District structured the contract with Veolia Water to keep control with Novato residents. Ownership of all facilities, future capital spending, rate-setting, collection-system operation and maintenance, and overall management of the wastewater utility remain the responsibility and authority of the district.

All district employees were offered jobs at comparable compensation and retain union representation: All employees at the facility were offered positions at comparable compensation, with training and career-development opportunities made available to all impacted district personnel. In fact, they'll be represented by the same union, the Teamsters, which represented them when they were district employees.

Veolia Water has a strong environmental record: Veolia Water's compliance with the Clean Water Act exceeds 99 percent. Moreover, Veolia Water has a proven track record of environmentally sound, socially responsible and fiscally effective water and waste management. For an example, you need look no further than the San Francisco peninsula. For almost 40 years, Veolia Water has operated the nation's first and longest public-private partnership for municipal wastewater facilities in the city of Burlingame. Over the life of the partnership, Veolia Water has received 10 contract renewals and been awarded the "Small Plant Safety Award" for seven consecutive years from the California Water Environment Association.

In the Bay Area, we partner with Richmond, Calif. to operate a wastewater treatment plant that dates back to World War II. Veolia Water, working with the city, has increased the facility's permit compliance record to 97 percent versus 67 percent and has helped the city reduce overflows 80 percent in the past four years. The contract's projected savings for taxpayers is $75 million.

The city's decision will save residents $7.2 million, money that will stay in Novato, while contractually guaranteeing environmental compliance. In a time when many communities are struggling with funding for their critical water infrastructure, we're pleased we can help Novato achieve its environmental goals.

Sincerely,
Jim Good
Vice President
Veolia Water