United Water
UNITED WATER: A LEADING WATER UTILITIES PROVIDER
United Water
UNITED WATER:
A LEADING WATER UTILITIES PROVIDER UNITED WATER IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST WATER AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT UTILITIES PROVIDERS IN THE UNITED STATES
WRITTEN BY JOHN SHIMKUS PRODUCED BY TOM VENTURO
United Water
A Leading Water Utilities Provider
U
NITED WATER WAS FOUNDED IN 1869 as Hackensack Water Company. Over 140 years since its establishment, the company now has a presence in 44 states and is the number two industry player in the U.S. with 8 percent private market share. Headquartered in New Jersey, United Water was acquired in 2000 by French company SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT— one of the world’s largest water service companies. Providing both water and wastewater services, United Water serves the water utilities needs of over 7 million Americans. United Water operates 226 municipal water systems throughout the United States, accounting for $2.5 billion in total assets. The company draws annual revenues of $800 million and employs 2,600. WHAT SETS THEM APART
With its large presence, United Water has been able to offer a diverse range of services, including: contract
Bertrand Camus - CEO, United Water
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United Water
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United Water offers a wide array of services
operations, infrastructure and tank management, customer service, metering, billing and collections, asset acquisition, facility design, construction, and ownership. “In this business, we’re one of the few companies that has both a regulated business and contract services model,” says Bertrand Camus, CEO of United Water, Community Relations & Creative Services. “A regulated business is where we own and operate water and wastewater utilities, and
United Water
SUPPLIER STATS
Accenture Utilities Practice Accenture Utilities BPO Services is the largest provider of outsourced Customer Care, Finance and Administration, Human Resources and Technology Services to utilities in North America, operating multiple call centers 24/7 across five time zones, producing 50 million bills and conducting 30 million meter readings annually. Visit Website
A Leading Water Utilities Provider
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the contract services model is where we enter into agreement with municipalities and cities to manage their service. That makes us unique, because most of our competitors are either in one or the other, rarely both.� United Water employee replaces a fire hydrant Through its regulated business segment, United Water owns and manages 20 water and wastewater utilities in eight states, serving a population of 2.1 million. Through its contract services operations, the company holds 240 public-private partnerships in 25 states, serving 5.1 million residents. This includes two of the nation’s largest water and wastewater treatment facilities in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Jersey City, New Jersey. United Water has the capacity to treat 945 million gallons of water and 815 million gallons of wastewater each day. The company also holds 86 industrial water and wastewater contracts throughout 25 states.
United Water
A Leading Water Utilities Provider
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Acquisition (SCADA) system into its operations. This allows United Water employees to assess and access United Water has led the way over its 140-year its assets remotely, thus improving efficiency and history in landmark technological innovations. For allowing for centralized control of the water flow. example, in the early 20th century, United Water was United Water was the first in the nation to develop one of the first to use both chlorine sterilization and an ozone filtration plant. charcoal filtration. More “We’re also implementing recently, the company WE’RE LOOKING TO SIGN a new ozone technology to was the first to introduce NEW CONTRACTS WITH treat water,” says Camus. automated water meter CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES “It acts like a lightning reading technology. “We THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. storm and electrically kills have a major development BERTRAND CAMUS - CEO OF UNITED WATER off bacteria and viruses in called ‘Project Lighthouse’ the water.” that’s designed to bring The company service solutions to collaborates with other water industry experts from customers,” says Henning. “It’s an automated system around the globe through the R+i Alliance—the that will allow customers to make one phone call and research consortium of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT. In know exactly where and when a service person is in fact, parent company SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT has terms of services delivered.” an annual research and development budget of $95 The company has also pursued automation by million solely dedicated to the advancement of water implementing a Supervisory Control and Data TECHNOLOGY
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United Water
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Replacing a fire hydrant
increasing the plant’s efficiency. United Water San Antonio & Crystal Ultrafiltration This absolute barrier against unwanted particles in drinking water requires less chlorine and minimal facility expansion.
IF THE
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United Water
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HAD A METER ON IT,
IT WOULD BE OURS.
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PEOPLE
While technology is certainly a crucial aspect of United Water’s business, people are the true focal point. “Moving forward, business growth is very important, but meeting and surpassing customer expectations and Checking and testing meters increasing value for our customers is pivotal. Making sure that our employees are well respected and continue to do their jobs in a way that’s enjoyable and brings value to their careers and to our customers is what matters.” “We’re developing our human capital plan. We’re investing into technology and our plants, but also into our people.” United Water is seeking to strengthen its corporate social responsibility. According to Camus.“This incorporates three things: our commitment to environmental compliance, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability. We believe in stakeholder dialogue, engaging community leaders, organizers and NGOs. That is a key element for us in terms of delivering the kind of service people want.”
United Water
A Leading Water Utilities Provider
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The company also promotes volunteer work in the community. Cleaning up beaches, planting trees and feeding the homeless are commonplace for United Water employees. An exciting new partnership with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Badges for Baseball was created as a juvenile crime prevention initiative. United Water works to enhance the relationship between law enforcement and kids in underserved communities across the country using baseball as the hook. Law enforcement officers and United Water volunteers become the coaches, teaching important lessons about teamwork, communication, respect, and leadership that can be used both on and off the field. SUSTAINABILITY
Field employees servicing lines
United Water has made a commitment to sustainable development in four different areas: Conserve Resources and Engage in the Circular Economy, Optimize waste recycling and recovery rates, Increase the yield of drinking water networks, Innovate to Respond to Environmental Challenges, Reduce greenhouse gases emissions, Improve energy efficiency throughout all operations, Increase and promote renewable energy generation, Take into account biodiversity preservation when managing sites,Empower Employees as Actors of Sustainable Development, Foster Professional Knowledge
United Water
A Leading Water Utilities Provider
Maintain an unyielding approach to occupational health and safety, Commit to diversity, Build Corporate Development Goals with all Stakeholders, Maintain an active dialogue with all stakeholders, Be a key actor of local sustainable development, Provide regular and easily accessible information about sustainable development actions. SCADA room
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PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
United Water is looking toward expansion as it prepares for the future. “We’re looking to sign new contracts with cities and municipalities throughout the country,” says Camus. “On the business side we’re still looking for tuck-in acquisitions adjacent to where we currently have operations.”
United Water
A Leading Water Utilities Provider
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STATISTICS
Name: United Water Country: USA Est: 1869
Haworth DAF upgrade
Revenue: $800m
However, Camus and other utilities providers hint at a looming question facing the industry. “Infrastructure is a major trend,” he notes. “We are having difficulty as a nation in terms of renewing the investments made 40 years ago in water infrastructure. It is past due to reinvest in these systems to meet our needs for the next 30 or 40 years.” Nonetheless, the company’s robust portfolio and professional know-how will see to it that every effort is made to enhance America’s water utilities experience.
Industry: Energy Premiere service: Water / wastewater management CEO: Bertrand Camus President: Robert J. Iacullo Senior VP & CFO: Edward J. Imparato President, Utility Service Co: Chris Boyd Website: www.unitedwater.com
United Water 200 Old Hook Road Harrington Park, NJ 07640
T: 201-767-9300 www.unitedwater.com