Government agencies and political officials from all spectrums have endorsed the idea of combining the resources of the public and private sectors to manage their community's water system in public-private partnerships. These partnerships with water companies are enabling local officials to solve their most pressing water challenges. In fact, public-private partnerships are at work in more than 2,000 North American communities. However, several special interest groups have challenged the public-private partnership concept and have gone so far as to publish numerous articles and news releases with inaccurate information, as well as distribute misinformation based solely on false rumors or myths.

What benefits can municipalities expect by entering into a public-private water partnership with Veolia Water North America?

From coast to coast, communities are faced with the need to spend millions of dollars to rehabilitate, repair, expand and run water and wastewater infrastructure systems. And, in a post-9/11 world, there is an even greater commitment to ensuring and enhancing the safety and quality of water resources.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it will cost taxpayers more than $500 billion over the next 20 years to overhaul the nation's water and wastewater infrastructure.

In addition to the need to upgrade and maintain compliance, our nation grapples with water quality concerns, and there are significant water quantity issues throughout the country. The average household uses 107,000 gallons of water each year. As communities grow and the demand for water increases for both residential and commercial use, local governments will need to consider solutions that ensure a sustainable water supply. Public-private partnerships can offer the much-needed answers.

Veolia Water North America offers municipalities a range of products and services that can involve managing entire water systems, including treatment plants, distribution systems, billings and collections, meter replacement and parts/inventory management. Benefits include:

•  Clean, quality water and improved customer service •  Tremendous costs savings and rate stability •  Environmental compliance •  Employee opportunities (improved training, professional growth and development, and opportunities in other markets or industries depending on an employee's skill sets and interests)

Cost savings and rate stability
Economics is usually a driver in the creation of public-private partnerships since some municipalities do not have the capital necessary to upgrade water infrastructures and operations. A municipality often is interested in lowering costs while ensuring quality service. Veolia Water North America can provide all equipment and technology to efficiently manage the city's water and wastewater operations. Through the application of technology and operations know-how, Veolia Water North America usually can reduce or stabilize a municipality's cost per gallon of treated water or wastewater. In fact, many cities can save between 10 and 40 percent through public-private partnerships.

Strategic control for the municipality
Cities are in strategic control of projects managed through a public-private partnership, no matter what happens. Water partnerships and contracts with Veolia Water North America are designed in a way that gives municipalities the flexibility to make changes in the future to meet new needs.

Employee opportunities
In most public-private partnerships, employees receive better pay, improved training, professional growth and development, and opportunities in other markets or industries depending on an employee's skill sets and interests. Staff reductions are usually limited to transfers or attrition.

Environmental compliance
Environmental regulations and standards are constantly changing and creating new challenges for local governments. As water experts, Veolia Water North America employees are required to stay up-to-date on all applicable regulations. Consequently, we assume full responsibility for compliance within the design capability of the facility. In cases where a city is facing a consent decree order or other compliance issues, we can offer solutions – such as installing cutting-edge technology – to make a facility operate within environmental guidelines.

Facility performance
Designing, operating and improving a municipal water or wastewater facility or infrastructure is a major investment for any municipality. As with any investment, municipalities want to ensure a fair return and long-lasting benefits. Even the most minor repair or replacement is important for maintaining a facility that is safe, compliant and capable of operating for years to come.

Active participation in the community
Mayors, city managers and council members look for water industry experts that are good corporate citizens. Participation in local community activities is an important aspect of every water partnership Veolia Water North America enters. From river cleanups to little league soccer, Veolia Water North America can be found at the heart of community service.