PARAMUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--America’s water and wastewater systems need an estimated $1 trillion in investment to make up for decades of deferred maintenance and upgrades, but many communities lack the funding, organization or technical ability to begin tackling their challenges. That’s why Veolia North America, the largest private operator of water services in the United States, is joining with Water Finance Exchange (WFX), the trusted nonprofit improving America’s water infrastructure, to help small and disadvantaged communities improve their water and wastewater systems.
As a founding member of the WFX Water Roundtable, Veolia will use its experience, knowledge and energy to help communities find solutions to complex water problems, especially in rural, disadvantaged areas that often have the fewest tools but most need. WFX has helped communities in Texas, Idaho, Illinois and other states develop creative strategies to deliver water improvements, establish innovative governance systems, tap into new funding sources, create rigorous capital programs and manage construction programs – the vital behind-the-scenes work necessary to rebuild water systems.
With Veolia’s support, the WFX Water Roundtable will help communities identify and prioritize water projects, evaluate their technical and financial resources, explore creative funding strategies, and then get to work building the physical infrastructure their residents deserve. At a recent WFX workshop in western Tennessee, Veolia joined regional water sector leaders as well as local, state and federal government officials to share strategies and stories of how communities acquired the technical assistance, funding tools and workforce development necessary to improve water services for their residents.
Karine Rougé, Chief Executive Officer of Municipal Water at Veolia North America, said: “Everyone deserves access to high-quality water and sanitation services, no matter where they live or what their community’s resources are. Veolia North America’s thousands of employees bring an unmatched depth of experience and know-how to the task of upgrading water infrastructure, and we’re excited to work together to confront the funding, implementation and operational challenges that are holding America back from fulfilling the promise of water equity for everyone.”
Brent Fewell, WFX Co-Founder, said: “We are very excited to partner with Veolia as we expand our work with rural, disadvantaged communities across the country. Their depth of experience in utility operations and knowledge of innovative technologies will help WFX better serve communities in pursuit of sustainable infrastructure and affordable solutions. Forward-thinking partners like Veolia recognize that we only achieve safe, affordable, and sustainable water and wastewater systems by working together. We look forward to growing the Water Roundtable to do just that.”
Since its founding in 2020, WFX has helped communities across America explore innovative strategies to address their infrastructure deficiencies, including funding workshops and regional efforts for small communities to engage the same level of resources that larger systems take for granted. WFX has helped more than 30 communities across the country access more than $100 million in funding for water infrastructure, and has engaged federal, state and philanthropic partners to provide them financial as well as technical assistance.
Through the Water Roundtable, WFX and Veolia will develop programs and partnerships that focus on specific community improvements as well as larger regional initiatives – boosting water quality and public health as well as economic opportunity. Veolia will devote its resources to helping communities create the paths to rebuild their water and wastewater infrastructure, and will encourage its employees to volunteer to help vulnerable communities improve their environmental compliance, support public health and spur economic development.
Veolia North America provides sustainable, reliable and high-quality water, wastewater and biosolids management services to more than 20 million people across the United States. It is the largest combined water and wastewater operator in America, operating regional water utilities in six states as well as providing operation and maintenance services for more than 200 water, wastewater and biosolids management systems in 36 states. With thousands of employees operating across the country, Veolia North America can draw on a wealth of technical experience to help the Water Roundtable find practical solutions for communities and improve water equity for their residents.
ABOUT VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA
A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. www.veolianorthamerica.com
ABOUT VEOLIA GROUP
Veolia's ambition is to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. With nearly 218,000 employees on five continents, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for managing water, waste and energy that help to radically change the world. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia contributes to developing access to resources, preserving available resources and renewing them. In 2023, the Veolia group served 113 million people with drinking water and 103 million with wastewater services, produced 42 terawatt-hours of energy and recovered 63 million metric tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) generated consolidated sales of €45.3 billion in 2023. www.veolia.com
ABOUT WFX
Water Finance Exchange (WFX) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization composed of experienced water and finance professionals who work closely with communities to address head-on their water infrastructure funding needs and opportunities. Our mission is to help communities build sustainable and resilient utilities that are the foundation of economic growth and prosperity. www.waterfx.org