The Town of Goderich, Ontario, has awarded USF Canada, a USFilter Operating Services affiliate, a five-year operations and maintenance contract to operate the town's water and wastewater systems – including treatment facilities and collection/distribution systems. The partnership guarantees Goderich and its ratepayers high-quality, reliable and environmentally sound services at a fixed cost for the term of the contract.
"Although we will see cost savings over time, our primary objective for entering into this public-private partnership is to improve safety and reduce the risk of harm to our residents, and we feel that a public-private partnership best accomplishes these goals," said Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt.
According to Wally MacKinnon, vice president for USF Canada, the partnership will provide many benefits to the town's 7,500 residents. USF Canada guarantees operating performance and permit compliance and takes on all associated risks of running the town's water and wastewater systems. Existing employees jobs are protected, and all project staff will be given advanced training for certification at the highest levels. In addition, Goderich's own resources will be freed up for other municipal priorities. The town has the option to renew the contract for a second five-year term.
"We are confident Goderich citizens will benefit from our state-of-the-art technology, expertise and proven operational approaches," said MacKinnon. "Each year, we spend $50 million on global research and development in the water field, and with our 150 years of collective experience managing water and wastewater systems, Goderich citizens can be assured that the services we provide will be first-rate."
"The partnership provides us the best of both worlds," said Mayor Shewfelt. "USF Canada will apply the latest expertise to make sure we have the safest and most reliable water supply, and we will retain ownership of the assets and the authority to maintain rates for residents throughout the term of the partnership.
USFilter Operating Services, which is part of USFilter, designs, builds, operates, owns and finances water, wastewater and related utility facilities and systems. USFilter, a Vivendi Water company, is the leading global provider of commercial, industrial, municipal and residential water and wastewater treatment systems, products and services, with operations in more than 100 countries.
SOURCE: USFilter
