The city of Schenectady, N.Y., and Veolia Water North America received the 2011 Excellence in Public/Private Partnerships Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCOM), the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. USCOM awarded Schenectady and Veolia Water this honor in recognition of the partnership’s successful biosolids program and significant operational improvements at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Operating under a long-term partnership contract with the city of Schenectady, Veolia Water has management and operational responsibility for the city’s 15-dry-tons-per-day in-vessel compost facilities and product marketing, as well as its 18.5-million-gal-per-day rotating biological contactor wastewater treatment plant, eight pump stations and septage receiving and industrial pretreatment program.
"Since entering into our partnership with Veolia Water North America in 1991, the relationship has been nothing but positive," said Mayor Brian Stratton. “Veolia’s global expertise helps identify capital needs within the city’s system and helps us address the things that are most vital to the operation and safety of the facilities.”
Working together, Veolia Water and the city of Schenectady have achieved notable successes, including reductions in odor complaints about the city’s wastewater plant. Further, as the city squares off against harsh budgetary realities, its pre-existing partnership with Veolia Water has given it financial flexibility. As a result, the city is able to meet its environmental standards while staying within its budget.
As the city continues to expand, Veolia Water North America is working on additional projects, such as the implementation of an underground asset management (UGAM) program to reduce the its costs by extending the life of its assets. In addition, it is working on additional items like a co-generation program and drying system, which leverages the company’s Capital Program Management and Technical Groups. The co-generation project is expected to reduce the plant’s electrical consumption and the drying system will reduce the composting facility’s carbon footprint, both beneficial environmental upgrades.
Source: Veolia Water
