United Water and City of Camden Reach Settlement on Terms of Water Contract
March 15 2012 - 12:26PM
Business Wire
United Water and the City of Camden announce that they have
reached agreement for settling a lawsuit between the two parties
concerning the provision of water and wastewater service to the
City’s residents. The settlement is comprised of two components:
monetary resolution of all claims; and modification of the existing
water service agreement. The modified agreement will be retroactive
to July 1, 2011 and expire on January 31, 2015.
The modified agreement promises to benefit the citizens of
Camden, and enhance the ability of United Water to provide improved
service through the creation of an annual $1.5 million fund
specifically designated to the maintenance and repair of the City’s
infrastructure. Camden will also receive an approximate $700,000
annual concession fee, which will be subject to the consumer price
index. The City will pay United Water a fixed fee of $10.8 million
for management and operation of the water and wastewater
system.
“I am pleased that the negotiations with United Water resulted
in this important agreement,” said Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd. “The
settlement has the potential to greatly improve water and
wastewater services for the residents of Camden and will also
enable the City to use our limited resources to address other needs
as we continue the work necessary to rejuvenate our great
city.”
Under the terms of the settlement, United Water has agreed to
maintain, repair and replace the City’s fire hydrants and will use
the annual repair fund to help perform the work. United Water will
also be undertaking a leak detection program.
“We’re very pleased to have reached an amicable settlement with
the City of Camden and to have opened up significant new
opportunities for United Water,” said Bob Iacullo, President of
United Water. “We have developed an excellent working
relationship with the City and this settlement helps us all move
forward in a positive way. We are excited about continuing to bring
professional, innovative and cost-effective solutions to improve
the delivery of water and wastewater service to Camden
residents.”
ABOUT UNITED WATER
United Water provides water and wastewater services to
approximately 5.7 million people in the United States. In addition
to owning and operating 20 regulated utilities, United Water
operates about 100 municipal systems through public-private
partnerships and contract agreements. Founded in 1869, United Water
is a subsidiary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT.
About SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
Natural resources are not infinite. Each day, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
(Paris: SEV, Brussels: SEVB) and its subsidiaries deal with the
challenge to protect resources by providing innovative solutions to
industries and to millions of people. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT supplies
drinking water to 91 million people, provides wastewater treatment
services for 61 million people and collects the waste produced by
50 million people. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT has 79,554 employees and,
with its presence on a global scale, is the world’s leader
exclusively dedicated to environmental services. SUEZ
ENVIRONNEMENT, a 35.4% GDF SUEZ affiliate, reported sales turnover
of 13.9 billion euros ($18.5 billion USD) at the end of financial
year 2010.