HARRINGTON PARK, N.J., Jan. 29, 2001 (PRNewswire) — The United States Conference of Mayors presented an Outstanding Achievement Award to United Water and the City of Atlanta for their water services partnership.

Atlanta's Chief Operating Officer Larry Wallace and Jean Michel Brault, United Water president and acting CEO, accepted the honor at a special awards breakfast. The award's purpose is to inspire municipalities and companies to work together in improving the quality of life in American cities.

"We're obviously very excited to receive this award," said Wallace. "The City of Atlanta has taken a proactive role to improve the services we offer to the metropolitan Atlanta region. We've taken many progressive steps to promote economic opportunity and sustainable development for our community. This award acknowledges our efforts and rewards both Atlanta and United Water for what we have accomplished with our water services partnership."

On January 1, 1999, United Water entered a public-private partnership with the City of Atlanta to operate and maintain its municipal water system. The contract represents the largest such agreement in the nation and was considered by many industry experts to be a "model" for similar ventures in the future.

Under the terms of the deal, United Water is responsible for the daily operation and management of the city's two water treatment plants — Hemphill and Chattahoochee; 12 water system storage tanks; seven zone-transfer pumping stations; 25,000 fire hydrants; and a 2,400-mile network of water distribution mains.

United Water was recognized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors as a company that "exemplifies the type of corporate citizenship that makes cities stronger and healthier." In Atlanta, United Water has assisted the city with minority vendor recruitment program; partnered with Clark Atlanta University for collaborative research to promote technology transfer and intellectual exchange; and started a summer internship program with George Washington Carver High.

"Our work in the contract operations arena has been very exciting, particularly with our success in Atlanta," said Brault. "The cost reductions and improved efficiencies realized by these operations are a testament to the benefits that public-private partnerships can provide to municipalities across the nation."

United Water is the nation's second largest water services provider. The company provides water and wastewater service to more than 9 million people throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada through owned and operated utilities and operation and management contracts with municipalities. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux, the world's largest provider of water and wastewater services.