Veolia Water North America, on Nov. 14, was officially announced as a recipient (partner on the private side) for the 2012 Public-Private Partnership Awards by the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP).?
Each year, the NCPPP identifies several projects that are outstanding examples of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Nominations are accepted from a wide range of sources, including NCPPP public and private sector members. The nominations are judged on several criteria, specifically originality, quality of design, efficient and effective implementation, economics, longevity of operation and meeting the definition of a PPP.?
Projects are awarded in the categories of Innovation, Infrastructure and Service. Infrastructure and Service Awards are granted to infrastructure and/or operations and maintenance projects and delivery of public services, respectively. Innovation awards are granted to those projects that provide a unique innovation to the field of PPPs through development or application of new concepts or methodology.?
A Service Award for the Town of North Haven Water Pollution Control Facility ? a partnership between the North Haven Public Works Department and Veolia Water North America ? was among the awards presented last month. This operations and maintenance contract between the wastewater company and the town has been in place over 20 years, in which time the contract has been renewed four times. It was the first full-service wastewater PPP in the state of Connecticut. Veolia saves the town about $100,000 in costs annually, in addition to providing stabilized rates for customers that remain some of the lowest sewer rates in the area. Top quality service is provided, as evidenced by no odor complaints and only one lost-time accident in 20 years.
Nominees are judged on project execution, effectiveness of the project or service and their visibility in the promotion of PPP projects. The projects are judged by a panel of recognized authorities on the history and current implementation of PPPs in the United States.