Jan 15, 2025
Veolia files plan for $62 million in customer improvements in its Delaware water system
▁▁▁
> Company executes major investments to treat PFAS in drinking water, including $42.5 million to treat up to 30 million gallons of water per day
> Plan invests $1,561 per average customer in water quality and service improvements
▁▁▁
Wilmington, DE – Veolia, the global leader in water and wastewater services, today filed a $62.4 million plan with the Delaware State Public Service Commission that will directly enhance water quality for customers in New Castle County. The plan features major investments in infrastructure to treat PFAS in the drinking water supply for over 100,000 people.
The proposal includes $42.5 million for a new building housing 42 filter vessels capable of treating PFAS in up to 30 million gallons of water per day, which is expected to be in service by June 30, 2025. The plan also includes significant investments in Veolia’s water distribution system, including a new aboveground storage tank to provide additional redundancy to customers in the Bear and New Castle service territory. Other investments in the plan renew water mains, service lines and hydrants to keep a strong and reliable water supply flowing throughout the region. The $62.4 million of improvements represents an average investment of approximately $1,561 per customer.
If the commission approves the $62.4 million plan, new rates for Veolia customers would go into effect starting August 30, 2025. As a result, the average residential bill would be increased by approximately 42.80% – the equivalent of 63 cents per day, or $19.19 per month.
Critical investments improve water quality and service
Veolia has spent millions of dollars in the last two years to upgrade water treatment systems to meet new safe drinking water standards, as well as replace or rehabilitate aging distribution lines, customer service lines and storage systems necessary to operate and maintain the system around the clock. Some of the most significant projects in the company’s plan include:
● Water Supply and Plant Upgrades: $42.5 million to design and construct PFAS treatment upgrades to the Stanton Water Treatment Plant.
● Water Mains, Service Lines, Hydrants and Meters: Over $14.9 million to replace and install new water mains – the critical arteries of drinking water systems – as well as customer service lines and other essential infrastructure that will improve reliability, safety and billing accuracy.
● Storage and Distribution System: Over $5 million for additional water storage and the rehabilitation and replacement of reservoirs and tanks in the distribution system.
These investments exemplify the goals of Veolia’s global GreenUp strategy, which strives to lead the ecological transformation of the planet by accelerating water quality improvement, decarbonization and technological innovation. By improving water quality and reliability for the people it serves, operating more efficiently and effectively, and working with community groups in the region, Veolia is demonstrating that proper long-term stewardship of natural resources is good for every stakeholder.
“Today marks a new era for our customers in Delaware and a major step in improving drinking water quality in the region by treating regulated PFAS chemicals in our local water supply,” said Larry Finnicum, Regional President of Veolia’s Mid-Atlantic Utility Division. “Veolia is leading the way in meeting new standards set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency well in advance of the proposed federal timeline of 2029 for reducing levels of PFAS that are found in many drinking water supplies in the United States.”
“Veolia is the world’s leader in helping communities provide water to their people, with a demonstrated commitment to customer service and a strong emphasis on ensuring everyone has reliable access to water resources that meet all safe drinking water standards. We are committed to this challenge here in Delaware, and our investments are designed to meet those goals with the full dedication of all Veolia’s resources,” said Karine Rougé, CEO of Veolia North America’s Municipal Water division.
Financial Assistance Available
While investment in critical infrastructure is essential to maintain the long-term sustainability of water systems and to keep pace with changing and increasingly stringent water quality standards, Veolia recognizes the importance of balancing responsible investment and affordability. Veolia understands that some customers may be experiencing financial hardships and that water service is vital regardless of circumstance. That’s why we offer a water assistance program created by Veolia which provides relief to people facing temporary financial crisis. New Castle County customers who need assistance with paying their water bills can visit Veolia’s regional financial assistance partner, New Jersey SHARES, a local, independent, non-profit organization that administers the program Eligible households may have their water bills reduced once per year. To learn more, visit the website.
▁▁▁
ABOUT VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA
A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent.
ABOUT VEOLIA GROUP
Veolia's ambition is to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. With nearly 218,000 employees on five continents, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for managing water, waste and energy that help to radically change the world. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia contributes to developing access to resources, preserving available resources and renewing them. In 2023, the Veolia group served 113 million people with drinking water and 103 million with wastewater services, produced 42 terawatt-hours of energy and recovered 63 million metric tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) generated consolidated sales of €45.3 billion in 2023.