The company has been operating the facilities since 1992. The ten-year renewal, valued at $122m, covers a combined treatment capacity of about 150 million gallons per day.
Treatment capacity will now be increased to 550,000 m3 per day and Veolia will optimize septage receiving, biosolid disposal and hurricane recovery measures.
The water board increased its target level for supporting economically disadvantaged businesses to 30% from 20%.
In the renewed partnership, 30% of revenues from the partnership will be invested in the local economy via 10 firms in the town.
Veolia had earlier worked with the S&WB to generate over $35m in overall savings for residents. The new contract includes the option for 10 one-year renewal opportunities.
S&WB executive director Cedric Grant said: "Our relationship has enabled us to achieve exceptional results. We’re looking forward to continuing the partnership and offering new opportunities to the region’s disadvantaged communities."
Veolia North American Municipal and Commercial Business Lines president and COO William DiCroce said: "Future-looking agreements such as this one enable economic, social and environmental objectives to be achieved that go well beyond the technical aspects involved in managing a public service."
Image: Veolia has been operating New Orleans’ two wastewater treatment plants since 1992. Photo: courtesy of Veolia.
