■ Utilities
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Two of the latest towns added to the Veolia coverage system are Allendale in Bergen County and North Brunswick in Middlesex County . Their additions illustrate the utility ’ s flexibility in expanding its scope . Allendale was wholly acquired by Veolia , which assumed control of the entire system . North Brunswick sought to retain ownership , however , and negotiated a privatization agreement in which Veolia will run the day-to-day operation .
“ We have had significant growth this year ,” Rougé said , adding “ we are expecting more acquisitions of systems .”
The utility ’ s relationship can take different forms with the towns its serves . For instance , three towns which share borders in Hudson County – Bayonne , Hoboken and Jersey City – have distinct agreements with Veolia . The City of Bayonne is a peninsula on the southern tip of the county . Veolia is 10 years into a 40-year contract managing the city ’ s water and sewer .
In Jersey City to the immediate north , Veolia has been under contract with the Municipal Utilities Authority for the past 10 years . Under that agreement , Veolia drafts the capital plans and assists in many innovative projects along the waterfront and elsewhere as the city grows .
In the 25 years Veolia has been working in Hoboken , the city has doubled in size from 30,000 to 55,000 residents . The utility is in the midst of a massive undertaking to upgrade water infrastructure throughout the milesquare city .
“ We cooperate . We ’ re flexible and we operate with the best interests of the community ,” Rougé said .
As Rougé looks to the future she sees Veolia making significant investments ,
Veolia maintenance crews work diligently to insure New Jersey residents can trust their water .
especially in the treatment of contamination from Polyfluorinated Substances ( PFAS ). These are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat , oil , stains and grease . They do not break down in the environment and their effect on human health remains under study . State and federal authorities are now setting limits on PFAS . “ The future of PFAs is front and center ,” Rougé said , adding that as a water treatment specialist Veolia will have a proactive role in developing the new practices .
The Veolia executive is also very excited by the new strides in energy production . For instance , she was fascinated by an operation in a nearby state that uses byproducts from a wastewater treatment plant to help run a biodiesel factory .
As a global leader in the water industry , Veolia is a steward of natural resources and protector of the environment .
Photo : Veolia North America
“ We are constantly thinking , what is waste ? And how can we use that ? And will it become core to what we do ?”
Rougé is also incredibly proud of Veolia . “ We are lucky to be in a place where our goal is very big . It ’ s always something that makes me humble and happy .” She emphasized that many workers have been employed by the company for decades and it is not uncommon for several generations from the same family to work at a plant . “ That ’ s real social uplift through jobs that are stable and well-paying .”
“ You ’ re giving skills to many citizens to understand how to treat resources , how to use innovation , how to be good citizens to your local community ,” Rougé said . “ I think we can really be a force for good .”
Photo : Veolia North America Photo : Veolia North America
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