Boston – Veolia North America announced it is joining with Water Finance Exchange (WFX) to help small and disadvantaged communities improve their water and wastewater systems. As a founding member of the WFX Water Roundtable, Veolia will use its experience, knowledge and energy to help communities find solutions to complex water problems.
With Veolia’s support, the WFX Water Roundtable will help communities identify and prioritize water projects, evaluate their technical and financial resources, explore creative funding strategies, and build the physical infrastructure. At a recent WFX workshop in western Tennessee, Veolia joined regional water sector leaders as well as local, state and federal government officials to share strategies and stories of how communities acquired the technical assistance, funding tools and workforce development necessary to improve water services for their residents.
Karine Rougé, chief executive officer of municipal water at Veolia North America, said, “Everyone deserves access to high-quality water and sanitation services, no matter where they live or what their community’s resources are. Veolia North America’s thousands of employees bring an unmatched depth of experience and know-how to the task of upgrading water infrastructure, and we’re excited to work together to confront the funding, implementation and operational challenges that are holding America back from fulfilling the promise of water equity for everyone.”
Brent Fewell, WFX co-founder, said, “We are very excited to partner with Veolia as we expand our work with rural, disadvantaged communities across the country. Their depth of experience in utility operations and knowledge of innovative technologies will help WFX better serve communities in pursuit of sustainable infrastructure and affordable solutions. Forward-thinking partners like Veolia recognize that we only achieve safe, affordable, and sustainable water and wastewater systems by working together. We look forward to growing the Water Roundtable to do just that.”
Through the Water Roundtable, WFX and Veolia will develop programs and partnerships that focus on specific community improvements as well as larger regional initiatives, to boost water quality and public health as well as economic opportunity. Veolia will devote its resources to helping communities create the paths to rebuild their water and wastewater infrastructure, and will encourage its employees to volunteer to help vulnerable communities improve their environmental compliance, support public health and spur economic development.
