2016 - SUEZ Water · 2016 sustainability report a word from Eric Gernath, CEO SUEZ North America...

2016north america

sustainable development reportready for the resource revolution

1B2016 sustainability report

contentsa word from Eric Gernath, CEO 1

risks and resource efficiency 2

protecting and regenerating resources 3

water conservation 3

waste recovery 6

environmental footprint 7

developing our workforce 9employee development 9

employee engagement 10

equal opportunities 11

health and safety 12

an ecosytem of collaboration - working with and for our communities 13

customer centricity 13

local economy 15

knowledge sharing 16

essential service access 17

charitable contributions 18

recognition by third-party organizations 20

key figures 22

1B2016 sustainability report

a word from Eric Gernath, CEOSUEZ North America

This report marks a pivotal year as we close the 2013-2016 Sustainability Roadmap and open a new chapter that will lead us toward 2020. It is an occasion for us to review what we achieved over the past four years and what is still ahead of us to shape the Resource Revolution, our long-term goal. Ultimately, our efforts will help our customers to achieve their own sustainability objectives, driving them toward a more environmentally and socially responsible future.

Our way of life depends on our environment. One with a sound, sustainable flow of water and natural resources. We must continue to improve our conservation efforts to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

All the themes developed in this Sustainable Development Report incorporate our strategic Vision 2020 to Grow, Collaborate and Optimize. These include:

• Assessing and mitigating our environmental impact by protecting and regenerating resources to help us Optimize, from both an environmental and economical point of view

• Developing our workforce to offer our clients the best service available and establishing an ecosytem of Collaboration - working with and for our communities

• Ultimately, fostering innovation and enhancing our customers’ experience will lead us to Grow our business

Please enjoy reading this report!

At SUEZ, we are leading the charge for the Resource Revolution. With a circular approach, we’re working to regenerate far more resources than we discard. We’re making concrete initiatives to protect the environment. And our collaboration is bringing new ideas to the table. We must act on the principle that refuse produced by some can become raw materials for others — adapting from a culture of take, make, dispose, into an economy of reduce, recover, recycle.

322016 sustainability report

risks & resource efficiencychallenges advantages

Responsible use

of chemicals

Increased RegulationsThe water industry is undergoing increased regulations on environmental and health topics, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Anticipating these regulations and going beyond the required compliance allows for a competitive advantage.

Water source

protection

Infrastructure

improvement

Smart

network

Aging InfrastructureAccording to the EPA, water pipes in the U.S. are classified as poor, very poor or life-elapsed. This will increase by 10% to 44% by 2020.*

Thanks to its master planning program, SUEZ is upgrading its network and making it smarter to allow customers to follow their consumption in real time.

Thanks to its size, array of expertise and innovative spirit, SUEZ is capable to offer its clients bundled solutions for their water and wastewater needs.

Manage drinking water

network efficiently

Conservation

programs

SUEZ in North America is already helping its customers save and conserve water to ease the pressure on water availability.

Water Scarcity40 of 50 states expect water shortages in the next 5-10 years according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Available water from rain sources is estimated to fall by 73% between 1950 and 2050.

Thanks to its size, array of expertise and innovative spirit, SUEZ is capable to offer its clients bundled solutions for their water and wastewater needs.

Pressure on Operational CostsThe need to compress costs while maintaining a high-quality service. The EPA estimates that the cost of water infrastructure investments for the next 20 years will be over $650 billion in the U.S.

Thanks to its size, array of expertise and innovative spirit, SUEZ is capable to offer its clients bundled solutions for their water and recycling needs.

Better serving our

customers' needs

Innovative

technology

*The Clean Water and Drinking Infrastructure Gap Analysis


protecting and regenerating resources As a resource management company, we are highly dependent on the availability of natural resources. It is of utmost importance for SUEZ to maintain the highest standards for the use and treatment of water and the effective management and recovery of waste.

For several years, the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist within Rutgers University has partnered with SUEZ to develop and implement a water conservation program focused on delivering lawn and garden watering information to SUEZ customers throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware during the summer months. Using meteorological data collected from high-quality SUEZ weather and climate networks and the National Weather Service, SUEZ customers can save water and money and uphold SUEZ’ commitment to provide safe, clean and sustainable water supplies.

In water-scarce regions, such as Idaho, SUEZ is going the extra mile by providing customers with free water-efficient landscaping classes and free water-conserving devices (available during the irrigation season), such as rain sensors, hose timers and hose nozzles. Our Idaho facility also has demonstration gardens that showcase several plants native to arid climates and sponsors a summer media campaign for water conservation.

Water-scarce Boise, Idaho

water conservationBecause water is a precious and essential resource, SUEZ is helping its clients to better manage the water cycle holistically, through conservation, reuse and by using a smart network.

water conservation environmental footprintwaste recovery


Water pumped from sources does not always ends up in customers’ faucets, partly due to leaks and main breaks or water theft.

non-revenue water

In 2016, SUEZ drove a massive improvement in non-revenue water (NRW) management, reducing NRW loss to 17.5 percent (vs. 20.12 percent in 2015). This has saved 3 billion gallons of water from being lost in the distribution system, thus improving water resiliency and saving costs. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of our field teams, as well as a focused dedicated effort driven by new leak detection technology, SUEZ has already achieved its long-term target of 18 percent of NRW by 2020. In addition, main breaks in 2016 were slightly below the five-year average, mainly due to the successful reinforcement of our network renewal program.

Our NRW reduction efforts in New Jersey and New York saved energy as well as water, which means more savings for our customers. In New Jersey, the installation of Leak Detection Dataloggers has saved approximately $500,000 in 2016, while the reduction in NRW in New York saved customers $250,000.

NON REVENUE WATER 12 Month Rolling Adjusted Volume

Leak Detection Dataloggerssaved New Jersey customers

$500,000 in 2016

Leak Detection Dataloggerssaved New York customers

$250,000 in 2016


170,000 smart meters live

One of the largestsmart networks

in the world

over 1,000 milesof smart network

3.0 billion gallons of water saved annually

with use of smart meters

The Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility in El Segundo, CA recycled about 47.3 mgd of water in 2016.

smart meter, smart network SUEZ has been metering water since the early 20th century and was a pioneer in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) by inventing and running a phone- based system to read every meter, every day in the mid-1980s. We have since transitioned to using wireless meter reading technologies, or “smart” meters, which record real-time water consumption data. This data is sent both to the utility for monitoring and billing and to the customers for better management of their consumption. This precise data leads to better detection of leaks and water losses.

SUEZ built the largest smart water network in the United States, with more than 170,000 smart meters installed and over 1,000 square miles of network coverage. Twenty five percent of our Environmental Services customers utilize smart meters. The goal is for all meters to be smart.

The use of a smart network lets us provide our customers with precise and real-time data of their consumption, so that they can monitor their water use and detect leaks in a timely manner. Smart networks are not only a technological innovation that answers customer aspirations, they are also an environmentally friendly way for customers to monitor their consumption and ultimately save water.

water reuseCalifornia faces water scarcity challenges linked to its climate, amplified by competing demand for water among agriculture, industry and residential users. Due to the severe drought that has stricken the region for the last few years, the state became even more dependent on imported water and had to impose mandatory water restrictions for the first time ever.

In partnership with the West Basin Municipal Water District in El Segundo, CA SUEZ provides over 300 major clients (industrial, commercial, public) with reclaimed water. Thanks to our expertise, we were able to produce about 47.3 million gallons of reclaimed water in 2016 at the Edward C. Little Recycling Facility. This included five types of designer water: • Barrier water: used to replenish the underground aquifer and provide a barrier to seawater intrusion

• Single pass Reverse Osmosis: used for low pressure boiler feed water for refineries

• Double-pass Reverse Osmosis: used as high pressure boiler feed water for Chevron (oil & gas) refineries

• Nitrified water: used for refineries cooling towers • Tertiary water: used for irrigation, double pumping and further industrial applications


waste recoveryAt SUEZ, our material, energy and biological solutions put everything in place to reuse waste and produce new resources in the most efficient, sustainable way. We aim to help our clients optimize the management and recovery of their waste.

Since 2011, SUEZ has managed the Edmonton Waste Management Center, located in the province of Alberta in Canada, which includes three main facilities:

• Edmonton Composting Facility (ECF) and Anaerobic Digestion Facility: ECF creates compost from 160,00 tons of organic waste and biosolids per year; when commisioned, the Anaerobic Digestion Facility will process up to 48,000 tons annually

• Integrated Processing and Transfer Facility (IPTF), Construction & Demolition (C&D) Facility & Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) Facility: the IPTF, responsible for sorting waste into various categories (composting, biofuels production and landfill) can process approximately 250,000 tons of waste per year, while the RDF pre-processes and provides feedstock for use in biofuel manufacturing processes and the C&D recovers wood, dry walls, asphalt shingles, concrete and metals

• Materials Recovery Facility (MRF): processing up to 50,000 tons of recyclable materials each year, the MRF helps recover several types of waste, including metals and paper, which can be ultimately used by nearby customers, contributing to local economic development

The ECF is one of the largest facilities of its kind in Canada and helps the City of Edmonton divert up to 60 percent of its household waste from landfill through recycling and composting. Thanks to our partnership with the City of Edmonton, SUEZ is moving closer to achieving the Resource Revolution.

recycling & recoveryBetween 2015 and 2016, SUEZ has increased the annual volume of treated wastewater for reuse to 89.41 million cubic meters, from 47.52 million cubic meters.

In 2016, out of the 534 tons of waste generated at our locations, 146 tons, or 27.4 percent, were recycled. With more than 25 percent already recycled, we are committed to continue improving our performance by encouraging employees to recycle.

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF): processes up to 50,000 tons of recyclable materials each year


Materials Recovery Facility (MRF): processes up to 50,000 tons of recyclable materials each year

climate resilience programIn 2016, our Delaware Operation was included in a pilot group to study the long-term effects of climate change on its assets and the supply of drinking water to communities. Thanks to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, our utility in Wilmington assessed its exposure to climate change effects through the Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT). This tool allowed the Wilmington site to better understand and adapt to climate change via a five-step process:

1. Climate awareness: Several tools are made available to help better assess climate change exposure;

2. Scenario development: Selection of threats is made, depending on climate change awareness results, allowing us to build in a baseline scenario that considers such parameters as temperature, precipitation, land movement, storms, etc.;

3. Consequences & assets: Monetary impact of the consequences is calculated, depending on the assets’ value;

4. Adaptation planning: Assessment of existing and potential adaptive measures is made. Adaptation plans, allowing for budget considerations, are then made;

5. Risk assessment: Assets and threats are paired, providing us with a risk-assessment framework to determine the current measures’ total consequences, adaptation plan’s total consequences, total monetized risk reduction and the adaptation plan’s total cost.

This pilot project has helped build our expertise on climate change resilience and offers a path to better assess our sites’ exposure to climate change effects and associated coping measures.

environmental footprintAt SUEZ, we aim to improve the environmental footprint of our facilities and services by using energy more efficiently and by using more renewable energy. Our efforts have mitigated our overall environmental impact, including our carbon footprint.

renewable energyAs part of our dedication to monitoring and reducing our environmental impact, SUEZ produces renewable energy at several of our facilities: • West Basin, CA, produces 1,582 MWh each year via solar panels

• New Castle, NY, water treatment plant reached 1 MWh, thanks to its solar wall

• Bayonne, NJ, operations has a wind turbine that generated 710 MWh in 2016 • Nassau County, NY, biogas utilization facilities recovered 57 GWh of energy

With an overall production of 60.29 GWh, we reached our objective of producing 40 GWh of useful renewable energy by 2016. We expect to further exceed this target over the next few years when a 1.8 MWh hydro facility on the Passaic River in New Jersey will be placed in service.

West Basin, CA, produces 1,582 MWh each year thanks to solar panels.


energy efficiencyIn 2016, SUEZ conducted 29 energy efficiency projects that saved our clients and us more than $1.26 million, illustrating the material impact that environmental projects can have on financial statements.

We recently completed an energy saving project in Burbank, CA which can serve as a case study for innovative public-private partnerships. The Burbank Water Reclamation Plant was using three multi-stage centrifugal blowers that resulted in high electricity costs, due to low efficiencies. It also presented permit compliance challenges. We proposed to our client to replace the blowers with high-efficiency turbo blowers. We developed an energy model to serve as the basis for quantifying the energy savings and sharing half the savings with the client during the first year of operation. This energy model provided a transparent contracting approach and was instrumental in completing the project successfully. The project is estimated to save $75,000 in electric costs annually, which will be split evenly with our client.

Our North American corporate headquarters in Paramus, NJ was certified Gold in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, which recognizes building owners and operators for the environmental design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings, homes and neighborhoods.

Wastewater


trainingOur employees are our most valuable assets. SUEZ is committed to the development of its workforce. Every investment in our employees is not only an opportunity to increase efficiency, but also to better engage our workforce in our success. In 2016, SUEZ offered over 67,000 training hours to its North American personnel, equivalent to 20.71 hours per employee, which exceeded our objective of 18 hours. We are proud of this achievement, for it illustrates our commitment to developing and retaining highly qualified staff throughout our organization. This training also allows for internal mobility, which enhances staff satisfaction.

developing our workforce Achieving all of our goals would be impossible without a qualified and engaged workforce offering our clients the best service available. The work that our team is doing on a daily basis allows us not only to deliver on the promises but to go the extra-mile and enhance customer centricity.

employee development

health and safety

employee engagement

equal opportunities

employee developmentThe success of SUEZ relies on the outstanding quality service we provide to our clients. We are committed to investing in the development of our employees, and our learning culture offers employees opportunities to further their knowledge and skills to achieve their career goals.

goal

A total of 67,000training hours

Goal surpassed by 18 hours

Number hours per personnel


employee engagementWe are boosting employee engagement, convinced that engaged, satisfied and committed employees enjoy a better quality of work life and provide a better quality of service to customers.

business resource groups With daily changes facing our business, it is more important than ever to involve employees with building a more inclusive and engaging work place. Under our Diversity & Inclusion efforts, we have four Business Resource Groups (BRGs) active at SUEZ in North America which seek to do that by organizing themselves around common values and a mission statement.

Most recently, at the request of employees, the Generation LYNC BRG embraced change to focus more on professional development. Now known as LYNC, this BRG is dedicated to providing opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Employees have more opportunities to get involved with the SUEZ BRGs. The Women’s Leadership Network is dedicated to accelerating advancement opportunities for all women working at SUEZ. This initiative aligns with one of our Company’s core goals for creating a pipeline of women in leadership positions.

The United Veterans Network helps those who served in the military and positions SUEZ as a veteran-friendly workplace.

Together for Resource Awareness Conservation & Environment (TRACE) encourages employees to share ideas and take actions so that we continue to have a positive impact on the environment both as a company and individually.


equal opportunitiesSUEZ will be the reference company for our industry, recognized for our commitment to diversity and inclusion. We provide an environment that celebrates individual uniqueness and enables all employees to contribute to our success and share in the rewards. We have a strong commitment to promote the diversity of our workforce and ensure equal employment opportunities for all.

women in our workforceSUEZ strongly supports equal opportunities for all employees, providing them with the chance to develop their competencies and reach their professional objectives.

In 2016 we moved closer to our target of 24 percent women in our workforce and 27 percent in managerial positions, both important goals in an industry that has been historically male-dominated.

2016 workforce results

North America workforce

Women in management

77.3% male

22.7% female

27.4%


health and safetyThe health and safety of our employees is paramount to the overall success of SUEZ. That’s why we are strongly committed to zero injuries and ensuring that the people who contribute to SUEZ are safe everywhere, at all times.

compliance with safety and environmental rules and regulationsThe Haworth Water Treatment Plant in New Jersey was originally constructed in 1964 as a 40-million-gallon-per-day (MGD) facility; in 1988, the plant was expanded to a 200-MGD facility. The plant provides water to more than 850,000 people throughout Bergen and Hudson counties. In 2015, an upgrade and consolidation project began to eliminate the 1964 substation and upgrade the 1988 26-kilovolt (kV) substation with an additional 16 to 26kV and 4,160v breakers, bringing the plant into compliance with current safety and environmental rules and regulations.

The new 2,000 and 3,000-amp vacuum circuit breakers were supplied with such safety features as remote racking mechanisms and mimic panels to protect employees during operation and maintenance of the equipment, thereby ensuring compliance with NFPA 70E Arc Flash and OSHA rules. Synchronization relay systems have been installed to allow maintenance and operations staff to move power supplied by the utility company or by our on-site backup generators throughout the upgraded substation without impacting the plant.

This project has significantly improved the Haworth facility’s power redundancy and resiliency, and the seamless shift in power the upgrade provides is critical in ensuring uninterrupted energy for the plant’s operations, resulting in more reliable water service. In 2016, we were recognized with the New Jersey’s Leading Infrastructure Project Award from the New Jersey Alliance for Action.

recordable injury rate


customer centricitySUEZ is moving toward a more customer-centric view. We need to better understand the needs and expectations of our customers.

A good example of engagement from SUEZ is our contract with Manalapan. The Township is a municipality comprised of approximately 40,000 residents within Monmouth County, NJ. SUEZ has been operating in Manalapan Township for almost 25 years. Thanks to our team, the officials of the Township are highly satisfied with the contract and renewed it in 2017 for an additional 20 years. Open and continuous communication along with community outreach and education are at the basis of this great customer satisfaction.

“Simply put, the Township has had a great relationship with SUEZ over the last 20 years, and the agreement was expanded for another 20 years in 2016. SUEZ provides safe drinking water for

our residents on the south side, and the water supply is also important for fire suppression in our buildings. I thank and congratulate SUEZ for being part of this town, and we hope this agreement

will keep in place for many years to come."

- Jack McNaboe, Deputy Mayor, Manalapan Township, NJ

SUEZ’ Advanced Solutions division offers its expertise to industrial clients. Ascend Performance Materials, located in Pensacola, FL is one of these clients. Ascend Performance Materials used to maintain its wells by itself but after few years the capacity dropped and new wells needed to be drilled, hence increasing costs. Thanks to the Aqua Gard system, SUEZ was able to help in the maintenance and performance of those wells.

“SUEZ’ management approach has allowed us to move from a reactive maintenance approach to a proactive approach. We’ve been very pleased with SUEZ’ level of professionalism and high level of expertise. We are really looking forward to our long-term relationship with SUEZ.” - Jeff Jeaneaught, Process Engineer, Ascend Performance Materials

customer centricity

creating an ecosytem of collaboration - working with and for our communitiesEvery great achievement needs a network of partners. SUEZ is collaborating with external partners to help advance our different projects, but also to build local communities. Our engagement with all of them makes SUEZ a central piece of that ecosystem.

essential service access

local economy

knowledge sharing


interviewFred Hunsinger Emergency Response Manager, Columbia County, PA

SUEZ: How is Columbia County partnering with SUEZ in North America?

Fred: SUEZ operates the Irondale Water Treatment Plant in Bloomsburg, PA providing advanced technology water service to surrounding communities. SUEZ has always provided us with transparent and straightforward communication, which results in exceptional collaboration.

SUEZ: Do you have an example of that exceptional collaboration?

Fred: There actually are many examples. The first that comes to mind was in July of 2015. There was an oil spill at one of SUEZ' sources of water supply. We were rapidly in touch with SUEZ' Pennsylvania operations. Thanks to SUEZ' extraordinary dedication and reactiveness, they helped us ensure customers that the water was safe and conducted several communications to keep customers and the local communities informed. On that occasion we saw SUEZ going the extra mile and fulfilling its duties without obligation and in an efficient and timely manner.

During that event, safe water had been provided for those in need who were outside the company’s scope, in townships not served by SUEZ. Overall, this unfortunate

event showed us how SUEZ established hand-in-hand relationships with its customers in case of emergency and can work as a team to mitigate risks.

Another example would be Hurricane Sandy in 2012. SUEZ mobilized generators to all of its sites in the event of power outages. This emergency process is still in place in case of future natural disasters.

SUEZ: Outside of emergencies, on a daily basis, does SUEZ provide the same level of commitment to the community?

Fred: SUEZ stays consistent and constant in its outstanding commitment and efforts. For instance, to build the new Irondale plant, SUEZ met with a variety of stakeholders and anticipated future climate conditions and increased community resilience by building the new $32 million plant on a site above the flood plain. During the construction period, SUEZ kept us informed of the progress made and maintained a lot of interaction with Columbia County officials. As always, the relationship was open and honest, and SUEZ did its best to ensure the continuity of service. I remain very happy with this partnership and the great SUEZ staff I deal with on a regular basis.

Fred Hunsinger, a former fire chief and director of the Department of Public Safety, manages the emergency response staff for Columbia County, PA which encompasses the emergency management team and the regional 911 center. Both interact with SUEZ in North America. Very satisfied with SUEZ, he gave us a glimpse of how SUEZ is going the extra mile for its clients.


local economyAt SUEZ, we aim to contribute to a responsible economy through local community development and a responsible supply chain.

diverse supplier spend SUEZ’ efforts to provide equal opportunities does not stop at the doors of our plants; we aim to include diverse suppliers with which we do business. That’s why we set a goal to dedicate four percent of our total supplier spend to minority-owned businesses by 2016. Diverse suppliers include small businesses and/or businesses owned by women, veterans or minorities. In 2016, we spent more than $22 million on diverse minority-owned businesses, reaching 5.14 percent of our total spend. Thanks to our partnerships with minority businesses on several large capital projects, we were able to exceed our target.

improving supply chain performanceSUEZ is part of a broader economic environment and can have an impact on its entire supply chain through its purchasing policy. That’s why we are committed to being a responsible buyer and promoting responsible suppliers. As of 2016, all standard contract templates at Environmental Services and Utility operations contain Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) clauses. CSR clauses can include a variety of sustainability topics, such as ensuring a safe work site, doing business with certified Minority and Women Business Enterprises, respecting non-discrimination in employment principles or following a Code of Conduct for ethical behavior. In December 2016, SUEZ began rolling out Avetta, a standard qualification grid for suppliers that integrates CSR criteria and focuses on health and safety issues for key contractors.

SUEZ developed a specific tool to monitor environmental objectives. ChemTracker is active in 10 business units, as of today and helps manage and optimize the use of chemicals in the treatment process. SUEZ also partners with technical teams to track energy efficiency initiatives. For example, our Advanced Solutions division installed telematics technology in company vehicles to monitor fuel use and improve its efficiency. SUEZ does not limit its involvement to environmental objectives; it also reinforces procurement’s social impact: using suppliers from the social and solidarity economy, supporting local development (small and medium enterprises) and partnering with diverse suppliers.

corporate philanthropyThe SUEZ Foundation, established in 2009, intends to support non-profit organizations that encourage innovative environmental programs in communities across North America in three main fields: environmental protection, humanitarian relief and educational advancement of citizenry.

Through the SUEZ Foundation, we are helping the communities we serve by focusing our efforts on non-profit organizations related to water or sustaining the environment. With charitable contributions of $1,190 million in 2016, the SUEZ Foundation supports a broad array of charities wherever we operate. While two-thirds of our contributions go to environmental projects, we also help advance education and provide health and humanitarian support. The SUEZ Foundation also awards several environmental grants to help some charitable organizations deliver specific projects.


knowledge sharingTo achieve the Resource Revolution on a large scale, SUEZ is committed to spread and share both expertise and knowledge.

SUEZ is involved in several scientific partnerships to further advance the sciences and knowledge linked to the water industry. One of them is with the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The AWWA is an international, nonprofit, scientific and educational society of water sector professionals dedicated to providing total water solutions assuring the effective management of water. The AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.

SUEZ: How does SUEZ contribute to the AWWA’s work?

Steve: As a major private actor in the water industry in North America and in the U.S., SUEZ is very active within the AWWA. Through Keith Cartnick, SUEZ’ water quality director, SUEZ assisted in the development of the Water Utility Manager’s Guide to Cyanotoxins (May 2015), which included a section on SUEZ’ Cyanobacteria Management Plan. Keith presented the guide at a US EPA’s public meeting and webinar and at a number of sector events, stressing the use of available information to guide action and what those potential utility actions are when preparing and responding to cyanotoxins in drinking water.

SUEZ: Why are cyanotoxins a major topic of concern, and what can be done about it?

Steve: Elevated cyanotoxins are viewed as a semi-acute health threat, particularly to small children. Preventing conditions that lead to cyanotoxin blooms and having systems in place to respond when such blooms occur and release toxins is sound water system management practice. The AWWA drew on SUEZ’ experience preventing

and responding to cyanotoxins when developing the Water Utility Manager’s Guide to Cyanotoxins. While the guide illustrates how much we know and can do to manage cyanotoxins, there are still gaps in our understanding. SUEZ’ experience is playing an ongoing role in informing the sector’s research agenda to further improve our ability to manage the risks.

SUEZ: In addition to the publication of this guide, how does SUEZ help with the AWWA’s work?

Steve: SUEZ is very active in the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative Best Practices Working Group. The Collaborative is a joint effort of 24 national public health, water utility, environmental, labor, consumer, housing, and state and local governmental organizations. Its goal is to accelerate full removal of the lead pipes providing drinking water to millions of American homes. SUEZ engages in the work of the Collaborative to describe and share best practices for identifying and replacing lead service lines safely and efficiently. SUEZ has also been active in increasing awareness of the Collaborative’s work.

Steve Via Director of Federal Relations, AWWA

interview


essential service accessSUEZ aims to promote the access to essential water and sanitation services through in-kind contributions and corporate philanthropy.

Aquassistance: assisting those in needSUEZ founded Aquassistance in 1994, with the mission of assisting people in need around the world, either for developmental aid or humanitarian emergencies regarding drinking water or wastewater. In North America, SUEZ established its own chapter as part of the global organization. The aim is to partner with international organizations that help people gain access to drinking water or wastewater services, and then send employee volunteers abroad to implement solutions to solve water needs.

Aquassistance volunteers helped build a potable water kiosk in Haiti. Prior to this installation, island residents at this location did not have access to clean, safe water.

SUEZCaresSince November 2005, SUEZ has assisted customers in need in the Utility division with their bill payment through SUEZCares. Once qualified for the program, customers receive up to $100 toward their SUEZ bill. Through December 2016, 8,571 customers have received assistance through SUEZCares, totaling $670,410. On average, each customer has received $78.35 per request over the past 11 years. This program has helped to prevent the disconnection of water services for our customers experiencing difficult times.


2016 charitable contributions breakdown of $1,190,000 million in contributions

environmental, social and scientific partnershipsOver the course of the year, we maintained a number of partnerships with external stakeholders to support local communities and to advance environmental and social topics.

In 2016, the SUEZ Foundation awarded a $150,000 grant to St. Thomas Aquinas College in Rockland County, NY to establish the SUEZ Leadership Institute for Environmental Studies. The institute is a week-long residence program for rising high school seniors and college freshmen and sophomores to experience an in-depth curriculum on water, the environment, energy, climate change and sustainability. The institute promotes awareness of global environmental issues and provides students with an understanding of how local environmental issues reflect greater environmental challenges. The program consists of instruction from faculty members, guest lectures from experts and field trips to a variety of sites, including water treatment plants, such as the Haworth plant and Lamont Doherty Laboratory in Palisades, NY.

Education 28 %Environment

61%

Health &Humanitarian

11%


communities impacted by SUEZ’ corporate philanthropyThe Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES), Ocean County, NJ, is a high school specialized in marine and environmental sciences. MATES offers students the opportunity to participate in externships in laboratories, field work and industry. This is a unique occasion for students to gain such specialized practical and technical experience.

As part of a project-based curriculum, students can attend summer camps where they measure and track several chemical parameters to test the water quality of the Barnegat Bay and the Pine Barrens. There, they follow a strict protocol developed by the US EPA. Once collected, data are presented to a large audience that includes municipalities and official agencies. Because the students are following an official and strict protocol, the data extracted from their work is considered official and can be used for official purpose.

The environmental grant awarded by the SUEZ Foundation is essential to the success of this project, as it allows the school to buy supplies used for the testing.

volunteering hours Another way SUEZ engages with local stakeholders is by giving employees the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the communities in which they live or work. In 2016, 850 employees volunteered over 2,900 hours of their time on various projects linked to the environment, education and humanitarian activities that have helped numerous communities across North America.

University Students and their mentor, John Wnek, MATES

2120

volunteering & corporate giving SUEZ was recognized with the Companies that Care award by the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey for our partnership with two volunteer organizations: Toms River’s Children’s Specialized Hospital for the #FightFace program and WomenRising, an organization that helps women and their families.

water quality complianceSUEZ’ operations in Pontiac, MI, was recognized by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) with a Gold Peak Performance award, which recognizes complete and consistent NPDES permit compliance.

The Town of Putnam, CT, received the 2016 Small Community Public Health Drinking Water Merit Award from the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

SUEZ was selected as Top Project Winner at WEFTEC from Water & Wastes Digest for the City of Lebanon, PA Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant project. SUEZ was a partner in one of the 12 water and wastewater projects selected for our work on the Nutrient Reduction Additions and Alterations City of Lebanon Authority (COLA) Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) project, which included improving Chesapeake Bay water quality through reduced nutrient loads. SUEZ provided design and comprehensive engineering services to enhance and expand the COLA WWTP in Lebanon, PA to comply with more stringent U.S. EPA effluent quality requirements.

recognition by third-party organizationsIn 2016 SUEZ received a number of awards that validate our commitment to responsible and sustainable business conduct. We are thankful to our employees who made those achievements possible.

Mudit Gangal (at right), product manager, biological for Treatment Solutions, accepted the award for Top Project Winner at WEFTEC from Water & Wastes Digest.



biodiversity & environmental protection Delaware Operations received the Business and Industry Award from the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin for an environmentally sustainable watershed. SUEZ, in collaboration with the Connecticut River Watershed Council, received the 2015 Stormy Award from the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA).

For the second year in a row, SUEZ was ranked #2 and #10 of the top 30 all-environmental firms and top 200 environmental firms respectively by Engineering News Record (ENR), which annually provides a comprehensive ranking of key environmental services players in North America, as well as breakouts by key market segments. SUEZ improved its rankings in three of these segments: #2 of the top firms by type of client in the state/local category (#3 in 2015); #3 in water treatment/supply (#4 in 2015); and #6 in wastewater treatment (#9 in 2015).

health & safety The Wixom Water and Wastewater Utilities received the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star Award for workplace safety and health excellence from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).

At the 88th Annual Occupational Safety and Health Awards Program, Princeton Meadows, NJ, and Matchaponix, NJ, were recognized with the Governor’s Continued Excellence Award. Toms River, NJ, earned the Division of Public Safety & Occupational Safety & Health Award.

commercial success

operational efficiency Ted Harris, senior project engineer, Delaware Operations, was recognized for improving high-service pumping energy efficiency by over 20 percent at the Stanton Water Treatment Plant. He managed the replacement of a high-service pump, which will save over $100,000 in annual energy costs.

The Jaffrey, NH, operations was recognized by the New Hampshire Wood Energy Council for using wood pellet boilers to heat the wastewater facility. Wood pellet boilers function like oil and propane boilers but are considered to be advanced in functionality and low in maintenance.

New Jersey Operations received the 2016 Award of Merit from the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) Northeast Region for its outstanding contribution to dam safety.

PB222016 sustainability report

key figuresOur activities

3,350 employees

15 regulated water utilities

73 public-private partnerships

18 treatment solutions locations

17 advanced solutions service centers

$1.275 billion in revenue

Our resources managed

55,000 tons of waste recycled

16,000 industrial and municipal sites

6,000 asset management contracts

7.3 million people provided drinking water, wastewater and waste collection services

$ready for the resource revolution

09 2017 suez-na.com22

2016 - SUEZ Water · 2016 sustainability report a word from Eric Gernath, CEO SUEZ North America...

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