United Water Receives Draft Permits for Haverstraw Water Supply Project
New Treatment Plant Is Sustainable, Most Cost-Effective Solution
WEST NYACK, NY, January 18, 2012 – United Water New York officials announced today that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued draft permits for the Haverstraw Water Supply Project. The state’s lead agency issued the draft environmental permits after deeming the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) complete and ready for public review.
“This is a very positive step forward for the Haverstraw Water Supply Project,” said Michael J. Pointing, United Water’s vice president and general manager. “It means that the residents of Rockland County are closer to getting a much needed new water supply.”
Pointing explained that the new plant is necessary because Rockland County is facing a water supply deficit in the near future. To address this deficit the New York State Public Service Commission ordered United Water to develop a new, long-term water supply to meet Rockland’s growing water needs.
In response to the Public Service Commission Order and customer need, United Water has proposed building a water treatment plant in Haverstraw that will purify Hudson River water. As part of the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process, United Water prepared the Draft Environmental Impact Statement which studied a complete range of environmental issues including alternatives to the proposed project.
“The DEIS was produced by a team of highly qualified professionals from United Water and world-renowned engineering and environmental firms,” said Pointing. “The scientific studies demonstrate that the new plant will have minimal impact on the environment while producing high quality drinking water to meet Rockland’s growing needs for decades to come.”
Pointing noted that results from a pilot study conducted in conjunction with the DEC and the New York State Department of Health, which has been operating for over a year, clearly demonstrate that Hudson River water can be purified to meet or surpass all safe drinking water standards. In fact, water produced at the pilot site is as good as or better than what customers are consuming today.
In addition to showing that the Hudson River is a healthy source of water, the DEIS determined that using the Hudson River as a water supply source is a better alternative to building a new reservoir or wastewater reuse facility. It has fewer environmental impacts and will cost approximately half of other options.
“Not only does United Water have a responsibility to ensure that Rockland County has a healthy, sustainable and adequate supply of water, but it has a responsibility to its customers to develop infrastructure that makes good economic sense. That is why we have chosen the most cost-effective of the available projects,“ said Pointing.
Water service will remain an exceptional value, particularly when compared with other household bills. The United States Congressional Budget Office estimates that water and sewer services combined represent less than 0.5 percent of a typical family’s monthly bills.
“The facts are in and they demonstrate the value of this important project for Rockland,” said Pointing. “Now is the best possible time to build this facility and invest in Rockland’s future. We encourage our customers to read the DEIS to learn more about the benefits of the Haverstraw Water Supply Project. This comprehensive document details many aspects of the long-term water supply project and the decision making process. Customers can provide their thoughts on the project during the upcoming comment period. We look forward to a productive public review and to breaking ground in 2012.”
The DEIS is available online at www.unitedwater.com/hwsp and at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/58678.html. The DEC has scheduled public hearings in Haverstraw Town Hall on March 6 at 2pm and 6pm. Members of the public may submit written comments to the DEC through April 20.
About United Water
United Water New York provides water service to over 270,000 people throughout Rockland County and parts of Orange County. United Water is one of the nation’s leading environmental companies, providing water and wastewater services to approximately 7 million people in the United States. In addition to owning and operating 20 water utilities, the company operates more than 200 municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems through innovative public-private partnerships and contract agreements. United Water’s affiliate, Utility Service Company, is the nation’s leading provider of long-term asset management contracts for water storage facilities with municipal and industrial clients. Founded in 1869, United Water is a subsidiary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT.
About SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
Natural resources are not infinite. Each day, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT (Paris: SEV, Brussels: SEVB) and its subsidiaries deal with the challenge to protect resources by providing innovative solutions to industries and to millions of people. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT supplies drinking water to 91 million people, provides wastewater treatment services for 61 million people and collects the waste produced by 50 million people. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT has 79,554 employees and, with its presence on a global scale, is the world’s leader exclusively dedicated to environmental services. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, a 35.4% GDF SUEZ affiliate, reported sales turnover of 13.9 billion Euros ($18.5 billion USD) at the end of financial year 2010.
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