Veolia Water
Water Company of the Year
What is it?
The water services subsidiary of Veolia Environnement of France.
What has it done?
Veolia Water has enjoyed an outstanding year in 2007 across all its divisions. On the contracting side, it signed up more than 1.6 million m3/d of new desalination capacity (more than any other contractor), saw major advances in the application of its technologies for the oil and gas industry (including OPUS high pH RO and sulphate removal by nanofiltration), and had successes with its Actiflo and MBR water and wastewater treatment processes. On the operating side of the business, the company showed innovation, tenacity and vision across its portfolio. In the US, it extended its reach in Milwaukee. In China, it left local competition aghast when it scooped new contracts in Haikou and Tianjin. In Europe, it entered a ground-breaking agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). In Saudi Arabia, it was in first place for the Riyadh water management contract – the largest new private water contract outside China awarded in the year.
Why is it shortlisted?
- What we have seen at Veolia in 2007 is the global market leader at the top of its game, marrying cutting-edge technology with first-class operational management in an unbeatable combination.
- Veolia's deals with the EBRD and the IFC illustrate how the company has thought creatively about the challenge of water services in developing countries.
- The company deserves recognition for its contribution to utility operations, water and wastewater treatment technology, and niche industrial water services.