Veolia North America has received a 20-year contract from the Downriver Utility Wastewater Authority (DUWA) to manage wastewater services for 13 tributary communities in Wayne County, Michigan, US. Under the terms of the contract, Veolia will operate and maintain the wastewater plant in Wyandotte, which is now owned by DUWA.

Wayne County operated the plant from 1962 to 2012, when its wastewater services contract with the 13 communities expired. DUWA signed a letter of intent to acquire the plant in 2016, and closed the transaction this week. The Authority will maintain ownership and oversight of the plant, while Veolia will be responsible for daily operations and management over the coming 20 years.

The Downriver wastewater system is said to cater to a total of 350,000 people in Allen Park, Brownstown Township, Belleville, Dearborn Heights, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Riverview, River Rouge Romulus, Taylor, Southgate, Van Buren Township and Wyandotte.

Veolia North America president and CEO Bill DiCroce said: “We are pleased to support DUWA in delivering high quality wastewater services to the more than 350,000 people living in these communities. We’re also excited to welcome twenty-six men and women who have worked at the facility as employees of the County as vital new members of the Veolia North America team.”

The DUWA contract follows Veolia North America’s acquisition of rights to 23 water treatment and energy service contracts from American Water Works in July this year. These 23 contracts involve water treatment services for various locations across North America.