In November 1990, Veolia Water (then Environmental Operating Services) and Khafra Engineering, in a 50/50 joint venture, entered into a public-private partnership with the Atlanta-Fulton County Water Resources Commission (AFCWRC) to provide startup and operations assistance services at the new Atlanta-Fulton County Water Treatment facility. The raw-water pumping station, raw-water main and the treatment plant owned by the AFCWRC supply drinking water to more than 500,000 people in the Fulton County and northern Atlanta. The partnership has been renewed three times, most recently in early 2006, and today, Veolia Water and Khafra operate and maintain the 90-MGD facility. The general manager of the AFCWRC works on site at the plant and is "hands on" in the day-to-day operations, making this a true, working public-private partnership.

Over the course of more than 15 years, the Veolia Water/Khafra team has provided quality services, delivered significant costs savings and assisted in the plant capacity expansion from 30 MGD to 90-MGD without one change order. The team's innovative approaches have allowed for a continuous profitable operation. For example, the Veolia Water/Khafra team implemented a pilot program enabling the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to approve increasing rated flow capacity from 30 to 45 MGD without any capital expenditures. Subsequent efforts increased capacity to 56 MGD. The demand for potable water then became so great that the AFCWRC upgraded the plant to 90 MGD and has been running at this flow capacity since May 1998.

The public-private partnership has also generated significant cost savings for the public entity. A reduction in production costs, combined with the tremendous increase in finished water production, enabled the AFCWRC to realize more than $2.5 million in savings during the plant expansion from 30 to 90 MGD! In addition, with the latest contract renewal, Veolia Water/Khafra proposed even greater substantial annual savings by further reducing power, chemical and overall operations costs.

Another benefit of this partnership has been an outstanding record of safety and quality. The Veolia Water/Khafra team has received more than 50 operations, safety and staff awards from organizations such as the Georgia Water and Pollution Control Association (GW&PCA) and the U.S. EPA Region IV - many of which were won during plant expansions. Additionally, the partnership has been recommended for the OSHA Star Award, a prestigious mark never won by a municipal water treatment facility. Additionally, being a good corporate citizen is the cornerstone of the existence of Veolia Water and Khafra Engineering. The team has been a contributor of financial and time resources to numerous worthy Atlanta metropolitan causes throughout the partnership. Additionally, they have provided speakers, lecturers or conducted seminars for all metropolitan schools and colleges and have provided internships to local and national students.

Yet another partnership benefit has been value-added services at no additional cost to the AFCWRC. In addition to providing operations and maintenance services, Veolia Water/Khafra, at no extra cost, has provided solutions for dam erosion control; developed and maintained a Web site that promotes the AFCWRC, touts the plant capabilities and provides an educational forum; and implemented a pilot test program with the EPD and EPA for microfiltration treatment of backwash water.

The successful partnership between the AFCWRC and Veolia Water/Khafra indicates how public and private entities can develop long, mutually beneficial relationships that include high-quality service, no change orders and award-winning operations.

Veolia Water/Khafra is justifiably proud of its implemented and ongoing safety and quality program. After 15 years, the plant has an impeccable safety record, boasts profitable operations and has received more than 50 operations, safety, and staff awards from the GW&PCA and the U.S. EPA Region IV, including:

• Operator of the Year for District 3 (twice)
• Best Operated Plant in Georgia - Greater than 15 MGD by the GW&PCA (six times)
• Safe Drinking Water Excellence Award from U.S. EPA Region IV
• Best Tasting Water in Georgia and Water Taste Challenge Award (four recognitions)

Most notable is the partnership's recent nomination for the OSHA Star Award. This award recognizes exemplary occupational safety and health and marks the first time a municipal water treatment plant has ever been recognized.

The initial permitted capacity of the water treatment plant was 30 MGD. After evaluation of the process, EPD approved increasing the permitted capacity to 45 MGD. During Spring 1994, facility water demands reached more than 40 MGD. The AFCWRC asked the EPD to approve a permitted capacity of 56 MGD for withdrawal and treatment. After reviewing past operational performance data, the EPD changed the permits (withdrawal and treatment) to allow for 56 MGD without any additional capital expansion requirements. Veolia Water/Khafra's operational expertise played a key role in the EPDs decision to increase the permit at this critical time in the growth of North Fulton County. Phase II construction saw the plant capacity expand to 90 MGD and was completed in early 1998. Summer 1998 marked the beginning of plant operation and maintenance at the full 90 MGD production.

With the partnership renewal of 2006, the Veolia/Khafra team continues to implement and expand on a proven maintenance program that focuses on predictive and preventive maintenance. The program minimizes corrective maintenance occurrences and ensures dependable and reliable treatment and delivery of potable water.