PROJECT SUMMARY
What's the key to an award-winning public-private partnership? Savings? Innovation? Improved services? Compliance? In Oklahoma City, all of these and a whole lot more. Pioneered more than 16 years ago by forward-thinking city leaders, the Oklahoma City and Veolia Water North America (formerly USFilter Operating Services, Inc.) partnership continues to deliver multiple benefits to the community and serve as a model public-private partnership.

Representing more than 100 MGD in wastewater treatment capacity and a wealth of operations and management ability, Veolia's Oklahoma City project is one of the largest and most successful public-private partnerships in the United States. Veolia (then as Professional Services Group) began serving Oklahoma City in 1984. Over the years, numerous scope expansions and contract renewals have resulted in Oklahoma City placing the responsibility for all four of its wastewater treatment facilities in the hands of Veolia. Today, a well-trained staff of 70 professionals operate, maintain and manage the city's 80 MGD North Canadian Waste Water Treatment Plant, 10 MGD Deer Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant, 6 MGD South Canadian Waste Water Treatment Plant, and 5 MGD Chisholm Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Oklahoma City has found the specialized services provided by the partnership are not limited solely to the expertise in the operation, maintenance and management of its treatment plants. Veolia's scope of services also includes management of the city's award-winning biosolids reuse program. Veolia oversees the city's industrial pretreatment program (IPP) which treats wastes from more than 500 permitted companies as well as a water reuse program. These city facilities and programs are operated in compliance with strict environmental regulations.

Originally, saving money was the main motivator for Oklahoma City officials when considering establishing a partnership for the operation of the city's four wastewater treatment plants. With projected cost savings of up to 40 percent, the city decided to move forward and establish the partnership for wastewater treatment services with Veolia. To date, the city has saved approximately $60 million, and, the current annual operating budget is $3,000,000 less than total outlays by Oklahoma City during the 1987 fiscal year with the additional cost added to operate the South Canadian plant and the Industrial Pretreatment monitoring program.

Besides cost savings, the partnership allowed the city to gain access to the innovation of industry specialists skilled in complex treatment systems. Initially, Veolia invested more than $1 million to make modifications to enhance operating performance and reduce costs. Innovative computerized operation and maintenance programs were implemented throughout Oklahoma's treatment system to optimize information, management and process control functions. Additionally, the ongoing use of state-of-the-art maintenance techniques helps forecast operational trends and reveal hidden problems that could compromise efficiency or regulatory compliance.

Oklahoma City was a pioneer in establishing this public-private partnership. Today, the project remains one of the largest under contract in the country. Its success lies in combining cost savings with innovation to deliver-high quality services to the community.

Originality
The public-private partnership between Oklahoma City and Veolia (originally Professional Services Group) is one of the largest and oldest in the history of contract operations and attracts worldwide attention as a model of a successful partnership. When the original agreement was signed in 1984, Oklahoma City was overseeing an interesting mix of city and contract managed services. In 1988, Oklahoma City solicited a broad range proposal that would culminate in Veolia investing $1 million of its own funds to upgrade Oklahoma City's facilities to ensure maximum operating efficiencies and to develop an award-winning land application program for beneficial reuse of biosolids, providing area farmers with 24,000 tons of biosolids at no cost to the city.

Quality and Implementation
Veolia began serving Oklahoma City in 1984, operating only the liquid portion of the largest (North Canadian) Oklahoma City wastewater treatment plant. Following numerous scope expansions and contract renewals, the company has become responsible for all four wastewater treatment facilities, capable of processing 101 million gallons each day. Today, a well-trained staff of 70 professionals manage four treatment facilities including the 80-MGD North Canadian wastewater treatment plant, the 10-MGD Deer Creek wastewater treatment plant, the 6-MGD South Canadian wastewater treatment plant, and the 5-MGD Chisholm Creek wastewater treatment plant. The scope of services includes a 75-MGD pump station, the management of 24,000 tons of biosolids produced annually, the industrial pretreatment program (IPP) sampling and inspections and an effluent reuse program. There are over 500 permitted industries in the IPP.

One of Veolia's most significant contributions to the Oklahoma City project was its recommendation to expand existing facilities to meet EPA and state mandates to upgrade the North Canadian plant from 60 to 80MGD. Veolia's accurate computerized process control data demonstrated that the plant was capable of greatly exceeding its design capacity. With approval to upgrade the existing facility and restore inactive structures, Veolia saved the city more than $20 million compared with the estimated cost of new expansion. An on-site shop enables staff to complete repairs and fabricate custom parts at a fraction of the cost from an outside source. Robotic technology and state-of-the-art computerization in the lab have automated data handling and improved quality of analysis.

Veolia has also worked with the City to develop an award-winning 15,000-acre permitted cropland biosolids reuse program that has reduced sludge disposal costs dramatically and provides area farmers with a soil amendment product at not cost. There is a waiting list for this biosolids product, a testament to its value.

In addition, Veolia assumed responsibility for industrial pretreatment sampling and inspections and helped the city to develop a water reuse program for the Gaillardia Community and Golf Course. Five miles of pipeline were laid to transfer approximately one million gallons per day of the high-quality treated effluent. Staff professionals work closely with Gaillardia management to meet the fluctuating water needs on the golf course, which reduces costs and potable water use requirements for the Gaillardia community.

Economics
This partnership proves that a community can not only save money, but can receive vastly improved services. The major economic benefits of the partnership include: approximately $60 million in savings to date; modification of the City's odor control program, saving an additional $850,000 and mitigating odors; investments of over $1 million to improve plant operations; development of an award-winning land application program for beneficial reuse of biosolids, providing area farmers with 24,000 tons of biosolids at no cost; and, maintenance of a strong commitment to community service and participation in community charities, functions, and scholarships.

A true partnership produces a mutually beneficial association that enhances the quality of life for everyone involved. James Couch, who wears two hats as the general manager of Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust (OCWUT) and as the Deputy City Manager for Oklahoma City, recognizes those benefits. "We've found that a public-private partnership is a very practical way to provide for reliable, cost-effective services. Oklahoma City's partnership has grown and prospered over the years."