United Water And City Of Wixom, Michigan Win Workplace Safety Award

Officials from United Water and the City of Wixom, Michigan were awarded the "Rising Star Award", one of the state's highest workplace health and safety awards for the sound and reliable operation of the Wixom Water and Wastewater facility. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) presented the award yesterday to representatives of the City of Wixom and United Water at a special ceremony at the Wixom treatment facility.

The Michigan Voluntary Protection Programs (MVPP) Rising Star Award for outstanding health and safety programs is awarded annually by MIOSHA, and recognizes worksites that provide exemplary safety and health protection for their workers. The MIOSHA program is a part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

"We are extremely proud to receive this award on behalf of our employees and the City of Wixom," said Bob Iacullo, President of United Water. "We have a true commitment to workplace safety from all of our workers in the field right up through to the executive staff. We take the health and safety of our employees very seriously and we are glad that the City of Wixom does as well."

United Water's partnership with the City of Wixom dates back to 1994. The company provides full contract operation and maintenance services for the city's water and wastewater utilities, including water distribution, wastewater treatment, administration of industrial pretreatment program and customer billing.

United Water is responsible for the maintenance of 80 miles of water distribution pipes, one water-booster pump station, an elevated water tower and four water wells. The tertiary wastewater treatment facility is a 5 million per day facility serving 3,400 customers. The wastewater plant treats both industrial and domestic wastewater.

About United Water
United Water provides water and wastewater services to over 7 million people in 26 states through the dedication of its 2,600 employees. In addition to owning and operating 20 regulated utilities, United Water operates 240 municipal systems through public-private partnerships and contract agreements, including three of the nation's largest water and wastewater contracts: Indianapolis, IN, Gary, IN and Jersey City, NJ. The company's affiliate, Utility Service Company, has 2,000 long term water tank management contracts with municipal and industrial clients. Founded in 1869, United Water is a subsidiary of the SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT.

About SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
Natural resources are not infinite. Each day, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT 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 76 million people, provides wastewater treatment services for 44 million people and collects the waste produced by 60 million people. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT has 65,400 employees and is present on all five continents. It is a world leader exclusively dedicated to water supply and waste removal services. In 2008, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, a subsidiary in which GDF SUEZ has a 35% stake, achieved sales turnover of €12.4B ($17.6B USD). For more information, visit www.suezenvironnement.com.

SOURCE: The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration