USFilter Operating Services Inc., has changed its name to Veolia Water North America Operating Services Inc., adopting the name of its parent company. The name change results from a Sept. 2003 announcement by USFilter's parent company, Veolia Environment, of its intention to sell select USFilter equipment and consumer businesses and to focus on its core outsourcing services business.

“While the USFilter name certainly has brand recognition, we will have a greater advantage in the marketplace under the Veolia Water name,” says Mike Stark, president and CEO of Veolia Water North America. “With the transition to the Veolia Water name, our business is focused at the very core of Veolia Water's $13 billion global business - the provision of long-term design-build and operate water and wastewater services through public-private partnerships and industrial outsourcing agreements. Our business is what Veolia Water does every day around the world for more than 110 million people and thousands of companies.”

The name change does not involve any sale or asset transfer. “Our name is changing, but more importantly, so is the market - and very quickly,” says Stark. “Cities and towns will need to spend an estimated $500 billion to $1 trillion on water and wastewater infrastructure over the next 20 years, according to various estimates from the EPA and water industry associations. Consequently, most communities need help improving their water and wastewater infrastructure and ensuring water quality while keeping rates affordable. Public-private partnerships are continuing to prove a valuable tool for more than 1,200 communities across North America, and they are constantly being refined. Our industrial customers, too, continue to see the benefit of outsourcing utility operations to the water utility experts.”

Headquartered in Houston, Veolia Water North America is a leading provider of comprehensive water and wastewater services to municipal and industrial customers, providing services to approximately 14 million people in more than 600 communities.
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