Chamber of Commerce In Gladewater, Texas, Selects USFilter 2003 Business of The Year

GLADEWATER, Texas, May 5, 2003 – USFilter Operating Services (USFilter) has won "Business of the Year" in Gladewater, Texas, thanks to its outstanding community involvement and sustained efforts at improving the quality of life of citizens in the east Texas town of Gladewater.
The award comes from the Gladewater Chamber of Commerce, which is a voluntary partnership of business and professional people working together to build a healthy economy and improve the quality of life in its community. Every year, 25 directors from the chamber nominate the organization they believe has made the most positive impact on the community.

USFilter and the city of Gladewater entered into public-private partnership in 1996 for the operation and management of the city's entire public works system. As a result, Gladewater gained the technical expertise necessary to deliver essential public works services to the community, while saving money and enhancing overall water, wastewater and public works services.

"Over the past seven years, USFilter not only has improved the quality of the city's public works department, but has actively participated in improving the quality of life in our community by lending a helping hand to a number of organizations and events," said Todd Clifton, Gladewater Chamber of Commerce director. "We are pleased to present USFilter with this 2003 ‘Business of the Year' award because Gladewater has found more than a business partner through our partnership with USFilter -- we found a true corporate citizen."

USFilter operates and manages the city's 2.4 million-gallon-per-day (MGD) surface water treatment plant, 1.4 MGD oxidation ditch wastewater treatment facility, 40-mile water and wastewater distribution systems and 16 lift stations. In addition, USFilter provides customer service, meter reading, fleet management and sludge disposal services. The company also sponsors area youth sports and community events such as Gladewater's "Gusher Days" celebration and the "Main Street" and "DARE" programs.
"We are honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award and delighted to see our hard work recognized by the Gladewater Chamber of Commerce," said Steve Hoover, USFilter project manager in Gladewater. "It validates USFilter's commitment to the community and reinforces the company's outstanding reputation in Texas, where we currently operate and manage more than 20 municipal and industrial projects."

United States Filter Corporation, a Veolia Environnement company, is North America's leading water company providing comprehensive water and wastewater systems and services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. Veolia Environnement (Paris Bourse: VIE and NYSE:VE) is the largest environmental services company in the world with more than 295,000 employees, including FCC, in about 100 countries and annual revenues of more than €28.1 billion ($30.5 billion). Visit the company's web sites at www.usfilter.com or www.veoliaenvironnement.com.