Veolia Water has won a new contract to operate water and wastewater services in Hungary. The contract, awarded following an international call for tenders, covers seven districts totaling 100,000 residents in the Erd region south of Budapest.

Veolia Water is to acquire 26% of the Erd regional water and wastewater company in a joint venture with the Budapest wastewater company. The seven district authorities will retain 74% of the shares. Veolia Water will operate the company under the 25-year contract.

The contract includes work to improve the efficiency of the water and wastewater services (in particular four wastewater treatment plants, 45 pumping stations, 800 km of water distribution network, 220 km of wastewater collection system, and a 23,000 cubic meter drinking water storage capacity). The improvements will strengthen Veolia Water's position in an area where it already has a presence, and the municipalities will benefit from the synergies created.

This latest contract continues Veolia Water's expansion in Hungary, coming in the wake of those with Budapest, Szeged, Salgotorjan and, more recently, the contract to build and operate the new Budapest wastewater treatment plant as part of a consortium. It confirms the trust and growing interest of Central European pubic authorities in public-private partnerships

 commented Antoine Frérot, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Water.

Veolia Water is the Hungarian market leader. The company works with 2,000 people to manage wastewater service for 2 million people and water service for almost 300,000.