United Water announced today that John Dyksen, vice president of capital planning, has been appointed to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Science Advisory Board. The new Science Advisory Board will help ensure accurate science is the guiding principal in DEP’s decisions on key environmental issues by providing assessments that are independent and highly qualified.
The 16-member board is filled with some of the best and brightest scientists from New Jersey and elsewhere, who have been chosen from a large group of highly qualified candidates who have volunteered their services and expertise to the state.
“The Science Advisory Board is a critical component to Governor Chris Christie’s vision that decisions at the DEP will be driven by science, data and facts,’’ said Bob Martin, NJDEP commissioner. “The people chosen for this board are some of the top minds in the state, experts who can take a thorough look at specific environmental issues and offer solid advice to guide me and the department.”
“John has a wealth of expertise in the water services industry,” said Bob Iacullo, president of United Water. “His background and his commitment to environmental sustainability make him an excellent candidate to help New Jersey develop sound solutions to a broad range of critical issues facing the state today.”
Dyksen is a nationally and internationally recognized drinking water expert with over 35 years of experience. He is on the board of directors for the Water Research Foundation, an international water industry research organization. He also assisted in the launch of United Water’s joint water research program with its sister company, Degremont, called United WERCs, based in Richmond, Virginia.
Dyksen’s areas of expertise include water treatment, water supply, facilities planning and research. He has been leading innovative research efforts related to safe drinking water with the company’s parent, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT. Dyksen holds a B.S. in civil engineering and an M.S. in environmental engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
About United Water
United Water provides water and wastewater services to 7.3 million people in the United States. In addition to owning and operating 20 regulated utilities, United Water operates 240 municipal and industrial systems through public-private partnerships and contract agreements. The company’s affiliate, Utility Service Company, is the nation’s leading provider of long-term water tank management contracts with municipal and industrial clients. Founded in 1869, United Water is a subsidiary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT.
About SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
Natural resources are not infinite. Each day, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT (Paris: SEV, Brussels: SEVB) 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 90 million people, provides wastewater treatment services for 58 million people and collects the waste produced by 46 million people. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT has 65,900 employees and, with its presence on a global scale, is the world’s leader exclusively dedicated to environmental services. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, a 35.4% GDF SUEZ affiliate, reported sales turnover of 12.3 billion Euros ($17.6 billion USD) at the end of financial year 2009.