Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Stewardship
• Social Responsibility
• Corporate Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced solid waste produced from the treatment process from 1,370 tons in 2018 to 1,224 tons in 2019.
• Reduced lost water due to main breaks and leaks, keeping lost water to a minimum (better than the NJDEP's target of less than 15%).
• Replaced approximately 100 light fixtures at its largest treatment plant with new LED fixtures, saving 20kW of energy.
• Implemented variable frequency drives (VFDs) to reduce energy usage and optimize efficiency.

Social Achievements

• Increased employee training hours from 4,679 in 2018 to 5,401 in 2019.
• Maintained a zero work-related fatal accident rate for both employees and contractors.
• Improved customer service response time, resolving 95% of emergencies within 60 minutes.
• Implemented an employee referral bonus program.
• Offered various employee wellness programs, including free flu shots, health screenings, and stress management webinars.
• Donated nearly $20,000 of used furniture to several organizations.
• MWC enterprise employees donated over 1,500 service hours in 2019, valued in community impact at over $37,000.

Governance Achievements

• Established a comprehensive enterprise risk management program.
• Maintained an active internal audit function.
• Implemented a robust contractor prequalification process.
• Established a Whistleblower Hotline (though no inquiries were received in 2018 or 2019).

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Aging water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Rising costs of power.
• Increasingly stringent regulations.
• Attracting and retaining qualified employees.
• Addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS.
• Climate change and extreme weather conditions.

Mitigation Strategies

• Proactive asset management planning (AMP).
• Multi-year capital program (Water for Tomorrow®).
• RENEW program for replacing aging water mains.
• Implementation of advanced metering technology.
• Upgrading the Park Avenue Wellfield plant with Granular Activated Carbon to remove PFAS.
• Emergency Management and Security Committee (EM&SC) and Business Continuity Plan.
• Hardening assets and adding resiliency to the distribution system.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Requires all business partners to comply with applicable regulations and laws.
• Focuses on building strategic relationships with key suppliers.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Drought
• Freezing weather
• Flooding

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Sustainability Accounting Standards Board for Water Utilities and Services in the Infrastructure Sector, NASDAQ ESG Reporting Guide

Awards & Recognition

• 2019 General Counsel of the Year Award – NJBIZ
• Corporate Gender Diversity Awards – Executive Women of New Jersey
• Board Gender Diversity Honors - 2020 Women on Boards
• Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business - Award of Excellence, DE State Chamber of Commerce
• Best Tasting Water – DE Rural Water Association

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Met or exceeded federal and state primary drinking water standards in 2020
• Invested approximately $124 million in 2020 to enhance the integrity, reliability, and resiliency of its assets; including upgrades to treatment processes to mitigate disinfection by-products and main replacements.
• Reduced vehicular accidents by 60% from 2019 to 2020 (38 vs 63)

Social Achievements

• Named a Top Workplace in New Jersey in 2020 by NJ.com
• Maintained uninterrupted service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Suspended water shutoffs for nonpayment and restored service to those previously disconnected due to non-payment during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Donated over $100,000 to 20 local organizations to address COVID-19 related needs
• Launched a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) employee survey with an 86% participation rate and held town hall meetings to foster open dialogue on DEI.

Governance Achievements

• All directors are independent, other than the CEO
• Board committees are comprised entirely of independent directors
• Expanded Insider Trading policy
• Created a Supplier Code of Conduct
• 100% of employees reviewed and signed the form acknowledging their responsibilities under the Insider Trading Policy in 2020
• 100% of employees attested to the Code of Conduct in 2020

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Aging water infrastructure requiring significant investment
• Rising treatment costs due to new regulations
• Increasing costs of power for water pumping and treatment
• COVID-19 pandemic impacting operations and workforce
• Climate change posing risks to water supply and infrastructure
• Emerging contaminants of concern (e.g., PFAS)

Mitigation Strategies

• Implemented extensive health and safety practices during COVID-19
• Transitioned to remote work for 35% of workforce
• Developed flexible schedules for working parents
• Maintained consistent communications with stakeholders
• Invested in infrastructure upgrades through Water for Tomorrow program
• Conducted a Risk and Resiliency Assessment to identify and manage climate-related risks
• Implemented new physical and cybersecurity strategies
• Enhanced plans, procedures, and equipment for responding to natural hazards or malevolent acts
• Incorporated additional staff trainings in these areas
• Proactive measures to address PFAS contamination, including plant upgrades and legal action against polluters

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Contractor prequalification process
• Supplier Code of Conduct

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Flooding
• Severe storms
• Extended periods of warmer temperatures
• Power outages
• Droughts

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: SASB

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Zero Hunger
• Good Health and Well Being
• Gender Equality
• Clean Water and Sanitation
• Decent Work & Economic Growth
• Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Sustainable Cities and Communities

Awards & Recognition

• Top Workplace in New Jersey (2020)
• Mayor’s Award for Meritorious Community Service (2020)
• ISS Prime Designation (2020)
• Superstars in Business (2020)
• Professional Excellence Award (2020)
• Top 10 Influential Women of Water Award (2020)
• Water Sector Response to COVID-19 Award (2020)
• Living Water Award Finalist (2020)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental Compliance
• Training and Professional Development
• Climate Change Resilience
• Ethics
• Emergency Management
• Diversity & Inclusion

Environmental Achievements

• Completed construction of an upgraded treatment plant at its Park Avenue wellfield in South Plainfield, New Jersey to treat Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA).
• Replaced 29,600 feet of aging water mains in 2022.
• Invested $7.9 million to upgrade over 24,000 linear feet of water main in Woodbridge Township, NJ.
• Invested $11.1 million in the Borough of Carteret and in Port Reading, New Jersey for water main upgrades.

Social Achievements

• Became a signatory of CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™.
• Delivered over 6,000 hours of training in 2022.
• Implemented a new applicant tracking system (ClearCo.) and online performance management system.
• Created onboarding videos to promote careers in the water industry.
• Maintained a 7.8% voluntary employee resignation rate in 2022.
• Donated $88,000 to local non-profits in 2022.

Governance Achievements

• Commissioned an independent cybersecurity audit.
• Earned honors at the 16th Annual Corporate Governance Awards for Best Compliance and Ethics Program.
• Maintained a 100% employee participation rate in regular performance reviews.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Aging water infrastructure
• Newly regulated contaminants (PFAS)
• Cybersecurity threats
• Lead service line replacement
• Maintaining operational resiliency during emergencies

Mitigation Strategies

• Investing in water main replacements and upgrades (RENEW Program)
• Constructing a new PFOA treatment facility
• Commissioning cybersecurity audits and implementing enhanced security protocols
• Implementing a “Knocking Out Lead” program for lead service line replacement
• Developing and implementing emergency response plans and conducting training workshops
• Upgrading Geographic Information System (GIS) to better manage risk and assets

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: SASB

Awards & Recognition

• NJBIZ Icon Award (Dennis W. Doll)
• National Association of Water Companies Droplet Award (Dennis W. Doll)
• Best Compliance and Ethics Program (Governance Intelligence)
• Underground Infrastructure Awards finalist
• Employer Support Award (AWWA-NJ)
• Corporate Gender Diversity Award (Executive Women of NJ)
• Top NJ Workplace (NJ.Com)
• Professional Excellence Award (NJ Law Journal)
• Water Sector Response Award (NJ Water Association)
• Living Water Award Finalist (NAWC)
• Top 10 Influential Women in Water (Mazars)
• General Counsel of the Year (NJ BIZ)
• Superstars in Business (DE State Chamber of Commerce)
• Water Fluoridation Quality Award (Dover AFB)