Future Water Leaders from Penn Tour Veolia Plant in Toms River, New Jersey

July 24, 2023

Toms River recently welcomed University of Pennsylvania students to Veolia's Holly Water treatment plant in Toms River, New Jersey, showcasing the facility and describing how it provides quality water to local communities.

group photo — Left to Right (top row): George (Yuhao) Chen, Hang Zhao; (second row): Bo Nash, Emma Denison;
(ground level): Devern Corbett (Veolia), Marcus Sosa (Toms River summer intern), Brenton McCloskey

Devern Corbett, plant superintendent, led the visit for the university’s scholars, describing ground water sources, the treatment process as well his passion for and the rewards and innovative opportunities offered within the water utility workforce.

group shot candid at plant — *Devern Corbett describes the continuous water testing process within the Holly plant’s lab.*

The students, Bo Nash, George (Yuhao) Chen, and Hang Zhao, are all pursuing master’s degrees in Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

looking at plant outdoors — *Students learn about the Holly plant’s backwash process.*

Two of the students, Bo Nash and George Chen, are also research fellows working at the University’s Water Center this summer. The students were joined by the Water Center’s Brenton McCloskey, Director of Strategic Development and Communications, and Emma Denison, Communications and Student Coordinator.

*Devern Corbett addresses questions from students upon entering the high service pump room at the Holly plant.*

Veolia is a corporate supporter of the Water Center, a community-focused research center that works to identify integrated solutions to the challenges facing water systems and watersheds. The center concentrates on being a trusted, reliable partner whose work accelerates water equity. The center uses a community-led research approach, working alongside communities bringing their knowledge and expertise to the solutions addressing water challenges, sharing power and responsibility, and encouraging the public to take the lead in determining priorities. The center also shares resources, education, training, and applied knowledge to support community goals.

The following values drive the center’s activities:

Clean, accessible and affordable water is a human right;
Water is critical for good public health, environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation;
Water is a global issue – it connects individuals, communities, regions, and nations to the best and worst of natural and built environments; and
Water is a local issue – working in support of identifying sustainable and resilient solutions for communities.

*Devern Corbett and University of Pennsylvania visitors outside of the Holly plant.*