The following is a transcript of the Dec. 26, 2011, edition of the WaterWorld Weekly Newscast.
Hi, I'm Angela Godwin, digital media editor for WaterWorld magazine, bringing you this week's water and wastewater news headlines. Coming up...
• ANSI approves wireless standard for industrial automation
• Water system improvements completed in Jefferson City
• DistribuTECH conference offers dedicated water track
• Tap-water warning after neti pot deaths
• Wastewater upgrades planned in Northern Ireland
[story1]
The American National Standards Institute has announced the approval of a new standard intended to provide reliable and secure wireless operation for noncritical monitoring, alerting, supervisory control, open loop control and closed loop control applications.
The standard, "Wireless Systems for Industrial Automation: Process Control and Related Applications," defines the protocol suite, system management, and gateway and security specifications for low-data-rate wireless connectivity with fixed, portable and moving devices that support very limited power consumption requirements.
For more information on ISA100, visit: www.isa.org/standards
[story2]
After 16 months of construction, an $11 million water system improvement project in Jefferson City, Missouri, is now complete.
The project upgraded the water pipelines and pumping station that deliver water from the Missouri River to the city's water treatment plant. Infrastructure that was anywhere from 50 to 120 years old was replaced.
Two new 20-inch diameter water intake pipelines are now 30 feet deeper and extend 80 feet farther into the river than before, which is expected to help improve water delivery reliability during icy winter conditions and low river levels in the summer.
Jefferson City's water system, run by Missouri American Water, treats and delivers up to six million gallons of water per day to its nearly 9,000 customers.
[story3]
In just a few short weeks, DistribuTECH will be taking place in San Antonio, Texas.
Traditionally thought of as a power industry event, DistribuTECH has made great strides over the past few years in expanding its coverage of water industry topics.
A conference track dedicated specifically to water utility technologies will include presentations on SCADA and control systems; the emerging smart grid for water; energy efficiency; and advanced metering infrastructure.
On the exhibit floor, more than 300 vendors will showcase their latest products and services for streamlining utility operations.
If you're tasked with finding ways to improve efficiency at your water or wastewater utility, check out what DistribuTECH has to offer at www.DistribuTECH.com.
[story4]
Neti pots, a popular home remedy for sinus trouble, have been linked to two deaths, one in June and one in October of this year.
The victims, both from Louisiana, reportedly contracted encephalitis caused by a brain-eating amoeba after using tap water to fill their neti pots.
The amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, is common in lakes and rivers, but rarely causes infection.
Louisiana health officials are urging neti pot users to fill the device with distilled or filtered water, or at the very least, boil tap water first.
[story5]
Northern Ireland Water has unveiled plans for an $11 million upgrade to its Newcastle wastewater treatment works to begin in January.
The upgrade will include the installation of new treatment processes, which will improve water quality and help Newcastle meet future EU directives by May 2013.
A new stormwater storage facility is also planned, as well as new equipment for the Blackrock and Harbour pumping stations.
[OUTRO]
For WaterWorld magazine, I'm Angela Godwin, wishing you and your families a happy and health holiday season! Thanks for watching.
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