The following is a transcript of the WaterWorld Weekly Newscast for April 17, 2017.
Hi, I'm Angela Godwin for WaterWorld magazine, bringing you water and wastewater news headlines for the week of April 17. Coming up...
Crews remove century-old valve from water distribution system
Study examines effectiveness of linings, coatings against lead release
Partnership produces wastewater-powered car
Global event spotlights desalination, water reuse
Doosan wins bid to build Saudi seawater desalination plant
Crews from Colorado Springs Utilities removed the water distribution system's second oldest valve last week.
Installed in 1888, the 129-year-old cast iron valve was still operational when it was unearthed.
The removal is part of the city's massive initiative to rehabilitate city streets. With much of the city being repaved, the utility is working to get old water infrastructure out of the ground to minimize any future repair work.
The retired valve will now live out its days on display at the Colorado Springs Utilities Leon Young Service Center.
The Water Research Foundation has announced a new research report on lead service line lining and coating technologies.
The study found that certain lining and coating technologies can effectively reduce or eliminate the release of lead from lead service lines.
Several aspects of linings and coatings were investigated, including effectiveness in preventing lead release from service lines and reducing tap-water lead levels; commercial availability and suitability for use in small-diameter pipes; and costs to both utilities and property owners, especially relative to the cost of lead service line replacement.
This study identified three currently available lining or coating technologies that stood out: PET lining, epoxy coating, and polyurea/polyurethane coating.
The report, Evaluation of Lead Service Line Lining and Coating Technologies (project #4351), aims to help water utilities, engineering consultants, property owners, and other stakeholders make informed decisions regarding lining and coating of both lead and copper service lines.
To learn more, visit waterrf.org.
A partnership between Spanish car manufacturer SEAT and water services company Aqualia has led to the production and consumption of an innovative new biofuel -- made from wastewater.
In the treatment plant, water is separated from the sludge, which is then converted into gas following a fermentation treatment.
After a process of purification and enrichment, the biogas is ready to be used as fuel.
The benefits are twofold, the companies say. Turning wastewater into sustainable fuel reduces CO2 emissions by 80% compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. And, it reuses an increasingly scarce resource, water.
The International Desalination Association will hold its 2017 World Congress on Water Reuse and Desalination October 15-20 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
"Ensure Your Water Future" is the theme of this year's conference, which underscores the growing importance of water reuse and desalination in ensuring a sustainable water supply in the face of challenges like water scarcity, climate change impacts, and increasing demand for water.
The event will feature four days of technical sessions, lectures, roundtable discussions, workshops and delegates will also have an opportunity to sign up for one of six facility tours in and around Sao Paulo.
Early registration is now open. To learn more about the IDA World Congress, please visit wc.idadesal.org.
In other desalination news, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction has won a $422 million contract with Saudi Arabia’s Saline Water Conversion Corporation to build a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant in Saudi Arabia.
The plant will be built in the country’s western region of Shuaibah and will produce 400,000 tons of water a day.
It will be the country's largest-capacity seawater RO desalination plant.
For WaterWorld magazine, I'm Angela Godwin. Thanks for watching.
