Bring on water reuse in China, says survey
Chinese residents are the most supportive of water reuse, compared to their counterparts in the United States and Singapore and demonstrated the highest knowledge about water infrastructure issues, according to a survey.
Based on 3,000 online interviews, the water reuse survey was conducted by GE in partnership with StrategyOne and examined consumer attitudes in the three countries. China, Singapore and the United States.
The GE water reuse survey indicates that approximately nine out of 10 Chinese residents are concerned with the water quality and the availability of clean water for future generations.
Although large industries, agriculture, corporations, utilities and power companies were seen as most responsible for contributing an “extreme amount" or “quite a bit" to the region's water scarcity, Chinese people feel that it is important for all entities to take initiatives and responsibility to protect water resources, said the results. Approximately 90% of Chinese survey participants show a favorable attitude toward entities that choose to protect water resources or use recycled water.
While the same trend was observed by those responding to the survey in Singapore, Americans did not show as strong a favorable view.
The majority of Chinese people agree that protection of water resources (95%) and water scarcity (87%) are national issues and only 61% and 45% view these as local issues. In line with these trends, the Chinese residents expect the national government to take the lead to resolve water scarcity issues and regard the decisions to protect the water resources as top priority for the government.
Key findings showed that all three countries, especially China (88%), believe that the water scarcity issue can be combatted by using recycled water.
SBR technology to help improve Vietnam's Sai Gon River
Xylem has designed and installed the first ICEAS Advanced Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) and ultraviolet (UV) municipal wastewater treatment solution in Vietnam to improve the water quality of the Sai Gon River. It is hoped the project will enhance the local environment by treating domestic wastewater in the region, which has a population of 175,000 people.
The new 17,650 m3/day wastewater treatment solution, located in the Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong province, saw Enviro Engineering Corporation, a company of Saigon Water Infrastructure Corporation based in Ho Chi Minh City, partner with Xylem.
Consisting of an open-channel UV disinfection system and advanced (SBR) Process Solution, the system included diffusers, decanters, blowers and monitoring and controls, as well as a variety of pumps and compact mixers.
Xylem said it has a long history in Vietnam, with many Flygt and Leopold-brand installations already in operation in the country.
India to roll out smart meters in New Delhi
Indian construction company Larsen & Turbo has selected Itron to provide an advanced metering solution to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). The solution includes 120,000 advanced automated meters, 40,000 standard meters, mobile collection equipment and software, which will be used to collect, measure and analyze water usage. With 120,000 advanced meters deployed in New Delhi, the project will be India's largest mobile advanced metering system when completed. Itron was selected after a six-month pilot in collaboration with Larsen & Turbo.
Itron has also been awarded another contract by a Indian infrastructure development company, SPML, to provide 90,000 advanced meters to DJB in the Malviya Nagar, Vasant Vihar and Mehrauli areas of New Delhi.
Through a consortium led by Suez Environment and SPML, the 12-year pilot project aims to improve water distribution and ensure continuity of service throughout the day, reduce water losses in the network and improve customer service.
FEDCO sells 50% stake to Japanese pump company
Japanese pump company Torishima has acquired a 50% share in US company Fluid Equipment Development Company (FEDCO) which manufactures turbochargers and pumps suitable for reverse osmosis desalination. FEDCO is expected to turnover $25 million in 2013 and the purchase is expected to help penetrate markets in the energy efficient and energy recovery rotating equipment sector.
Stormwater solution to help clean up Malaysia's rivers
Widespread pollution prompted the Malaysian authorities to launch a project to improve 110kms of the river into a vibrant and liveable waterfront, moving from its current class III - V status (water quality not suitable for body-contact) to a Class IIb river clean enough for recreational use by the year 2020.
With an annual rainfall of nearly 2,400mm with peaks up to 280mm in April and November, Malaysia is subject to high flash flow conditions under intense rain storms; road side drains discharge into high volume monsoon drainsand eventually into the river.
The environment also suffers from large amounts of discarded waste such as polystyrene food trays, organic pollutants such as food and cooking oil, and hydrocarbons. After storm events, the heavy load of silt and trash congregates in the rivers.
As a result, technology has been supplied and approved within the Malaysian government's Manual Sahran Mesra Alam Malaysia (MSMA) which has placed increased emphasis in Malaysia on the need for stormwater control at or near source, and improve run-off quality.
Hydro International's Downstream Defender vortex separator are being installed at strategic locations where drains and tributaries are discharging into Kuala Lumpur's Klang and Gobmak Rivers.
