Atlanta to be Site of New DNA Chip Testing
A French water management firm that won a contract last year to operate the city of Atlanta water system will use the city as the U.S. test site for a new DNA chip that can detect up to 400,000 organisms in drinking water, a development that could dramatically reduce waterborne disease.
Atlanta to be Site of New DNA Chip Testing
Lyonnaise des Eaux, the water division of the French conglomerate Suez-Lyonnaise des Eaux, said testing for the GeneChip(r) from Affymetrix, Inc. would last up to two years.
Atlanta to be Site of New DNA Chip Testing
DNA technology works by matching the genetic fingerprints of bacteria and viruses. This method is said to determine whether a microorganism is alive or dead. It will allow corrective measures to be implemented quickly because of the short time it takes to get results. Key to cost savings is the fact that the DNA chip measures dozens of organisms in a single test. With existing technology, a specific test is required for each microorganism.
Atlanta to be Site of New DNA Chip Testing
The DNA chip has the potential to reduce the incidence of such waterborne diseases as polio, guinea worm disease and amoebic dysentery. Patricia Renaud, who heads the research department at Lyonnaise des Eaux, said it could also cut the risk that someone could deliberately poison a water supply as an act of germ warfare.
Atlanta to be Site of New DNA Chip Testing
United Water Services, the U.S. partner of Lyonnaise des Eaux, will oversee the test. David Sherman, United Water president, said it would take at least 18 months before the test is completed and the technology is ready for commercial use.
Atlanta to be Site of New DNA Chip Testing
Lyonnaise des Eaux manages water quality in 30 cities around the world, including Paris, Barcelona, Budapest, Casablanca, Amman, Buenos Aires, Jakarta, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City. It signed a 20-year contract with Atlanta last November.
Firm Provides Services for Missouri Water Systems
Horner & Shifrin Inc., Engineers/ Architects/Planners, will provide professional engineering services for additional water system improvements to four areas in the city of Bonne Terre, Mo., and is serving as the prime consultant for seismic analysis and retrofit of the Stacy Park Reservoir in Olivette, Mo., for the city of St. Louis, Board of Public Service.
Firm Provides Services for Missouri Water Systems
In Bonne Terre, the area south of North County High School and Lakewood Subdivision are currently served by individual wells. The extension of the citys water distribution system from existing water lines will ensure fire protection for these areas as well as a potable water supply from the citys well system.
Firm Provides Services for Missouri Water Systems
The water system improvement project will also include water service to the Orchard Development, a new multi-purpose development on the east side of the city, and to the proposed site of the new Eastern Mens Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center.
Firm Provides Services for Missouri Water Systems
Horner & Shifrin is responsible for the design, bidding and construction phases of this project.
Firm Provides Services for Missouri Water Systems
In Olivette, the reservoir will be designed using analytical methods for several different magnitudes of earthquakes. These measures will guard against interruption of the public water supply in the event of an earthquake.
Firm Provides Services for Missouri Water Systems
The preliminary design phase will compare several different retrofit schemes, one of which involves the use of passive seismic damping. Horner & Shifrin will also provide final design for selected alternate opinions of probable construction and bidding and construction observation services.
San Antonio WA Buys Chlorine Measurement System
The San Antonio Water Authority recently purchased eight chlorine loops to improve control of residual chlorine. The city purchased the Model 1054BCL Chlorine Analyzer and the 499ACL Sensor from Rosemount Analytical. The sale totaled more than $16,000.
San Antonio WA Buys Chlorine Measurement System
The Model 1054BCL Chlorine Analyzer is designed to be set up quickly and does chlorine measurement without the need for reagents. The analyzer is an inexpensive on-line instrument for automatic measurement and control of free chlorine.
San Antonio WA Buys Chlorine Measurement System
Startup involves connecting the sensor cable and entering the numerical value on the sensor tag into the analyzer. The analyzer uses Model 499ACL amperometric sensor that installs directly in a process line or in a low-flow assembly. It has been field-tested in applications where chlorine measurement is critical.
San Antonio WA Buys Chlorine Measurement System
The Uniloc Division also designs and manufactures refractometers, analyzers, transmitters, and sensors for the on-line measurement of pH, ORP, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved carbon dioxide, chlorine, ozone and turbidity.
RO Brine Dumping Plan Opposed
A regional water district has rejected plans by the city of Melbourne, Fla., to dump 3.3 million gallons of brine per day from an expanded reverse osmosis (RO) filtration system into the federally protected Indian River Lagoon.
RO Brine Dumping Plan Opposed
Although the state Department of Environmental Protection had approved the plan, the St. Johns River Water Management District recently refused to renew the citys permit to draw surface water from Lake Washington and groundwater from the Floridan aquifer unless it agreed to leave the lagoon alone.
RO Brine Dumping Plan Opposed
The city will proceed with a $34 million upgrade of its surface-water treatment facility, but a planned $7 million expansion of its RO system is on hold, according to an article in Florida Today.
RO Brine Dumping Plan Opposed
The city also has proposed to inject the brine into an existing deep well, but officials said that would cost $1 million more and require US Environmental Protection Agency approval.
