WaterWorld Weekly Newscast: Jan. 13, 2012

Hi, I'm Angela Godwin, digital media editor for WaterWorld magazine, bringing you this week's water and wastewater news headlines. Coming up...
• Detroit water department joins Kilpatrick lawsuit
• Monthly water billing to start in Tampa
• Water restrictions relaxed in Houston
• Dimock water fate under consideration at EPA
• Report supports use of reclaimed wastewater
• Danish tap water to quench EU thirst

[story1]
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has joined a Macomb County lawsuit against former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick alleging criminal conspiracy and corruption during Kilpatrick's tenure.

DWSD is seeking $60 million damages on three sewer projects, expanding the lawsuit to cover $218 million worth in contracts and contract amendments awarded between 2001 and 2007.

At the core of the Macomb lawsuit is a sinkhole repair project that ended up costing over $54 million, more than $25 million above initial estimates.

DWSD expands the case to include a larger pipeline sewer repair contract, which comprised the sinkhole project.

In addition to Kilpatrick, the 38-count indictment names Kilpatrick's father, Bernard; private contractor Bobby Ferguson; and former DWSD Director Victor Mercado. They are expected to go to trial in September.

[story2]
In an effort to address customer complaints about high water bills, Tampa will begin converting its water customers to a monthly billing cycle.

Until now, Tampa billed its customers every other month, but problems such as estimated usage and late meter readings contributed to heightened customer frustration with unexpected billing spikes.

Officials hope the more timely accounting of water use will help customers adjust usage to avoid high bills and catch problems -- like leaks -- sooner.

The conversions will be staggered, starting later this month and finishing in October.

[story3]
Following recent rains and cooler temperatures, the city of Houston has lifted mandatory water conservation measures that have been in effect since last summer.

Texas has been experiencing one of the most severe droughts in its history. And although reservoir levels have seen a modest increase, Houston officials caution that the easing of restrictions may be temporary.

The National Weather Service still characterizes the Houston area as in severe to exceptional drought. Long-term predictions indicate that this summer could be even more challenging than last year.

In the meantime, Mayor Annise Parker is urging residents to continue to be good water stewards.

[story4]
Some confusion and disappointment in Dimock, Pennsylvania, this week when residents were told by EPA that the agency would be sending a water delivery; yet the very next day, they were told water would not be coming because the matter was still under consideration.

Until late November 2011, water had been being delivered to about a dozen Dimock households by Cabot Oil, the drilling company accused of tainting 18 water wells there.

The state granted Cabot permission to discontinue deliveries, saying the company had fulfilled the obligations laid out in a December 2010 settlement.

Last month, EPA deemed the water in Dimock safe to drink, but residents maintain that their water is still tainted.

Just a couple of weeks ago, an EPA spokesperson told Reuters that the agency, after receiving extensive new evidence from Dimock residents, would consider retesting the water.

In the meantime, Dimock residents and other environmental advocates hope to get the attention of EPA chief Lisa Jackson by rallying outside a meeting she will be attending in Philadelphia on Friday.

[story5]
A new report from the National Research Council has rekindled the buzz about wastewater reuse.

The report, "Water Reuse: Potential for Expanding the Nation's Water Supply Through Reuse of Municipal Wastewater," points to recent advances in municipal wastewater treatment that make reclaimed wastewater a viable option for augmenting drinking water supplies.

It further says that the health risk is no higher -- and in some cases may even be lower -- than existing water supplies.

The report's authors acknowledge that wastewater reuse is not a panacea, but say that, applied appropriately, it could complement water from other sources and become a legitimate part of the nation's water supply portfolio.

Topics examined in the report include wastewater reuse applications, wastewater treatment technologies, water reuse costs, and regulations.

For more information on the report, visit the National Academies Press website at www.nap.edu.

[story6]
In international news...
Denmark has promised that during its sixth month term as president of the European Union, it will serve tap water during official EU-bloc meetings.

It's part of the "low cost" presidency Denmark has vowed to run, in light of Europe's serious debt.

The Danish government plans to cap its overall presidency budget at 35 million euros -- a bargain compared to the 115 million and 85 million euros spent by Poland and Hungary respectively.

For WaterWorld magazine, I'm Angela Godwin. Thanks for watching.

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