WaterBriefs: Flood gates, temporary pumps planned for New Orleans outfall canals

Jan. 26, 2006
Also in this report: CST lands contract for two water tanks; CarteGraph adds 11 new clients; Spartan Environmental names New England rep; Stormwater 360 endorsed by DNREC; Mich. Land Use Institute targets brownfields; TWDB focuses on brackish water treatment; PENNVEST approves $31M in water projects; DuPont commits to EPA PFOA reduction plan; Enviro Voraxial enters food processing market; Calif. Strategic Growth Plan for flood prevention, water quality outlined; AMTROL Inc. appoints new execs...

In other news below:
-- CST announces contract for two 22,000-cubic-meter water tanks
-- CarteGraph adds 11 new clients, including two international clients
-- Spartan Environmental appoints Maher Corp. as New England representative
-- Stormwater 360 endorsed for standalone treatment by DNREC
-- Mich. Land Use Institute reports on brownfield redevelopment
-- TWDB winter newsletter focuses on brackish groundwater desalination
-- WorldWater & Power expands senior management team
-- PENNVEST approves $31 million for water projects
-- DuPont commits to aggressive PFOA emissions reduction program announced by EPA
-- CH2M Hill to build 514-MW power plant for Sierra Pacific Power
-- Hexion Specialty Chemicals to acquire wax compounds business from Rohm & Haas
-- Enviro Voraxial Technology enters food processing equipment market
-- Dairy pollution solutions emerge for San Joaquin Valley
-- AmerenUE begins adding alum to remove suspended clay from Black River
-- American Pacific Corp. hires new VP of R&D
-- Schwarzenegger's Strategic Growth Plan for flood prevention, water quality outlined
-- AMTROL Inc. appoints new CEO, CFO

Flood gates, temporary pumps planned for New Orleans outfall canals
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 25, 2006 -- Engineers from the City of New Orleans, Jefferson Parish and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to install temporary flood gates at the ends of the City's three outfall canals in time for the start of the hurricane season in June, the Corps announced Jan. 12.

The gates will remain open unless a storm surge in Lake Pontchartrain threatens the canals. The Corps of Engineers will close the gates only until the threat of a storm surge passes. Engineers will also install temporary pumps at the gates to remove storm water from the canals during gate closure.

"We've been working with the parishes over the last several weeks to find a way to increase New Orleans' hurricane protection before June," said Colonel Lewis Setliff, III, the commander of the Corps' Task Force Guardian, the group responsible for restoring the damaged hurricane protection system.

"We all agree that the only way to protect the people who live behind their levees is to keep the surge out of the canals," he added. "We know that the gates will do that. While we're still analyzing exactly why the levees failed, we know that they can't provide the level of protection the people of New Orleans need."

President George W. Bush has called for building permanent pumping stations at the ends of the canals to increase the city's hurricane protection. The Army Corps of Engineers is studying ways to meet that call and plan to release their recommendations in the fall of 2007. If permanent pump stations are constructed, the Corps will remove the interim gates and pumps.

Each interim gate will cost between $20 and $35 million dollars and take five months to construct.

"If we have another storm like Katrina, the temporary pumps will not be able to keep up with the city's need to remove storm water, and there will be some flooding," Setliff explained. He added that the current permanent pump stations would also be unable to keep the city dry during a Katrina-level storm. New Orleans' current pump stations can remove up to 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) under ideal conditions. On average, they can handle about 5,000 cfs because high lake levels restrict outflow. Initially, the temporary pumps will be able to remove 1,000 cfs, but they will be upgraded them over a period of time to handle up to 3,000 cfs.

Also see:
-- "Parish, Corps to present Plaquemines levee enlargement plans"
-- "Investigators collect samples at breach site"
-- "New Orleans closes in on hurricane protection"
-- "Flood gates, temporary pumps planned for outfall canals"
-- "Corps advertises first canal closure structure and pumps"

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Among other recent headlines:

CST announces contract for two 22,000-cubic-meter water tanks -- KANSAS CITY, Jan. 25, 2006 -- CST Industries Inc. has signed a contract with Keppel Seghers Engineering Singapore Pte. Ltd. for the supply and installation of two each 22,000 cubic meter finished water storage tanks for Keppel Seghers' Ulu Pandan NEWater DBOO project in Singapore. The Keppel Segher's plant will produce 25 mgd of this ultra clean water reclaimed from used water by means of advanced membrane technology...

CarteGraph adds 11 new clients, including two international clients -- DUBUQUE, IA, Jan. 25, 2006 -- CarteGraph ended 2005 adding 11 new clients in December to its growing list of organizations using CarteGraph solutions to achieve better government. Campbell County, WY; city of Casa Grande, AZ; town of Castle Rock, CO; village of Hazel Crest, IL; Ouray County, CO; city of St. Mary's , GA; city of Wheat Ridge, CO; Willdan Associates, CA; Ville de Longueuil, Quebec, Canada; and the National Roads Authority in the Cayman Islands have joined the CarteGraph family...

Spartan Environmental appoints Maher Corp. as New England representative -- MENTOR, OH, Jan. 25, 2006 -- Spartan Environmental Technologies, a distributor and manufacturer of chemical oxidation and disinfection equipment, has appointed The Maher Corp. as its representative for the New England states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Anthony Sacco, marketing director for Spartan said, "Spartan is excited to partner with one of the leading representative firms in New England in order to bring our ozone based air and water treatment systems to municipal clients in the region." With headquarters in Medford, MA, Maher (www.themahercorp.com) has served local needs of the New England water and wastewater community for over 35 years representing over 35 companies' products used in protecting the environment and enhancing drinking water. The product line of Spartan Environmental Technologies (www.spartanwatertreatment.com) includes a full range of ozone generators, odor control systems and a proprietary electrolytic system for the removal of organics from water. These systems treat air and water from municipal, commercial and industrial facilities.

Stormwater 360 endorsed for standalone treatment by Delaware -- SCARBOROUGH, ME, Jan. 25, 2006 -- The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has endorsed the Stormwater Management StormFilter® as a stand-alone system for meeting the agency's water quality goal of 80% removal of total suspended solids (TSS). The filter removes challenging target pollutants through a patented passive filtration system that uses a variety of sustainable media...

Michigan Land Use Institute reports on brownfield redevelopment -- BEAULAH, MI, Jan. 25, 2006 -- The institute releases a number of articles about a great Michigan success story -- brownfield redevelopment. The five pieces are from its special report, "New Plans for Barren Lands." Former Institute colleague Mac McClelland conspired with Keith Schneider to explain the hows and whys of brownfield restoration -- one of the state's brightest redevelopment success stories...

TWDB winter newsletter focuses on brackish groundwater desalination -- AUSTIN, TX, Jan. 25, 2006 -- Brackish groundwater desalination is the topic of a feature article in the Texas Water Development Board winter newsletter, Water Texas. The article notes Texas has an estimated 2.7 billion acre-feet of brackish groundwater. The board has been charged by the state legislature to implement more desalination demonstration projects such as the 7.5 million gallons per day (mgd) Southmost Regional Water Authority in Cameron County and the 27.5 mgd El Paso-Fort Bliss projects. Other articles focus on:
-- The Aquifers of the Gulf Coast of Texas Conference, Feb. 15-17, at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi
-- Water plan updates received for all 16 regional planning areas in Texas
-- Interactive website modules, as well as a sixth grade curriculum, and a K-3 coloring book
-- Texas Natural Resources Information System (TNRIS) division work with USGS on GIS mapping
-- A new TWDB deputy executive administrator for the Office of Project Finance and Construction Assistance as well as a new general counsel
For details, see: www.twdb.state.tx.us...

WorldWater & Power expands senior management team -- Appointment of James Farrin as interim CEO announced -- PENNINGTON, NJ, Jan. 25, 2006 -- WorldWater & Power Corp., developer and marketer of proprietary high-power solar systems, today announced that, effective immediately, James S. Farrin is named interim chief executive officer. Quentin T. Kelly, chairman and previously CEO, will continue in the role of chairman with a focus on corporate strategy, business development, and capital markets activity. Given WorldWater's growing backlog and increasing demand in the marketplace, the addition of a separate, dedicated CEO will allow for improved operational execution. Farrin served as president and chief operating officer of WorldWater & Power from 1999 through 2001, when the company was in an R&D phase, and is currently a management consultant to the company. WorldWater & Power has also begun a nationwide search for a permanent CEO and president...

PENNVEST approvals $31 million for water projects --
HARRISBURG, PA, Jan. 25, 2006 -- Eight more Pennsylvania communities will be getting cleaner drinking water and more efficient wastewater systems with PENNVEST's approval today of $27 million worth of low-interest loans and more than $3 million in grants. The financial packages range from $422,000 to construct a wastewater collection and treatment system in Juniata County to $11 million for the installation and rehab of sewage collection lines to eliminate the contamination of a creek in Westmoreland County...
Also see: "Six Pa. local governments recognized for efforts to protect Susquehanna River, Chesapeake Bay"

DuPont commits to aggressive PFOA emissions reduction program announced by EPA -- WILMINGTON, DE, Jan. 25, 2006 -- DuPont today pledged its commitment to the 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship Program announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). DuPont Vice President Susan Stalnecker said it had achieved a 94% reduction in global manufacturing emissions by year-end 2005. The company said the EPA program will accelerate industry-wide reduction of PFOA emissions to the environment, while ensuring continued availability of the many essential products serving critical industries such as telecommunications, aerospace, semiconductors, and fire fighting, as well as consumer products.
DuPont believes, with its science and technology, these goals can be accomplished while continuing to provide fluoropolymer and fluorotelomer products to our customers in the marketplace...
Also see:
-- "EPA to announce new effort on PFOA"
-- EPA webpage on Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Fluorinated Telomers

CH2M Hill to build 514-MW power plant for Sierra Pacific Power -- DENVER, Jan. 25, 2006 -- CH2M HILL, a global full-service engineering, construction and operations firm, today announced Sierra Pacific Power has awarded the firm an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a new 514-megawatt combined cycle facility. CH2M HILL's EPC contract value is more than $200 million. Commercial operation is expected to begin by June 2008. At construction peak, the project will employ about 500 skilled workers. The new generating station will utilize a "2-on-1" gas-fired combined cycle configuration, with General Electric-provided combustion turbines, a D11 steam turbine, two Nooter/Eriksen heat recovery steam generators, as well as an air-cooled condenser for water savings. The project will be managed out of CH2M HILL's Denver office, with construction to begin in March 2006....

Hexion Specialty Chemicals to acquire wax compounds business from Rohm & Haas -- PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 25, 2006 -- Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc., the world's largest producer of thermoset resins, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the global wax compounds business of Rohm and Haas Co. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Closing is subject to governmental approvals.
Also see:
-- "Mahmoudian named Rohm & Haas Process Chemicals' global director of R&D"
-- "Rohm & Haas Electronic Materials picks Wilson as circuit board technologies general manager for North America, Europe"

Enviro Voraxial Technology enters food processing equipment market -- Retains rep, signs contract to deploy Voraxial Separator with a major food processing plant -- FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 25, 2006 -- Enviro Voraxial Technology Inc. announced today that it has entered into a representative agreement with We-Gel LLC of Mississippi to promote the Voraxial Separator within the $20 billion food processing industry. We-Gel operates a 12,000 square foot facility for the assembly and testing of food processing systems to meet their clients' requirements. Furthermore, We-Gel's principals offer over 140 years of combined experience in the food processing industry, and maintain valuable relationships with major food processors. In addition, through We-Gel's efforts the company signed their first agreement to deploy a Voraxial 2000 Separator with a leading food processing company to extract fish oil from its processed water...
Also see: "New type of water separator could help fill multiple oilfield needs" (WorldOil.com)

Dairy pollution solutions emerge for San Joaquin Valley -- Bion's 'microaerobic' process among only four technologies found to have sufficient evidence of effectiveness, out of 44 studied -- and the only one to address both air and water pollution -- NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2006 -- A new report by a cross- section of dairy experts finds only four out of 44 technologies evaluated for controlling dairy manure pollution in the San Joaquin Valley supplied sufficient evidence that they are effective -- including Bion Environmental Technologies' patented "microaerobic" process, which was the only one of the four to address all air and water pollutants. The multidisciplinary group included dairy industry experts, representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and EPA, various California regulatory agencies, environmental groups, and the University of California. Its 212-page report, "Assessment of Technologies for Management and Treatment of Dairy Manure in California's San Joaquin Valley," was based on information submitted by technology companies throughout the United States, and is now available at: www.arb.ca.gov/ag/caf/dairypnl/dairypanel.htm...

AmerenUE begins adding alum to remove suspended clay from Black River -- ST. LOUIS, Jan. 25, 2006 -- AmerenUE today began using flocculates -- alums and a buffering agent that cause suspended particles to settle out of water -- to remove suspended clay from the Taum Sauk lower reservoir. This is a major step toward clearing the muddy appearance of the lower reservoir and water releases into the East Fork of the Black River. The activities are part of an implementation plan the Missouri Department of Natural Resources approved Jan. 20, after analyzing the materials and approach and determining that they pose no threat to humans, wildlife or aquatic life. Alums are commonly used to treat drinking water. The initiative is part of a multi-pronged company and state effort to restore the river and the Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, following the Dec. 14 failure of AmerenUE's Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Plant upper reservoir that caused massive flooding...

American Pacific Corp. hires new VP of R&D -- LAS VEGAS, Jan. 25, 2006 -- American Pacific Corp, a manufacturer in the specialty chemical industry, announced today that it promoted Dr. Kent Richman to the position of Vice President, Research and Product Development. With extensive experience in the field of chemistry, Dr. Richman previously held the position of Director, Analytical Laboratories and Product Development with American Pacific Corporation and has been with the company since 1996. Prior to that, Dr. Richman was the Senior Scientist at Tracor, Inc. He obtained his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Utah State University in 1989...

Schwarzenegger's Strategic Growth Plan for flood prevention, water quality outlined SACRAMENTO, CA, Jan. 24, 2006 -- In testimony before the Legislature today, Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman outlined the flood protection and water management elements of Governor Schwarzenegger's Strategic Growth Plan. Chrisman outlined the Schwarzenegger Administration's proposals for the Flood Protection and Clean, Safe and Reliable Water Supply Bond and Financing Acts of 2006 and 2010. The Governor's plan expects to invest $35 billion in flood protection and water management over the next 10 years to strengthen levees and provide clean and reliable water supplies. Bonds were to provide $3 billion in 2006 and $6 billion in 2010...
Also see: "Calif. coalition picks up steam in support of South Delta Improvements Program"

AMTROL Inc. appoints new CEO, CFO -- WEST WARWICK, RI, Jan. 24, 2006--AMTROL Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has named Larry T. Guillemette as chairman of the board, president and CEO. In addition, it also named Joseph L. DePaula as executive vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary. The above appointments were made after the resignation of Albert D. Indelicato, who cited personal reasons, as chairman and CEO...

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In earlier newsbriefs, see: "WaterBriefs: Riverside Co. purchases ITT Richter Chemie-Technik" -- Also in this report (Jan. 24, 2006): Verano acquires leading SCADA security, integration firm; Integrated Environmental Technologies enters national water treatment arena; MWH acquires Australia-based Liquid Earth; Networkcar signs deal with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago; Aqua America rings in 2006 with water/wastewater acquisition; R.W. Beck opens DC office, to present at Design-Build Water/Wastewater Conference; Tessenderlo Kerley granted patent on process for preparing calcium thiosulfate solution; BOC helps poultry industry produce better food for consumers; 'Planet H2O' to highlight precious resource on public TV for Earth Day; PetroQuest Resources Inc. acquires majority ownership in brine water disposal well; Fluent, Utah State join in DOE Nuclear Energy Research Initiative grant; Enercon selected for new nuclear power plant license application; FuelCell sells first Japanese power plant at Sharp Electronics 'green' facility; JMAR names new BioSentry rep for UK, Ireland and Belgium...

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