WaterBriefs: Malcom Pirnie remediation project at military base wins NGWA award

In other news below:
-- Arizona town to auction effluent water needed to support development
-- Milwaukee sewer tunnel receives APWA Award as public works project of the year
-- Spheric Technologies now exclusive rep for Chinese microwave furnaces
-- Cummins Power Generation announces price increase
-- Jackson, Miss., expands use of In-Pipe Technology for municipal wastewater treatment
-- African clean water initiative by Playpumps International wins $5 million commitment
-- EPA completes 10-mile drain PCB containment liner at Mich. Superfund site
-- GE launches ecomagination in Australia to address water, energy challenges
-- Jacobs receives Thames Water consultancy framework contract
-- Itron sponsors Jordanian music exchange
-- Layne Christensen to purchase American Water's Underground Infrastructure Group
-- Sensaphone revamps reseller program
-- ASHRAE looks at making ASHRAE Handbook more 'sustainable'
-- Folsom, Calif., launches pesticide test-kit program to reduce pollution
-- Ross & Baruzzini acquires William A. Berry & Associates
-- El Paso Water Utilities selects Systems & Software CIS solution

• NGWA awards cleanup of contaminated groundwater at military base -- WHITE PLAINS, NY, September 20, 2006 -- Remediation of contaminated ground water at the Watervliet Arsenal, a century-old active military installation in upstate New York, has won the National Ground Water Association (NGWA)'s 2006 Outstanding Ground Water Remediation Project Award, recognizing the precedent-setting work of environmental engineers and scientists at Malcolm Pirnie Inc. and collaborative team members from the University of Waterloo.

To meet the tight deadline and long-term goals of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), this team used an innovative, in-situ chemical oxidation process to destroy contaminants in the fractured bedrock at the site. This prestigious award will be presented to the firm at the NGWA Ground Water Expo in Las Vegas on Dec. 7.

The project posed great challenges -- volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified in the groundwater and in the porous fractured bedrock matrix at the site. Recognizing that conventional treatment approaches would be ineffective at removing the contaminant mass from the fractures and bedrock matrix, the engineers developed an original injection and monitoring approach using in situ chemical oxidation with permanganate, a relatively stable oxidant, to diffuse into the bedrock matrix and destroy the VOC mass in both the fractures and rock matrix.

After a successful pilot study, which involved applying several innovative characterization technologies, Malcolm Pirnie installed a system of multi-level monitoring wells and permanganate injection wells to inject and monitor the distribution of the permanganate. The project utilized a unique VOC mass discharge-based metric and achieved the U.S Army requirement for a "remedy in place"by 2004.

Not only did the project support the Army's commitment to preserving and enhancing the environment, according to Stephen Wood of USACE, Baltimore District it also resulted in significant cost savings. "A pump-and-treat approach would have required decades of costly operation, without achieving remedial goals."

Malcolm Pirnie Inc. (www.pirnie.com), a century-old environmental consulting firm, provides governmental and industrial clients with comprehensive services in water and wastewater engineering, solid and hazardous waste management, environmental sciences and, through its Red Oak Consulting Division, a wide-range of management and IT consulting services. With a diversified staff of over 1,600 engineers, scientists and consultants in 50+ offices nationwide, Pirnie has won over 100 professional awards for project excellence.

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Among other recent headlines:

• Arizona town to auction effluent water needed to support development -- Prescott Valley, Ariz., to make history Nov. 1-3 with first effluent auction. -- VANCOUVER, WA, Sept. 20, 2006 -- The Town of Prescott Valley is auctioning, beginning Nov. 1, 2,724 acre-feet of effluent water that can be used to support real estate and economic development. The auction in Prescott Valley is the first of its kind and size in the United States. The auction could generate over $50 million in revenue, according to the town's Water-Marketing Consultant Clay Landry, managing director of WestWater Research LLC, a leading water-marketing and water-asset-valuation firm. Prescott Valley is 85 miles north of Phoenix and is expected to grow from its current 33,575 residents to more than 52,000 residents by 2025. This growth, along with regulatory requirements that restrict groundwater use in the region, has increased the demand for alternative water supplies...

• Milwaukee sewer tunnel receives APWA Award as public works project of the year -- $125 million effort solves problems city faced due to sewer overflows and basement backups during wet weather as a result of aging and undersized infrastructure -- KANSAS CITY, MO, Sept. 20, 2006 -- The Milwaukee Northwest Side Relief Sewer project was presented with a Project of the Year Award by the American Public Works Association (APWA) on Sept. 11 during the APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition in Kansas City. Representatives from Black & Veatch, the primary consultant and design engineer for the project; the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), managing agency; and Shea-Kenny Joint Venture, primary contractor, accepted the award. With a cost of more than $125 million, the tunnel took longer than a year to dig and required a machine powerful enough to cut a 22-foot-diameter hole through bedrock. More than seven years of planning, design and construction went into the 7.1-mile sewer tunnel, which serves seven northwestern Milwaukee area communities...
Also see:
-- "Louis Berger Group, Black & Veatch joint venture awarded $1.4 billion contract for USAID Afghanistan Infrastructure & Rehabilitation Program"
-- "Black & Veatch earns International Water Association's Global Grand Prize for design of Tai Po Water Treatment Works & Aqueducts"

• Spheric Technologies now exclusive rep for Chinese microwave furnaces -- Phoenix company signs exclusive North & South America distribution agreement with China's Syno-Therm for industrial microwave furnaces -- PHOENIX, AZ, Sept. 20, 2006 -- Spheric Technologies Inc. -- a marketer of patented microwave powdered metal processing systems, producer of advanced oxides and other ceramic powders, and developer of microwave treatment systems for the mining and wastewater industries -- announced it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement for industrial microwave furnaces produced by China's Changsha Syno-Therm Co. Ltd., covering all of North and South America...

• Cummins Power Generation announces price increase -- FRIDLEY, MN, Sept. 20, 2006 -- Cummins Power Generation, a division of Cummins Inc., announces price increases for its commercial generator set products between 15 kW and 2,700 kW. Prices of EPA Tier 3-certified generator sets will rise by up to 10% while prices of EPA Tier 2-certified generator sets will rise by up to 7%. Prices have been raised in part due to market conditions and the rising cost of raw materials. The higher prices also reflect the advanced technology used to achieve the lower emissions levels mandated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take effect on Jan. 1, 2007...

• Jackson, Miss., expands use of In-Pipe Technology for municipal wastewater treatment -- In-Pipe Technology deployed system-wide to reduce operating costs -- WHEATON, IL, Sept. 20, 2006 -- The city of Jackson, MS, expanded its use of In-Pipe Technology^® in an effort to improve overall operating efficiency and performance of its treatment plants and sewer collection systems. With a population of approximately 180,000, Jackson is served by three wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Severn Trent Environmental Services provides contract Operations and Maintenance of the city's three plants and ninety-two pump stations. Jackson first contracted with In-Pipe in 2003, using its wastewater treatment technology to control odors; reduce fats, oil & grease in the collection system; and reduce sludge at the two million gallons a day (MGD) Trahon WWTP. The new contract expands In-Pipe treatment to thirty-five MGD, covering the Trahon and Savannah wastewater collection systems and treatment plants...
Also see: "Bio-Organic Catalyst gets order for odor management system for New York City Residuals Waste Transfer Station"

• African clean water initiative by Playpumps International wins $5 million commitment -- Case Foundation leads public-private partnership to bring clean water to Africa through innovative merry-go-round pump -- NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2006 -- The Case Foundation today announced a $5 million commitment to PlayPumps International as part of an innovative public-private partnership with the U.S. government and other private sector donors aimed at providing clean water to up to 10 million people throughout sub-Saharan Africa by 2010. First lady Laura Bush unveiled the partnership at the Clinton Global Initiative. A PlayPump™ water system is a children's merry-go-round attached to a water pump that provides easy access to clean drinking water for schools and communities in Africa. This innovative design operates like a windmill turned on its side. As children play and the merry-go-round turns, the water is pumped into an above-ground storage tank and later accessed by means of a simple tap. Billboards attached to the storage tank provide public service and promotional messaging, and provide revenue to help cover the cost of maintenance for 10 years...
Also see: "Laura Bush announces $16.4M investment in PlayPump Clean Water Systems by government, Case Foundation, other partners"

• EPA completes 10-mile drain PCB containment liner -- Monitoring to continue -- CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2006 -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has completed installation of a synthetic liner designed to prevent PCB seepage into the 10-Mile Drain in St. Clair Shores, Mich. The drain, 9 to 12 feet below the street at the intersection of Bon Brae Street and Harper Avenue, leads downstream into the Lange and Revere Canals, which flow into Lake St. Clair, and eventually into Lake Erie and Lake Huron. The $1.1 million project, overseen by a Grosse Ile, Mich.-based EPA Superfund team, began in March and built upon a partnership among EPA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Community Health, Macomb County Public Works and the city of St. Clair Shores. During an earlier (2002 - 2004) phase of the effort, EPA performed an extensive $7 million cleanup of the canals. However, follow-up sampling of the drain and canals showed high levels of PCBs still present...
Also see:
-- "EPA signs Clean Bays agreement with Perdue to help protect Chesapeake, Delaware coastal bays"
-- "EPA, White House present Coastal America Award to Cargill"
-- "Water monitoring demonstration on Dupage River"
-- "Federal, State Officials Award Grants to Restore the Health and Living Resources of Long Island Sound"
-- "First Annual EPA Report on Dredged Material Management in Long Island Sound Released"
-- "EPA, California Coastal Commission, Heal the Bay, help cleanup Compton Creek"
-- "EPA Addresses Contamination at Former Glue Waste Disposal Site in Cattaraugus County"

• GE launches ecomagination in Australia to address water, energy challenges -- Initiative unleashes leading-edge environmental technology -- SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 19, 2006 -- General Electric launches its global clean energy and water initiative -- called ecomagination -- in the Australian market at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum today. John Rice, GE Vice Chairman and President & CEO of GE Infrastructure, convenes the meeting with government and business leaders to address Australia's unique challenges in securing adequate energy and water reserves in a resource constrained world. GE's Rice was joined today by Parliamentary Secretary Bob Baldwin; BP Australia CEO Gerry Heuston; Envirogen CEO Jeff Rice, and hundreds of valued GE customers from across the region...
Also see: "Australian coal mine waste gas plant powers up with GE Energy's Jenbacher generator sets"

• Jacobs receives Thames Water consultancy framework contract -- PASADENA, CA, Sept. 19, 2006 -- Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE: JEC) announced today that a subsidiary company received a contract to provide engineering services to leading United Kingdom water supplier Thames Water. Jacobs will support the company's delivery of its current $5.7 billion capital investment program to 2010 and beyond. Thames Water, which supplies water to more than 13 million people in London and the south east of the country, has the largest investment program of the United Kingdom's water companies.Jacobs is already delivering services in many key areas including trunk mains replacement, sewer flooding alleviation, and water and wastewater network diversions to accommodate major new infrastructure projects in London...

• Itron sponsors Jordanian Music Exchange -- Metering specialist, Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra welcome talented young musicians from Jordan -- SPOKANE, WA, Sept. 19, 2006 -- Itron Inc. is sponsoring an exchange of musicians from the National Music Conservatory (NMC) of Jordan as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (FSO) in Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States. A concert will be held at 8 pm, Saturday, Oct. 7 in Fayetteville. Itron, with its corporation headquarters in Spokane, WA, has numerous facilities throughout the world, including a new Middle East sales office in Qatar. In honor of the 50th season, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan will attend the opening night gala performance...

• Layne Christensen to purchase American Water's Underground Infrastructure Group -- MISSION WOODS, KS, Sept. 19, 2006 -- Layne Christensen Company has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to purchase 100% of the outstanding stock of American Water's Underground Infrastructure Group (UIG), a major provider of cured in place pipe (CIPP) services for sewer line rehabilitation in the United States. The transaction is expected to close no later than Nov. 15...
Also see: "Layne Christensen's Energy Division announces Chilean CBM project"

• Sensaphone revamps reseller program -- New products, technology allow for greater flexibility, incentives -- ASTON, PA, Sept. 19, 2006 -- Sensaphone, manufacturer of remote monitoring and alarm notification systems, announced it has revamped its reseller policy to include incentives and co-op marketing opportunities. The restructured policy comes on the heels of two new product introductions, the Sensaphone^® 1400 and the Sensaphone 1800 remote monitoring systems...
Also see: "Remote monitoring systems help water & wastewater facilities avert potential disasters"

• ASHRAE looks at making ASHRAE Handbook more 'sustainable' -- ATLANTA, Sept. 19, 2006 -- To help engineers respond to environmental challenges, ASHRAE is working to ensure guidance on sustainable design is incorporated in its Handbook. ASHRAE is conducting a review of the sustainability content of all Handbook chapters and is looking at writing a new chapter on sustainability with a view toward integrated building design in its Fundamentals volume. Norm Maxwell, P.E., chair of the Handbook Committee, said ASHRAE has funded research for decades to allow builders and manufacturers to design and build higher efficiency buildings, HVAC systems, and refrigeration equipment...

• California city offers residents new way to reduce pollution -- Community near Sacramento embraces less-toxic pesticide products innovative program offers free sample kits to residents -- FOLSOM, CA, Sept. 19, 2006 -- With concerns about water quality rising, an innovative new program in Folsom, California encourages homeowners to change the types of pesticides they use. Thanks to a grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the City of Folsom is teaming with Terro Liquid Ant Baits and other less-toxic pesticide manufacturers to offer Folsom residents free sample kits of less-toxic pesticides to get rid of pests while protecting the environment. Surveys have shown that the most common pests Folsom-area residents battle are ants, snails and slugs and other crawling insects. After receiving the state grant, Miller approached experts at University of California -- Davis for recommendations on highly effective but less-toxic ways to control these creepy crawlers. Based on the experts' recommendations, Folsom HazMat assembled the Wholesome Folsom sample kits. The kits contain products such as TERRO, which rely on natural pesticides to control pests...

• Ross & Baruzzini acquires William A. Berry & Associates -- Firm specializes in mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering services -- ST. LOUIS, Sept. 19 -- Ross & Baruzzini Inc., a leader in engineering and technology special systems design, today announced the acquisition of William A. Berry & Associates Inc. (William A. Berry) a mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering consulting firm in Miami, FL. William A. Berry offers a full spectrum of services including mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, telecommunications, lighting, engineering design and engineering construction management for clients in the aviation, healthcare, education, commercial and hospitality industries. William A. Berry's reputation for quality professional engineering services began in 1957 and continues with Miami-based clients such as: University of Miami, Florida International University, Baptist Hospital, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami International Airport, and Miami-Dade County...
Also see: "Ross & Baruzzini provides security and technology services for METRO"

• El Paso Water Utilities selects Systems & Software CIS solution -- COLCHESTER, VT, & EL PASO, TX, Sept. 19, 2006 -- Systems & Software Inc., a leading customer information systems (CIS) provider empowering the utility industry, announced that El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU) with help from EMA (one of the leading utility and public works management and technology consulting firms, who will be responsible for the contract oversight) has chosen the Company's award-winning enQuesta™. enQuesta™ was ranked by UtiliPoint's 2006 Technology Vendor Analysis Matrix (TVAM) as the number one choice for Municipal Customer Care and Billing. EPWU processes nearly 600,000 billable items per month and this number is on the increase. A sizeable expansion plan is in place for EPWU, due to an additional 20,000 troops soon-to-be stationed at Fort Bliss...

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