WaterBriefs: American States Water unit wins contract at Fort Bliss, Texas
In other news below:
-- Seniors from Allegheny-Butler PaSEC play major role in Pine Creek Watershed
-- Metalline Mining Company updates results of water exploration program
-- UC Irvine Extension introduces regulatory permitting, development process course
-- Nalco, Argonne National Lab team on water management for coal-based power plants
-- TORR Canada will receive US$1.6 million more in Kuwaiti contract
-- Walter Industries completes spin-off of Mueller Water Products
-- Koch Membrane Systems names new Process Group director
-- Environmental Law Institute elects board members
-- Seprotech receives new orders valued at $4.6 million
-- $75,000 WaterSavr sale to mining industry
-- AirWater Corp. completes international delivery of four special units to military
-- U. of Illinois researchers study role of natural organic matter in environment
-- U. Massachusetts group works to improve state's water quality
-- Northwest Pipe Company announces $7 million order
-- Megola announces pilot project with Honeywell
• American States Water wins wastewater contract at Fort Bliss, Texas -- SAN DIMAS, CA, Dec. 15, 2006 -- American States Water Company today announced that Fort Bliss Water Services Company (a subsidiary of AWR's American States Utility Services Inc. unit), has finalized an agreement with the U.S. Government for the construction of certain improvements to the existing wastewater infrastructure located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX.
The $19.8 million project is a firm fixed price contract, subject to change orders if significant issues are encountered during construction that would increase the overall cost of the project. The U.S. Government will make periodic payments to Fort Bliss Water Services Company under the contract. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of August 2007. This construction project is supplemental to the Company's 50-year contract with the U.S. Government to manage the entire water and wastewater systems at Fort Bliss.
American States Water Company (www.aswater.com) is the parent of Golden State Water Company, American States Utility Services, Inc. and Chaparral City Water Company. Through its subsidiaries, AWR provides water service to 1 out of 30 Californians located within 75 communities throughout 10 counties in Northern, Coastal and Southern California (approximately 254,000 customers) and to approximately 13,000 customers in the city of Fountain Hills, Arizona and a small portion of Scottsdale, Arizona. The Company also distributes electricity to approximately 23,000 customers in the Big Bear recreational area of California. Through its non-regulated subsidiary, American States Utility Services, the Company contracts with municipalities, the U.S. government and private entities to provide various services, including billing and meter reading, water marketing and operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems.
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Among other recent headlines:
• Seniors from Allegheny-Butler PaSEC play major role in Pine Creek Watershed -- HARRISBURG, PA, Dec. 15, 2006 -- A team of senior volunteers, under the umbrella of the Allegheny-Butler Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps (PaSEC) is playing a major role in assessing, protecting, and restoring the Pine Creek Watershed. The watershed covers 67.3 square miles and parts of 14 municipalities. It all started three years ago when Mary Wilson, a member of the Pine Creek Watershed Assessment Steering Committee, realized she could use help of the Allegheny-Butler PaSEC program being directed by Marilyn Kraitchman, the volunteer coordinator of the Vintage Senior Center. The program now is hosted through the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy...
Also see:
-- "Training to be Held on New Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual"
-- "Venango County Industry Wins Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence"
• Metalline Mining Company updates results of water exploration program -- COEUR D'ALENE, ID, Dec. 15, 2006 -- Metalline Mining Company announced that during its 2006 water development program, it has drilled 15 exploration holes in the vicinity of Sierra Mojada, Coahuila, Mexico. Two borings are incomplete for technical reasons. The water production rate of the remaining holes was estimated by air lift testing, and six of them yielded tests in excess of 50 gpm from depths of 200 meters or less. One hole was selected for completion using an open hole completion technique recommended by our consulting hydrologist, David Hawkins of Barranca Group LLC. The completed well tested at a rate of 152 gpm during a 24-hour pump test. Water produced from the well is brackish with a temperature of 30°C, as is water from many nearby exploration holes. Consulting engineers state that the water quality is adequate for process use but too low to meet standards for human drinking water. From the perspective of sustainable use of resources, such water is ideal for use in mining applications. Water exploration holes in another area, to the north of the town of La Esmeralda, show excellent potential to provide high quality drinking water...
• UC Irvine Extension introduces 'Regulatory Permitting and the Development Process' course -- Seminar helps participants navigate complex maze of permitting and consultation requirements -- IRVINE, CA, Dec. 15, 2006 -- UC Irvine Extension is offering a new seminar entitled, "Regulatory Permitting and the Development Process," which helps participants understand the complicated maze of permitting and consultation requirements which often affect natural and cultural resources, requiring involvement with a host of agencies, and compliance with state and federal environmental laws. The one-day class will be held on Feb. 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the UCI Learning Center in Orange, CA. The new seminar caters to professionals who coordinate the environmental permitting and consultation requirements for projects subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Participants will gain an understanding of the laws and regulations that apply to land use projects that impact wetlands, streams, and other waters; endangered species; historic resources; and water quality...
Also see: "UC Irvine Extension Presents Seminar On Endangered Species Regulation And Protection"
• Nalco, Argonne National Lab team to improve water management for coal-based power plants -- NAPERVILLE, IL, Dec. 14, 2006 -- Nalco has teamed up with Argonne National Laboratory on a joint research partnership to develop advanced technologies to reduce, reuse and recover power plant cooling water, essential to power plants that consume over 100 bgd in the U.S. alone. The research is part of the National Energy Technology Laboratory's Innovations for Existing Plants (IEP) program. The program's goal is to cut power plant freshwater withdrawals and consumption by 5-10 bgd of water. The overall objective of Nalco-Argonne project is to develop advanced technologies to enable coal-based power plants to use impaired water in re-circulating cooling systems, which is is technically and economically challenging due to additional physical and chemical treatment requirements to address scaling, corrosion and microbiological fouling. The Nalco-Argonne research will focus on methods to economically manage scaling issues. Under the partnership, they'll develop the technology, knowledge and strategies for optimum removal and management of scale-forming precursors. The project team will devise membrane separation technologies that are efficient, economical and compatible with scale inhibitors. The new scale inhibitor chemistries from this work will handle the higher-stress scaling conditions as well as new types of scale from impaired water, resulting in lower treatment costs and reduced environmental impacts...
• TORR Canada will receive US$1.6 million more in Kuwaiti contract -- MONTREAL, Canada, Dec. 14, 2006 -- TORR Canada Inc. (TCI), dedicated to providing water treatment to the Oil & Gas industry, today announced it will receive US$1.6 million in additional payments for options and extras from the contract awarded in March 2006 by SK Engineering & Construction (SKEC). These additional payments come from the exercise of existing contractual options and of additional amounts on the original contract. TCI designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes the TORR™ and Reusable Petroleum Absorbent (RPA®) cartridge technologies to separate oil and water in produced water generated by oil and gas production...
• Walter Industries completes spin-off of Mueller Water Products -- As previously announced, Gregory E. Hyland resigns as chairman & CEO of Walter Industries; will remain chairman and CEO of Mueller Water Products -- TAMPA, FL, Dec. 14, 2006 -- Walter Industries Inc. announced that it has completed the distribution of its 85.8 million Class B shares of Mueller Water Products, Inc. Series B common stock. The shares represented the approximately 75% ownership stake Walter Industries held following the initial public offering of Mueller Water Products in May 2006. As previously announced, Gregory E. Hyland resigned his role as chairman and CEO of Walter Industries, effective as of the spin-off. But he'll continue as chairman, president and CEO of Mueller Water Products. Mike Tokarz, a member of Walter Industries Board of Directors, will assume the role of non-executive chairman of the company. Continuing in their previously announced roles, Vic Patrick is vice chairman and general counsel and Joe Troy is Walter Industries' chief financial officer. George Richmond and Mark O'Brien continue to lead the company's Natural Resources and Homebuilding & Financing groups, respectively...
• Koch Membrane Systems names new Process Group director -- Simon Dukes to lead customer-focused technical support team -- WILMINGTON, MA, Dec. 14, 2006 -- KMS announces the promotion of Simon Dukes to director of the process group for all membrane technologies and applications. Dukes brings over 20 years of experience in product development and process engineering and has worked in membrane process and equipment design and development in numerous applications. Prior to joining KMS in 1999, Dukes worked at Ceramesh, Northwest Water and in US Filter's Memcor division...
• Environmental leaders from Congress, private sector elected to Environmental Law Institute Board -- WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 14, 2006 -- Paul Hagen, chairman of the board of the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), has announced the election of five new members to the Institute's Board of Directors. Hagen, who heads the international environmental law practice at the firm of Beveridge & Diamond, described the five as "distinguished environmental leaders in the Congress, private law practice, a major corporation, and a philanthropic investment firm." Joining ELI's Board are: Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ); Rep. Mark Udall, (D-CO); Sara Kendall, Weyerhaeuser Co. vice president of EH&S and chair of the Environment Resource Committee of the American Forest and Paper Association; Kathy Robb, partner, Hunton & Williams law firm; Brian Trelstad, CIO, Acumen Fund...
• Seprotech receives new orders valued at $4.6 million -- OTTAWA, Canada, Dec. 12, 2006 -- Seprotech Systems Inc., a leading Canadian water and wastewater treatment systems manufacturer, is pleased to announce five new orders totaling approximately $4,600,000. These new orders are for Seprotech proprietary ROTORDISK® wastewater treatment plants and related technologies. Two of the new orders are for Seprotech's proprietary ROTORDISK technology to the mining sector for new projects in Canada. One project is for a system in East Africa. In addition, Seprotech has obtained an order for the supply of a new ROTORDISK design used to convert the runoff from municipal landfills, known as 'leachate', to pure water...
• $75,000 WaterSavr sale to mining industry -- VICTORIA, BC, Dec. 12, 2006 -- Flexible Solutions International Inc. is the developer and manufacturer of biodegradable and environmentally safe water and energy conservation technologies, as well as anti-scalant technology. Today, the company announces that an order worth $75,000 for WaterSavr has been placed by an Australian mine supplier. Its Nanochem Solutions Inc. subsidiary specializes in environmentally friendly, green chemistry, water-soluble products utilizing thermal polyaspartate (TPA) biopolymers. TPA beta-proteins are manufactured from the common biological amino acid, L-aspartic acid. TPA is used in detergents, water treatment, and scale control and as an anti-crystallizing additive to fertilizers...
Also see: "FSI announces fourth Australian WaterSavr sale in this quarter: Deal valued at $100,000"
• Universal Communication Systems unit completes international delivery of four special units of AirWater Machines to U.S. military -- Military confirms initial Op-Tests successful; Efforts progressing on Africa sales -- MIAMI BEACH, FL, Dec. 12, 2006 -- Universal Communication Systems Inc. subsidiary AirWater Corp. president Michael Zwebner stated today that the company has successfully completed international delivery of four units of Air Water Machines to the U.S. military. In direct email communications, the military has confirmed that initial Op-Tests on one of the machines are great and the water quality is similar (compared) to fresh mountain spring (water). In a separate development, the company reports it's making great strides in introducing its entire range of air to water large machines to numerous governments in Africa. Interest is great for the larger machines that produce water in amounts ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 liters per day...
• U. of Illinois researchers study role of natural organic matter in environment -- CHAMPAIGN, IL, Dec. 11, 2006 -- The decomposition of plant, animal and microbial material in soil and water produces a variety of complex organic molecules, collectively called natural organic matter. These compounds play many important roles in the environment. By studying the molecular mechanisms responsible for the complex behavior of natural organic matter, researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are finding new ways to prevent the compounds from fouling water purification and desalination facilities. Illinois researcher Andrey Kalinichev and geology professor James Kirkpatrick have used computer simulations and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate some of the factors that contribute to the complex behavior of dissolved natural organic matter. They will present their findings at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco, Dec. 11-15. A paper reporting their findings has been accepted for publication in the European Journal of Soil Science...
Also see: "Foodborne pathogens difficult to remove from produce"
• U. Massachusetts group works to improve state's water quality -- AMHERST, MA, Dec. 11, 2006 -- How safe can Massachusetts' residents feel about the water they drink? The state of Massachusetts is ranked second to last in the country for water quality, according to Water Watch. The Massachusetts Community Water Watch at the University of Massachusetts, with the cooperation of MassPIRG, is working to eliminate the state's water pollution. They are conducting river cleanups along the Connecticut River, which according to the Connecticut River Watershed Council's Web site, was know as the nation's "best landscaped sewer" during the mid-twentieth century. Water Watch held two river clean-ups within the past month and recovered trash, recyclables, and larger objects, such as a door and a grill. The last river cleanup conducted by Water Watch was run by MassPIRG intern Sonny Gamble, and next semester's will be run by Anthony Bondi...
Also see: "UMass Amherst Recognized With Massachusetts Environmental Purchasing and Sustainability Award"
• Northwest Pipe Company announces $7 million order -- PORTLAND, OR, Dec 11, 2006 -- Northwest Pipe Company reported today that it was named as pipe supplier to J.F. Shea Construction of Walnut, CA, for a water treatment plant in Orange County, CA. The company will supply approximately 5,000 feet of 24-inch through 120-inch diameter steel pipe valued at approximately $7 million for an engineered and custom fabricated piping system to be installed in Orange County Sanitation District's Treatment Plant No. 2. The pipe is expected to be manufactured in the Company's Adelanto, CA, division, with delivery scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2007...
• Megola announces pilot project with Honeywell -- CORUNNA, ON, Canada, Dec 11, 2006 -- Megola Inc., a leading environmental solution provider in physical water treatment, air purification, microbiological control, and wastewater treatment, announced today that it has provided its ScaleGuard technology to Honeywell as part of a paid pilot project. Megola will be working with the Home and Building ACS Service division at Honeywell to present a solution that will help inhibit scale formation in a 100lb/hr humidifier at a Union Gas facility in Windsor, ON. The products, services and technologies of Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions (ACS) are at work in 100 million homes and five million buildings worldwide. The common denominator across the entire ACS portfolio is a pioneering expertise in sensing and control. It's the science of capturing more and better data, and then applying the insight to make devices, systems and processes smarter, more capable and more valuable. In the USA alone, demand for HVAC equipment is projected to increase 3.2% per year and reach $14.3 billion by 2009, according to a 2006 report by Freedonia Group, Inc. Another report by the same group analyzed the $51 billion global market and projects an increase of 5.1% annually through 2010. Upon the successful outcome of this project it is anticipated that the ScaleGuard technology will be an integral part of Honeywell's ACS solution arsenal...
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