WaterBriefs: SDI's Microtox bioassay approved by Homeland Security Department

Feb. 15, 2006
Also in this report: AquaCell to spinoff water unit March 9; Aggreko opens new HQ; Avineon lands Everglades restoration contract; Watershed Expo set for March; Alfa Laval delivers units to vegetable, tropical oils plant; McCrometer opens Middle East office; Stanford environment institute gets $30M gift; Aquatronics installs 'zero discharge' laundry system; Foster Wheeler wins major Saudi Arabia, China contracts; CH2M Hill hires COO; WWFE extends GES contract to '09; Ex-USFilter exec joins HDR...

In other news below:
-- AquaCell sets spinoff date for water subsidiary
-- Aggreko Cooling Tower Services opens new HQ
-- Equipment & Systems Engineering makes new sales to Population Service International
-- S. Fla. water district awards Everglades restoration contract to Avineon
-- Importance of watersheds to be featured at Watershed Expo 2006
-- SecureWave extends capabilities to Microsoft's Network Access Protection
-- Alfa Laval delivers 13 processing lines to vegetable, tropical oils plant
-- McCrometer opens new Middle East office in Dubai
-- Stanford Institute for the Environment gains $30 million gift
-- Government water agencies support Michigan man in U.S. Supreme Court case
-- Clean Water Act cases crucial test of EPA wetlands, waterways oversight
-- Ecoloclean's Aquatronics Industries Inc. installs 'zero discharge' laundry system
-- Foster Wheeler awarded major contracts in Saudi Arabia, China
-- Thermodynetics nabs $1.6 million order for titanium coaxial heat exchangers
-- CH2M Hill hires president, COO
-- Worldwide Food Expo extends contract with GES through 2009
-- Former USFilter exec joins HDR
-- CarteGraph gains five new clients for asset management software
-- Final environmental impact report for BBARWA recycled water plan released

SDI's Microtox bioassay technology approved by Department of Homeland Security -- NEWARK, DE, Feb. 15, 2006 -- Strategic Diagnostics Inc. -- a leading provider of biotechnology-based detection solutions for a broad range of food, water, agricultural, industrial, environmental and scientific applications -- announced today that its Microtox® bioassay technology was awarded the designation and certification as an "Approved Product for Homeland Security" under the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (the SAFETY Act), by the Department of Homeland Security, or DHS. Accordingly, Microtox has been placed on the "Approved Products List for Homeland Security."

Matthew Knight, President and CEO of Strategic Diagnostics Inc., commented, "Microtox is the water industry bioassay standard for rapid detection of toxins, as it detects toxicity over a broad spectrum of more than 2,000 biological and chemical toxins. We are pleased to play a role in the Homeland Security effort, and remain prepared to assist local, state and federal law enforcement and homeland security personnel in maintaining water safety for all Americans. This designation and certification is the result of many months of evaluation and clearly demonstrates the strength of the Microtox technology. We believe this will further raise awareness to the application of the technology to enhance not just the quality, but also equally important, the security of drinking water supplies."

The SAFETY Act legislation was designed to encourage the development and rapid deployment of life-saving anti-terrorism technologies by providing manufacturers or sellers with limited risk to legal liability. It was also designed to harness the nation's scientific and technological resources to provide federal, state, and local officials with the technology and capabilities to protect the United States from terrorist acts. One area of focus for DHS is catastrophic terrorism threats to the nation's security that could result in large-scale loss of life and major economic impact. The SAFETY Act fosters research of technologies to counter threats both by evolutionary improvements to current capabilities and development of revolutionary, new capabilities. As a biosensor-based method for the detection of toxic compounds, which include toxic industrial chemicals and heavy metals, in water and other matrices, the Microtox Bioassay technology is ideally suited to meet the anti-terrorism initiative objectives of DHS.

Strategic Diagnostics Inc. (www.sdix.com) develops, manufactures and markets biotechnology-based detection solutions to a diverse customer base, across multiple industrial and human health markets. By applying its core competency of creating custom antibodies to assay development, the Company produces unique, sophisticated diagnostic testing and reagent systems that are responsive to customer diagnostic and information needs. Customers benefit with quantifiable "return on investment" by reducing time, labor, and/or material costs. All this is accomplished while increasing accuracy, reliability and actionability of essential test results. The Company is focused on sustaining this competitive advantage by leveraging its expertise in immunology, proteomics, bio-luminescence and other bio-reactive technologies to continue its successful customer-focused research and development efforts. Recent innovations in high throughput production of antibodies from genetic antigens will complement the Company's established leadership in commercial and custom antibody production for the Research, Human/Animal Diagnostics, and Pharmaceutical industries, and position the Company for broader participation in the pharmacogenomics market.

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Among other recent headlines:

AquaCell declares record date for spinoff of water subsidiary -- RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA, Feb. 15, 2006 -- AquaCell Technologies announced that, the company has declared a record date of March 9 with a payment date of April 3, 2006 in connection with the spin-off of its Aquacell Water Inc. subsidiary. AquaCell Technologies' stockholders will receive one share of common stock in Aquacell Water for every share of common stock held in AquaCell Technologies. Following the distribution of the shares, the stockholders will own 100% of the stock of Aquacell Water in addition to their stock held in AquaCell Technologies...

Aggreko Cooling Tower Services opens new HQ -- CHICKASHA, OK, Feb. 15, 2006 -- Aggreko Cooling Tower Services (ACTS) celebrated the opening of its newly constructed headquarters in Chickasha, Okla., on Feb. 10, according to the latest Process Cooling & Equipment e-newsletter. The 3,000 sq. ft facility, nearly twice the size of the rental cooling tower company's previous base, will house the company's sales, administrative and operations personnel. ACTS provides cooling tower systems to utilities, factories, refineries and other plants that are heavy users of process water.The facility is located at 1335 Highway 62.
Also see:
-- "Emergency response to equipment failure at Texas chemical plant"
-- "Substituting for the entire cooling-tower needs of a European refiner"
-- "Aggreko's cooling towers provide a powerful solution at Oklahoma power plant"

Equipment & Systems Engineering makes new sales to Population Service International -- EQSE's relationship with global nonprofit social marketing organization continues to expand each year -- MIAMI, Feb. 15, 2006 -- Equipment and Systems Engineering Inc., a leading manufacturer and global supplier of on-site sodium hypochlorite generation systems for water sanitation, today announced the sale of two additional Aquachlor water sanitation systems to Population Service International (PSI), the leading nonprofit social marketing organization in the world. The units will be used to provide safe drinking water for thousands in rural Myanmar, which is now one of the poorest countries in the world following the 1962 military takeover that has impeded foreign investment and economic growth...
Also see: "Equipment & Systems Engineering names new Aquachlor distributor in Panama"

S. Fla. water district awards Everglades restoration contract to Avineon -- ALEXANDRIA, VA, Feb. 15, 2006 -- Avineon Inc., a successful provider of information technology, engineering, geospatial and program management services, today announced that South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has awarded Avineon a contract to perform a vegetation mapping project to help document the location and type of vegetation habitats within the Everglades. Working closely with SFWMD staff, the team from Avineon will use field work, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), photointerpretation, photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to create maps utilizing aerial imagery. This will support the comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to revitalize endangered ecological system in the once pristine watershed. The five-year contract is valued at near $1.5 million...

Importance of watersheds to be featured at Watershed Expo 2006 -- HERMOSA BEACH, CA, Feb. 15, 2006 -- The Algalita Marine Research Foundation presents the event as an interactive learning experience free to the public, offering information and educational entertainment for Southern California residents of all ages and interests. Launched with a benefit concert by Graham Nash and Jim Messina, it will be held at California's Hermosa Beach Community Center on March 24-25. It includes an all-day auditorium program hosted by Philippe Cousteau with a keynote address by marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle...

SecureWave extends device, application control capabilities to Microsoft's Network Access Protection -- SecureWave's Sanctuary provides policy enforcement functionality to Microsoft to create a true secure network environment -- DURHAM, NC, Feb. 15, 2006 -- SecureWave today announced at the RSA Conference 2006 that it is working to offer customers a comprehensive solution for protecting and securing integral network assets against user abuses or intrusions that may compromise the integrity or availability of the organization network resources. SecureWave's Sanctuary enforces policies as to which executables users are able to run on their client machines and which devices are allowed to connect and the manner in which they may be used within Microsoft's Network Access Protection (NAP) platform...

Alfa Laval delivers 13 processing lines to vegetable, tropical oils plant -- STOCKHOLM, Feb. 15, 2006 -- Alfa Laval, a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling, has received an order for 13 state-of-the-art processing lines for a refining and modification plant for vegetable and tropical oils. The total value is about SEK 110 million [US$14.02 million]. The processing lines will be used for refining and modification of seed oils and tropical oils by the Ilyichevsk Oils & Fats Industrial Complex in the Ukraine. Delivery will take place during 2006 and 2007. Counting the number of process lines and possibilities to produce various products the plant is the biggest of its kind in the Ukraine and Eastern Europe...
Also see:
-- "Alfa Laval acquires the fruit preparation activity from Tetra Pak"
-- "Alfa Laval provides heat exchangers to Kuwait for cleaning crude oil"
-- "Alfa Laval receives record order for heat exchangers to a petrochemical plant"

McCrometer opens new Middle East office in Dubai -- HEMET, CA, Feb. 14, 2006 -- Nanda Kumar will be regional sales manager, operating from the United Arab Emirates city. Reporting to Tom Swihart, worldwide industrial sales director, he'll continue McCrometer's 50-year commitment of providing world-class products and services by overseeing flow meter solution sales for oil & gas and chemical process customers in the Middle East and Africa. Kumar began his career with Instrumentation Ltd., India's leading Instrumentation vendor during the mid 1980s as an application engineer and remained there until 1992. For the past 13 years, he's worked on a series of projects for Middle East manufacturers of field instruments and valves, including Emerson, Dresser, Tyco, and P&F, among others...

Gift of $30 million jump-starts environmental effort at Stanford -- STANFORD, CA, Feb. 14, 2006 -- Ward W. Woods, a Stanford University trustee and 1964 graduate of the university, and his wife, Priscilla, have committed $30 million for the Stanford Institute for the Environment. Their gift will enable institute leaders to launch innovative environmental programs and fund collaborative research that may well produce breakthroughs in environmental science and policy. The institute, established in 2004 and serving as the cornerstone of Stanford's campus-wide Initiative for Environmental Sustainability, will be renamed the Ward W. and Priscilla B. Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University in recognition of the gift...

Government water agencies support Michigan man in U.S. Supreme Court case -- WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 14, 2006 -- The nation's largest urban water district and groups representing hundreds of water agencies have joined Pacific Legal Foundation in supporting a Michigan grandfather in his 18-year struggle against federal officials who have sought to control his property using a law intended to protect navigable waterways. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Western Urban Water Coalition, the Association of California Water Agencies, the San Diego County Water Authority, and the Central Arizona Water Conservation District are among those urging the United States Supreme Court to rein in federal officials who have exceeded their authority under the law. At issue is federal officials' move to control virtually every bit of water in the entire country, contrary to a 1972 law that only gives the federal government authority over navigable waterways and adjacent wetlands...
Also see: "Mich. grandfather fights overreaching federal government in landmark U.S. Supreme Court case"

Supreme Court to hear landmark Clean Water Act cases in crucial test of EPA jurisdiction over wetlands, waterways -- WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 14, 2006 -- The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to hear a series of cases on Feb. 21 that could radically reshape the reach of the Clean Water Act, experienced litigators and scholars today told reporters. These cases will be the first oral arguments heard by new Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, and the first environmental cases before new Chief Justice John Roberts. The cases S.D. Warren v. Maine Board of Environmental Protection, Rapanos v. United States and Carabell v. United States Army Corps of Engineers all deal with the ability of states and the federal government to protect water resources in the United States. S.D. Warren will also have important implications for federalism and the rights of states to set environmental standards. Rapanos and Carabell could have a major impact upon the federal government's ability to set minimum protections for the vast majority of our nation's streams, wetlands, ponds and other waters...
Also see: "Upcoming Supreme Court cases threaten scope of Clean Water Act, groups say"

Ecoloclean Industries' wholly owned subsidiary, Aquatronics Industries Inc., announces 'zero discharge' laundry system -- CRYSTAL CITY, TX, Feb. 14, 2006 -- Ecoloclean Industries Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary, Aquatronics Industries Inc., of Providence, RI, announced today that it has installed its first "zero discharge" laundry system affording 100% wastewater recycling capabilities. For the past 20 years, Aquatronics has provided effective solutions to a diverse base of commercial and industrial customers with remediation equipment and services for the removal of impurities and waste by-products. Recently, a coin-operated laundry contracted Aquatronics to assist with their wastewater discharge remediation problems. Typically, coin-operated laundries address only some 70% to 80% of their wastewater discharge resulting in a 20% to 30% discharge of non-recycled wastewater. The EPA gave the laundry an order to shut down ("cease and desist") operations until an adequate optional discharge arrangement could be made. Aquatronics' design capabilities and engineering expertise provided the laundry owner with a closed-loop "zero discharge" design system allowing for a 100% wastewater recycling and reuse concept, thus reducing the possibility of closure by the EPA or local regulatory agencies...

Foster Wheeler awarded major EPC contract for world-scale integrated refinery/petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia -- HAMILTON, Bermuda -- Feb. 14, 2006 -- Foster Wheeler Ltd. announced today that its subsidiaries Foster Wheeler Energy Limited and Foster Wheeler Arabia Ltd. have been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company (PETRORabigh) for the utilities and offsites of PETRORabigh's world-scale, integrated refining and petrochemical complex at the Red Sea town of Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. PETRORabigh is a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical Co. Limited. The Foster Wheeler contract value was not disclosed and the project will be included in the company's first-quarter 2006 bookings. Foster Wheeler will undertake detailed design, procurement and management of the construction contractors for utilities and offsite facilities, including all interconnecting process and utility piping for the complex; flare, water, air and power systems; instrumentation and control rooms; main electrical distribution substations, firewater systems, blending and metering; and refurbishment and change in duty of existing tankage and roads...
Also see:
-- "Foster Wheeler to Supply Circulating Fluidized-Bed Boilers to SINOPEC in the People's Republic of China"
-- "Foster Wheeler Awarded Two Circulating Fluidized-Bed Boilers for Cleco's Rodemacher Power Station in Louisiana"
-- "Foster Wheeler Implementing Significant Expansion of Chinese Boiler Manufacturing Facility"

Thermodynetics announces receipt of $1.6 million order for titanium coaxial heat exchangers -- WINDSOR, CT, Feb. 14, 2006 -- Thermodynetics Inc.'s subsidiary Turbotec Products, inc. announced today that it had received a $1.6 million purchase order for thousands of titanium coaxial coils from a major manufacturer of swimming pool heat pumps. The purchase order covers a 12-15 month period and represents a sole source supply arrangement with this customer. Sunil Raina, Turbotec's general manager stated that in what is to be the second swimming pool installation year for this product line, "based on supply arrangements and orders on hand, Turbotec believes it has captured more than a third of the market"...
Also see: "Thermodynetics Announces Fred Scheideman Joins Turbotec Products as Director of Engineering"

CH2M Hill hires president, COO -- DENVER, Feb. 14, 2006 -- CH2M Hill, an employee-owned global full-service engineering, construction, and operations firm with headquarters in Englewood, CO, announced today that Lee A. McIntire has jointed the firm as president and chief operating officer. McIntire brings over30 years of professional experience in engineering and construction, including 15 years with the Bechtel Group Inc. He'll be based at the company's Denver headquarters...

Worldwide Food Expo extends contract with GES to service biennial event through 2009 -- LAS VEGAS, Feb. 14, 2006 -- GES Exposition Services Inc. announced that the Worldwide Food Expo has extended its contract through 2009. Worldwide Food Expo is the co-location of two Tradeshow Week 200 events: the Food, Dairy & Beverage Exposition, sponsored by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the International Meat, Poultry & Seafood Convention & Exposition, sponsored by the American Meat Institute (AMI). Worldwide Food Expo attracts more than 1,000 exhibitors covering 1.2 million square feet of space and approximately 30,000 food industry professionals from 100 countries attend...

Former USFilter exec joins HDR -- PITTSBURGH, PA, Feb. 14, 2006 -- John Lucey will be national director of industrial water and wastewater, based in the engineering firm's Pittsburgh office. With nearly 30 years of experience, Lucey was president of Chester Engineers. After USFilter acquired it, he was executive vice president/general manager of USFilter Engineering & Construction. He's active in the Water Environment Federation, Water Environment Research Foundation, American Water Works Association Research Foundation, Design-Build Institute of America, and the Association for Iron and Steel Technology...

CarteGraph gains five new clients for asset management software -- DUBUQUE, IA, Feb. 14, 2006 -- Five more communities join the growing list of organizations using CarteGraph solutions to achieve better government. City of Chickasha, OK; Village of Fayetteville, NY; City of Mount Vernon, NY; City of Plainwell, MI; and City of Watertown, NY, have joined the CarteGraph family...

Final environmental impact report for BBARWA recycled water plan released -- BIG BEAR CITY, CA, Feb. 13, 2006 -- The Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency (BBARWA) has addressed comments and finalized the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for their Recycled Water Master Plan which includes the study of groundwater recharge. The final document will be submitted to the BBARWA Governing Board for approval at the next board meeting on Feb. 22 at 4:30 p.m. The public is welcome...

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In earlier newsbriefs, see: "WaterBriefs: Vortex Corp. wins Homeland Security contract for chemical-free water treatment" -- Also in this report (Feb. 13, 2006): Pittcon 2007 announces move from New Orleans to Chicago; Malcolm Pirnie director to discuss Stage 2 DBPR in AWWA webcast; Thompson Pump primed for 2006 with new top management; Nanoforce acquires unique package of fundamental nanotechnology intellectual property; GL&V will supply $13M in process equipment to new alumina refinery in China; Engineering students bring safe water supply to Latin American countries; Baker's GIT director honored with Oracle Spatial Developer Award; Flowserve restates results, releases 4Q 2005 bookings, backlog and debt reduction; Research & Marekts reports on beverage sales in Israel, Chile, Italy...

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