In other news below:
-- Constellation to sell Strathmore Water to UK's A.G. Barr p.l.c. for $28.16 million
-- Clean environment key to economy, Philadelphians tell pollster
-- EBI Consulting launches new website
-- Fellows Energy completes workover operations on first Carbon County well
-- China completes Three Gorges Dam
-- FDA finds high levels of benzene in limited test of drinks
-- House affirms need to protect all U.S. waters
-- Supreme Court rules unanimously: Dams must obey clean water law
-- Tembec reaches settlement with government of Canada
-- World Water Center debuts May 16
-- GL&V acquires membrane technology with Enviroquip Inc.
-- Tucson showcases Pure Technologies pipeline monitoring technologies
-- H2O Innovation to acquire assets of Membrane Systems Corp.
-- American Airlines wins Texas environmental award
• CAI, bcIMC acquire majority stake in Terasen Water & Utility Services -- VANCOUVER, Canada, May 22, 2006 -- CAI Capital Partners & Co. III L.P., together with its related entities, today announced that it has completed the purchase, in partnership with British Columbia Investment Management Corp. ("bcIMC"), of a majority interest in Terasen Water and Utility Services (TWUS) from Terasen Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, Inc., for an undisclosed price. Terasen Water and Utility Services is a leading utility infrastructure product and service provider headquartered in Vancouver, BC. With over 900 employees and more than 65 years of experience, TWUS has a successful track record of providing cost-effective, safe and efficient utility infrastructure solutions for municipalities, resort communities, institutions, builders, developers and water and energy utilities in Canada and the United States...
Also see: "Kinder Morgan Inc. to sell Terasen Water and Utility Services"
• Constellation to sell Strathmore Water to U.K. firm A.G. Barr p.l.c. for $28.16 million -- FAIRPORT, NY, May 22, 2006 -- Constellation Brands, Inc. has entered into an agreement to sell its Strathmore bottled water business to A.G. Barr p.l.c., the Scottish-based U.K. soft drinks business, for GBP 15 million [US$28.16 million]. The transaction is expected to close in late May or early June. Strathmore became part of Constellation's portfolio in 1998 when it acquired U.K. drinks company Matthew Clark plc -- now known as Constellation Europe -- the U.K.'s leading wine company, independent wholesaler to the on-premise channel and a leading cider producer...
• Clean environment key to economy, Philadelphians tell pollster -- Mayoral candidates' position on environment very important to residents and business owners -- PHILADELPHIA, May 22, 2006 -- In a newly conducted poll, Philadelphia's business leaders and residents agreed that environmental damage is harming the city and that protecting the environment is vital to growing the region's economy. Participants in the poll also called the environment a crucial issue for the next mayor, and residents said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who addresses the issue. The poll was performed by Terry Madonna Opinion Research for Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture), on behalf of a broad coalition of citizens groups working together as part of the Next Great City initiative...
• EBI Consulting launches new website -- New site adds more information, facilitates easier navigation and adds portal access for EBI Consulting employees, clients and contractors -- BURLINGTON, MA, May 22, 2006 -- EBI Consulting, a national engineering and environmental health and safety consulting firm based in Burlington, Massachusetts, today launched the firm's new website. The site, located at www.ebiconsulting.com, was developed in conjunction with Wakefly of Westborough, MA...
• Fellows Energy completes workover operations on first Carbon County well -- BROOMFIELD, CO, May 22, 2006 -- Fellows Energy Ltd. has completed workover operations on the first well in its Carbon County project, along with its joint venture partner, MBA Resource Corp. Fellows performed preliminary work in early May on well GCS 1A-18-14-8, including reconfiguration of water disposal, pumping and other operating parameters. Temporary increases of gas production up to a tenfold increase resulted, with continuing increases of three to five times previous production being sustained to date. Production levels will now be monitored as production in the well will be resumed and additional reconfiguration of the water and gas systems will be performed. Reworking of the next well, GCS 1-19-14-8, will commence as soon as possible following repairs and reconditioning of the workover rig...
• China completes Three Gorges Dam -- CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, May 21, 2006 -- China has completed construction of the main wall of the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydro-electric project. The controversial dam in central Hubei province will not be fully operational until 2009, once all its generators are installed. China says it will provide electricity for its booming economy and help control flooding on the Yangtze River. Critics say over a million people were moved from the area, and the reservoir behind the dam is already polluted. On Saturday, builders poured the last amount of concrete to complete the construction of the 185 metre high, 2,309 meter long wall. A senior Chinese official says the event marks a "landmark progress" in the dam's construction, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported...
Also see:
-- "New scheme for taking water proposed"
-- "Iceberg may solve London's water shortage"
-- "Council digs in over water plant strike"
• FDA finds high levels of benzene in limited test of drinks -- OAKLAND, CA, May 19, 2006 -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it found high levels of benzene in several samples in a test of a small number of sodas and juice drinks, reported the Environmental Working Group. In a very limited sample of products, FDA found two popular drinks -- Safeway Diet Orange and Crystal Light Sunrise Classic Orange -- with 20 times more benzene than allowed in tap water, and six other products with benzene at levels two to four times the drinking water limit. Many other products had detectable levels of the carcinogen. EWG called this indicative of a very serious problem with benzene in soda and juices...
• House affirms need to protect all U.S. waters -- Vote will block funds for policy of disowning certain waters, says Earthjustice -- WASHINGTON, DC, May 19, 2006 -- The U.S. House voted yesterday to block an illegal EPA and Army Corps of Engineers policy of refusing to enforce the Clean Water Act in thousands of creeks, streams, wetlands, ponds, and even rivers across the country. By a 222 to 198, the House approved an amendment that would block the use of federal funds to implement this controversial 2003 policy directive. The amendment was championed by Reps. James Oberstar (D-MN), Jim Leach (R-IA), and John Dingell (D-MI). "You can't ignore the fact that water -- and everything in it -- inevitably flows downstream," an Earth Justice representative said, commenting on the House vote...
• Supreme Court rules unanimously: Dams must obey clean water law -- Court finds 9-0 for state rights in Clean Water Act case -- WASHINGTON, DC, May 19, 2006 -- American Rivers hailed the May 15 decisive 9-0 rejection by the U.S. Supreme Court of a South African company's bid to exempt five hydroelectric dams it owns in Maine from the Clean Water Act. The court rejected the company's arguments in S.D. Warren v. Maine Board of Environmental Protection with a common-sense decision that recognized well-established science that dams can have a huge impact on water quality. While many dams provide benefits, they can also cause considerable harm to rivers, as well as local communities. Dams have depleted fisheries, degraded river ecosystems, and diminished recreational and economic opportunities on rivers across the nation. Since 1970, states have used their authority under the Clean Water Act to require hydroelectric dams to mitigate their detrimental effects on water quality. S.D. Warren's challenge could have rendered states incapable of setting even basic conditions for the operation of hydropower dams within their borders...
• Tembec reaches settlement with government of Canada -- TEMISCAMING, Quebec, Canada, May 19, 2006 -- Tembec Inc. confirmed May 16 that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Spruce Falls Inc., has reached a settlement with the Government of Canada related to exceedences of allowable limits for effluents from the Company's industrial site located in Temiscaming, Quebec. The settlement was recommended to and ratified by the Court of Québec in a hearing held yesterday and covers infractions that occurred in 2003 and 2004. The Company will pay a fine of $250,000 and will also contribute $500,000 to the Environmental Damages Fund. Employing close to 1,000 people, the Tembec Temiscaming site is one of the most complex industrial sites in Canada. It is unique in the pulp and paper industry, with two separate pulp mills, a paperboard mill and three chemical plants all operating at one site and with their combined effluent streams being treated by a common system. This effluent treatment system also processes wastewater from the town of Temiscaming. The result is a variable and complex effluent that requires carefully controlled treatment...
• World Water Center provides inventory, best practices of all world water projects -- WASHINGTON, DC, May 19, 2006 -- Marilynn Deane Mendell launches the World Water Center with web portal, www.worldwatercenter.org this week. The center brings together environmentalists, governments, academia, scientists, community service and faith- based organizations, foundations and water industry technology corporations by providing a clearinghouse for water projects and informing the public about the most effective water projects throughout the world. Its expert panel reviews water projects using a proprietary best practices rating system that evaluates sustainability, accountability, appropriateness, partnerships, environmental impact and cost effectiveness. Mendell plans to work closely with Rotary clubs worldwide to populate the World Water Center's Web site's database...
• GL&V adds new membrane technologies to portfolio in municipal water treatment -- Company signs a letter of intent to acquire Enviroquip Inc., an equipment supplier holding the exclusive marketing license to the Kubota membrane for the municipal wastewater treatment market in the United States -- MONTREAL, Canada, May 19, 2006 -- Management of Groupe LaPerrierre & Verreault Inc. (GL&V) announced May 15 the signing of an exclusive letter of intent with Enviroquip Inc. to acquire all the Austin, TX-based company's outstanding share capital subject to certain conditions. With annual sales of about $25 million, Enviroquip produces water and wastewater treatment equipment, mainly for municipalities. In addition to various aeration, filter underdrain, aerobic digestion, belt filter press and clarifier systems, it holds the exclusive U.S. municipal market license for the Submerged Membrane Unit developed by the Japanese multinational Kubota. This wastewater treatment technology is increasingly in demand by North American municipalities. GL&V has been the exclusive Kubota membrane licensee in Canada since 2004...
• City of Tucson showcases Pure's pipeline monitoring technologies -- CALGARY, Canada, May 19, 2006 -- With water consumption in Tucson, AZ, at an all-time high, the Tucson Water Department held a media day recently to showcase what director David Modeer believes to be the most ambitious U.S. pipeline monitoring program. Last year, the city set a record, 163 million gallons in a single day. In February 1999, a catastrophic rupture of a large-diameter water main caused 36 million gallons of water to be discharged into the city streets, resulting in severe interruption in service and millions of dollars in property damage and repair costs. The monitoring program, aided by Pure Technologies Ltd., is designed to help prevent this kind of occurrence in the future. Reporters and camera crews were invited into the massive 96-inch diameter pipeline to see Pure Technologies' crews carrying out a P-Wave electromagnetic survey and installing a SoundPrint AFO fibre-optic monitoring system. A total of 20 miles of pipeline will be monitored by the new system. Pure Technologies will provide remote monitoring service from its Calgary headquarters and the city will be notified of events of interest by automated e-mail and through a dedicated website...
Also see: "Pure announces new optical fiber contract in Eastern U.S."
-- "Pure announces deployment of optical fibre monitoring systems for four water agencies in Canada, U.S."
• H2O Innovation to acquire assets of Membrane Systems Corp. -- Proposed equity financing of CAN$10M to ensure deal -- QUEBEC CITY, Canada, May 19, 2006 -- The directors of H2O Innovation (2000) inc. announced May 10 a proposed CAN$10 million [US$8.89 million] equity financing through Amsterdams Effectenkantoor B.V. (AEK). At the same time, H2O announces the signature of a letter of intent pursuant to which H2O would acquire 100% of the assets of MSC in an arms' length transaction. MSC is a Santa Barbara, CA-based company active in water treatment systems incorporating membrane-based technologies such as ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis. The purchase price for the acquisition is US$3.1 million...
Also see: "H2O Innovation wins phase two of drinking water project for the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach and strengthens its position with the First Nations"
• American Airlines maintenance base receives Texas environmental award -- FORT WORTH, TX, May 19, 2006 -- The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has awarded American Airlines its 2005 Governor's Award for outstanding efforts in environmental protection and pollution prevention. The award, given in the Large Business Technical category, was presented at a banquet May 10 night in Austin with state officials and commission members in attendance. American is the first airline to win this prestigious award. Its wastewater treatment plant recycles water used at the base to wash aircraft, recirculate in the cooling towers, process rinse water tanks, and irrigate the landscape. It has saved almost $1 million since 2002. The project started in 1998...
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In earlier newsbriefs, see: "WaterBriefs: Watts Water Technologies acquires ATS Expansion Group" -- Also in this report (May 19, 2006): Southwest Water appoints chairman, vice chairman; president resigns; AEM Cremona, KOPEC nuke plant acknowledged with BE Awards; WaterPartners gets $4M to fight water-related diseases; Graham Corp. wins $4.5 million Middle East oil refinery contract; Pa. governor announces study to protect drinking water sources; American Water appoints George MacKenzie to board chairman; Triton debuts at National Hurricane Conference in Orlando; Strategic Growth Ventures Inc. to purchase Water Recovery operations...
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