Editorial Briefs

Filters Receive California Title 22 Certification

The Astrasand continuous backwash filter and Gravisand traveling bridge filter have both received Title 22 acceptance from the State of California’s Department of Health Services Recycled Water Committee.

The two filters are now accepted as filtration technologies for use in complying with the California stringent water recycling criteria.

Available from the Water Technology division of the Siemens Group Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S), both technologies have been applied in numerous reuse applications in several states prior to having the Title 22 certification issued.

The filters can be used to complete the final stage of the three-stage recycled water treatment process: primary treatment, secondary treatment and tertiary treatment. Gravisand technology incorporates the principles and advantages of conventional traveling bridge designs, but uses improved methods of accomplishing and maintaining filtration and regeneration. The Astrasand filter is a continuous backwash filter, developed for the physical-chemical and/or biological treatment of different types of water, such as process, waste, surface, cooling and groundwater.

Company Wins WWTP Expansion Project

The City of Augusta, GA, has awarded a pre-construction service contract to MWH to manage the expansion of the J.B. Messerly Wastewater Treatment Facility. The construction management project is part of an ongoing capital improvement program and is being undertaken to help Augusta serve its growing population.

Under the estimated $50 million contract, MWH is responsible for addressing rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment facility in two phases: pre-construction and construction management-at-risk. As part of the contract, MWH is involved in a Bidder Interest Program within the local community to widen the scope of interest and involve community businesses in this important rehabilitation project. The goal of this program is to increase opportunities for small, local and minority-owned businesses to participate as subcontractors in this and other area projects.

“Working with MWH on a previous large, high-profile project has produced great experiences and world-class facilities, and we are excited to work with the company again on the J.B. Messerly rehabilitation project,” said Drew Goins, Assistant Utility Director for the Augusta Utilities Department. “MWH’s proven experience in our community will add value each step of the way on this important undertaking.”

The J.B. Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant currently serves approximately 150,000 area residents in what is Georgia’s second largest growing metropolitan area.

MWH’s approach to this project includes a community involvement program featuring at-risk youth education and support for local charities and environmental initiatives. Programs supported by MWH in Augusta for past projects include SAFEhomes of Augusta; Fort Gordon Youth ChalleNGe Academy; and the Augusta Brownfields Commission.