Mexico: The German-based company Siemens Water Technologies is expanding its water business in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The company will focus on industrial and municipal markets with an expanded selection of technology. The water services will include build-own-operate, mobile water treatment and emergency water supply, plus existing Siemens product offerings in the water market, both industrial and municipal.
Siemens Water Technologies will also re-tool and expand its manufacturing facility in Mexico City to support the additional workload for the region.
USA: Elected and appointed officials from throughout North America will discuss the immense value of tap water service and the challenge of financing it during the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Public Officials Summit on 8-9 October 2005 in Denver, Colorado. According to the AWWA, consumers spend billions of dollars each year on bottled water, but resist small increases for critical tap water service. This gathering of mayors, water commissioners and other public officials will examine the best ways to generate support for reasonable rate increases and other financing options.
“The pipes that bring us our tap water are usually out-of-sight and out-of-mind, and because of that, it’s easy for a community to forget their incredible value,” said AWWA Executive Director Jack W. Hoffbuhr. “The Public Officials Summit provides a great opportunity for elected and appointed leaders to think critically about their own circumstances and make a convincing case for responsible water financing approaches.” Attendees will hear presentations and receive copies of AWWA reports on water infrastructure, rate increases, asset management, security and financing plans for low-income customers. For more information, visit the website: www.awwa.org.
USA: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 71 facilities from 29 states and Puerto Rico that are recognized by the National Environmental Performance Track program as voluntarily exceeding regulatory requirements.
Many of the recognized facilities reduced water use and reduced pollutant discharges. For example, The Coca-Cola North America Syrup Plant in Columbus, Ohio, plans to reduce biological oxygen demand (BOD) pollutant discharges by more than one-and-one-half million pounds and its water usage by more than 900,000. The Ford Motor Company’s Atlanta Assembly Plant in Atlanta, Georgia, has committed to reducing water usage by more than 14 million gallons. Michelin Spartanburg Manufacturing in South Carolina plans to reduce water use by four million gallons. SEH America in Vancouver, Washington, has committed to a 50-million reduction in water use.
Since the program’s establishment in June 2000, Performance track membership has grown to more than 370 members in 46 states and Puerto Rico, and has collectively reduced water use by 1.3 billion gallons, reduced solid waste generation by 600,000 tons, and increased their use of reused or recycled materials by nearly 77,000.
