Tri-Tech Holding awarded $2M contract for wastewater treatment plant in northern China
BEIJING, China, Dec. 14, 2009 -- Tri-Tech Holding Inc., a premier Chinese company that engineers, manages and monitors municipal sewer systems, natural waterways and other water resources, announced today that it has received a $2 million Build-Transfer-Operate (BTO) contract for a wastewater treatment plant for the Dongli Economic Development Area in Tianjin Municipality in Northern China. Tri-Tech will build the treatment plant and transfer the ownership to Dongli Economic Development Area once construction is completed.
This is the first Tri-Tech use of the BTO model, which is similar to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model except that transfer to the public owner takes place once construction is completed, rather than at the end of the franchise period.
For the project, Tri-Tech will use its Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) process. MBR is an efficient new wastewater treatment technology that combines biological treatment with membrane separation processes. Reclaimed wastewater discharged from the treatment plant will meet Class 1A standards as per the National Discharge Standard of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant. The reclaimed wastewater is suitable for various reuses including roadway dust control, landscape irrigation and toilet flushing.
The contract covers wastewater treatment plant construction engineering and design, process equipment procurement, installation, construction management and start-up. The Dongli wastewater treatment plant will have a daily capacity of 3,000 tons. Tri-Tech expects to complete the construction by the end of February 2010.
Tri-Tech CEO Warren Zhao said, "This is the first time that we are using the BTO model in a public-private partnership to help our municipal clients tackle sewage discharge problems. We will continue to demonstrate both technical and financial capabilities to successfully compete for municipal wastewater treatment projects. The Dongli Economic Development Area is only 14 kilometers from downtown Tianjin, encompassing an area of 7.2 square kilometers. Since it was established in 1992, Dongli has attracted 150 manufacturing enterprises from 20 countries. The construction of this wastewater treatment plant is designed to ease the shortage of Dongli's existing wastewater treatment capacity, improve the ecological environment in Dongli and further attract more investment opportunities for Dongli."
About Tri-Tech Holding Inc.
Tri-Tech designs customized sewage treatment and odor control systems for China's municipalities and its larger cities. These systems combine software, information management systems, resource planning and local and distant networking hardware that includes sensors, control systems, programmable logic controllers, supervisory control and data acquisition systems. The company also designs systems that track natural waterway levels for drought control, monitor groundwater quality and assist the government in managing its water resources. Tri-tech owns seven software copyrights and two technological patents and employs 108 people. Please visit http://www.tri-tech.cn for more information.
### U.S. EPA, Port of Stockton agree on improved management of stormwater discharges to San Joaquin River
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Dec. 14, 2009 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached an agreement with California's Port of Stockton to correct deficiencies in the port's stormwater program in an effort to bring it into compliance with the Clean Water Act and improve water quality in the San Joaquin River.
In a 2008 audit of the ports stormwater management and control systems, the U.S. EPA and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board found deficiencies with the port's permit program concerning construction and industrial oversight, municipal operations, standard development, and toxicity monitoring. Discharges from the port's sewer system flow directly or indirectly to the San Joaquin River.
"Discharge from municipal storm sewer systems is a significant source of water contamination in the San Joaquin River," said Alexis Strauss, Water Division director for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region. "The Port of Stockton's efforts under this agreement will greatly improve its stormwater program and help minimize stormwater pollution of an important water resource."
The Clean Water Act has a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program designed to address stormwater pollution. Under the program, operators of municipal sewer systems obtain permit authorization from the EPA or an authorized state and must run a comprehensive stormwater management program to prevent harmful pollutants from being washed or dumped into surface waters.
Under the agreement, the port is to improve its toxicity testing program, oversight of industrial tenants and construction sites, and management practices for pesticide storage, catch basins, sumps, stormwater retention basins, and street sweeping by July 1, 2010.
Through its Ports Initiative, the EPA's Pacific Southwest regional office is evaluating stormwater management at various ports. This effort involves both individual inspections of port tenants and audits of the municipal stormwater programs implemented by the ports. The initiative aims to improve water quality by working with facilities to bring them into compliance and collaborating with states to improve stormwater permits for ports.
Ports contain a variety of facilities, including container terminals, boat repair shops, and industries related to the transportation of goods. Many of these industries are subject to stormwater requirements. Due to their close proximity to our nation's waterways, port industries' compliance with stormwater requirements has been identified as an emerging national enforcement priority area.
For more information on the EPA Ports Initiative please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/ports/
For more information on the Clean Water Act, please visit the EPA's Web site at http://www.epa.gov/regulations/laws/cwa.html
### American Water acquires Environmental Management Corporation
• Acquisition gives Company stronger presence in industrial contract operations market
VOORHEES, NJ, Dec. 14, 2009 -- American Water, the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company, announced today that its subsidiary, American Water Enterprises, has acquired Environmental Management Corporation (EMC) from The Linde Group. EMC, a Missouri based company, provides integrated solutions for water, wastewater, and other related assets. EMC has approximately 55 contract operations with industrial and municipal customers in the United States and Canada.
"American Water is very pleased to add a company of the caliber of EMC to our business," said Don Correll, president and CEO of American Water, "EMC has solid experience in the development of sustainable and innovative solutions for the management of water and wastewater needs, as well as a portfolio of contracts that is very complementary to American Water Enterprises' existing business. This acquisition will also bring a new element to AWE's business with the addition of EMC's large base of industrial customers and it will contribute to the earnings growth goals of American Water."
EMC was formed in 1980 as a contract operations firm with a focus on municipal wastewater and water operations. For over twenty years, EMC experienced steady growth and, by 2001, became one of the largest privately held contract operators in the United States. From 2002 to 2008, EMC transformed itself from a traditional operator to an integrated solutions provider, which allowed it to diversify its customer base to include the private sector in a variety of industries. With almost 300 employees and revenues of approximately $50 million in 2008, EMC provides its contract services for up to 20-year terms.
"Combining the expertise of EMC with AWE's knowledge is very exciting," said Mark Strauss, president of American Water Enterprises. "We look forward to leveraging the capabilities and strengths of both companies as we continue to deliver reliable service to our current customers and provide further water solutions to new customers."
American Water Enterprises represents the non-regulated side of American Water's business, which includes:
• its Contract Operations group, which enters into public/private partnerships, including operation and maintenance and design/build/operate contracts for the provision of services to water and wastewater facilities for municipalities, the United States military and other customers;
• its Applied Water Management Group, which works with customers to design, build, and operate small water and wastewater systems;
• its Homeowner Services Group, which provides services to domestic homeowners and municipalities to protect against the cost of repairing broken or leaking pipes inside and outside their homes; and
• Terratec Environmental, Ltd., which primarily provides wastewater, residuals, transport, disposal and management services to municipal and industrial customers in Ontario, Canada
While American Water does not believe the acquisition price is material to its business, the purchase price will not be disclosed pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement. EMC will operate as a separate business unit of AWE for the remainder of the year and into early next year as a team made up of representatives of both companies work to ensure a smooth transition for employees and customers.
"EMC and AWE share the same strong commitment to customers and employees," added Strauss. "We will work together to build upon that commitment and capitalize on the talents of two great companies."
About American Water
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. Headquartered in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in 32 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
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