WaterBriefs: Parkson earns industry advertising excellence award
In other news below:
-- Clow Valve initiates lubricant replacement in fire hydrant recall
-- Itron's demand response system aids utilities nationwide during record-breaking heat wave
-- Sensor System Solutions Inc. announces new sales organization in India
-- Mississippi Lime Company to produce calcium hydroxide in West Virginia
-- New ICC professional certifications emphasize disaster recovery
-- Sewer choke strategy wins award
-- IWA recognized Earth Tech in Australia for innovative recycled water scheme
-- New documentary exposes national crisis, Louisiana's disappearing coastline
-- Cellnet's H. Ward Camp named chairman of national demand response coalition
-- GE Fanuc, Umetrics host seminars around world 'PAT: Driving Operational Excellence'
-- Black & Veatch study assists in $190 million bond issue for Shanghai water improvements
-- Alan Koch appointed general manager of Five Star Die Casting
• Parkson earns industry advertising excellence award -- FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Aug. 21, 2006 -- Parkson Corp. announced that it won the Best Presentation of Information Award for smaller ads from the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Citation of Excellence in Advertising Awards. The award was for one of its "Get Less with Parkson" ads that appeared in the series of five advertisements late last year. Specifically, Parkson's print ad that appeared in the November 2005 issue of Water Environment & Technology was selected in the less than full-page ad category. In the ad, the company's DynaSand D2™ Advanced Filtration System was promoted for its outstanding performance as a low-pressure membrane system equivalency without the cost, maintenance and sensitivity. The system's output yields less phosphorus, nitrogen, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, SDI, NTU and TSS for recycle, reuse, recharge applications...
• Clow Valve initiates lubricant replacement in fire hydrant recall -- -- Leading manufacturer of fire hydrants to replace lubricant and upper stems -- OSKALOOSA, IA, Aug. 21, 2006 -- Clow Valve Co., one of the nation's leading manufacturers of fire hydrants and a subsidiary of McWane Inc., announced it will replace the lubricant and upper stem assemblies in 76,262 fire hydrants nationwide during the next two years. Although Clow has millions of fire hydrants in use in the United States, only the company's Medallion and F2500 brand hydrants manufactured between 2002 and 2004 are involved in the replacement. "We discovered that a lubricant used in our hydrants manufactured between 2002 and 2004 can corrode internal hydrant parts," said Mike Vore, Clow's national sales manager. "Clow is committed to locating every hydrant and replacing the upper stem and lubricant in every hydrant at our expense." Clow emphasized that no hydrants were found to be inoperable during field investigations. The lubricant, which contains a calcium acetate additive that causes corrosion, is no longer used by Clow, and the company urges clients to discontinue using any grease that contains a calcium acetate additive...
• Itron's demand response system aids utilities nationwide during record-breaking heat wave -- SPOKANE, WA, Aug. 21, 2006 -- As the past month goes on record as the hottest July in 70 years, Itron is playing a vital role in helping utilities achieve significant reductions in end-user demand in order to avoid rolling blackouts and minimize energy price increases. From California to the New England region, electricity power grids were locked in high gear last month as sustained temperatures of 100°F or more pushed utilities' power supplies to the limit. But instead of relying on costly and often contentious new power plants to meet the 100 or so hours a year where energy demand is highest, says Phillip Mezey, senior vice president for Itron software solutions, some utilities are turning to their customers to reduce energy usage during these peak hours. Using Itron's web-based Curtailment Manager software, utilities offer an online bidding site where their commercial and industrial customers can commit energy usage reductions and in turn get paid for their participation. This includes water and wastewater utilities, which often are among the largest energy users in any given community due to the heavy equipment required to move water...
Also see: "Reducing Energy Usage in a Water Utility: Supply-Side and Demand Management"
• Sensor System Solutions Inc. announces new sales organization in India -- IRVINE, CA, Aug. 21, 2006 -- Sensor System Solutions Inc. (3S), a manufacturer of sensors, intelligent sensor interface electronics and intelligent embedded control systems, today announced the appointment of Electronic Systems Tech (EST) of New Delhi as its Sales Representative for India. 3S is again expanding its reach into the international marketplace through this appointment of a firm consisting of a trained engineering staff, who are already working in the Process Control field for the Automotive, Cement, Fertilizer, Glass, Semiconductor and Agriculture Markets in India. They possess an expertise in the static and in-motion weighing field and will be a great asset to 3S in expanding the distribution of our Model 2000 Gas Cylinder Scale and Model 3000 Signal Conditioner lines, as well as the Model 4000 Digital Display. In addition, we expect that EST will be able to develop key relationships where the 3S wireless technology will flourish using the new eWeigh Software for both PC-based and Bluetooth wireless PDA's in order to automate many industrial processes...
• Mississippi Lime Company to develop calcium hydroxide production in West Virginia -- ST. LOUIS, MO, Aug. 21, 2006 -- Mississippi Lime Company is expanding its business presence in the upper Ohio River Valley through addition of a calcium hydroxide (hydrate) production unit in Weirton, WV. The installation will be located at the Weirton Ice & Coal river terminal located on the Ohio River. The hydrate unit is currently permitted and should begin operation in the spring of 2007. Calcium hydroxide is used in chemical processes and remediation of acidic mine drainage. It's also used by water treatment facilities and pollution control devices that remove sulfur compounds, including SO3, from industrial and utility boiler emissions. In addition to the new hydrate facility, Mississippi Lime maintains calcium oxide (Quicklime) distribution centers at terminals located in Weirton, WV, and Wellsville, OH, that serve the region's steel markets. This investment is the latest in a series of investments by the company designed to expand its productive capacity and enhance its calcium-based chemical distribution network. Based in St, Louis, MO, Mississippi Lime is a leading producer of calcium based chemicals in North America...
• New ICC professional certifications emphasize disaster recovery -- FALLS CHURCH, VA, Aug. 21, 2006 -- The need for assistance during recovery from disasters prompted the International Code Council to offer two new professional certifications: Disaster Response Inspector Certification, and Coastal and Flood Plain Construction Inspector Certification. Those who pass the Disaster Response Inspector Certification exam have the most current knowledge and expertise to assess the safety of structures following disasters. The certification exam tests an individual's ability to inspect, evaluate and document structural damage. The exam focuses on a range of critical duties, key site assessment criteria and a number of related duties that are required of an inspector during the critical post-disaster response. Individuals earning Disaster Response Certification are qualified to assist any community in its disaster assessments. The Coastal and Flood Plain Construction Inspector Certification brings an added layer of protection to coastal developments and communities with designated flood plain zones. Individuals earning the Coastal Construction Flood Plain Inspector certification can inspect coastal homes and businesses to ensure the structures meet code requirements, including special requirements in high wind zones...
Also see:
-- "New ICC certification for fire service professionals"
-- "International Code Council assists Pakistan"
-- "ICC, NFPA reach out-of-court settlement"
• Sewer choke strategy wins award -- SYDNEY, Australia, Aug. 21, 2006 -- An innovative approach to reducing dry weather blockages in Sydney's sewerage system has won a major water industry Award. Global project delivery firm, Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) partnered with Sydney Water to evaluate innovative management strategies for reducing dry weather chokes in sewerage assets. The result was a strategy document that won high praise from a peer review panel and is progressively being implemented across the Sydney metropolitan area. The final report, known as the Dry Weather Overflow (Sewer Choke) Management Strategy, won the Operation category of the International Water Association's Project Innovation Awards for Australia, New Zealand and the South East Asia region. The Project will now be judged at the Global Awards to be announced in September at the World Water Congress in Beijing. Increasingly, stringent regulatory targets meant that a new strategy was required to manage sewer chokes. Across Sydney Water's sewerage network of 23,000 km of sewers, blockages result in, on average, approximately 18,000 dry weather sewage overflows annually...
• IWA recognized Earth Tech in Australia for innovative recycled water scheme -- MELBOURNE, Australia, Aug. 18, 2006 -- Earth Tech was presented with the International Water Association's Project Innovation Award 2006 for its work on the Eastern Irrigation Scheme at the Australian Water Association's Victorian Annual Dinner in Melbourne last night. A joint project between Earth Tech and Melbourne Water, the Eastern Irrigation Scheme delivers 1.32 billion gallons (5 billion liters) of much needed Class A recycled water to horticultural, recreational and residential customers in Melbourne...
Also see:
-- "Earth Tech to manage, design improvements at Chicago wastewater treatment plant: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago awards $7.5 million contract"
-- "Earth Tech successfully assumes operations of Sturgeon Bay Water & Wastewater Utilities"
• New documentary exposes national crisis, Louisiana's disappearing coastline -- NEW ORLEANS, LA, Aug. 18, 2006 -- As Louisiana rebuilds one year after the Hurricane Katrina and Rita tragedies, "Washing Away: Losing Louisiana," a new public broadcast documentary by America's WETLAND -- an organization supported by key petrochemical companies -- exposing the extent of the hurricane's impact on the state's disappearing coastline, premiered to Louisiana audiences. Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon narrates the program as it follows the lives of six Louisianans. The characters share personal accounts of the impact of the hurricane on their lives and livelihoods and their own knowledge of the destruction caused to Louisiana's fragile coast, wildlife, economy, industry, culture and community. One year ago, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita brought the issue of Louisiana's coastal land loss to an international stage. Wetlands in coastal Louisiana, one of the largest estuaries and seventh largest delta in the world -- home to 79 rare, threatened, and endangered species and wintering habitat for more than 5 million waterfowl and songbirds -- is vanishing, losing 24 square miles a year, or the equivalent of a football field every 38 minutes. In addition, the area serves as the nation's most important petrochemical complex and is vital to America's economic and energy security, as it produces or transports 30% of the nation's domestic crude oil and 34% of its natural gas and also refines 16% of America's petroleum. The documentary was to air Aug. 23 in New Orleans, Aug. 24 in Baton Rouge and Aug. 25 in Lake Charles, LA. It will premier statewide on Louisiana Public Broadcasting on Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. CT and nationally on PBS on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. CT...
• Cellnet's H. Ward Camp named chairman of national demand response coalition -- ATLANTA, GA, Aug. 18, 2006 -- Cellnet Technology Inc. announced that H. Ward Camp, its western region vice president, was recently named chairman of the Demand Response and Advanced Metering Coalition (DRAM) governing board. The coalition is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that includes the leading providers of technologies and services in the area of demand response and its enabling technologies such as advanced metering...
• GE Fanuc, Umetrics host seminars around world 'PAT: Driving Operational Excellence' -- -- Events designed to illustrate the power of PAT for the pharmaceutical industry -- CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, Aug. 18, 2006 -- Today's pharmaceutical manufacturers are under more pressure than ever to increase capacity utilization, reduce cycle times and improve manufacturing efficiencies. The difference between success and failure often lies in a company's ability to adapt to changing market dynamics. Initiatives like Process Analytical Technologies (PAT), Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) and Critical to Quality Attributes (CQA) Monitoring are revolutionizing the way drugs are made and GE Fanuc Automation and Umetrics are at the forefront of providing solutions to address those needs. GE Fanuc and Umetrics are hosting a series of upcoming seminars in the U.S. and Europe designed to illustrate how PAT and other technologies can help today's pharmaceutical manufacturers to drive manufacturing excellence...
• Black & Veatch study assists in $190 million bond issue for Shanghai water improvements -- First water company bond issue in People's Republic of China -- OVERLAND PARK, KS, Aug. 17, 2006 -- A two-year study by Black & Veatch helped lead to the approval of a historic 1.5 billion RMB (about US$190 million) corporate revenue bond issue to fund water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in Shanghai, the company announced Aug. 17. The study developed by Black & Veatch's Enterprise Management Solutions Division (EMS) included in-depth analyses of the overall financial, legal and regulatory elements of the bond funding project. The bond issue approval for the Shanghai Water Assets Operation and Development Company, Ltd. (SWAOD) marked the first time a water company in the People's Republic of China (PRC) has issued bonds. The SWAOD provides water services to more than 9 million Shanghai residents. This project was supported by a technical assistance grant provided by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to SWAOD, which was conferred through a grant agreement signed in September 2002. USTDA's technical assistance is intended to support the World Bank Shanghai Urban Environmental Project and assist SWAOD in the issuance of long-term infrastructure bonds for wastewater infrastructure investments...
Also see: "Mueller joins Black & Veatch as regional tunneling director"
• Alan Koch appointed general manager of Five Star Die Casting -- MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Aug. 17, 2006 -- Five Star Die Casting, a division of Marshall Manufacturing, announced the appointment of Alan Koch as its new general manager. John Timmersman, president, made the appointment and said Koch will head up all of Five Star's manufacturing operations including engineering, production and customer relations. "Alan has over 25 years experience in die casting and management. He has worked with casting process control and development at ITT, TEAM Industries, Alumax and most recently, Ford Motor Company," Timmersman stated. Koch holds four patents in the areas of induction metal heating and metal processing. He has a degree in Physics from the University of Missouri. Alan has written articles and made presentations on metal casting process and reducing casting defects...
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