In other news below:
-- Food & Water Watch urges mayors not to abandon water agencies to corporate interests
-- ASA simulates tanker collision in Tampa Bay at GITA conference
-- Engineering students to gather in Stillwater for ASCE Concrete Canoe Contest
-- Invensys awarded major steam turbine control project in Qatar
-- Flowserve JV to build Mid-East's largest pump facility in Saudi Arabia
-- RASIRC steam purification system to be honored at Semicon West
-- New EPA cooling water intake rule signed for oil & gas rigs, platforms
-- Thompson Pump employees celebrate 25 years of service
-- Calif. DWR awards $9 million in grants to study, restore and protect watersheds
-- New e-learning tools from InfraGuide include water distribution system aids
-- FCM-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Awards honor 10 municipal initiatives
-- Watts Water Technologies acquires Calflex Manufacturing Inc.
-- Water Advocates laud State Department water strategy as 'important step'
• Desalination roadmap seeks tech solutions to increase the nation's water supply -- ALBUQUERQUE, NM, June 6, 2006 -- After one last meeting in San Antonio in April, Sandia National Laboratories researchers Pat Brady and Tom Hinkebein are putting the final touches on the updated Desalination and Water Purification Roadmap -- "Roadmap 2" -- that should result in more fresh water in parts of the world where potable water is scarce. The updated roadmap is the result of three previous meetings -- two in San Diego and one in Tampa. The first roadmap identified overall goals and areas of desalination research and was submitted to Congress in 2003...
Also see:
-- "Address water scarcity, water quality issues around the world now, Sandia/CSIS report says"
-- "Two Sandia technologies soon to be checking for toxins in the nation's water supplies"
• Consumer group urges U.S. mayors to protect public water agencies, not abandon them to corporate interests -- New report details failures of privatized water in communities nationwide, advocates federal funding for future water management -- WASHINGTON, DC, June 6, 2006 -- With water on the agenda of the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, mayors across the United States were urged by Food & Water Watch to push for increased federal funding to maintain and upgrade their communities' aging water systems instead of turning them over to corporate water providers. The organization released a new report that depicts the multitude of problems that consumers face under privatized water. It's available by clicking here. The mayors conference concludes today in Las Vegas. The nation's mayors passed a resolution during the conference that recognized aging water infrastructure as a primary concern among the nation's mayors and demanded that Congress increase funds allocated to state improvements of these systems, reflecting the higher priority with which local leaders are tackling the problems associated with a critical public resource...
• Oil tanker and benzene chemical tanker collision in Tampa Bay simulated -- TAMPA, FL, June 6, 2006 -- In light of recent natural and man-made disasters the ability to quickly respond is becoming more urgent than ever. Emergency response teams, rescue units, police and firefighters all need crucial and timely data to perform their jobs when time is of the essence and lives are on the line. Explosive interoperability GIS demonstration by Applied Science Associates at GITA conference in Tampa illustrates potential environmental damage and disaster response preparedness as part of city's bid to lure Olympics...
• Engineering students to gather in Stillwater to 'paddle across the prairie' in ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition -- Hundreds of students from across country travel to Oklahoma State University for annual event -- RESTON, VA, June 6, 2006 -- Mix 23 teams of civil engineering students from the nation's top schools with hundreds of pounds of concrete and thousands of hours of labor. Stir for 12 months and then bake for three days in the hot Oklahoma sun. What do you get? The 'America's Cup of Civil Engineering,' that's what. Hundreds of civil engineering students from across the country will paddle into Stillwater, Okla., June 15-17, for the American Society of Civil Engineers' 19th Annual National Concrete Canoe Competition, where they will make the impossible a reality: design, build and race canoes made of concrete. The best and brightest from 23 top engineering schools will compete for $9,000 in scholarships by posting the best overall score in categories including aesthetics and structural integrity of their canoe, a technical design paper that highlights their planning, development, testing and construction, an academic presentation that covers the design, construction, racing ability and other innovative features, and finally, the races. Scores in each of the four categories comprise 25% of the team's overall score...
Followup: "University of Wisconsin-Madison takes first place in 2006 ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition"
• Invensys awarded major steam turbine control project in Qatar -- Qatargas II Project involves construction of two of the world's largest LNG trains -- FOXBORO, MA, June 6, 2006 -- Invensys has won a contract to supply four Triconex centrifugal pump steam turbine speed and overspeed control systems for use on the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. Known as the Qatargas II Project, this EUR 9.5 billion [US$12.19 billion] project involves expanding the LNG liquefaction plant at the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar. The project will further develop the large gas reserves in the country's North Field. These are estimated to be in excess of 900 trillion cubic feet, or over 9% of the world's proven reserves. Each of the four cabinet-based control systems supplied by Invensys is responsible for one turbine-driven boiler feed water pump on the new project.
The design, control and operation of these pumps is identical. Each is based on the Triconex TS3000 turbomachinery control solution and includes communications modules to connect to a distributed control system (DCS) and Invensys' Wonderware InTouch human machine interface (HMI)...
• Al Rushaid/Flowserve joint venture to build Middle East's largest pump repair-manufacture-test-training facility in Saudi Arabia -- DALLAS, June 6, 2006 -- Al Rushaid Group, of Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Flowserve Corp. ratified an agreement today to build the largest original equipment manufacture (OEM) pump repair, manufacturing and training facility in the Middle East. Construction of the 20,500 square meters (220,660 square feet) complex to be located at the Al Rushaid Oil Field Center in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, will commence in July 2006. It's expected to be fully operational in October 2007. It will be comprised of two units: a 17,500 square meters pump repair, manufacturing and test facility (Quick Response Center) and a 3,000 square meters hydraulics training center. Total cost of this joint project will be approximately US$14 million. It will employ over 100 people and be fully compliant with Saudisation requirements promulgated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...
• RASIRC selected by SEMI as Technology Innovation Showcase winner -- Ultra pure steam generation to preview at SEMICON West -- SAN DIEGO, June 6, 2006 -- RASIRC, the steam purification company, announces that it has been selected by SEMI as a 2006 Technology Innovation Showcase (TIS) winner. As a TIS winner, RASIRC will showcase its new ultra pure steam generation products and technology at SEMICON West, held in the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, July 11-13, in the Esplanade booth T-14.
SEMI created the TIS program to provide a platform for highlighting innovative companies, inventors and entrepreneurs. RASIRC's technology has many applications in the semiconductor and related industries as ultra high purity steam controls the humidity in a cleanroom and steam is commonly used as the source gas for generating oxide films on semiconductor wafers in diffusion and rapid thermal processing...
New EPA cooling water intake rule to offer 'greater protection' to marine life -- WASHINGTON, DC, June 6, 2006 -- The agency announced June 2 a final rule under the Clean Water Act that will provide increased protection to fish, shellfish and other aquatic life. It sets standards for cooling water intake structures at new oil and gas extraction facilities at offshore or coastal locations. The rule applies to about 124 new rigs, platforms expected to be built over next two decades that could require as much as 20 mgd of water to cool equipment...
Also see: "EPA Action: Agency proposes new information collection initiative for manufacturers"
• Thompson Pump employees celebrate 25 years of service -- PORT ORANGE, FL, June 5, 2006 -- Thompson Pump & Manufacturing Co. Inc. of Port Orange, FL, announces two 25-year employee anniversaries. Johnny Britt, Gulf Coast region manager, and Barry Nelder, sales representative, Goldsboro, N.C., have both served Thompson Pump in key positions over the years. In 1981, Barry Nelder left a fellow competitor to join Thompson Pump as a salesperson. Johnny Britt began his career with Thompson Pump working in the yard in Florence, MS...
• Calif. DWR awards $9 million in grants to study, restore and protect watersheds -- SACRAMENTO, June 5, 2006 -- The California Department of Water Resources, Division of Planning and Local Assistance, has awarded nearly $9 million in CALFED grants to 28 watershed projects throughout the state. The money comes from the sale of $3.4 billion in bonds approved by voters as Prop. 50 in November 2002. The projects range from evaluating the condition of watersheds to programs that educate the public about their local watersheds...
• Powerful new e-learning tools assists municipal practitioners make the best life-cycle decisions -- MONTREAL, June 5 /CNW Telbec/ - InfraGuide, the National Guide to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure, is pleased to announce the launch of two new e-learning tools designed to assist municipal infrastructure practitioners in making the best lifecycle decisions for their communities. Aging infrastructure, more stringent legislation, shrinking financial resources, higher levels of service and increased accountability have led to the need for better planning and smarter investment decisions at the municipal level. By taking advantage of its national network of experts and collection of user-friendly best practices, InfraGuide has developed two new easy-to-use e-learning resources to assist municipalities make smart decisions that minimize long-term expenditure and waste. The first of the new e-learning tools, Developing a Water Distribution System Renewal Plan outlines the best practice for developing a renewal plan for a water distribution system...
• FCM-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Awards honor 10 municipal initiatives -- MONTREAL, Canada, June 3, 2006 -- The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and CH2M Hill Canada Ltd. honored 10 winners of the FCM-CH2M HILL Sustainable Community Awards at a recognition ceremony at FCM's 69th Annual Conference and Municipal Expo(TM) in Montreal today. The Awards recognize municipal leadership in sustainable community development and give national recognition to projects that demonstrate environmental excellence and innovation in service delivery. This year, 66 submissions were received. The winners included: Wastewater -- City of Edmonton, Alberta, Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plan, Industrial Water Re-use, and Water -- Municipality of Chelsea, Quebec, H2O Chelsea...
• Watts Water Technologies acquires Calflex Manufacturing Inc. -- NORTH ANDOVER, MA, June 2, 2006 -- Watts Water Technologies Inc. has acquired Calflex Manufacturing, Inc. in an asset purchase transaction. Based in Vernon, CA, with additional production facilities in China, Calfax manufactures a range of water connectors and complimentary products currently manufactured by Watts in North American and Asia. It markets its brands into the wholesale, OEM and do-it-yourself markets in the United States and has approximately $7 million in annual revenue...
• Water Advocates: State Department water strategy 'important step' to address world water problem -- WASHINGTON, DC, June 2, 2006 -- In a report to Congress yesterday, the U.S. State Department released its safe water and sanitation strategy, a plan for expanding access to safe, affordable drinking water and sanitation throughout the world. The strategy is required by the landmark Sen. Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005. The Water for the Poor Act makes the provision of safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene a heightened priority of U.S. foreign policy...
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In earlier newsbriefs, see: "WaterBriefs: JMAR completes Anaheim water-monitoring test program" -- Also in this report (June 1, 2006): GE completes Zenon Environmental acquisition; Walter Industries, Mueller Water products closes on IPO; World Urban Forum announces program, commissioners blog; Address water scarcity, quality issues around world now, Sandia/CSIS report says; ABB Instrumentation names new VP; SJW Corp. closes on asset purchase of Texas' Canyon Lake Water Supply Corp.; Precision Gasket Co. designated as 2006 MDEA Supplier; Scientists propose aggressive action for Louisiana coast; Cuts to block grants spark bipartisan outcry - Michigan Land Use Institute...
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