WaterBriefs: Utilities, environmental groups advance historic water conservation measures
In other news below:
-- AFS to host power generation industry event in Pittsburgh
-- ASCE leads engineering commitment to end corruption
-- EU-financed cluster launches MBR webplatform
-- Dow licenses options to commercialize ZDD desalination technology
-- Aqua America expands wastewater hauling business with $5.6 million acquisition
-- UK's Waterscan wins BT innovation award
-- City of Woodbury, MN, purchases CarteGraph software
-- Earth Tech names VP to oversee northeast U.S. large municipal projects
-- Pennsylvania American Water buys two water systems in Monroe County
-- RG Global Lifestyles to distribute Hydrosil as substitute for chlorine
-- Water quality remains high many Lower Colorado River basin streams
-- Structural steel industry moves to ensure supply meets demand
-- Hydranautics launches updated corporate website design
-- ABB Low Voltage Products trailer completes 10-day, five-city N.Y. roadshow
-- Basin Water granted two important patents
-- Pacific Ozone Technology expands service team to support growing sales
-- EMS announces three-year biosolids contract
-- Met-Pro's Duall Division receives equipment order over $1.4 million
-- Frost & Sullivan honors ECOfluid's packaged wastewater treatment
-- Pa. commits $212 million to clean up environment, expand open space
• Historic water conservation measures advanced by water utilities, environmental groups -- SAN FRANCISCO, CA, July 31, 2006 -- A coalition of California water utilities and environmental groups submitted Joint Recommendations to the California Public Utilities Commission on July 26 to demonstrate broad support for actions that may be taken by the Commission to immediately strengthen water conservation programs, a key objective of the Commission's recently issued Water Action Plan. The Conservation Recommendations were developed by California American Water Company, California Water Service Company, Golden State Water Company, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Mono Lake Committee. The recommendations were also endorsed by the California Urban Water Conservation Council, Environmental Defense, Pacific Institute, Planning and Conservation League, League of Women Voters of California, Friends of the River, Sierra Nevada Alliance, and Southern California Watershed Alliance...
• Separation, filtration processes conference set for power generation industry -- MINNEAPOLIS, MN, July 31, 2006 - The American Filtration & Separations Society's conference Oct 16-18 2006 in Pittsburgh PA, is designed to provide valuable technical and networking opportunities for utility managers, operators, engineers, scientists, government officials, consultants and filtration/separation industry experts. Topics of special interest to the power generation industry include: integrated gasification, high temperature flue gas conditioning, clean coal technology, avoiding CO2 emissions, fuel processing, membrane-based separations, water reuse and treatment, Hg removal, electrostatic precipitation and standardization society test methods.
• Engineers commit to ending corruption -- National civil engineering society strengthens stance against corruption and bribery -- RESTON, VA, July 31, 2006 -- Four-hundred billion dollars, or 10%, of the about $4 trillion spent annually for engineering and construction worldwide is lost to corrupt activities, according to conservative estimates. The current forecast for a dramatic increase in infrastructure spending, particularly in developing countries, will lead to an unprecedented globalization of engineering and construction -- and the potential for an equally dramatic increase in losses to corruption. As a result, on July 25, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), a leader in the global effort to engage individual engineers in the fight to reduce corruption in the engineering and construction industry, adopted an amendment to its 92-year-old code of ethics that further expanded its zero tolerance policy for bribery and corruption. The society also committed to publicizing these new 'guidelines' among other U.S. construction industry organizations, and working to encourage the 67 civil engineering organizations worldwide with which it has agreements of cooperation to adopt similar guidelines...
• Launch of www.mbr-network.eu, the webplatform dedicated to the MBR technology -- BERLIN, Germany, July 31, 2006 -- The European cluster "MBR-Network," a group of four projects financed by the European Commission and dedicated to development of membrane bioreactor technology, has launched its official website "www.mbr-network.eu". The four projects, namely AMEDEUS, EuroMBRra, MBR-Train and PuraTreat are supported by three different financial instruments set up by the European Commission's sixth Framework Program...
• Dow signs licensing agreement to commercialize ZDD desalination technology -- MIDLAND, MI, July 31, 2006 -- Dow Chemical signs licensing option and evaluation agreement with South Carolina-based ZDD Inc., giving Dow rights to an exclusive license to its Zero Discharge Desalination (ZDD) process technology for desalination of seawater and brackish water. The patent-pending process utilizes a unique combination of RO or nanofiltration membranes and electrodialysis cells to enable water treatment facilities to recover potentially saleable salts and more pure filtered water...
Also see:
-- "Bangladesh water purification project demonstrates importance of Dow's 'human element'"
-- "Dow Chemical pledges commitment to clean water solutions at United Nations: R&D, market development and Blue Planet Run Foundation Partnership anchor sustainability goal"
• Aqua America unit expands wastewater hauling business with $5.6 million acquisition -- BRYN MAWR, PA, July 31, 2006 -- Aqua Wastewater Management Inc. has purchased the assets of Charles M. Perna Inc., which also does business as Perna Wastewater Management, one of the largest wastewater and septage hauling companies serving eastern Pennsylvania. The $5.6 million transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings. With headquarters in Souderton, PA, the company's service territory reaches across eastern Pennsylvania into portions of New Jersey. The purchase follows Aqua's acquisition in May of the Leary and Higgins waste hauling business in Chester County, PA. It launched its non-regulated septage venture in April 2005 with the acquisition of Concord Wastewater Services Inc. in Delaware County, PA...
• Waterscan wins 'Essence of Entrepreneur' award for its innovative water management technology -- CHICHESTER, UK, July 31, 2006 -- Waterscan, provider of an innovative approach to water audit and cost reduction services, has recently been named one of the top twenty winners in the BT Business 'Essence of the Entrepreneur' Award. Over 200 entries from across the United Kingdom were scrutinized; the winners had to demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and show how they had used new technology to succeed in business. Waterscan, a water conservation company, was set up for the benefit of municipal and industrial customers, to provide water audit investigations, leak detection surveys and repair services. The online database manages water audit projects by recording water invoices, monitoring consumption and targeting high users. The system was conceived as part of the Green Technology Challenge launched by the UK Government in 2001 for business investment in environmentally friendly technologies...
• City of Woodbury, MN, purchases CarteGraph software -- DUBUQUE, IA, July 31, 2006 -- CarteGraph Systems Inc., is proud to announce that the city of Woodbury, MN, chose CarteGraph software for a cost-effective, integrated asset management solution. Woodbury joins the hundreds of other entities utilizing CarteGraph software to achieve better efficiencies in their organizations. Woodbury, population 57,000), is located outside of St. Paul. It selected WORKdirector for a city-wide work management system. The CarteGraph software will replace a custom-built system that tracked equipment and labor hours for the city and its public works department, made up of 40-50 employees...
• Earth Tech names VP to oversee northeast U.S. large municipal contract operations projects -- LONG BEACH, CA, July 31, 2006 -- Earth Tech, a business unit of Tyco International Ltd., and a global provider of consulting, engineering and construction services, announced Richard Lavoie has joined its North America Contract Operations business as leader of its large municipal projects across the Eastern U.S. He'll be based in Connecticut and will report to Keith Oldewurtel, senior vice president of North American Contract Operations.
A veteran of the contract operations and maintenance (O&M) industry, Lavoie has over 20 years of experience with a strong background in operating large, complex facilities and projects with multiple facilities. Prior to joining Earth Tech, Lavoie served as a senior project manager for Veolia Water North America. In his new role, Lavoie will oversee Earth Tech's large municipal O&M projects in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He holds a Bachelor of Science in marine biology from the University of Massachusetts...
• Pennsylvania American Water acquires two water systems in Monroe County -- HERSHEY, PA, July 31, 2006 -- Pennsylvania American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water, announced the acquisition of the water assets of the Community Association of Pocono Farms and the water assets of Lexington Woods Corp. Combined, the transactions expand Pennsylvania American Water's customer base by 1,445 customers in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County. Since 1995, Pennsylvania American Water acquired 23 water and four wastewater systems in northeastern Pennsylvania...
• RG Global Lifestyles signs distribution agreement for Hydrosil as substitute for chlorine in water treatment -- IRVINE, CA, July 31, 2006 -- RG Global Lifestyles Inc. today announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with Apcan Distribution LLC, a privately-held Nevada company, to distribute Hydrosil, their licensed anti-microbial solution used as a substitute for chlorine in water treatment in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Terms call for Apcan to transfer to RG Global Lifestyles its existing customer base. Between current contracts and future anticipated revenues, RG Global hopes to exceed $2 million in revenue from the sale of Hydrosil over the next 12 months. Revenue generation in the swimming pool and spa industry is expected to grow rapidly in the face of consumer dislike of traditional halogen chemicals and the large increases in costs of these chemicals during the past 5 years. Other applications for the products include, but are not limited to, cooling towers, surface cleansers, medical equipment sanitation, bottling equipment disinfection and other industrial applications wherein safe, effective alternatives to chlorine and bromine are desirable...
• Water quality remains high despite dropping water levels in some streams in Lower Colorado River basin -- AUSTIN, TX, July 31, 2006 -- Although many streams were flowing low in July, water quality remained high. Similarly, the Highland Lakes continued to have excellent water quality in July. Eight of the 14 locations tested in the lower Colorado River, Highland Lakes and major tributaries had a water quality rating of excellent in July, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority's monthly water quality index. The LCRA index is issued as part of its role as a steward of the lower Colorado River, based on a list of parameters, including dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform bacteria, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), temperature and total dissolved solids...
Also see:
-- "LCRA, city of Austin join to raise people's Water IQ"
-- "Merger of Central Texas Recycling Association, Recycling Alliance of Texas means expansion of recycling programs statewide"
• Structural steel industry moves to ensure supply meets demand -- CHICAGO, IL, July 28, 2006 -- Rapidly increasing demand for structural steel has led some U.S. suppliers to initiate a controlled order entry process to ensure customers have an adequate supply of steel for the projects they're working on, according to the American Institute of Steel Construction Inc. With controlled order entry, rather than selling steel on a first-come, first-served basis that could allow a small number of buyers to corner the market on all available steel, customers purchase steel on the basis of how much they purchased in the past. "We can talk to our customers and find out the real need versus the speculative or hedge-buying need," explained Joe Stratman, general manager of Nucor-Yamato Steel Company in Blytheville, AR, the nation's largest producer of wide flange. Nucor-Yamato's action comes as steel shipments are up as much as 25% compared with a year ago, strengthening late in the year...
Also see: "AISC issues background information on structural steel supply and availability"
• Hydranautics launches updated corporate website design -- OCEANSIDE, CA, July 27, 2006 -- Hydranautics the leader in membrane separations technology, is pleased to present the newly redesigned Hydranautics website, www.membranes.com. This updated site provides customers increased speed and ease of use while offering new technical information and improved access to our products. Key features of the site's new upgrade include: 1) PDA friendly graphics; 2) Increased navigation functionality; 3) Enhanced imaging; 4) An expanded Technical section; 5) E-commerce access at a mouse-click; 6) Links to our parent company, Nitto Denko; 7) Two software programs free of charge to the membrane professional: IMSDesign (Integrated Membrane Solutions design) and RODataXL...
• ABB Low Voltage Products trailer completes 10-day, five-city N.Y. roadshow -- Visits more than 300 customers in 10 days to see full range of drives and control products -- NEW BERLIN, WI, July 27, 2006 -- In a 10-day mini-Roadshow blitz across the state of New York, June 5-16, ABB Low Voltage Products, manufacturers' reps Lachut Electrical Sales and RPM Controls, along with distributor KOM Lamb, visited 10 locations in five major markets -- and introduced 327 customers and prospects from 62 different companies to ABB controls and drives products. It utilized one of two ABB LVP Trailers, which contains working demos of a variety of these products...
Also see: "ABB wins $55 million paper mill contract in Brazil -- Automation and power systems help increase output by 50%"
• Basin Water granted two important patents -- RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA, July 27, 2006 -- Basin Water Inc. reported that it recently had been granted two important patents related to its core business of treating contaminated drinking water supplies. The first patent, Patent No. 7,041,223, issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, concerns the removal of perchlorate from drinking water using a high-efficiency ion exchange process. This comprehensive patent covers 25 claims ranging from equipment design to process flow. Basin Water utilizes this technology in several of its systems currently in operation. This technology has the advantage of being able to remove both perchlorate and nitrate simultaneously with minimal adjustment. Nitrate contamination frequently occurs in conjunction with perchlorate contamination...
• Pacific Ozone Technology expands service team to support growing sales -- BENICIA, CA, July 27, 2006 -- In an effort to expand it support staff and keep up with growing sales, Pacific Ozone Technology has recently hired Nathan Nevins into the role of in-house service technician. In new position, he'll expand support for growing sales by diagnosing units returning for scheduled service for Benicia, CA, firm with over 5,000 ozone generators in field...
• EMS announces three-year biosolids contract -- BURLINGTON, ON, Canada, July 27, 2006 -- Environmental Management Solutions Inc. (EMS) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary GSI Environment Inc. has entered into a three-year contract with the city of Toronto for the management of a portion of the biosolid waste material generated by the city's wastewater treatment operations. The term of the contract may be extended at the company's option for an additional two years if the company meets certain conditions. The biosolid contract is effective Aug. 1 and is expected to add not less than $13.5 million to the company's revenue over the next three years. It builds on EMS' five-year biosolid waste management contract with the city of Ottawa announced in July 2005. The Toronto contract is in addition to the three-year contract to manage the city's source separated organic waste announced in September 2005...
• Met-Pro's Duall Division receives equipment order over $1.4 million -- HARLEYSVILLE, PA, July 26, 2006 -- Raymond J. De Hont, president & CEO of Met-Pro Corp., announced today that the company's Duall Division, in Owosso, MI, has received an order valued in excess of $1.4 million to supply New York City with six odor control systems for their North River wastewater treatment facility. Three of the odor control systems are expected to be shipped in the fourth quarter of the company's current fiscal year. The remainder of the order will ship in the first quarter of the Company's next fiscal year. In 1993, Duall Division provided similar odor control systems to another part of the North River facility, which are still in service. The
new systems include Duall PT 500 Series fiberglass scrubbers with Fybroc 1500 Series recirculation pumps and Duall model CA144 carbon adsorption units. The systems are designed to remove hydrogen sulfide odors...
• Frost & Sullivan acknowledges ECOfluid's unique technology, service strategies in packaged wastewater treatment -- PALO ALTO, CA, July 26, 2006 -- Frost & Sullivan selected ECOfluid Systems Inc. for the 2006 Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Leadership in recognition of its USBF™, an advanced biological wastewater treatment technology. The technology and service strategies have enabled ECOfluid to increase market share in the competitive packaged wastewater treatment market in the United States and Canada. Its advanced plants based on the USBF process address the constant demand to produce high quality effluents. This single-sludge denitrification process incorporates all the processes required for biological treatment in a single reactor and circulation loop, using very little energy and no chemicals. While conventional processes such as SBR and extended aeration rely on the slow and inefficient sedimentation process, ECOfluid's USBF technology utilizes a fluidized bed or 'counter current' movement. This is a dynamic method that continually removes pollutants...
Also see: "Prism-shaped clarifiers aid Strathmore, Alberta's 1-mgd wastewater treatment plant"
• Gov. Rendell says $212 million committed to clean up Pa.'s environment, expand open space -- HARRISBURG, July 25, 2006 -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that $212 million has been committed for more than 236 projects in the first year of his innovative Growing Greener II initiative, including projects to clean up our streams, expand open space, preserve farmland, invest in state and community park improvements and redevelop communities. The Governor said a detailed list of the projects can be found at www.growinggreener2.com. The website also includes the list of projects that counties have designated for funding...
***
For previous "WaterBriefs" reports, click here.
###