WaterBriefs: Veolia Water picked for two major projects to address Australian drought

In other news below:
-- Registration now open for Hydraulic Institute's annual meeting
-- International Water Conference issues 2007 call for papers
-- Aqua America acquires three new systems in Leigh County, Pa.
-- Halma acquires Tritech and System Technologies
-- Corporate damage from 'inside' on the rise, security survey reports
-- Asahi/America launches redesigned website
-- CH2M Hill adds Sands in Industrial Client Group
-- Altamaha Riverkeeper protests Army Corps of Engineers wetlands development
-- ASHRAE, building sector unite to confront global climate change

• Veolia Water picked for two major projects to address worst drought on record in Australia -- PARIS, Dec. 5, 2006 -- Veolia Water has been selected for two major projects in Australia to alleviate the severest drought ever recorded in the state of Queensland -- one of the fastest growing demographic regions in the country. Thus, Veolia Water has been chosen by the Queensland Government to accompany it on one of the biggest recycled water infrastructure projects in the southern hemisphere.

In parallel, the Queensland Government and the Gold Coast City municipality have awarded Veolia Water, in partnership with the John Holland Group, the realization of a major desalination plant. Both projects form a crucial part of the South East Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy for effective management of the region's water resources.

For the Western Corridor Recycled Water (WCRW) scheme, Veolia Water will initially provide advice to the Queensland Government for development of all installations and infrastructure, and will then become the operating partner, in an agreement where the terms will soon be defined. This programme, which is a major drought relief initiative of the State Government, will enable water from treatment plants around Brisbane to be recycled and used by industry. The project, scheduled for completion in 2008, represents a total investment of 1 billion Euros for the State of Queensland. It consists of two stages, the first one involving the recycling of wastewater from the sites of Oxley, Wacol, Goodoa and Bundamba, and the second stage involving the recycling of wastewater from Luggage Point and Gibson Island.

The volume of water treated by microfiltration or ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and UV, will be over 200,000 m³/day. The second contract is for the design, construction and operation of a vital desalination plant for the treatment of seawater using reverse osmosis technology to produce an average of 125,000 m³/day of potable water for a population of up to 450,000 residents of the Gold Coast and the South Eastern Region of Queensland.

Veolia Water will bring its know-how in process design and commissioning, as well as in the operations and maintenance of the plant for a term of 10 years, with a potential 5 year extension period. The plant will be in operation late 2008, and full production capacity is scheduled for early 2009. The contract is expected to bring a consolidated turnover of approximately 210 million Euros over a period of 10 years for Veolia Water. All design and construction will be carried out to protect the environment and interests of the community in this highly developed and popular tourist area. The plant will be located at Tugun, adjacent to the Gold Coast Airport, at the Southern end of the Gold Coast.

According to Antoine Frerot, Veolia Water's Chief Executive Officer, "These two contracts illustrate the company's longstanding and far reaching capacity in providing innovative sustainable solutions to one of the world's toughest environmental challenges - sufficient water supply for all from a rare resource. The company has a long history of providing some of the largest and most significant desalination and water recycling projects in Australia as well as other main regions of the world. This announcement confirms our commitment to helping communities seek effective management of water resources."

Veolia Water (www.veoliawater.com), the water division of Veolia Environnement, is the world leader in water and wastewater services. Specialized in outsourcing services for municipal authorities, as well as industrial and service companies, it is also one of the world's major designers of technological solutions and constructor of facilities needed in water and wastewater services. Veolia Water serves 108 million people worldwide. With 70,700 employees, its 2005 revenues amounted to €9.1 billion [US$12.12 billion].

Veolia Environnement (www.veolia.com) is world leader in environmental services. With more than 300,000 employees the company has operations all around the world and provides tailored solutions to meet the needs of municipal and industrial customers in four complementary segments: water management, waste management, energy management and freight and passenger transportation. Veolia Environnement recorded revenue of €25.2 billion in 2005 [US$33.56 billion].

Also see: "Veolia Environnement, Total Team to Build, Operate A Used Oil Recycling Plant in France"

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Among other recent headlines:

• Registration now open for Hydraulic Institute's annual meeting -- PARSIPPANY, NJ, Dec. 5, 2006 - The Hydraulic Institute (HI) announced today that registration for its 2007 Annual Meeting is now open. The event will be held at the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas from Feb. 22 to 27, 2007. It focuses on "Selling Value in a Price-Focused World: Intuition, Innovation, Intelligence" and offers a unique opportunity to network with pump manufacturing professionals throughout North America and Europe. In addition to guest speakers who will address performance excellence, the 2007 U.S. and global economy, and other significant issues, members of thirty different technical committees will meet to address industry standards, guidelines, electronic data exchange protocols, and more. Members of the Institute work together with users in developing comprehensive standards and guidelines using an ANSI-approved consensus process, as well as new technical documents and e-learning and educational programs...
Also see: "Free Pump Systems Improvement Modeling (PSIM) Tool software available from Hydraulic Institute"

• International Water Conference issues 2007 call for papers -- Orlando, FL, to host event for second time Oct. 21-25, 2007; attendance was 25% higher at last event held in Florida at the Hilton at Walt Disney World Resort in 2005 -- PITTSBURGH, Dec. 5, 2006 -- As the preeminent international technical forum in industrial water treatment, the IWC has recorded a proud history of this dynamic industry, with over 67 years of remarkable achievements. The IWC brings together the water treatment industry's end users, researchers, practicing engineers, managers, educators, suppliers, contractors and consultants. The IWC seeks papers to cover all aspects of water treatment that include but are not limited to: Cooling and Process Water; Desalination Principles & Approaches; Process Water Preparation; Steam Generation; and Wastewater & Recycle. Over 20 exhibitors already have renewed. Abstracts are due by Feb. 9, 2007, with notification of acceptance by April 6. Additional information is available for the abstract submittal forms, Exhibit Hall, 'Info-Share Suite' Program
and Continuing Education Workshops...

• Aqua America acquires three new systems in Leigh County, Pa. -- BRYN MAWR, PA, Dec. 5, 2006 -- Aqua America Inc. announced today that its largest subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania Inc., has acquired the water system assets of the Country Club Gardens Water Company in Lehigh County. The $100,000 acquisition represents the company's first entry into Pennsylvania's fast-growing Lehigh County. The transaction includes three systems that supply water to approximately 1,000 residents in Lower Macungie, South Whitehall and Salisbury townships near Allentown. The Pennsylvania Pubic Utility Commission approved the acquisition. The company plans to invest nearly $230,000 over the next few years for capital improvements to the three water systems, including structural and electrical upgrades to the water treatment facilities and the installation of state-of-the-art radio frequency water meter technology for all customers...

• Lean Manufacturing makes Hanovia more efficient -- SLOUGH, England, Dec. 5, 2006 -- UV disinfection specialist Hanovia has made dramatic improvements in the production quality and lead time of its UV lamp shop by using "Lean Manufacturing" tools and improved measurement systems to reduce waste, improve quality, and develop stronger business relationships. Since implementing the changes, manufacturing lead times for spare UV lamps have been reduced by as much as 30%. A number of Halma Group companies, which include Aquionics, Berson Milieutechniek BV, Hanovia, Hydreka SAS, Palintest, Palmer Environmental Ltd., Perma Pure, Radcom Technologies Ltd., Radio-Tech Ltd. -- have also adopted the philosophy, with great success...
Also see: "Halma acquires Tritech and System Technologies"

• Corporate damage from 'inside' on the rise, security survey reports -- Increasing corporate damage caused by theft of confidential data and attacks from inside the network. The solution to these problems is to install perimeter security devices such as the Panda GateDefender appliances. -- GLENDALE, CA, Dec. 5, 2006 -- According to the Deloitte's 2006 Global Security Survey, 49% of companies suffered some type of security problem in 2005. Of these, 31% were affected by malicious code. However, the most significant data is that 28% witnessed attempted attacks from inside the network, and 18% had data stolen also from inside the network. The solution to this problem is to install perimeter security devices, such as the Panda GateDefender line of appliances, which protect against unauthorized access from outside the network, as well as against sensitive information from being sent out of the company either intentionally or accidentally...

• Asahi/America launches redesigned website -- MALDEN, MA, Dec. 4, 2006 -- Asahi/America Inc. announces the launch of their completely redesigned website, www.asahi-america.com. The new site includes a wealth of technical and product information on the entire Asahi/America family of products including valves, actuators, piping systems and high purity products. The new user friendly layout and in-site search engine enhance the user experience and allow for easy access of technical information...

• CH2M Hill adds Sands in Industrial Client Group -- CHICAGO, Dec. 4, 2006 -- Dale Sands has joined the Denver-based consulting engineering firm as vice president of client development within its industrial client group. He'll lead the development of strategic services to meet emerging client needs. Sands has more than 30 years of experience, most recently in senior leadership roles for leading environmental engineering and multinational firms providing global services for the Americas. He is based in CH2M Hill's Chicago office...
Also see:
-- "CH2M Hill CEO Named ARCS Foundation's Honoree of the Year"
-- "CH2M Hill Provides Environmental Consulting to World's Largest Brick Manufacturing Plant Fueled by Landfill Gas"
-- "Nancy Tuor Named Interim President and Group Chief Executive, Federal Client Group"

• Altamaha Riverkeeper protests Army Corps of Engineers wetlands development next to Ocmulgee River -- Questions legality of logging operation to build subdivision and 70-acre lake in a sensitive wetland as development causes dramatic loss of wetlands, wildlife habitat nationwide -- 'Arent' state and federal permits required?' -- HAWKINSVILLE, GA, Dec. 2, 2006 -- The Altamaha Riverkeeper (ARK) is opposing the property clearing for a subdivision and a proposed 70-acre lake on County Line Road in Bleckley and Pulaski County near Hawkinsville. The development area called Bush's Mills contains wetlands from what was a former pond with old growth cypress. According to area residents as the major logging operation began, dynamiting of a beaver dam was used to drain the pond on the property. The land clearing operation for the new sub division called Royal Palms 2 is illegal according to ARK because it has not gone through the Federal Clean Water Act Section "404" permitting process. In a letter to the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers (USACOE ) on November 29th, 2006, ARK says the clearing is not part of a normal established ongoing forestry activity and questions why the land clearing is not going through the permitting process that is required before harvesting trees from a water body...

• ASHRAE, building sector unite to confront global climate change -- ATLANTA, Dec. 1, 2006 - Recognizing that the building sector is responsible for almost half of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually, key leaders in this sector have banded together to confront the global-warming crisis. Last week, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Architecture 2030 and about 20 other leaders attended a special meeting at the 2006 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, a conference presented annually by the USGBC.
Also see: "ASHRAE, ARI to Host D.C. Briefing on Energy Tax Incentives"

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