WaterBriefs: HDR expands, relocates water research facility

In other news below:
-- ESPC installs world's largest porcelain enameling furnace in tank industry
-- NUCA Iowa honors CONTECH salesperson
-- American Galvanizers Association releases a corrosion guide for university professors
-- California water leaders converge on nation's capital
-- Applied Process Technology system meets water utilities' need for destroying taste, odor
-- American Leak Detection completes merger with PlainSight
-- Distributed control system vendors must venture into untapped segments to boost revenues
-- Dynacor hires Vector Engineering to review feasibility study for Pasto Bueno mine
-- Kepler appointed Dow senior VP
-- Merger proposed between Gaz de France, SUEZ
-- Lower Colorado River Authority picks Invensys for automation at Fayette Power Project
-- New report reviews, offers forecast on global biocides industry
-- Gov. Rendell announces projects to give Pennsylvanians cleaner drinking water
-- Pure Cycle Corp. announces 2006 water rates
-- Heavy rainfall produces wastewater collection line overflows at Trinity River Authority
-- Aspen Aerogels at Galveston SSTB Subsea Tieback Exhibition

• HDR expands, relocates water research facility -- SEATTLE, Feb. 27, 2006 -- HDR Inc., a national architectural and engineering firm with offices in Washington and Oregon, has a new address for its water research laboratory in Redmond, WA. The new facility has 1,000 square feet of "wet lab" space used for water and wastewater analysis and materials and forensics evaluations. It has an additional 1,000 square feet for fabrication of testing and pilot treatment units. Pilot testing is a critical aspect to the application of new technologies, as it allows for project-specific modifications enhancing performance and reducing the expense of modifying full-size facilities...

• ESPC installs world's largest porcelain enameling furnace in tank industry -- DEKALB, IL, Feb. 27, 2006 -- Installing the world's largest, state-of-the-art porcelain enameling furnace at its DeKalb, IL, plant will improve quality, save energy, increase production and speed delivery of its glass-fused-to-steel products to customers, according to an Engineered Storage Products Company. The $1.8 million investment will increase line speed by 15.5% and reduce cycle time by 13.2%...

• NUCA Iowa honors CONTECH salesperson -- WEST CHESTER, OH, Feb. 27, 2006 -- Jim Dressen with CONTECH Construction Products Inc. has been named the National Utility Contractors Association of Iowa's Associate of the Year. Dressen was recognized for his outstanding efforts on behalf of NUCA of Iowa and his on-going support of the chapter's activities at its recent convention in Des Moines...

• American Galvanizers Association releases a corrosion guide for university professors -- CENTENNIAL, CO, Feb. 27, 2006 -- The University Tool Kit from AGA will aid engineering and architecture professors in educating students on corrosion protection. The free tool kit provides professors with all the resources required to present an introductory lecture on corrosion protection and the use of hot-dip galvanized steel. It's been sent to 300 U.S. and Canadian professors, targeting architecture, civil engineering, metallurgical engineering, structural engineering, and material science programs...

• California water leaders converge on nation's capital -- WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 27, 2006 -- Expecting to draw over 100 California water officials, the Association of California Water Agencies kicks off its annual conference, Feb. 28-March 2, in Washington D.C. this week at the Washington Court Hotel. Attendees are scheduled to hear from a number of federal officials and members and discuss topics ranging from water storage to flood control...

• Applied's new HiPOx Plus System meets utilities' critical need for destroying taste, odor contaminants in drinking water -- PLEASANT HILL, CA, Feb. 27, 2006 -- Applied Process Technology Inc., a provider of high performance water treatment solutions, today announced availability of HiPOx Plus, a waste-free Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) that achieves multiple treatment objectives in one system. The system combines ozone and hydrogen peroxide to form hydroxyl radicals, aggressive oxidants that react chemically with taste and odor compounds. It simultaneously removes a wide range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and micro-contaminants as well...

• American Leak Detection completes merger with PlainSight -- Two companies come together to create new paradigm in franchising industry -- algorithm franchising -- PALM SPRINGS, CA, Feb. 27, 2006 -- American Leak Detection (ALD) and PlainSight are pleased to announce completion of their merger and launch of the rithm™ suite of software products that will define Algorithm Franchising. Dick Rennick will continue his role as CEO of ALD, a provider of non-invasive water and sewer leak detection services, as well as head up product strategy at emerging growth technology company PlainSight. With Rennick's 30+ years of experience in franchising, and PlainSight's 80+ patent base and team of computer scientists, mathematicians, analytic chemists and software engineers, the union is already delivering solutions for software applications and new products to the franchising marketplace. PlainSight hosted product demonstrations during the IFA Conference, Feb. 26-28, in Palm Springs, CA...

• Vendors of distributed control systems must venture into untapped segments to boost revenues -- MUMBAI, India, Feb. 27, 2006 -- Increased use of "distributed control systems" has helped end-users in the market improve process quality and reduce the downtime and life cycle costs, eventually boosting revenues. Greater investments and favorable workforce-related conditions in China and India are also fueling this growth. Developed economies such as the United States, certain parts of Western Europe and Japan are tapping the retrofit and service-oriented areas of the DCS markets. New industrial automation analysis from strategic consultant Frost & Sullivan, "World Distributed Control Systems Markets," reveals that revenue in these markets totaled $9.56 billion in 2004 and projects to reach $12.40 billion in 2011...

• Dynacor hires Vector Engineering Inc. to review pre-feasibility study for Pasto Bueno tungsten mine -- MONTREAL, Can ada, Feb. 27, 2006 -- Dynacor is pleased to announce it has hired the firm Vector Engineering Inc. to review the pre-feasibility study of the Pasto Bueno mine prepared by Dynacor, in accordance with National Instrument 43-101. Vector, who has clients worldwide and a staff of over 250, specializes in the application of civil engineering, hydrogeology, geology, and geotechnical engineering to landfill design and closure, solid and mine waste management, heap leach pad tailings disposal system design, construction quality assurance (CQA), and construction management. The company also provides water and wastewater consulting, environmental and planning services and has an extensive geotechnical laboratory...

• Kepler appointed Dow senior VP -- MIDLAND, MI, Feb. 27, 2006 -- Andrew N. Liveris, Dow's president, CEO and chairman-elect, announced today that David E. Kepler has been appointed senior vice president of the company. His existing roles as head of Shared Services and chief information officer will be expanded to include the Company's Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) activities, responsibilities that were previously held by Larry Washington. Washington retires from Dow at the end of March. As part of his expanded role, Kepler will have specific responsibility for driving Dow's sustainability and corporate security agendas. He will co-chair its EH&S Management Board with Gary Veurink, Dow's corporate vice president of manufacturing and engineering, and will also chair the Corporate Environmental Advisory Council...
Also see: "Haller named head of Strategic Development and New Ventures at Dow"

• Merger proposed between Gaz de France, SUEZ
Emergence of a European Leader in Energy and Environmental Services
PARIS, Feb. 27, 2006 -- The SUEZ Board of Directors, which met on Feb. 25, and the board of directors of Gaz de France, which met Feb. 26, have approved a proposed friendly merger between the two groups. The proposed merger builds on existing cooperation and is the result of talks between the two companies, which began a few months ago. The new group, with a strong Franco-Belgian identity, will be positioned as one of the global leaders in the energy and environment sectors. In addition to SUEZ strengths in water and wastewater treatment, the energy asset portfolio, primarily located in France and Belgium, will allow it to benefit fully from the gas-electricity convergence (gas supply for electricity generation, dual energy offer of gas and electricity to customers) and to gear up to serve the fully liberalized energy market on July 1, 2007...

• Lower Colorado River Authority selects Invensys for ash handling systems automation at Fayette Power Project -- New Foxboro controls to be implemented as part of phased automation modernization project at key central Texas generating facility -- FOXBORO, MA, Feb. 27, 2006 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) will employ I/A Series digital automation from Foxboro in a control system modernization at the Fayette Power Project, a 1,641-megawatt, three-unit, coal-fired generating facility near La Grange, TX. The new controls will replace existing ash handling controls in Units 1 and 2, each with a capacity of 598 megawatts...

• New report reviews, offers forecast on global biocides industry -- DUBLIN, Ireland, Feb. 27, 2006 -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of "Global Biocides Report 2006" to its offering. This report provides in depth information on the market for biocide products within consumer and industrial applications. It includes detailed market analyses and discussions of industry trends, assessing the impact of current and emerging regulations. The report develops forecasts for biocides from 2006 through 2011. Discussing over 200 companies and 10 in depth, the report also provides an overview of 18 applications for biocides and data on each of the major geographical regions...

• Gov. Rendell announces projects to give Pennsylvanians cleaner drinking water -- HARRISBURG, PA, Feb. 27, 2006 -- Gov. Edward G. Rendell today announced that Pennsylvania will invest more than $2.2 million to help seven communities in six counties implement new and innovative technologies to treat drinking water and wastewater. The projects will reduce critical, or chronic, public health and environmental hazards. Under Growing Greener, the Department of Environmental Protection provides grants for improving existing drinking water and sewage treatment facilities through the use of new or innovative technologies....
Also see: "Governor's proposed DEP budget keeps state 'Growing Greener,' thriving economically"

• Pure Cycle Corp. announces 2006 water rates -- THORNTON, CO, Feb. 27, 2006 -- Pure Cycle Corp. announced today that effective July 1, it will raise water tap fees to $16,840 from $14,740, a 14% increase. In addition, Pure Cycle's monthly water usage rates will increase an average of 3%. Wastewater taps fees of $4,883 and monthly wastewater fees of $34.80 will remain unchanged. Tap fees, or system development charges, are fees charged to developers to gain access to the service providers water and wastewater systems...

• Heavy rainfall produces wastewater collection line overflows at Trinity River Authority -- IRVING, TX, Feb. 26, 2006 -- Heavy rainfall on Feb. 24-25 caused four separate wastewater over flows from the Trinity River Authority of Texas' Elm Fork collection system. Wastewater lines are customarily built adjacent to streams, on this occasion the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, to enable wastewater to flow by gravity to treatment facilities. When rainfall and flood water cover collection lines and manholes water is able to enter or infiltrate into the collection lines. Over flows occur when the combined volume of wastewater and rainfall exceed the capacity of the line...

• Aspen Aerogels at Galveston SSTB Subsea Tieback Exhibition -- NORTHBOROUGH, MA, Feb. 24, 2006 -- Aspen Aerogels, the Massachusetts-based developer of aerogel nanotechnologies, will be exhibiting its ultra high performance insulation technology Feb. 28-March 2 at SSTB 2006, the world's premier SubSea TieBack Conference and Exhibition, at Galveston's Moody Gardens...

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In earlier newsbriefs, see: "WaterBriefs: Kelda exits U.S. water market with $860M sale of Aquarion" -- Also in this report (Feb. 24, 2006): AquaShield obtains second New Jersey DEP certification; GE appoints six company officers; Delta announces start of revenue from Indramayu facility; LADWP holds workshop to reaffirm commitment to solar incentive program; Watts Water Technologies announces webcast of Citigroup industrial conference; M-I SWACO announces acquisition of Epcon Offshore AS; FMC Technologies awarded subsea contract for Statoil Tyrihans Project; Citect enters 'Powered By SAP NetWeaver' Partner Program; Power plants must have a mercury reduction strategy now; Itron appoints new Users' Advisory Board Members; New micro-drives pack simple, fast setup and host of OEM-friendly features; Mich. railroad agrees to cleanup groundwater in Battle Creek, pay over $750K in damages; NRWA briefing stresses water, wastewater utilities as first responders when disasters strike; Canadian mining company gets water management plan for ruby Creek project; California Water Service Group names new VP, CFO and treasurer...

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