The following is a transcript of the Sept. 1, 2011, edition of the WaterWorld Weekly Newscast.
Hi, I'm Angela Godwin, digital media editor for WaterWorld magazine, bringing you this week's water and wastewater news headlines. Coming up...
• Northeast water utilities try to recover after storm
• Study looks at wastewater recycling and greenhouse gases
• Water reclamation plant opens in Arlington
• Don't miss VirtualH2O
• Tripoli water supplies strained
[story1]
Many water and wastewater utilities in the northeast continue to struggle with the aftermath of Irene.
In Massachusetts, officials have issued warnings to avoid recreational activities on the Deerfield and Connecticut Rivers after flooding caused a sewage overflow at the Greenfield wastewater treatment plant.
Greenfield Department of Public Works said workers were able to install a bar screen to catch large debris and some of the wastewater is receiving partial treatment. But, they said, it could be eight weeks before the plant resumes full operations.
In Short Hills, New Jersey, American Water has issued a boil water advisory for its customers after the Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Millburn was severely impacted by flooding and power outages. Many residents in the area have experienced no running water or low pressure.
American Water said it doesn't know when full service will be restored but that crews are working around the clock.
[story2]
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and the University of California - Irvine have found that wastewater recycling processes may generate more greenhouse gases than traditional water treatment processes.
The study looked at how different types of wastewater treatment affect emissions of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas with a warming potential of about 300 times that of carbon dioxide.
Two types of wastewater treatment plants were studied: one was a conventional wastewater treatment plant, where organic carbon is removed and treated wastewater is returned to a river or to the ocean; the other was a wastewater recycling plant, where both organic carbon and nitrogen are removed, and the treated wastewater is used for irrigation.
The researchers found that the wastewater recycling plant emitted about three times more nitrous oxide than the traditional wastewater treatment plant, most likely because of dense populations of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria in the wastewater recycling plant.
Taken in context, however, the researchers said wastewater recycling is still a good idea, particularly if recycled wastewater is used to supplement drinking water supplies and not just for irrigation.
[story3]
The city of Arlington, WA, celebrated the grand opening of its upgraded wastewater treatment facility and new stormwater wetlands last week.
The $35 million dollar project is the largest undertaken by the city. The treated effluent is 15 times cleaner than it was from the old plant, exceeding the state's new water quality requirements.
The new stormwater wetlands encompass 27-acres and act as a holding area for stormwater that used to flow straight into the Stillaguamish River. As stormwater flows through the wetlands, pollutants will be naturally filtered out by native plants on its way to the river.
[story4]
If you haven't registered yet for VirtualH2O, there's still time.
Don't miss this completely online water industry conference and exhibition taking place September 13 from 8 am to 6 pm Eastern.
There is no cost to attend, and because it's virtual, you don't have to spend time away from your office or plant, or spend hundreds of dollars on travel and accommodation.
The event combines a virtual exhibit floor with an online conference program to give you a tradeshow look and feel without the hassle.
The conference program features a line up of presentations addressing topics such as energy efficiency, green infrastructure, security, water reuse, asset management, and much more.
The event also features four live, interactive roundtable webcasts.
Attendees who complete a conference session will receive a certificate of attendance that can be used to apply for professional development hours with their respective state organizations.
For more details on the event -- or to register -- visit virtualh2oevent.com.
[story5]
In international news...
Two-thirds of water supplies in Tripoli have been cut off by Gaddafi forces, according to a report by the EU's humanitarian office obtained by Reuters.
The forces have reportedly closed a valve that allows the transfer of 53 million gallons of water per day from the Great Man-Made River to the parched Libyan capital.
A secondary water supply network serving rural areas around Tripoli had already been shut down due to lack of water, exacerbating the situation. According to the report, some suburbs have had no water for several days.
At this time, it's unclear why the valve was closed, but if it was intentional, it could possibly be considered an international crime, according to a UN spokesperson.
For WaterWorld magazine, I'm Angela Godwin. Thanks for watching.
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