WaterBriefs: HDR, Westin win asset management research project for water, wastewater
In other news below:
-- CDM evaluates membrane pretreatment for wastewater reuse, buys industrial wastewater firm
-- AWT alerts members about VA Pathogen Lab closure
-- USFilter integration into Siemens Water Technologies complete
-- PlantData demonstrates industry expertise with over 50 SCADA security assessments
-- Aqua America appoints two new directors
-- Northrop Grumman's McDowell assumes role of SSPC president
-- Norway, Iowa, renews monitoring contract with VizAbility
-- Reliability consultant LCE launches Life Cycle Institute
-- Sundyne launches new website to better serve customers
-- EPA general counsel returns to Crowell & Moring's Natural Resources & Environmental Group
-- DataChem acquires CCI Analytical Laboratories
-- California State Treasurer Phil Angelides endorses Prop. 84
-- Rhodia's new biocide effective on bacteria and iron sulphide deposits
• HDR, Westin Engineering win nationwide asset management research project for water, wastewater industry -- ATLANTA & RANCHO CORDOVA, CA, Aug. 1, 2006 -- HDR and Westin Engineering have been awarded a research project by American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF) to identify the water and wastewater industry's priorities for asset management research.
The project, titled "Asset Management Research Needs Roadmap," will identify the industry's most pressing research needs related to asset management, then define a set of comprehensive, cohesive and prioritized research initiatives. The results of this project will establish AwwaRF's asset management research agenda for the next five to 10 years.
The project team, led by HDR, includes more than 30 water and wastewater utilities and subcontractors including Westin (as co-principal investigator), American Water and the Electric Power Research Institute.
"This project and the resulting research will guide utilities toward more effective capital planning and management of their critical infrastructure investment," said Ed Tenny, HDR senior vice president and co-principal investigator of the project. "Ultimately, that change will ensure that our nation's utility infrastructure will continue to provide reliable drinking water and wastewater treatment for future generations, in the most cost-effective manner."
"Asset management spans many interrelated business and operational strategies and activities," said Doug Harp, Westin CEO and co-principal investigator. "Moreover, there is no lack of information, opinions, models, 'best practices,' software, and experts on the topic. This project is a critical step to set a unified vision and research roadmap for asset management in the water industry."
The project will apply a highly collaborative approach to capture ideas and priorities from AwwaRF members. In addition to HDR and Westin, the project team includes:
• John W. Fortin, Asset Management Consultant
• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
• U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
• Polytechnic University, New York, N.Y.
• University of Delaware, Newark, Del.
Participating utilities and agencies encompass over 30 entities from across the United States (including two from Canada and one from England).
HDR (hdrinc.com) is an employee-owned architectural, engineering and consulting firm that excels at managing complex projects and solving challenges for clients. More than 5,000 professionals, including architects, engineers, consultants, scientists, planners and construction managers, in more than 130 locations worldwide, pool their strengths to provide solutions beyond the scope of traditional A/E/C firms. HDR is No. 17 in the Engineering-News Record Top 500 Design Firms rankings for 2006. It is ranked No. 10 in water supply and No. 13 in wastewater treatment.
Westin (we-inc.com) delivers enterprise solutions that improve the performance of water and wastewater utilities. Professionals throughout North America apply practical expertise and proven delivery methods to address planning, design, implementation, integration, training and ongoing maintenance. Since 1981, Westin has served clients in the areas of SCADA, asset and maintenance management, knowledge management, customer service, security, telecommunications, GIS and information technology.
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Among other recent headlines:
• CDM evaluates membrane pretreatment to further wastewater reuse -- Research supports future water sustainability -- GREENSBORO, NC, Aug. 1, 2006 -- CDM Inc. recently completed an in-depth, two-phase study to assess the potential for membrane technologies to expand the reuse of secondary effluent. Commissioned by the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), CDM, in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, conducted research that will guide utilities and regulatory agencies in expanding wastewater reuse. Since rapid urbanization and severe regional droughts make it clear that fresh water supplies cannot continue to indefinitely meet water demands, wastewater reuse will be needed to ensure water sustainability...
Also see: "CDM acquires assets of industrial wastewater firm, A.W. Goodman & Associates"
• AWT alerts members about VA Pathogen Lab closure -- ROCKVILLE, MD, Aug. 1, 2006 -- The Association of Water Technologies sent out a notice to members regarding the closure of the Special Pathogens Laboratory at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System -- known for its groundbreaking research in Legionnaires' disease -- as of July 21. As a result, hospitals across the nation might have difficulty finding a laboratory to test for the deadly bacteria found in tap water. David Cowgill, public relations and community relations coordinator for the hospital's administration said the laboratory's purpose was research, not commercial testing. He said testing for private facilities is not permitted in government buildings. It provided a link to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article on the closure...
• USFilter integration into Siemens Water Technologies complete -- WARRENDALE, PA, Aug. 1, 2006 -- The process of integrating USFilter into the Water Technologies division of the Siemens Group Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S) has been completed and USFilter is now officially known in the marketplace as Siemens Water Technologies. The change reflects the complete integration of USFilter into the Siemens organization - completing a transition period that began when Siemens purchased USFilter just over two years ago. The new I&S division Water Technologies, with headquarters in Warrendale, is a leading global supplier of water treatment and purification systems for drinking water, wastewater and process water with a broad portfolio of products and services that is unique among the competition. The company has a strong position and growth record in North America, and is moving aggressively into Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America...
• PlantData demonstrates industry expertise with over 50 SCADA security assessments -- MANSFIELD, MA, Aug. 1, 2006 -- PlantData Technologies, a leading SCADA security, IT services and industrial automation firm, today announced it has completed more than 50 SCADA, EMS, and DCS Security assessments in the past five years. A division of Verano Inc., the leading provider of security and SCADA solutions for mission-critical industries, PlantData continues its commitment to serving energy, utility, transmission and distribution, transportation and other critical infrastructure industries. Made up of professionals with an average of 10 years of SCADA and security experience, PlantData has been the security resource of choice for mission-critical organizations requiring a complete and thorough analysis of their real-time control networks...
• Aqua America appoints two new directors -- Officers of Duke Energy Carolinas and Sordoni Construction Services appointed -- BRYN MAWR, PA, August 1, 2006 -- Aqua America Inc. today announced that at its regularly scheduled board of directors meeting that the board appointed two new directors -- Ellen T. Ruff, 57, president of Duke Energy Carolinas, and Andrew J. Sordoni III, 63, former president and chairman of C-TEC Corp. -- parent company of Commonwealth Telephone -- and an officer of Sordoni Construction Services Inc. The board also has appointed Sordoni to the Audit Committee and Ruff to the Executive Compensation Committee...
• Northrop Grumman's McDowell assumes role of SSPC president -- PITTSBURGH, July 31, 2006 -- Latest Enews from SSPC issue highlights new president of the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) Board of Governors, Northrop Grumman's Danny J. McDowell. Other headlines include:
-- QP Certification: Corrective Action Plan (CAP) Requirements
-- Forty-Six Companies Join SSPC in First Half of 2006!
-- Tech Feature: Utilizing Polymer Technology to Avoid Moisture Problems
-- PACE 2007 Training Schedule and Education Program
-- North Central Region Chapter? Annual Golf Tournament
-- PCE Marine Coatings Conference Coming to Hamburg, Germany
-- Recent Industry and Regulatory News Headlines
• City of Norway, Iowa, renews monitoring contract with VizAbility -- Wireless monitoring of wastewater lift station provides increased operational efficiency and system confidence -- CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, July 31, 2006 -- Cities and municipalities are always looking for ways to streamline costs, reduce their budget and serve their residents more effectively. The city of Norway, IA, is doing just that by working with VizAbility LLC to remotely monitor its wastewater treatment system with wireless technology. If there are any issues with pumps or lift stations, the company's technology will notify city staff who can then jump into action to keep water flowing and prevent any problems such as sewage backup that can result in environmental fines and sanctions...
• Reliability consultant LCE launches Life Cycle Institute -- CHARLESTON, SC, August 1, 2006 -- After delivering quality training and education solutions to industry and government for over three decades, Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) is pleased to announce the opening of their new and expanded flagship educational facility in Charleston, SC, as part of The Life Cycle Institute. With annual student attendance tripling over the last three years, LCE's new Charleston campus embodies state-of-the-art conference media technology throughout a modern 6,000 square feet campus located at 4360 Corporate Road, Charleston, SC...
• Sundyne launches new website to better serve customers -- ARVADA, CO, Aug. 1, 2006 -- Sundyne Corp. launched a new company website today that expands customer service and channel support capabilities. This new site, www.sundyne.com, combines the best of Web technology and methodology to better serve Sundyne customers and partners. Sundyne is a subsidiary of Hamilton Sundstrand, a unit of United Technologies Corp. The Sundyne family of high-pressure and process pumps, and high-speed compressor products fill a wide range of purposes, including hydrocarbon and chemical processing, water treatment, power generation, pharmaceutical, general processing industries, as well as food and beverage...
• EPA general counsel returns to Crowell & Moring's Natural Resources & Environmental Group -- WASHINGTON, DC, Aug. 1, 2006 -- Ann R. Klee, general counsel of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has joined Crowell & Moring LLP's nationally recognized Natural Resources & Environmental (NR&E) Group as partner. Klee is the only environmental attorney in the nation known to have held paramount legal positions in both the Congress and the executive branch, having also served as chief counsel of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works and Counselor to the Interior Department Secretary under Gale Norton. Klee, who began her legal career at Crowell & Moring, brings to the firm an uncommon breadth of experience -- legal and political, in government service and private practice -- in both natural resources and environmental law...
• DataChem acquires CCI Analytical Laboratories -- CCI, an Everett, WA, soil and groundwater testing laboratory becomes part of DataChem, one of the nation's largest and oldest laboratories for measuring hazardous chemicals in the environment -- SALT LAKE CITY & EVERETT, WA, July 31, 2006 -- DataChem Laboratories of Salt Lake City today announced that it has purchased CCI Analytical Laboratories (CCI) of Everett, WA. Under terms of the agreement, DataChem acquired CCI for $2.3 million in cash. The combined entity will employ about 185 people. CCI provides analytical services to government agencies and private clients within the Puget Sound area and specializes in soil and groundwater testing for chemical and toxic contaminants. DataChem, a company that helped pioneer today's multibillion-dollar environmental testing industry and provides a wide array of analytical services to government, corporate, and other private organizations, now has laboratories in Utah, Washington, Ohio and Colorado...
• California State Treasurer Phil Angelides endorses Prop. 84 -- Support highlights important environmental and fiscal responsibility aspects of the Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection Bond Act -- LOS ANGELES, July 31, 2006 -- State Treasurer Phil Angelides has announced his support for Proposition 84 -- the Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006. Proposition 84 was among the first to qualify for the November 7 General Election statewide ballot, with nearly double the signatures required for certification. The $5.4 billion bond measure would provide critically needed funds to ensure the availability of safe drinking water, improve local water supply reliability, strengthen flood protection, and preserve California's natural landscapes, including parks, lakes, rivers, beaches, bays, ocean and coastline...
Also see:
-- "U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein endorses Proposition 84"
-- "Gov. Schwarzenegger endorses Proposition 84"
• Rhodia's new biocide effective on bacteria and iron sulphide deposits -- CRANBURY, NJ, July 24, 2006 -- Specialty chemicals company, Rhodia, introduces Tolcide® PS50A, for the control of bacteria and iron sulphide deposition, in oilfield and water treatment operations. Tolcide PS50A is a fast acting, cost-effective alternative with excellent environmental attributes, such as biodegradability and low order of aquatic toxicity. This biocide is newly approved by the EPA and currently used in many environmentally-regulated areas around the world including the North Sea for oilfield applications...
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