Sylvan Source announced that the California Department of Health Services (DHS) has certified their M-600 ultra-clean home water treatment system for sale and installation throughout the state. Product approval from the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs was also granted and the system is now certified for sale in that state as well. The system is available throughout the U.S. and Canada. ?
Ionics U.S. Water Group is moving its headquarters to a larger facility. The new address is 5776 Las Positas Road, Livermore, CA 94551-7819. Contact numbers remain the same: phone (925) 456-7000; fax (925) 456-7010. ?
The Bayoxide® E33 arsenic removal media from Severn Trent Services was selected for use at Sharpe Army Depot in San Joaquin County, Calif. Baker Filtration will serve as general contractor for the project. ?
Pure1 Systems has awarded Refreshments, Inc. the exclusive dealership of its products in selected Mississippi and Tennessee counties as part of new programs developed to improve customer service worldwide. ?
First Coast Water, LLC obtained exclusive rights from AquaMaker to distribute its AM10™ stand-alone water production, purification and filtration plant in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, reported PRWeb. ?
The Stockholm Water Foundation opened nominations for the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize. Information must be submitted before September 30, 2006. Nomination guidelines are available at www.siwi.org. ?
Online registration opened for the 2006 IBWA Convention and Trade Show to be held October 3-6 in Las Vegas, Nev. Attendees and exhibitors can sign up now at www.bottledwater.org/public/conv2006/. Educational sessions will provide opportunities to earn Continuing Educational Units (CEUs) for Certified Plant Operator accreditation. Topics include bottling, filtration, communications, marketing and safety. ?
North America
Home water efficiency addressed
WaterSense, a new water efficiency program, was launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to educate American consumers on making smarter water choices that save money and maintain high environmental standards without compromising performance. Products and services that perform at least 20 percent more efficiently will be identified with the WaterSense label. Manufacturers can certify their products to meet the criteria for water efficiency and performance by following testing protocols specific to each product category and meeting the criteria therein. Products must be independently tested to ensure U.S. EPA specifications are met. More information about the program is available at www. epa.gov/watersense.
Cruise line tests water monitoring system
According to Business Wire, JMAR Technologies, Inc. received a purchase order for its BioSentry™ water-monitoring system from Princess Cruises after successful completion of a six-month test run on two separate ships. The system was tested as a security monitor for the presence of high levels of bacterial contaminants that could result from deliberate or inadvertent contamination of the ships’ water supply. Testing in very different climates was achieved due to the vessels’ destinations (Alaska and the Mexican Riviera).
Water Law conference and U.S. EPA address permits
CLE International sponsored the Water Law of the Colorado River SuperConference on May 11-12, 2006 in Tucson, Ariz. One in-depth presentation covered Supreme Court cases relating to water transfer definition and its relationship to federal permitting required under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NDES). Lawyers agreed that permitting would interfere with states’ rights to manage their own water systems as mandated under Section 101g of the Clean Water Act. Further, permit requirements would necessitate expensive system upgrades, creating a tremendous financial burden for the states. Douglas K. Miller, Counsel for the Central Arizona Project, voiced a strong appeal for support of a U.S. EPA transfer rule currently under discussion that would offset the need for additional federal legislation. The expected regulation was announced several weeks later by the U.S. EPA. “The Water Transfer Rule gives communities needed flexibility to protect water quality, prevent costly litigation and promote the public good,” said U.S. EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water, Benjamin H. Grumbles.
Low energy use record broken
The Affordable Desalination Collaboration (ADC) has achieved a new record for lowest energy use in reverse osmosis (RO) seawater desalination using FILMTEC™ SW30XLE-400i ‘low energy’ membranes from FilmTec Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. Conducted at the U.S. Navy’s Seawater Desalination Test Facility in Port Hueneme, Calif., the test effectively demonstrated the capability of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology in producing potable water for water-stressed municipalities in California. The test utilized a unique combination of proven technologies, equipment and designs to indicate the cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency of desalination over alternate sources of water supply in the state.
Rule proposed on animal feedlots
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), such as large pig, veal, poultry, beef and dairy farms, while continuing to be required to properly manage the manure they generate, will see permits revised under a rule proposed by the U.S. EPA. The move is in response to a 2005 court ruling regarding water quality based effluent limitations (WQBELs) and pathogens. The agency proposes to clarify that WQBELs are available in permits with respect to production area discharges but are statutorily unavailable in permits for large CAFOs with respect to land application discharges. The only available discharge from a land application area is due to agricultural storm-water that is, by statute, exempt from permitting requirements. Finally, U.S. EPA proposes to clarify its selection of BCT technologies for pathogens (fecal coliform) and reaffirm its decision to set the BCT limitations for fecal coliform to be equal to the BPT limits established in the 2003 CAFO rule. The proposed rule is open for a 45-day comment period. More information is available at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/afo/revisedrule.
F.B. Leopold acquired by ITT
ITT has acquired the F.B. Leopold Company based in Zelienople, Pa. Leopold serves several markets, primarily municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment facilities. The acquisition expands ITT’s ability to provide pre-treatment filtration technology for surface water, reuse and desalination. “This acquisition is part of our strategy of transforming ITT from a provider of products to delivering total treatment solutions to the water and wastewater market,” said Gary Aicher, President of ITT Water Treatment.
Exclusive manufacturing contract for Purity
Purity International, LLC of Wickenburg, Ariz., has acquired certain assets and exclusive worldwide manufacturing rights of the Behrick Air Dryer Company of Vernon, BC, Canada. Purity now offers ozone system manufacturers and dealers the full line of Behrick Air Dryers. The air-drying systems will continue to be marketed under the Behrick brand name.
Asia
AWT pairs with China specialists
During a tour arranged by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Association of Water Technologies (AWT) met with 13 water treatment specialists from China who represent six different organizations. The event was an effort to promote U.S. water treatment product exports to China. The Chinese delegation is seeking the services of U.S. companies, specifically for potable and wastewater applications. The group met with AWT’s President, Jay Farmerie, Past President William Pearson and Executive Director Heidi Zimmerman. AWT will work with the Department of Commerce to provide information about member companies that are interested in providing these services to businesses in China.
Dow expands in China
The Dow Chemical Company has agreed to acquire Zhejiang Omex Environmental Engineering Co. Ltd. (OEE). The transaction will allow Dow to expand into three critical, enabling component technologies for water treatment: ultrafiltration, bio-reactor membranes and electrodeionization. OEE has provided design engineering and installation for high-purity water facilities throughout China since 1995, specializing in Pure and Ultrapure Water applications. The company, situated in Huzhou, Zhejiang southwest of Shanghai, will bring new critical components that will create the framework for a new water solutions business, enabling Dow to further penetrate one of the fastest growing regions for water treatment components. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Pentair enters joint venture
According to Business Wire, Pentair announced a definitive agreement to acquire 70 percent of the equity of Beijing Jieming Tiandi Environmental Equipment Co., Ltd. The firm is a leading Chinese manufacturer of fiberglass-reinforced plastic pressure tanks, disc filters, valves and systems used in water filtration, softening and systems applications. The joint venture will be named Beijing Pentair Water Jieming Company. “Through this transaction, Pentair Water gains greater local market knowledge and engineering capabilities for commercial and industrial systems integration initiatives in China and significantly expands its access to an effective distribution network of more than 150 engineering product companies,” said Richard Cathcart, Pentair Vice Chairman. Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to government approval.
Middle East
Joint development venture announced
Siemens and Mekorot, Israel’s national water company, will jointly develop technologies to help solve some of the world’s most difficult water challenges, including the supply of high-quality water in arid regions. The two companies have agreed to a strategic partnership to develop and globally market technologies for wastewater treatment and reuse, desalination and water treatment security techniques and solutions. Siemens will have the opportunity to use Mekorot as a beta site for partial funding of research and development and exposure to new development under Israel’s water technology incubator program.
New pump facility
Al Rushaid Group (Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Flowserve Corp. ratified an agreement to build the largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) pump repair, manufacturing and training facility in the Middle East. The 20,500 square meter (220,660 sq. ft.) complex, to be located at the Al Rushaid Oil Field Center in Dhahran, is expected to be fully operational in October 2007. Total cost of the joint project will be approximately $14 million (U.S.). It will employ more than 100 people.
Canada
Hyundai advances to North American markets
Hyundai Air and Water Technologies, Inc. announced the company is in preparation for its next phase of product introduction into the North American market with new offices in Hillsboro, Ore. and Scarborough (Ontario, Canada). Operations have focused on developing the infrastructure necessary to market a broad range of products, including water filtration and purification products for point of use and drinking water applications. Hyundai presents a water treatment line centered around NSF-certified products engineered for applications ranging from high-volume drinking water delivery for municipal, commercial or institutional users to low-volume, high-quality residential applications. For more information, contact Robert Stashkiw
at Hyundai Air & Water Technologies
by phone (503) 640-7708 or email [email protected]
India
Water treatment plans announced
Pentair Water India, a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S.-based water management company Pentair, Inc., has launched a range of water treatment systems for industrial, institutional and commercial segments. Products will be marketed to the textile, food and beverage industries as well as malls, hotels, offices, hospitals, schools, embassies and other establishments. The company expects the new business to push its turnover to $38 million from the existing $28 million (U.S.), mainly comprised of exports (65 percent).
Indonesia and Australia
Collaboration on water purification
Japan Corporate News Network reports a collaborative agreement between Sanyo Electric and Indonesia’s Institut Technologi Bandung (ITB), an engineering college and leading water quality research authority. Under the agreement, the partners will engage in research and development of aquaoasis, a household water purification solution for areas where no reliable potable water is available. Specifically, Sanyo will be in charge of development and sales, with a goal of commercialization by fall 2006. ITB will be responsible for performance, evaluation and analysis of the new system.
Conservation awareness program announced
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie and Environment Minister Desley Boyle revealed the latest measure in Australia’s battle against drought. A new WaterWise information package has been designed to help householders, business owners and local councils conserve water and contribute to water saving activities around the state. Beattie described the WaterWise Toolbox as a practical, hands-on kit of tips and case studies which provides useful ideas for water conservation, including a home test to evaluate residential water consumption. More information about the program is available at www.epa.qld.gov.au/waterwise.
Rebates available for another year
According to the Herald Sun, a rebate program that rewards Victorian households for installing water-saving devices has been extended for one year until June 2007. Environment Minister John Thwaites said almost $8 million (AU) had been distributed under the Water Smart Homes and Gardens Rebate program since it began in early 2003. “The rebate scheme is an integral part of the government’s water conservation strategy,” he said. Installing a household water-saving showerhead (rose) is worth $10 while $500 is paid for installing household grey-water systems. Other conservation rebate offers are available as well.
United Kingdom
Annual tap water report published
Hundreds of people feared tap water made them ill despite its extremely high quality, with virtually every water company in England receiving complaints from customers last year, according to the Drinking Water 2005 report. According to the Press Association, dirty-looking or cloudy tap water remained the biggest cause of consumer concern while taste and odor sparked the second biggest volume of complaints. Tests taken across England and Wales last year showed that 99.96 percent of drinking water samples met U.K. and EU standards—up from 99.94 percent in 2004. Environment Minister Ian Pearson said, “The results show that England has some of the world’s best quality tap water. This is a direct result of the massive investment made in the way that our water is treated and supplied.”