Pentair, Inc. announced that the majority of the jury verdict against its subsidiary, Essef Corporation, was reversed. The ruling dismissed the lost enterprise claim ($135 million) as a matter of law and granted a new trial on the lost profits claim ($47.6 million). The case arose as a result of an outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease on a Horizon cruise ship in 1994. ?
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) opened its new Government Affairs offices at 1300 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC. The office overlooks historic Franklin Square, where a spring first supplied water to the White House in the 1830s. ?
Membrana entered into an agency agreement with Nextech SDN BHD as the local sales agent responsible for selling and servicing Liqui-Cel Membrane Contactors in Malaysia. Nextech has offices in Kuala Lumpur as well Penang. The agreement commenced in January. ?
GE Water & Process Technologies, Residential & Commercial Group announced the start of the 2007 Dealer Expo Seminar program, a series of over 25 educational seminars throughout North America. Dealers can register on-line at www. autotrol dealer.com or www. performasoft. com. ?
Product recalls
DS Waters of America issued a voluntary recall for model JC240 Contact hot and cold coolers, delivered between April 2004 and August 2006. Leaking water may create an electrical arc that could potentially cause these coolers to catch fire. To arrange for pickup, US customers with this model should call (800) 480-1434 from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. (east coast) or 6 a.m.-8 p.m. (west coast).
The Flojet Division of ITT Corp. issued a recall of the Flojet Duplex II 115 VAC pump, a component of the LeBleu Automatic 50-Gallon Bottled Water System. A manufacturing defect can cause consumers to receive an electric shock when the metal housing is touched. For additional information, call Diane Forsdic collect at (714) 628-8113, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Pacific Time) Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.flojet.com
North America
Water-Right adds courses
Water-Right, Inc. has added a two-hour sales and marketing breakout session to its three-day dealer training school. The fast-paced training program provides hands-on instruction on water problems and appropriate treatments to help dealers succeed in their businesses. One of 10 different breakout sessions, the program provides insight and instruction on effective sales techniques, lead generation and advertising/promotional practices. It stresses the importance of integrity in all sales activities. Other sessions focus on ion exchange, water testing, commercial applications and sizing, reverse osmosis (RO) and ultraviolet (UV) systems, service profitability and system programming/diagnostics. Dealers also tour the company’s state-certified lab, Clean Water Testing.
SonTek/YSI moves
Employees of SonTek/YSI celebrated 15 years in San Diego, Calif. by moving into a newly constructed 20,000 sq. ft. ‘Center of Excellence’ in January. The center houses a growing R&D unit and provides additional space for manufacturing. The site, at 9940 Summers Ridge Road, San Diego, CA 92121, is about one mile from its former location. The phone number remains unchanged, (858) 546-8327.
WQA reports on Ca/Mg
World Health Organization (WHO) released its report on calcium and magnesium in drinking water in November of 2006, recommending changes for the point of use/point of entry (POU/POE) industry, according to the WQA website. Recommendations have been significantly scaled back from those discussed during the April 2006 symposium. The industry opposed WHO’s recommendation that calcium and magnesium must be added back into drinking water after treatment. The agency now suggests providers inform their customers about the mineral content of their treated water. It stops short of actually recommending bypass or remineralization, although these options ‘may’ be provided by POU/POE manufacturers.
Rohm and Haas prices increase
Rohm and Haas Company announced a worldwide four to six percent price increase across their range of ion exchange resins, adsorbents and catalysts. Effective March 1, 2007, or as contracts permit, the increase is needed to cover the continued rising costs of raw materials.
Severn Trent news
Severn Trent Services received US Patent Number 7,153,434 for its novel silica removal technology (for which it has exclusive rights) to solve the problem of silica interference of arsenic and other contaminant treatment adsorption media. The firm also opened a new office in Fort Myers, Fla. to provide management services for community development districts and homeowner associations through southwest Florida. The company has introduced the A-Flex™ Capital Leasing and Service Agreement Program specifically tailored to meet the arsenic removal needs of US water treatment facilities. The program offers purchase or lease terms for SORB 33® systems. It provides utilities with a solution designed to manage cash flow and still comply with more stringent arsenic regulations.
Marketing partnership
The organizers of drinktec and Worldwide Food Expo have formed a joint marketing arrangement that will make each partner’s show a marketing partner with the other and will provide general support for each other’s event. drinktec has updated its visual image to reflect an expanded range of topics and content. The new look was created to communicate a new direction that encompasses modernism, innovative strength and open-mindedness.
NGWA offers news
National Ground Water Association (NGWA) announced that National Ground Water Awareness Week, scheduled for March 11-17, will spotlight the critical importance of groundwater as a source of water supply and as a vital environmental resource. On March 22-23, an NGWA training conference for water purveyors on the geochemistry, regulation, treatment and disposal of arsenic, radium, radon and uranium will be held in Charleston, SC. Conference topics include applicable drinking water treatment technologies, occurrence and geochemistry equipment, community system design options, capital and operating costs, risk assessment and disposal issues related to treatment, analytical advances, regulatory issues and case studies. The conference also includes a trade show.
IBWA at WQA Aquatech
International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) Vice President of Government Relations Patrick Donoho will provide an in-depth look at the federal and state legislative and regulatory issues, which impact the bottled water industry. This session will provide a comprehensive look at the legislative and regulatory landscape and what it means to bottlers from around the US. An IBWA representative will also be present in the exhibit hall where attendees can visit the organization’s booth and learn about membership, programs and services and the many issues that affect the bottled water industry.
ASTM library available online
The entire library of the American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM) is now available in digitized format. The new information repository allows users to access nearly all of the organization’s literature, spanning more than 140 technical committees over more than 100 years. Subscriptions to the library are available through ASTM Customer Service. Contact them by phone (610) 832-9585; fax (610) 832-9555; email [email protected] or visit the website www.astm.org
Michigan village reducing salt output
The Grand Rapids Press reported that Middleville, Mich. officials have asked residents to use potassium chloride instead of regular salt in their water softeners to help reduce the sodium going into the wastewater treatment plant. Village Manager Ron Howell said the plant is allowed to take in 150 mg/L of sodium and groundwater levels are limited to 120 mg/L. Of seven monitoring wells, four are below the allowed level but some are spiking to 130-135 mg/L. Representatives of Maynard’s Water Conditioning in Caledonia said no change in equipment is needed to make the switch.
Prospero acquires technology assets
Prospero Minerals Corp. acquired the assets of Cavitation Concepts Corp. Ltd., including its breakthrough mechanically induced cavitation (MIC) technology platform. The MIC process converts energy into multiple end-use products, such as pure water, steam and heat—all in one process. Prospero will issue 10 million restricted shares of its common stock, valued at $8 million, to Cavitation Concepts and will soon begin building a beta site to commence commercialization of its newly acquired MIC technology.
Keiser announces program schedule
Keiser University (formerly Keiser College) announced its 2007 class schedule for students enrolling in the Associate of Science two-year Aquatic Engineering Degree Program available through its eCampus online degree program center. Each class is offered in one-month modules. For more information, visit the website (www.keisercollege. edu) and click on online education; or call (866) 534-7371, or email [email protected] or [email protected].
WorldWater partners with EMCORE
WorldWater & Power Corp. and EMCORE Corporation signed a strategic partnership and EMCORE agreed to purchase 26.5 percent (on a fully diluted basis) of WorldWater for $18 million in cash. EMCORE will receive WorldWater convertible preferred stock and warrants. The companies also announced the formation of a strategic alliance and supply agreement with a contract valued at up to $100 million over the next three years.
3Stone advisors buy GCAL
Gulf Coast Analytical Laboratories (GCAL) announced its sale to 3Stone Advisors, LLC and a group of internal managers. The company intends to leverage its strong record of growth and quality leadership in the Gulf coast region to provide services to more customers in other areas of the country. TechKNOWLEDGEy Strategic Group assisted GCAL in arranging the transaction.
J-M and PW Eagle merge
J-M Manufacturing Company, Inc. and PW Eagle, Inc., manufacturers of plastic pipe, fittings and tubing products, signed a definitive merger agreement under which J-M Manufacturing will acquire PW Eagle. The combined companies will be able to provide customers with a broader selection of innovative products, superior delivery and unmatched customer service and present new opportunities for employee growth.
HI partner program announced
The Hydraulic Institute (HI) announced plans to offer engineering consultants and pump users the opportunity to participate as Standards Partners beginning this year. Organizations or individuals must establish that they provide pump and pumping system engineering, process or facility design, procurement, project management, construction services, hydraulic or mechanical modeling, analytical methods or laboratory or field-testing to a facility owner, government, or vendor or that they are an end-user of pumps. For more information, visit the website at www.Pumps.org.
US EPA addresses pesticides and unregulated contaminants
US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) issued its final decision to phase out the 10 remaining uses of the organophosphate insecticide azinphos-methyl (AZM) over the next few years. The phase-out will encourage and facilitate transition to safer alternatives and reduce risks to farm workers, pesticide applicators and aquatic ecosystems. The deadline for Brussels sprouts and nursery stock will be September 2007; almonds, pistachios and walnuts by October 2009 and the remaining uses (apples, blueberries, cherries, parsley and pears) by September of 2012.
In an effort to help determine whether regulations are needed to protect public health, approximately 4,000 public water systems will monitor drinking water for up to 25 unregulated chemicals. The monitoring program will inform US EPA about the frequency and levels at which these contaminants are found in drinking water systems across the US. This is the second scheduled review under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 2).
The agency awarded $5 million in grants through its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program to nine universities for research to develop better methods for detecting harmful organisms in drinking water. The recipients were: Tufts University (North Grafton, Mass.), University of Arizona (Tucson), Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (LaVerne), two to Michigan State University (East Lansing), University of Washington (Seattle), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (Baltimore, Md.), University of California (Riverside), Drexel University (Philadelphia, Pa.) and University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill).
Poseidon secures another long-term customer
The Sweetwater Authority of San Diego County, Calif. announced its Board of Directors’ unanimous approval of a water purchase agreement with Poseidon Resources Corporation for 2,400 acre-feet per year of water from its Carlsbad desalination plant. By this agreement, Sweetwater plans to acquire 10 percent of its future water supply from the plant, which would increase its drought-tolerant supplies to 36 percent by 2010. Water deliveries will be indirect via exchange agreements with another water agency
NWRI establishes new award
The National Water Research Institute (NWRI) announced the first Ronald B. Linsky Fellowship for Outstanding Water Research will be awarded to a graduate student in a US university for the 2007/2008 academic school year. The Fellowship comes with a two-year, $20,000-a-year award. NWRI is also offering fellowship awards for graduate students (Masters or Ph.D.) at universities conducting research in the areas of water resources and treatment. Additional information may be found on NWRI’s website at www.nwri-usa.org/Fellowship.
Customer service award for Minn. firm
Electro-Sensors, Inc. of Minnetonka, Minn. announced it has been nominated for a place on Machine Design’s Customer Service Honor Roll. The company manufactures machine monitoring and motor control products and was one of 16 finalists whose customers nominated it for the award. Readers were asked to select those companies that they felt were the best of the best in terms of excellent customer service and support.
Mueller acquires pipe fabricator
Mueller Water Products, Inc. announced that it has acquired the assets of Fast Fabricators, Inc., one of the largest independently owned fabricators of ductile iron pipe serving the water and wastewater treatment plants market in the US. PRNewswire reported the $24.5 million cash transaction closed in January. Fast Fabricators is based in Bloomfield, Conn. and currently employs approximately 265 people. The acquisition is not expected to affect any jobs or locations. Patrick J. Sullivan will continue as President of Fast Fabricators.
Glacier Water dividends
Glacier Water Services, Inc. paid a dividend of 40 cents a share in January on common stock of record on January 16, the Soft Drink Newsletter reported. The company said it hasn’t adopted a formal policy with respect to the amount or frequency of future dividends, but will evaluate (on a quarterly basis) the appropriateness of paying a dividend for each period. The firm has approximately 15,600 self-service bottled water machines in 40 states located at supermarkets and other retail locations.
IDEX credit facility amended
Business Wire reported that IDEX Corporation has closed an amended five-year, $600 million senior revolving credit facility. It was timed to capitalize on current favorable market conditions and replaces the company’s previous $600 million credit facility, which would have expired on December 14, 2009. The facility was financed through a syndication of 15 financial institutions, co-led by Banc of America Securities, LLC and Wachovia Capitol Markets, LLC, with LaSalle Bank, NS, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. acting as co-documentation agents.
Chlorine/cancer link found
According to a study in the January issue of American Journal of Epidemiology, drinking, bathing or swimming in chlorinated water may increase the risk of bladder cancer, Reuters Health reported. The findings are the first to suggest that the chemicals can be harmful when they are inhaled or absorbed through the skin, as well as when ingested, Dr. Cristina M. Villanueva of the Municipal Institute of Medical Research in Barcelona, Spain and colleagues noted. Study participants who drank chlorinated water were at 35 percent greater risk of bladder cancer than those who didn’t, while use of swimming pools boosted bladder cancer risk by 57 percent. Those who took longer showers or baths and lived in municipalities with higher trihalomethane levels were also at increased cancer risk.
Emerson contract awarded
Emerson Process Management received a $5.3 (US) million contract from Canada’s Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) to install PlantWeb® digital automation architecture at the Seymour-Capilano Water Filtration Plant, which is under construction. When completed in 2008, it will be the country’s largest drinking water filtration plant combined with the world’s largest UV disinfection facility, filtering up to 475 million gallons (1,798 million liters) of water per day.
Premium water in Toronto
Mountain Valley Spring Company announced the availability of premium bottled spring and sparkling waters to the greater Toronto area, Business Wire reported. The product is the only single-sourced bottled water available in glass for home and office delivery in the region. Toronto-based Cedar Springs Water began exclusive distribution earlier this year—the first time in more than a generation that Mountain Valley has launched its product offering outside of the continental US.
Latin America
Colombian village bottles water
Emagazine.com reported that the residents of the remote, rural eco-village of Las Gaviotas, Colombia (population around 200) and their international allies have begun to market pure, surplus water to Americans through a grassroots volunteer network. Despite the cross-continental transportation and plastic bottles required, they expect the project to have a neutral or negative footprint. It will fund the growth and duplication of this model community and an ambitious reforestation project that supports it.
Europe
WEF acquires UK publication
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) acquired World Water & Environmental Engineering from Faversham House Group Ltd. Surrey, UK (FHG) and formed WEF Publishing UK Limited (WEFP). Currently located in central London, WEFP will begin publishing a magazine this month and eventually expand into a full-service publishing company to produce and market WEF technical and educational products in Europe.
Grundfos integrates Alldos
Grundfos Group announced full integration of the Alldos product line this year. The company will merge its product portfolios into one product line to become part of the same brand and labeled Grundfos/Alldos. It will establish five regional dosing and disinfection centers to accommodate pump and pumping system customizations based on local requirements. The centers will be located in Germany, Australia, South Africa, China and the US. The company also secured a three-year commitment from Severn Trent Water for a dosing pump framework used in water and wastewater treatment processes
Aquionics installs system for reuse
Aquionics’ sister company in the Netherlands installed a medium pressure UV system at Delfland’s Nieuw Waterweg (wastewater treatment plant) in the Hoek van Holland region. The system is designed to disinfect effluent, which is then re-used as process water for cleaning and dilution. According to the Delfland Water Board, the system was selected because it is more effective than chlorine against waterborne microorganisms such as E. coli. It removes the need to handle and store dangerous chemicals and is reliable, safe, easy to use and maintain.
Manchester researcher honored
According to the BBC, a University of Manchester researcher has won a Royal Society of Chemistry innovation award for a system that could make contaminated water safe to drink. Dr. Nigel Brown’s Aquacart system works by using a material to absorb organic pollutants in water, which are then destroyed with an electric current. The process appears to completely destroy the harmful compounds, leaving no residue—and clean water. It is thought the system could deliver a cheap way of cleaning dirty water.
Africa
GWF fundraisers
Global Water Foundation (GWF) founder Johan Kriek, along with two professional cyclists, has entered a team to ride in the grueling 65-mile Cape Argus Pick ‘n’ Play Cycle Tour. The race, well known as the longest timed cycle tour in the world, will take place March 11 along the shores of South Africa. Those interested in sponsoring Kriek can do so by visiting the agency’s website www.global waterfoundation.org. On April 14, the GWF is also planning a four-mile ‘Walk for Water’ on Sanibel Island, Fla.
POU treatment hailed in Liberia
The Stockholm Water Front reported that POU treatment and improved storage reduced the incidence of diarrhea by 90 percent when compared to improved storage alone in refugee camps in Liberia, according to a study by researchers at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study evaluated P&G’s PUR® product (winner of the 2005 Stockholm Industry Water Award) and is the first to test the product’s effectiveness under emergency conditions.
Asia
ARC receives Bentley donation
The American Red Cross announced that Bentley Systems, Incorporated of Exton, Pa. donated software and services valued at over $500,000 for the design and management of infrastructure in areas impacted by the December 2004 tsunami. The donation supports the design of urban and rural water systems to be reconstructed as part of the American Red Cross Tsunami Recovery Program, which provides relief and long-term recovery for millions of people and communities in Indonesia and other tsunami-affected areas.
Water purification seminars
Applied Water Solutions and Konzen Group launched the first session of a series of water purification technology online seminars in Asia. The first session, on electrodeionization (EDI) technology, brought market leaders of semi-conductor, pharmaceutical and chemical companies from Singapore and Malaysia together to discuss essential factors for production such as life of a water system, system design and monitoring. In the second session held in February, Fundamentals for High Purity Water System Design, case studies were presented. The companies are offering a two-day seminar about RO/ EDI technology for high-purity water in Singapore, March 28 and 29 designed for engineering firms, operations and facilities managers, utilities personnel, technicians and project managers.
Australia
Eco-Tec plant commissioned
Eco-Tec has manufactured and commissioned its second water treatment system for Alinta co-generation power plants in Western Australia. The two of four planned plants are integral parts of Alcoa of Australia’s operating facility in Pinjarra that enable the company to reduce its greenhouse gas emission by over 270,000 tons per year (equivalent to removing 60,000 cars from the road).
Recycling systems required in new homes
According to ABC Online, the Victorian government expects mandatory water recycling systems on new housing estates in the region will save up to four billion liters of water per year. More than 40,000 new homes in Melbourne’s outer east area will be the first to be connected. The systems allow residents to keep fresh water for drinking and household domestic needs, while using recycled water for gardens, cars and toilets. The non-drinking water will not fall under the same restriction as drinking water during times of drought.