Kinetico Incorporated’s water-softening systems featuring two-inch Hydrus commercial valves have been awarded the WQA Gold Seal. All six passed NSF/ANSI Standard 44’s stringent requirements for residential cation exchange water softeners. ?
Water Doctors Water Company moved to 8201 Old Central Ave., Suites F&G, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432. Contact numbers are: telephone (763) 535-1800 and fax (763) 535-1805. ?
Pentair, Inc.’s Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 15 cents per share payable August 10, 2007 to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 27, 2007. ?
At the annual American Water Works Association (AWWA) Conference held in Toronto, Earth Tech, Inc. announced a donation of $35,000 to Water For People. ?
Venandaluz S.L. has been named Thermax® manufacturing representative in Spain and Portugal for the TULSION® line. Delivery and export capabilities are expected to be in effect by the end of September. ?
North America
Stenner celebrates five decades
To kick off Stenner Pump Company’s golden anniversary celebration, the peristaltic metering pumps manufacturer launched a new website geared for easy navigation. The firm’s pumps, based on a simple and well-engineered design, are known for ease of service, increased dependability and reduced expense. The “Inspired by Our Customers” logo credits the company’s success and longevity in customer relationships.
Coffee service for Hall’s Culligan
Wichita, Kansas-based Hall’s Culligan Water acquired Prestige Coffee/Coffee Time, a specialist in coffee and other hot and cold beverage products for businesses, industry, restaurants and convenience stores. The acquisition will result in the addition of expanded services available to all customers served by both firms, will increase the number of employees by approximately 45 percent and add more than 50 trucks to the fleet. C.R. Hall, President and owner of Hall’s Culligan Water, owns and operates a total of 12 Culligan dealerships in five midwestern states.
WAHC seminars
Slated for October 2-4, the National Swimming Pool Foundation® sponsored World Aquatic Health® Conference will feature a broad range of experts presenting more than 40 seminars. Geared to both residential pool and spa and commercial industry members, speakers will highlight aquatic facility design, risk reduction and recreational water illness prevention and health benefits. The conference will also host leadership meetings by the National Swimming Pool Environmental Health Leaders (NSPEHL), International NSPF Instructors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Model Aquatic Health Code Steering Committee and the International Journal of Aquatic Research & Education editorial review board. Visit www.nspf.org or call (719) 540-9119 for more details.
Milby milestone celebrated
The Milby Company, a wholesale distributor of water system-related products, celebrated its 75th anniversary, a distinctive milestone less than one percent of US companies achieve. It began as a small business in 1932 and is now a thriving multi-million-dollar wholesale firm headquartered in Elkridge, Md. Milby maintains an expansive inventory at its 14,000+ sq. ft. warehouse. The company serves the well drilling and water conditioning industries in Maryland, Virginia and southern Pennsylvania.
Ionized water company expands
IonLife, Inc., exclusive US importer/distributor of Jupiter Science’s household water ionizer and EmcoTech commercial water ionizers, has formed affiliate company, Water4Health R&D, LLC. The new firm’s emphasis is on making ionized water available globally. Its mission includes maintaining a worldwide team of medical doctors to research and compile evidence-based data to establish the benefits of ionized water, develop new products, equipment and treatment systems and to support charitable organizations through donations.
California softener ban
The Ventura County Star reported yet another challenge to use and ownership of water softeners in California. According to the report, the Fillmore City Council voted four to zero in favor of a motion to establish the Chloride Control Citizens Committee, an advisory group aimed at encouraging residents to dispose of water softeners. The move is designed to reduce chloride levels in wastewater discharged into the Santa Clara River and groundwater.
Siemens news
Siemens Water Technologies introduced its React and Return full-service reactivated carbon program to the North American market. Reactivated carbon is a cost-effective alternative to virgin carbon used to meet water quality guidelines for organic contaminant removal. It is suitable for potable, process and wastewater applications and groundwater remediation.
The company received DVGW certification for three more Barrier UV Systems: the M2600, the A45 and the A120. They are DVGW-certified for use in US drinking water applications to provide a minimum reduction equivalent dose of 40mJ/cm2. As a result, credit will be earned for three-log inactivation of Cryptosporidium and Giardia by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in accordance with the agency’s UV Disinfection Guidance Manual.
US EPA awards to be announced
Winners of the US EPA 2007 Water Efficiency Leader (WEL) awards will be announced shortly. The awards were created to recognize organizations and individuals that demonstrate leadership and innovation in water-efficient products and practices. Winners will be chosen by a panel of water experts based on three criteria: leadership, innovation and water saved. For more information, visit http://epa.gov/water/wel/2007_ application_process.html
WQA news
WQA’s Board of Governors approved WQA recertification credit for hands-on, product-specific courses (see WC&P July). The sponsoring organization must make an effort to open participation to all its potential exhibitors and course content must be reviewed and approved by WQA no less than three weeks in advance of the presentation. Visit www.wqa.org for additional details.
The organization’s website is undergoing renovation to enhance features and capabilities. The goal of WQA staff involved in the project is to reorganize, streamline and make the site easier for members and the public to use. Completion is expected by year’s end.
WQA is working with the US EPA to help make POU/POE products a part of the agency’s WaterSense program. It is a public-private partnership designed to protect the future of the nation’s water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and programs. Go to www.epa.gov/watersense for details.
Bottled water top ‘healthy’ beverage
The International Bottled Water Association reported the results of a recent survey where consumers were asked: “Please think about living a healthy lifestyle. Which one bottled beverage do you associate most with living a healthy lifestyle?” Conducted by Harris Interactive® 3,238 consumers participated. Of that number, 58 percent chose bottled water, followed by milk at 22 percent.
PSM sponsors announced
Hydro Incorporated, Engineered Software, Inc., Manitoba Hydro and Xcel Energy have joined Pump Systems Matter™ (PSM) as sponsors. The organization’s goal, with the assistance of its sponsors, is to educate the industry about lowering energy needs through optimization of pump system performance. It is currently seeking additional sponsors and board members who can actively contribute to its initiative. Interested parties may contact Marketing Manager Joananne Bachmann at (973) 267-9700 x 22 or via [email protected]
FMA grants scholarships
The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA) and its Foundation awarded a total of $125,500 to 29 high school graduates in scholarships toward college or trade school education. Awarded annually to college- or trade school-bound high school seniors and college students who seek careers in manufacturing, 23 students received $5,000, three secured $2,000 and three received $1,500.
AWWA news
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) signed an agreement with the US Commercial Service to help US water and wastewater businesses expand their technologies into overseas markets. The agreement will enable the entities to pool resources to identify export-ready companies and collaborate on projects aimed at furthering the interests of US manufacturers in overseas markets.
AWWA and the India Water Works Association (IWWA) signed a Memo of Understanding (MOU) to share expertise and resources that extend their common goal of providing safe and reliable water. Important issues are developing cooperative arrangements for promoting each other’s programs and materials and seeking new programs to develop cooperatively and share expertise, results and program benefits.
Severn Trent UV system certified
Severn Trent Services’ UltraDynamics® 8102-HO-200 ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system has received validation test certification that conforms to the protocols prescribed by US EPA’s Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidance Manual (UVDGM). The system provides a UV dose of 30,000 to 40,000 microwatt seconds per square centimeter at a wavelength of 254 nm UV energy for the deactivation of microorganisms.
South America
Water For People expansion
The Water For People Board of Directors announced plans to expand its international development program to five additional countries (Ecuador, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Uganda and the Dominican Republic), which will significantly increase Water For People’s impact in the developing world. These new locations will strategically complement existing work in Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, India and Malawi, doubling the number of countries served by Water For People and will position the organization to reach its target of directly benefitting 1,000 new people per day by 2011.
Europe
IWA annual event announced
The International Water Associa-tion’s (IWA) annual World Water Congress and Exhibition will be held in Vienna, Austria in September 2008. Scientific and technical paper submissions will be accepted until 15 September 2007. The main tracks and topics for platform and poster presentations are water resources and river basin management; water and wastewater treatment; design and operation of water systems; managing and planning water services and health and the environment. For more information, visit www.iwa2008vienna.org.
British support for bottled water
The British Soft Drinks Association has launched the Bottled Water Information Office (BWIO) to proactively support the bottled water industry. Following New York City’s decision to urge citizens to drink tap water in restaurants, BWIO was quick to defend everyone’s right to drink bottled water, issuing a statement of support and establishing a dedicated website to conduct a large-scale consumer survey on the UK’s hydration habits. Visit www.bottledwaterinformation.co.uk for more information.
Market forecast for Poland
The Polish water and wastewater treatment market has a high-growth potential, due to the large market size, healthy economic growth, considerable EU financing and a pressing need to meet EU directives by 2015. PR Newswire reported that the market size for the total water and wastewater sector in Poland was estimated to be $338 million (€251.6 million) in 2006. The forecasted annual growth rate for the 2003-2013 period is 8.3 percent.
Isbre distribution expanded
According to Marketwire, Isbre Holding Corp. has entered into distribution arrangements with Aviv Danmark ApS of Fredrikshavn, Denmark for distribution of Isbre bottled Norwegian glacier spring water in northern Europe and the Middle East. The company previously announced distribution arrangements covering Canada, Pennsylvania, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Isbre has also announced bulk and bottled water sales agreements with a London-based firm.
Africa
Novel water systems for Zambia
First Lady Laura Bush and daughter Jenna were on hand in Lusaka, Zambia to launch the first PlayPump™ International water system, a children’s merry-go-round attached to a water pump and storage tank. The US Agency for International Development, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the Case Foundation and MCJ Foundation joined in a $10 million commitment to deliver the water systems to 4,000 schools and communities, serving up to 10 million people throughout 10 sub-Saharan African countries by 2010. To date, more than 900 systems have been installed across the continent.
Somalia water well maintenance completed
With the assistance of two non-governmental agencies (NGOs) based in Norway, central Somalia’s General Service Agency (GSA) recently completed repairs to three water wells in the Wargalo, EL-Guulla and Xiingod settlements around Hobyo district. According to All Africa, the already-dry area doesn’t expect any rainfall this year and area tribal elders called on GSA to continue its mission. The well repairs were a first for the agency; it will continue the maintenance projects in other drought-stricken settlements.
Asia
Foundation funds water prize
The Singapore Millenium Foundation, a philanthropic body supported by the Temasek Trust, has sponsored S$1.5 million (US$989,250) for the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize. The foundation, which aims to spur innovation and recognize cutting-edge technology in niche and critical fields, is the sole sponsor. The prize will be awarded at the first Singapore International Water Week, June 23-27, 2008 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Center.