KDF Fluid Treatment, Inc. was recently announced a winner of the TiE20 Industry awards (Cleantech segment) at TiECon Midwest 2009. TiE, a global, not-for-profit, organization dedicated to entrepreneurs, presents the awards, which showcase promising startup companies or highly innovated companies. ?
UV Pure Technologies announced an exclusive global supply contract with Kinetico® Incorporated to develop and produce Kinetico-branded UV water purification systems to its own engineering specifications. It will include a 12-gpm residential system and a 12-gpm NSF/ANSI 55 Class A system for regulatory jurisdictions that require it. ?
Modern Process Equipment (MPE) purchased III Sigma Company, a provider of automated, on-line bulk density and moisture monitoring systems to numerous Fortune 100 companies. III Sigma will contribute to MPE’s new product offerings, including the MPE III Sigma Reliadens™ sampling device and the AquaDens™ monitoring system for dry-flowing products. ?
ClearWater Tech, LLC has received the UL and ULC (equivalent to the Canadian Standards Association certification program) safety certification mark for its EcoTex advanced laundry oxidation systems. ?
Pentair hosted Everpure, LLC’s filtered water bars throughout the Opportunity Green Conference in Los Angeles, CA in November. Conference attendees also enjoyed Everpure sparkling filtered water and flavored sparkling beverages.?
North America
Dow residential line expected
Dow Water & Process Solutions announced its investment in the design, construction and start up of the next generation production line of DOW™ FILMTEC™ residential RO elements, expected by early 2010. A growing global market in residential water treatment, driven in part by economic growth in China, India, other Asian countries and Eastern Europe, has opened an immense market.
More groundwater being used
Groundwater’s role in the nation’s water supply increased slightly from 2000 to 2005 at the same time groundwater withdrawals decreased—an indication that our nation may be better managing fresh water resources, according to National Ground Water Association (NGWA) Executive Director Kevin McCray. US Geological Survey data released in October indicated daily groundwater withdrawals declined four percent between 2000 and 2005. The agency estimates that for all purposes, the nation pumps 79.6 billion gallons per day (bgd) (301.3 billion L/d) of fresh groundwater, down from 83.3 bgd (315.3 billion L/d) in the survey’s 2000 estimate. As a percentage of the nation’s total water supply, however, groundwater rose from 24 to just more than 26 percent.
MIOX awarded water park contract
MIOX Corporation has been awarded the service contract to provide aquatic sanitation for the new water park opening at the Radisson Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The contract will include managing water quality and cleanliness for the Radisson’s five water features, including a river and slide plunge pool, activity and wading pools, a spa and a 57,230-gallon (216,639-liter) FlowRider.™
SJE representative appointed
SJE-Rhombus® announced Snider, Inc., which serves the plumbing, PVF, HVAC and waterworks industries, will represent their control product line in North and South Carolina. Snider has six outside sales representatives, five product managers and four warehouse- men that operate its 69,000-square-foot (6,410-square-meter) warehouse. Its extensive line card includes Cimberio Valves, Grundfos Pumps, Liberty Pumps, Neoperl, Price Pfister and SJE-Rhombus control products.
AdEdge a prominent presenter
AdEdge Technologies Vice President and Principal Greg Gilles was a featured presenter at the California Radionuclide Compliance Workshop in October, sponsored by California Rural Water Association. The workshop hosted 80 participants and covered issues on radionuclide compliance, including the US EPA’s Radionuclide Rule, uranium and radium chemistry, challenges for small systems in California, occurrence in drinking water, compliance and treatment strategies, treat- ment system capital and operating costs and residuals management options.
NSF
NSF International has certified the California Metal-X (CMX) brass ingot manufacturer to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 (NSF 61)—Drinking Water System Components—Health Effects. Brass ingots are cast into a shape suitable for further processing, such as for plumbing product components. Certification is required by the California Waterworks Standards. This certification also includes Annex G, which meets the requirements of the California Health and Safety Code 116875 requirements for lead content (commonly known as AB 1953).
Nelson to present webinar
Nelsen Corp.’s Eliminator™ Air Injection Filter System webinar will be broadcast February 17. The webinar will cover capabilities and the technology behind the effectiveness of the system. This is the first in a series of webinars for 2010 to be hosted by the company. Additional webinars featuring products, technologies and treatments will be presented throughout the year.
WEF Journal to highlight young professionals
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) announced the release of the fourth annual Journal of the US SJWP to share the fresh and sometimes novel thinking of today’s young scientists, and to provide the students with experience in scientific writing and publication. Featuring a total of eight papers, including those of the 2009 US winner Eileen Jang (NC) and the three US finalists, Scott Boisvert (AZ), Li Boynton (TX), and Collin McAliley (FL), the publication is available for download on the WEF website at www.wef.org.
Jang’s work, Natural Organics Control Aggregation of Mercury Sulfide Nanoparticles in Freshwater Systems, introduced a novel aqueous synthesis process for studying how HgS nanoparticles, the precursors to methylmercury, persist in freshwater systems. Her research deepened the understanding of mercury, a substance that bioaccumulates in fish and is toxic to hu- mans, in its aqueous phase and furthered the emerging field of nanogeoscience. Her project was selected from more than 40 state Stockholm Junior Water Prize winners at the national competition held in Anchorage, AK in June 2009.
Koch Membranes certified
Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. has received NSF International certification for its new reverse osmosis and nanofiltration element construction operation located in Wilmington, MA. This certification will allow KMS to commence shipments of elements rolled at its expanded Wilmington facility to customers in the near future. It is expected that more than 100 new positions will be created at the facility once the line is at full production.
Calgon Carbon news
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, Calgon Carbon Corporation reported net income of $13.9 million (USD) versus $2.2 million for the comparable period of 2008. Income from operations was $14.1 million, up from $12.3 million for the third quarter of 2008. Net sales were $107.5, an 8.5 percent increase over third quarter 2008 sales of $99.1 million. The Board of Directors did not declare a quarterly dividend.
The company has entered into a nonbinding Memorandum of Understanding with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation regarding the buyout of Mitsubishi’s 51-percent equity interest in Calgon Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation. The joint venture between Calgon and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation was formed on August 12, 2002 and has been engaged in the manufacture, reactivation, sale and research and development of activated carbon in Japan.
NSPF program chosen
The National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) announced the Genesis 3 Design Group (Genesis 3) has chosen NSPF’s Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO®) certification as one of three educational requirements for the newly launched certification program. As Genesis 3 continues to expand beyond US borders, the NSPF multi-lingual, metric offerings and on-line training opens the door of education to broader regional professionals to raise their abilities. Developed to help pool professionals broaden their horizons, the Genesis 3 Education to Service Professional certification will uniquely position professionals to move into the remodel, construction and service markets. The certification requires a passing grade from the Genesis Construction School, attendance in David Tisherman’s Understanding the Elements of Renovation of Pools & Spas, and a valid CPO certification, which is valid for five years.
Aquatech India: New Opportunities In Emerging Market
Amsterdam RAI and Inter Ads Brooks (organizers of Water Asia) have joined forces to create Aquatech India, a new international trade exhibition that will take place February 3-5 in New Delhi. It will focus on water treatment and sanitation, water re-use, transport and storage/pumps and valves, process control technology and process automation and POU, and has the same exacting standards as other Aquatech events. This event is expected to become an authoritative platform for the Indian water sector, with all market leaders present under one roof. Some 200 exhibitors, both national and international, will display the latest in water technology on more than 15,000 square meters.
The Indian Water Works Association (IWWA) and the International Water Association (IWA)—support partners for the event—bring added value with a wide range of opportunities to exchange information and provide water professionals the chance to learn more about improving sanitation, preventing contamination, recycling and re-using water, municipal wastewater treatment, reducing water consumption, and treating industrial effluent.
Aquatech India also hosts the Aquatech India Conference, Innovative Technologies in Water Sustainability. The honorable U.N. Panjiar, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources in India has been invited to give the keynote address, and the chairman’s address will be given by Dr. P.S. Rana, Former Chairman, HUDCO, India.
AquaStages, featuring seminars, workshops and dem- onstrations, will host exhibitors and knowledge institutes that present new scientific breakthroughs and proven effective solutions in various fields. Visitors can update themselves on the latest technologies and innovative solutions.
The Utility Leaders Forum, co-organized by IWWA and IWA for the first time, will provide a platform for water utility CEOs to share the latest trends and discuss emerging issues on water, energy and climate change. The AquaJobs segment will feature worldwide careers, jobs and employment opportunities in the water technology industry.
Aquatech India 2010 is also supported by the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the Indian Ministry of Water Resources. For more information, visit www.india.aquatechtrade.com.
Fluid Imaging anniversary celebrated
Fluid Imaging Technologies (FIT) recently hosted a 10th anniversary gala celebrating the company’s first decade in operation since introducing its particle imaging and analysis system. During the decade, the company recorded consecutive years of increasing revenues and introduced multiple imaging systems. FIT has built an impressive backlog of orders set to nearly double total unit sales by 2010. The company was named the New England Region Exporter of the Year by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) for 2007 for its success in developing over- seas markets, while CEO Kent Peterson was named 2008 Business Leader of the Year by Mainebiz, “the leader who stands head and shoulders above his or her peers” in recognition of his global strategy.
AWWA symposium announced
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) announced that registration is open for the 2010 International Symposium on Waterborne Pathogens, scheduled for May 2-4, 2010, in Manhattan Beach, CA. The fifth in a series of symposia addressing waterborne pathogens, the event will provide a comprehensive forum for the exchange of up-to-the- minute information and cutting-edge ideas relating to the critical public health issue of waterborne pathogens. Topics covered will include detection methods, emerging pathogens, risk assessment, treatment and disinfection, case studies and outbreaks, and regulatory issues. Re- searchers, regulatory agency staff, water industry professionals and public health professionals are encouraged to attend. For more information on the conference and to register online, visit www.awwa.org/conferences.
Natural products honored
Creative Water Solutions® all-natural PoolNaturally® and SpaNaturally® products have been awarded the PTPA Media Inc. Seal of Approval for excellence in family products. The annual North American award relies on parents to test and approve new products. The two products use a species of sphagnum moss to improve water clarity and quality while reducing chemical loads, maintenance times and harmful impacts to swimmers, spa users and equipment.
Desal report issued
The global desalination market is growing at a record rate, according to the 22nd GWI/IDA Worldwide Desalting Plant Inventory. The numbers were released at the International Desalination Association’s World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse in November. Total plant capacity now online is 59.9 million m3/d, a 6.6 million-m3/d increase over last year, and the largest amount of desalination capacity brought on line in a single year. Seven hundred new plants were commissioned around the world during the year, including the largest in the world: the 880,000m3/d Shoaiba 3 project. There are now 14,451 desalination plants on-line. A further 244 plants with a capacity of 9.1 million m3/d are under contract or in construction.
PMI and AWE collaborate
United in their goal to develop water efficient and sustainable plumbing products, systems and practices, the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) expanded its collaboration with the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE). Early this year, the organizations joined with three others to establish the Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition (PERC), which supports research projects that support efficient use of water, public safety and product performance. The three additional PERC founding organizations are the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), the International Code Council (ICC) and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC)
Latin America
Peru project for Japan agency
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Peru have signed a loan agreement for up to $60 million (USD) for the North Lima metropolitan area water supply and sewerage optimization project, according to Water 21. It will divide the North Lima metropolitan area into separate water supply sectors, each with its own water supply, water pressure and chlorination. The project is intended to ensure efficient management, operation and maintenance of the systems and renovate the water supply and sewer networks to decrease the non-revenue water ratio.
Thermo Fisher solutions in Argentina
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will provide its SampleManager LIMS (labora- tory information management system) to Aguas y Saneamientos Argentinos (AySA) (a water and wastewater company serving the city of Buenos Aires and its suburban areas) to improve quality control processes in its local and regional laboratories. The system will help manage quality control processes and data generated by the company’s central laboratory and its six operating plants. AySA conducts more than 900,000 laboratory tests each year, analyzing in excess of 240,000 samples to ensure the quality of its drinking water and environmental compliance of treated wastewater.
Europe
WaterLogic coolers for COP15 event
WaterLogic was appointed to install 40 of its premium water coolers for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP15), held in Copenhagen, Denmark. COP15 requested the company to install the units at the Bella Center venue to provide drinking water for all 19,000 plus delegates expected to attend.
SIWI water week news
The 2010 World Water Week in Stockholm, September 5-11, calls for workshop abstracts and proposals from organizations to convene a seminar or side event. Deadline for submission is February 15. Guidelines for submission and further information may be found at at www.worldwaterweek.org/abstract. The nomination period for the Stockholm Industry Water Award is now open. The award recognizes the business sector’s contribution to sustainable water management, by minimizing water consumption and environmental impact, and is given to any sector of business and industry. Learn more about the award and how to nomi- nate at www.industrywateraward.org.
LANXESS to streamline operations
LANXESS AG has sold the infrastructure and supporting services at its site in Bushy Park, SC, to Cooper River Partners, LLC investment company for $10 million (USD). The company’s Rubber Chemicals business unit will continue to manufacture at the site, and has reached a long-term lease and service agreement with Cooper River. The Functional Chemicals business unit will transfer its colorants production from Lerma, Mexico, to its existing facility in Leverkusen, Germany, in the coming months. In September, LANXESS also sold its remaining shareholding in the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) joint venture to its partner INEOS. These measures run parallel to the company’s Challenge 09-12 program to help mitigate the effects of the global economic crisis and cut costs worldwide by about €360 million ($515 million USD) by 2012.
Asia
Dow provided elements for Australian plant Dow Water & Process Solutions’
FILMTEC™ RO elements have been selected for the new Southern Seawater Desalination Plant (SSDP) outside Perth, Australia. The SSDP will use SWRO 440-series elements in a two-pass RO system for seawater and brackish water, producing 13 billion gallons (50 billion liters) of drinking water annually, with the capacity to expand to 26.4 billion gallons (100 billion liters) per year. SSDP will be the second major seawater desalination plant in Western Australia. By 2031, Perth expects to need an additional 39.6 billion gallons (150 billion liters) of water to meet population demands.
Amiad presence in India expanded
Amiad has acquired a majority stake in JSK Engineering Co., an India-based supplier and manufacturer of products for the water filtration industry, from Sudhir Mehta for an initial cash payment of $192,000 (USD), and further performance- based payments of between $75,000 and $165,000. As part of the agreement, the parties have incorporated two private limited companies in India: Amiad Filtration Systems (India) Private Limited and JSK Engg. Private Limited. Mehta holds 40 and 60 percent of the shares of the companies, respectively.
Singapore
An advanced system for wastewater processing and wastewater-effluent recycling, made by Global Water Group, Inc., has been selected for the new ferry terminal on the man-made island of Pulau Seringat, adjacent to Singapore. The development ultimately is planned to accommodate 1,200 to 1,500 people, including permanent residents and guests at two planned luxury hotels. The ferry terminal system will have a capacity of handling 2,500 gpd (9,463 L/d) of wastewater treatment and effluent recycling.
Africa
Water for People in the spotlight
The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) recently selected Water For People as the runner-up for the AMCOW AfricaSan Award for NGO/ Civil Society at the second African Water Week held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The organization was recognized for its commitment to programs in Malawi that have supported and mobilized communities to improve water and sanitation conditions.