North America
Alcon® appointed Silverhorn Controls to represent Alcon valves in the Colorado and Utah markets. Silverhorn Control’s primary mission is to professionally represent Al- con’s manufacturers’ products and assist customers in specifying components and solutions that solve application problems and improve on engineering designs in a cost effective manner.
Carbon Resources has signed an exclusive distributor agreement with Hawkins Water Treatment Group of Minneapolis, MN to distribute the NSF 61-certified sabre series CR325AA-10 powder activated carbon in the municipal market. Hawkins will be responsible for distribution in 16 states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Membrana-Charlotte has finalized an agreement with Layne Christensen to work exclusively to evaluate the use of Liqua-Cel® membrane contactors for radon and VOC removal in the continental US municipal market segment.
Haws® Corporation announced its Hydration- Station™ water delivery system is now listed with GreenSpec, an exclusive online directory of environmentally friendly products.
Performance Water named regional distributor
Waterline Technology announced that Buena Park, CA’s Performance Water Products, Inc. has been established as a Regional Distribution Center for its Alwaysfresh Drinking Water Products. Performance Water Products’ main corporate facility consists of more than 55,000 square feet of manufacturing and stock warehouse space and is home to a team of technical engineers and dealer service.
Pentair news
Pentair, Inc. reported second quarter 2010 revenue of $796 million (USD) and net income from continuing operations attributable to Pentair, Inc. of $60 mil- lion, or $0.61 per share, an increase of 85 percent as compared to the second quarter last year. Notable gains included sales in residential flow and filtration, pools, engineered flow and filtration solutions. Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 19 cents per share payable August 13 to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 30. The company and its Foundation also announced a $175,000 grant to the WateReuse Research Foundation. The grant will fund two research projects that promote on-site water recycling systems and evaluate graywater treatments for more widespread adoption.
GWRI prize winner’s lecture announced
Challenges facing the ability to pro- vide a sustainable supply of clean drinking water for future generations were highlighted at the Seventeenth Annual NWRI Clarke Prize Lecture and Award Ceremony, held by the National Water Research Institute (NWRI) of Fountain Valley, CA, in July. The Clarke Prize Lecture was given by environmental engineer Jerald L. Schnoor, Ph.D., the Allen S. Henry Chair of Engineering at the University of Iowa and 2010 NWRI Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Prize recipient for outstanding achievement in water science and technology. In Schnoor’s lecture, Water Sustainability in a Changing World, the term ‘water sustainability’ was defined as, “the continual supply of clean water for human uses and for other living things.” Copies of the lecture are available for download at www.nwri-usa.org.
HornerXpress distribution agreement
ControlOMatic, a manufacturer and developer of electronic saltwater hot tub and spa chlorine generators, has partnered with HornerXpress to distribute its primary brands, ColorChlor and TechniChlor. These hot tub and spa chlorine generators are specifically designed for warm water environments.
Pool legislation passed
California’s AB 2409, legislation to address possible closure of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs, was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in July. The bill amends the California Urban Water Management Planning Act. AB 2409 assures that California cities and counties that enact water conservation plans and drought ordinances will not be confused by the definition of water features in the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (now in effect throughout the state) that combines decorative fountains and waterfalls with swimming pools, spas and hot tubs.
PHSI distributor agreement announced
Ambius has partnered with Pure Health Solutions’ (PHSI) Pure Water program® to distribute PHSI’s Pure Water Technology as Ambius Hydrofresh to businesses. The pilot program will focus initially in the Fort Lauderdale, FL, Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX markets.
NSF certifications announced
NSF International has certified Zeotech’s Zeobrite® Xtreme™ filtration media for use in sand filters in swimming pools and other recreational water facilities and for use in municipal drinking water treatment. Zeotech is the only company to have zeolite filtration media certified by NSF International for use in both drinking water and recreational water applications. Zeolite filtration media combines the physical entrapment of fine particles with filtering of contaminants to improve water clarity. Certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for drinking water distribution and NSF/ANSI Standard 50 for recreational water treatment products is required by most US states.
The agency announced three Italian- based brass manufacturing companies, K.M.E Brass S.R.L., S.A. Eredi Gnutti Metalli S.P.A., and Trafilerie Carlo Gnutti S.P.A. have been certified to NSF’s low lead content requirements for plumbing products (NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Annex G). The standard outlines testing requirements for any product that comes into contact with drinking water to ensure the product does not contribute excessive levels of contaminants, including lead, to drinking water.
MIOX receives F&S award
Based on recent analysis of on-site hypochlorite generation (OSHG) technology, Frost & Sullivan recognizes MIOX Corporation with the 2010 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Line Strategy. For municipal end users that utilize bulk hypochlorite systems for treatment, OSHG technology solutions are cost-effective and safe alternatives. MIOX Corporation offers a strong product line composed of small-scale, mid-range and full-scale systems.
Vitaulic compound may reduce fouling
Victaulic announced the development of a clean EPDM gasket compound that may reduce microbial growth in RO systems. The gasket does not contribute to microbial growth that can clog membranes, thereby reducing costs and plant downtime due to maintenance and replacement of filtration media. Research conducted by Victaulic’s research team revealed that gaskets commonly used in RO systems can contribute to membrane biofouling through the introduction of nutrients that feed microorganisms.
Fuller products certified
Two of H.B. Fuller Company’s potting compounds (FE7811 Epoxy and UR2187 Polyurethane) for hollow fiber water filtration have been tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 – Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects. The company’s formulations can now also help them achieve their certification objectives.
Air cleaner testing results announced
HealthWay air cleaners have been independently tested and shown to capture 100 percent of all ultrafine particles. Dr. Raymond Cipriano, Senior Scientist for Industry/University Center for Bio-surfaces, tested and studied the air cleaners by using a condensation nuclei counter, verifying that the HealthWay Deluxe removed all virus-sized particles entering it. Philips Corporation verified that the system captures 100 percent of ultra-fine particles at 0.01 micron.
SBA website redesigned
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced a complete redesign of its website, www.SBA.gov, will launch this fall. The new design will make it easier for small businesses, lend- ing institutions, small business counselors and other members of the small business community to more quickly find the information they need through a simplified navigation structure. New features will allow users to tailor their experience to provide information that is specific to their needs and location. The website also will offer a dedicated lender area that helps banks and other financial institutions that partner with the SBA.
US EPA news
US EPA, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the National Institute of Health Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC) recently welcomed the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to its Tox21 collaboration. The collaboration merges federal agency resources to develop ways to more effectively predict how chemicals will affect human health and the environment. Developed in 2008, the collaboration will develop models that will be able to better predict how chemicals will affect humans. FDA will provide additional expertise and chemical safety information to improve current chemical testing methods.
Canadian WQA event recap
The Canadian Water Quality Association’s 2010 Spring Events in Niagara Falls, Ontario were deemed very successful by the organization. More than 80 industry leaders congregated to network, learn and celebrate the strength and unity of the industry. Delegates met and heard about the latest in marketing trends and tips from two of Canada’s leading experts on contemporary marketing. CWQA extended thanks to event sponsors, which included WaterGroup, EcoWater, Goodwater Warehouse, Kinetico and Waterite (gold); Envirogard and Watts (silver) and Nimbus, Brita, Water Depot and Viqua (bronze).
CIPH news
The Canadian Institute of Heating and Plumbing (CIPH) recently participated in development of the CSA B128 Standard-Design, installation and maintenance of nonpotable water systems and provided feedback to Health Canada on its development to ensure that consolidated standards and guidelines can be referenced by any jurisdiction considering graywater policies. The standard is referenced in the 2010 National Plumbing Code. CIPH Manitoba Region’s consultations with the City Of Winnipeg resulted in realistic amendments to proposed sewer bylaws. All of CIPH’s recommendations were approved and subsequently changed in Winnipeg’s final sewer bylaw, including a clarification that the bylaw refers to non-contact cooling water or uncontaminated water so concern does not exist for RO systems.
Europe
Culligan UK acquired by BWT
European water treatment company, Best Water Technology-Group (BWT), has acquired Culligan International (UK) Limited and is now represented in the UK by a wholly owned subsidiary. The acquired company, to be known as BWT–Best Water Technology UK Ltd., is headquartered in High Wycombe and owns an assembly and logistic-center in Billingham/Middlesbrough. Plumbers and merchants are the main customers. The parties did not disclose the purchase price.
Fluid Dynamics US office opened
UK-based manufacturer Fluid Dynamics has established a US office (Fluid Dynamics International, Inc.) in Delaware. The company will offer the full range of its products, has signed up distributors in Florida, California, Michigan and Nevada, and invites more applications. The product line includes Colloid-A-Tron, Scaletron and Housetron catalytic units, Magstream and Clearscale magnetic systems and Sanitron disinfectors with capabilities from five gpm (18.92 L/m) up to one-half million gph (1,892,705.89 L/h).
Asia
Aquatech a huge success
The third edition of Aquatech China 2010 was a great success and broke all records. The show grew by 30 percent, filling every square meter of the grounds. It featured 657 exhibitors showing their latest products, services and technologies. With over 20,084 visitors from the national and international water world, the show has strengthened its position as the largest and most important water technology show in Southeast Asia. The next edition of the show will be June 1-3, 2011 in Shanghai, China.
Argonide technology launched in India
Argonide’s NanoCeram water filters have been integrated by Eureka Forbes, Ltd. (EFL) into EFL’s new water purifier, AquaSure. The system is intended for use in Indian house- holds where there is little or no source of running water or electrical power. In a press conference h e l d i n M u m b a i in July, AquaSure was presented to the public as a chemical- free way of providing instantaneous but safe drinking water. Argonide President Fred Tepper was honored for development of the technology by Shapoor Mistry, Chairman of EFL.