North America
GE pact announced
GE announced it has completed a new expanded licensing agreement that will allow the company to continue offering High Efficiency Reverse Osmosis (HEROTM) systems. This will help more of its industrial customers increase their water usage efficiency and reuse capacity as the international community works to address mounting shortages of clean water. The new pact with HERO’s process developer and patent holder, Debasish (Deb) Mukhopadhyay, will allow the company to feature HERO in more of its advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions portfolio.
Milestone for Pionetics product
Pionetics Corporation announced in January that it shipped its 2,500th LINX® Drinking Water System and signed its 25th distributor – all within the first year of the product’s launch. The system recently received certification in Wisconsin and is now fully certified in all 50 states. LINX units are also rented and sold under private labeling. Two of the strongest brands worldwide are the Culligan® Innovation and the Rayne® Evolution. Pionetics is currently signing new distributors; anyone interested in becoming a distributor anywhere around the world should contact H. Martin Jessen at (480) 836-0887.
WEF report released
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has released its 2010 Year in Review, available in both an interactive format and a printable PDF. The report provides an overview of the Federation’s activities, achievements and highlights from this past year. Visit www.wef.org/apps/YearInReview2010/YearInReview2010.html to download the report.
AWWA, WEF join forces
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and WEF announced an agreement to more closely collaborate on programs, services and major policy issues. The resolution states that the organizations “resolve to support and lead as necessary an effort to develop a cohesive voice for the water community by encouraging collaboration between our members, coordinating programs and services, and developing consensus on major water policy issues.” With the resolution in place, leaders from both organizations will develop a work plan for 2011 and subsequent years to fulfill the spirit of the agreement.
US EPA stance on chromium challenged by AWWA
In a letter to US EPA, AWWA challenged the agency’s latest action regarding chromium. AWWA Deputy Executive Director Thomas Curtis outlined the failings of US EPA to follow rigorous standards designed to provide science-based guidance. In the letter, he noted, “The decision-making process outlined in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA ) is consistent with both the Presidential Memorandum on Scientific Integrity and the more recent Executive Order on Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review. These two directives emphasize the importance of making smart decisions based on the best available science so that Agency actions result in a public health benefit. AWWA believes EPA’s recent activity related to chromium-6 falls short of the scientific rigor required by the SDWA and misses the spirit of the Presidential Memorandum and Executive Order.”
Rules coming on perchlorate, other contaminants
US EPA, moving forward with the development of a regulation for perchlorate, will undertake a first-ever national standard, which reverses a decision made by the previous administration. The action came after Administrator Lisa P. Jackson ordered agency scientists to undertake a thorough review of the emerging science of perchlorate. The agency will also develop one regulation covering up to 16 chemicals (including VOCs such as industrial solvents, trichloroethylene [TCE] and tetrachloroethylene [PCE]) that may cause cancer, as well as other regulated and some unregulated contaminants that are discharged from industrial operations.
Severn Trent honored
For the third consecutive year, Severn Trent Services received the Environmental Business Journal’s (EBJ) Technology Merit Award in the Water/Wastewater category. The company was recognized for the introduction of several new products that represent significant advancements in the environmental industry. Among the water and wastewater treatment products introduced were two new standard and pre-engineered inorganic removal systems. The 2010 awards will be presented by EBJ at the 2011 Environmental Industry Summit, March 9 in San Diego, CA.
Year of Chemistry launched
The UN has designated 2011 the International Year of Chemistry (IYC), a global celebration of chemistry and its contributions to the world around us. This worldwide initiative, being celebrated under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), features activities conducted by countries that adhere to these organizations. The US launch of IYC 2011 was held in Philadelphia, PA on February 1, where prominent leaders gathered to discuss solutions to increasing global demands for energy, safe food and water, and improving human health.
Water archive moved
The University of California, Riverside has received a significant portion of the nationally acclaimed Water Resources Center Archives (WRCA). The move set the stage for planning a statewide network to be collaboratively supported by UC Riverside and California State University San Bernardino (Cal State San Bernardino will receive WRCA materials at a later date).
New activate carbon plant in Hawaii
Big Island Carbon announced the commissioning of its $35 million (USD) plant has been scheduled for early 2011. The start up company will bring macadamia shell from Big Island macadamia processors together with new technology modified to fit specific requirements. Two major processes will convert macadamia shell feedstock, currently a largely unused waste product from macadamia processing, into granular activated carbon (GAC) in a biomass conversion process. The plant should start producing activated carbon for a wide range of air, water and chemical purification applications by the second half of the year.
ITT reorganization announced
ITT Corporation’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a plan early in January to separate the company’s businesses into three distinct, publicly traded companies. Under the plan, ITT would execute tax-free spinoffs to shareholders of its water-related businesses and its Defense & Information Solutions segment. For the water treatment segment, following completion of the spinoff, a new corporate brand name will be formed through the combination of the three businesses: Residential & Commercial Water, Flow Control and Water & Wastewater. Gretchen McClain, current President of ITT Fluid and Motion Control and future CEO, will lead these water technology businesses.
AC market to grow through 2014
US demand for activated carbon, including both virgin and reactivated products sold by AC suppliers is forecast to grow 15.8 percent per year to 1.2 billion pounds in 2014, according to a recent Freedonia Group report. Activated Carbon, available from Freedonia, indicates the main driver of this growth will be new demand in mercury-control technology. Call Corinne Gangloff, (440) 684-9600 or email her at [email protected] for more information on the report and how to obtain a copy.
CH2M HILL honored
CH2M HILL has been named to the 2011 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list. The full list will be published in the magazine’s February 7 issue. CH2M HILL employs more than 23,000 technical experts worldwide, including nearly 250 employees in Arizona, has been a long-time partner with the University of Arizona Civil Engineering Department. The company also provides support for the student chapter of Engineers Without Borders and supports other local charities, such as the Community Food Bank and the Salvation Army.
Mueller name changed to FLOCOR
Mueller Flow Control has changed its name to FLOCOR, Inc., effective immediately, which was a requirement of the ownership change one year ago when the company became 100-percent Canadian owned. The company’s original roots date back to 1850, when it was known as Grinnell. Staff and management, warehouse and office information and phone numbers remain the same.
Asia
Swiss products to be launched in Malaysia
SwissINSO Holding Inc. announced the signing of its first sales contract and distribution agreement in Malaysia for its Krystall™ water purification units. This agreement represents an important first step for the company’s expansion strategy into Southeast Asia. Working in conjunction with a local distributor, the unit is expected to be fully functional by mid-year and will serve as a showcase for neighboring countries.
New tradeshow announced
The largest Philippine tradeshow in water supply, sanitation, sewerage, industrial wastewater treatment and purification technology, Water Philippines 2011 – 1st Water Philippines Expo, will be held from 29 September to 1 October in Manila. The event will take place on 6,000 m2 (64,583 square feet) in the SMX Convention Center and was organized by AMB Exhibitions Sdn Bhd in cooperation with the Philippines Water Works Association. For more information, contact MEREBO Messe Marketing by telephone +49-40-3999905-0, fax +49-40-3999905-25, email [email protected] or visit the website, www.waterphilippines.merebo.com
Trojan selected for Aussie project
Trojan Technologies and exclusive distributor in Australia, Aquatec-Maxcon PTY Ltd., have been selected by the Eastern Tertiary Alliance to provide the UV disinfection system for the Eastern Treatment Plant Tertiary Upgrade Project in Melbourne. Trojan will supply seven closed-vessel (in-pipe) UV reactors equipped with TrojanUV Solo Lamp™ technology. The UV system will disinfect average and peak tertiary treated effluent flows of 380 and 700 million liters (101 and 187 million gallons) per day respectively, making it the largest UV installation in Australia.