Kurt C. Peterson, Publisher
Water is the most precious but underrated resource on this planet and its value continues to escalate. As climatic conditions cause arid countries to suffer more prolonged droughts, more temperate areas are experiencing quality and quantity issues firsthand. Poor water quality remains an important issue throughout developing nations but is becoming more prevalent in industrialized nations. Whether based on politics, economics, availability or know-how, there is a wide variety of solutions making their way into broader use.
The need for sound technology, prudent investment and long-term vision is more important now—even in the US—than ever before. The buzzwords for the decade are water scarcity and the water-energy nexus. They are the cornerstone of tremendous sums being invested in the wider water industry in hopes of capitalizing on the trends and needs of a water-hungry world. Institutions, such as the Milwaukee Water Council, provide a huge range of expertise that will be needed in the coming years to meet the demands for more, safer water. The challenge is to make good use of the ‘water intelligence’ that is coming from these institutions.
Discussions of renewable water sources (reuse and recycling) are far more common in social media, blogs and print venues than in previous years. Water truly is the new golden opportunity, and many are trying to position themselves to gain a larger share of the pie. The water treatment industry, as a whole, is poised to benefit by being ready to meet the challenge of providing consumers with what they need most. If you’ve listened to the stories and thought it didn’t affect you or your business, think again—you’ve probably missed countless opportunities that have been slipping past you for the last couple of years. Mother Nature is offering up new opportunities on a silver platter to the manufacturers and dealers who are willing to broaden their scope. No matter how small, each chance to bring another customer through your door is as valuable as water itself.
In this international issue, we feature several articles dealing with water issues and technology around the world. From Mexico, Dr. Nohelia Castro-Del Campo and Dr. Cristobal Chaidez-Quiroz examine bottled water quality. Professor Alison Lewis and Dr. Dyllon Randall of South Africa present a new technology that may help turn wastewater into a renewable resource for some industrial applications. Dr. Alexander Polyakov and Dr. Joseph Shmidt of Electrophor provide insight on the residential RO issues they face in Russia. Phil Jones and Gonzalo Soto of VIQUA review UV treatment while Dr. Cang Li presents the challenges of chloramine use for drinking water applications. And to round out the issue, the latest event photos are compiled into the WQA Mid-Year recap.
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