Global Spotlight

Tuesday, September 15th, 2020

North America
PWQA against recycling legislation
PWQA has reiterated its vehement opposition to AB 1080 and SB 54 (collectively known as the California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act). Recent amendments do not address the overarching, fundamental issues that PWQA has with the bills and they raise new, significant concerns. Both bills still require millions in new spending at (and delegate expansive new regulatory and fee authority to) Cal Recycle, fail to address on-going challenges with existing programs and the need for significant additional infrastructure statewide to implement the bill, all while the state struggles financially and has slashed spending in other areas. For some businesses, the single-use products and single-use packaging covered by these bills are critical to their livelihood. PWQA will provide updates when available.

WQA news
WQA announced it will relocate its international headquarters and laboratory to an expanded, more modern facility that will allow increased capacity and flexibility for product testing and more efficient membership services. The association has committed to a building only about a mile from its current headquarters in Lisle, IL, about 30 minutes from O’Hare International Airport. Sale of the current building to a nearby non-profit organization was completed in March, with WQA allowed to maintain business in its current space until the move is completed. The WQA Board of Directors officially approved the relocation plan in April 2019, after more than two years of research and planning.

As schools prepare to reopen for in-person learning around the country, WQA offered general guidance on bringing water treatment systems back online in buildings that have been vacant or seen little or no water use. Available on WQA’s website, the guidelines suggest actions water treatment professionals can take as part of an overall recommissioning plan for schools as well as commercial, industrial, manufacturing or retail businesses shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. The document also can be used as a resource by restaurant and coffee shop owners, small businesses and retail establishments, and even homeowners.

IAPMO news
As reported by IAPMO, US EPA has released its long-awaited final regulation on the Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder and Flux for Drinking Water. IAPMO has been an active participant in the rule-making process from the beginning and submitted numerous comments for consideration. The rule’s goal is to reduce lead in drinking water and assure that states, manufacturers, inspectors and consumers have a common understanding of lead-free plumbing. In the final rule, the agency makes conforming changes to existing regulations based on the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act of 2011 (RLDWA) and the Community Fire Safety Act enacted by Congress.

IAPMO and AWWA have entered into a Cooperative Development Agreement to develop a manual of recommended practice to support providing safe and effective water efficiency and water quality provisions for the built environment. Recommended Practices for the Safe Shutdown and Startup of Building Water Systems Due to Emergency will be developed and administered by IAPMO’s Codes and Standards development resources under a set of development procedures jointly established and agreed to by both entities. A committee of subject-matter experts appointed by both will oversee its creation.

Well owner website relaunched
NGWA, in partnership with the Rural Community Assistance Partnership and US EPA, has re-launched its flagship website,WellOwner.org, long the go-to resource for well owners in search of information on properly testing, tending and treating their private water systems. The site is now easier to navigate and contains even more resources to protect private water wells. Updated features include new and improved Contractor Lookup; blog posts from water well experts; a modern, professional and responsive look on all devices; enhanced search functions and new Know Your Well podcasts with NGWA staff interviewing experts from across the US.

ASTM standard developed
ASTM International’s new D7936 standard will help to measure organic compounds that can cause significant issues, including pollution and carcinogen generation, in water. ASTM’s water committee (D19) developed the new standard. The test method described therein covers the catalyzed hydroxyl radical oxidation system for in-stream or laboratory analysis of total organic carbon, total carbon and total inorganic carbon in drinking water, wastewater, industrial process water and effluent water.

WEF safety guideline issued
A blue-ribbon panel of experts convened by WEF to evaluate safety of wastewater workers during the coronavirus pandemic concluded that occupational risk of infection is low, standard wastewater treatment processes inactivate the virus and additional research should be conducted to further increase understanding of hazards and protections for personnel. The panel also updated the guidelines for protection of wastewater personnel from potential pathways of exposure to biological hazards, including coronavirus.

Kinetico, Ayala agreement announced
Ayla Networks announced that Kinetico Incorporated has selected the Ayla IoT platform to power a new generation of innovative, differentiated products and drive market growth. The platform provides comprehensive device, cloud and mobile app connectivity for any kind of product. Its end-to-end integrated technology includes the latest standards and protocols to enable Kinetico to connect its smart products to the cloud along with the software applications that are used to control them.

Nelsen Corporation announced the completion of construction of its new distribution and warehouse facility at 14035 W. El Cielo, Goodyear, AZ, southeast of the Phoenix Goodyear Airport. The property provides for additional growth and expansion in the future. A video of the construction may be viewed at https://youtu.be/8TxVrsduVXE.

Europe
ACS, Poland publishing agreement announced
The American Chemical Society (ACS) Publications Division announced that it has signed a transformative ‘read-and-publish’ agreement with the Polish Academic Consortium. The agreement, which lasts through 2022, will benefit 51 institutions across Poland and will enable hundreds of articles to be made open access each year.

Middle East
ASSE, Israel standards agreement announced
ASSE International and the Standards Institution of Israel (SII) have entered into an agreement for SII to license two ASSE standards for adoption in Israel, which will allow SII to easily adopt ASSE standards for the Israel market, preventing the need for the development of duplicative international standards. The agreement was developed initially for ASSE 1055-2018, Performance Requirements for Chemical Dispensing Systems with Integral Backflow Protection and ASSE 1030-2016, Performance Requirements for Positive Pressure Reduction Devices for Sanitary Drainage Systems. The agreement, which will automatically renew annually after the first three years, calls for SII to prepare its standards in Tel Aviv, distribute copies of them to the public by sale, rental, lease or lending and publicly display them.

Asia
PolyCera acquired by Singaporean firm
PSP.US, Inc. has acquired the assets of US membrane company PolyCera, Inc., which in 2018 began commercialization of its highly differentiated organic metal membrane products that combine the robustness of ceramic membranes with the cost efficiencies of polymeric membranes. The assets include all of PolyCera, Inc.’s physical and intellectual properties. The acquisition was finalized on June 23; financial details are not being disclosed. A Delaware corporation, PSP.US was formed in 2020 and is wholly owned by PSP PTE. LTD. in Singapore. As the largest shareholder in PSP PTE. LTD., leading Chinese membrane company Beijing Daking Eastern Technology Co., Ltd. (Daking) also maintains the largest interest in PSP.US.

Global Spotlight

Saturday, August 15th, 2020

North America
Calgon Mississippi plant expanded
Calgon Carbon Corporation announced that it intends to expand capacity at its Pearlington (MS) plant by adding a second virgin activated carbon production line. The expansion is expected to add 38 jobs at the plant when complete. The estimated investment will be $185 million (USD). When completed, Calgon Carbon’s virgin granular activated carbon capacity will exceed 200 million pounds per year.

IWSH welcomed by World Plumbing Council
The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) announced it is the latest plumbing industry organization to join the World Plumbing Council (WPC). The WPC was established in 2000 and has at least one organizational (full or affiliate) member in 41 countries. Full members are mainly national-level plumbing industry associations and unions, while affiliate members include contractors, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, service providers and academic institutions.

US Water Alliance prize winners named
US Water Alliance announced the winners of the US Water Prize 2020: Denver Water was the winner of the Outstanding Public Sector Organization award while Marriott International was named Outstanding Private Sector Organization. Iowa Soybean Association took honors as Outstanding Nonprofit Organization and Flint Community Lab was named Outstanding Cross-Sector Partnership. National Correspondent Jose A. Del Real garnered Outstanding Journalism on the Value of Water for his series on California water issues and Outstanding Public Official was awarded to US Senator Ben Cardin (MD).

Ground Water Foundation changes announced
The Groundwater Foundation announced changes to its operations recently. Its work will mostly be consolidated into that of the NGWA, which operates the foundation. All correspondence should now be sent to 601 Dempsey Road, Westerville, OH 43081. If you have questions or concerns about how any of these changes may impact your efforts as a Groundwater Guardian, educator or foundation member, please contact Paul Humes, phumes@ngwa.org or (800) 551-7379, ext. 1520 or Terry Morse, tmorse@ngwa.org or (800) 551-7379, ext. 1504.

Water dispenser growth reported
The number of water dispensers in the US has been growing by around four percent a year and topped eight million for the first time in 2019, according to the US Water Dispense Market Report from Zenith Global. Revenue, however, fell by one percent to $4.1 billion after steady growth until 2017. Bottled water dispensers accounted for nearly six million units, 73 percent of the total, down from 78 percent in 2014. POU dispensers have grown from under 1.4 million to over 2.1 million during the past five years to take a 26-percent share.

Pool products for indoor disinfection announced
HASA Pool announced that its products can also be used to clean and disinfect indoor surfaces. The company’s liquid sanitizers are widely available to pool service professionals through a variety of distribution sources across the western US and to end-user customers at select retail dealer locations. These products can easily be repurposed in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for indoor disinfection.

ACS agreements announced
The American Chemical Society (ACS) and the Norwegian Directorate for ICT and Joint Services in Higher Education and Research (UNIT) have announced a landmark ‘read and publish’ agreement to advance open-access publication by researchers at the consortium’s nine member institutions. The agreement will run through the end of 2022, creating the potential for 100 percent of articles published by researchers in affiliated universities to be available open-access. ShanghaiTech University and the Publications Division of ACS announced their first publishing collaboration, creating a new journal for the worldwide research community, Accounts of Materials Research. This marked the first journal published by ShanghaiTech University and the first journal published by ACS in collaboration with an organization in China.

PWQA news
The Pacific Water Quality Association is seeking nominations to honor leaders in the water quality industry. Award recipients are selected from nominations submitted by members. Submissions may be made at https://pwqa.com/industry-awards/.

Europe
InnoBev awards for two water companies
The fourth annual InnoBev Awards, organized by Zenith Global, attracted over 120 entries from innovators across the worldwide soft drinks industry. Two water producers were honored with best-in-their-category awards: Essentia Water, LLC for Best Marketing/Social Media Campaign with its motto, ‘It Might As Well Be You’ and LUQEL, Best Technology Innovation for its Water Station Excellence.

Asia
ASTM, IAPMO agreement announced
ASTM International and IAPMO have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) to promote collaboration in initiatives that advance public health and safety. The MOC relates directly to water sanitation and hygiene in Indonesia, the Philippines and other selected member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Global Spotlight

Wednesday, July 15th, 2020

North America
HAWS master reps appointed
Haws announced the appointment of Musillo Sales Agency, Inc. as master rep for western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, serving the plumbing channel effective February 1. Based out of West Homestead, PA, the rep can be contacted at (412) 461-4544 or visit their website, www.musillosales.com. In addition, Rochester, NY-based Northeast Sales Associates was appointed as master rep for that territory, serving the plumbing channel, effective May 1. With offices in Albany and Buffalo, they can be contacted at (585) 223-5982 or visit their website, www.nesasales.com

Delta Pure moved announced
Delta Pure completed the consolidation of operations from Ashland, VA into AJR Filtration’s new 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Illinois. The physical relocation of inventory, production equipment and some key staff members was successfully accomplished in one week. The new facility is located at 1500 Harvester Road, West Chicago, IL 60185. The phone number remains the same at (804) 798-2888.

Legionella conference postponed
Legionella Conference: Prevention of Disease and Injury From Waterborne Pathogens in Health Care originally scheduled for August 19-21, has been rescheduled for January 20-22, 2021. The conference will be held at the same location. Co-hosts NSF Health Sciences and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) are rescheduling the conference because of public health and safety concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pool and spa organizations to join
The California Pool and Spa Association (CPSA) Board of Directors announced it has voted to affiliate with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). As part of the affiliation, PHTA will support CPSA’s government relations, meetings and events; administer the management, accounting and planning for the association and employ a full-time director dedicated to CPSA. Both parties are working on an agreement that will go into effect on July 1.

HASA expansion announced
HASA, Inc. announced a significant expansion into the greater Las Vegas, NV region through a strategic partnership with the Thatcher Group. In conjunction with the transaction, HASA will expand its distribution in the commercial and residential pool channel in Nevada with Thatcher as a strategic partner. Thatcher’s Henderson site will represent the eighth point of distribution for HASA, expanding the company’s footprint to an adjacent region and accelerating the growth of its mini-bulk service offering.

Aquatics Coalition launched
About 20 aquatics organizations have formed a new alliance to serve as an information resource and federal influence, with the National Drowning Prevention Alliance as part of the founding member group. The purpose of the coalition is to develop direction and tools to advocate for a safe return to purpose-driven, instructional aquatics under four tenets: with the possibility of shortages in lifeguards and safety protocols, the need for swim lessons becomes greater than ever with an anticipated rise in utilization of unguarded spaces; swim lessons can be safely administered with proper protective equipment and protocols; COVID-19 is not transmitted through chlorinated water and the mental and physical health benefits of aquatics sports cannot be understated.

Parker Hannifin^® Corporation announced that it was awarded a $6-million (USD) contract by the US Marine Corps for its Village Marine platoon water purification system, known as the H2O-PRO. The system produces 600 gallons (2,271 liters) of potable water from any fresh, brackish or salt-water source daily.

Latin America
ACS journal partnership announced
The Publications Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is pleased to announce the signing of a landmark agreement with the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil. This agreement is the first of its kind that ACS has signed in Latin America and represents a monumental step for the expansion of open-access publication in the region.

Middle East
IDE awarded desal contract
IDE Technologies announced it has been chosen by the Tender Committee of Israel’s Ministry of Finance for the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of the Sorek B facility. KfW IPEX-Bank announced it will provide €90 million in financing to IDE Technologies for the project. Upon completion, Sorek B will be the largest of its kind in Israel and one of the largest in the world, as it will maintain a capacity of 200 million m3 per year, providing fresh water at a benchmark-setting low cost. Other financial contributors to the project include Israeli bank, Leumi and the European Investment Bank.

Global Spotlight

Monday, June 15th, 2020

North America
WQA 2021 call for papers
The Water Quality Association invites potential speakers to submit proposals for education sessions for the 2021 WQA Convention & Exposition on April 27-29, 2021, in Las Vegas, NV. Education sessions cover technical topics related to POU/POE water treatment and business operations topics appropriate for small or family-owned businesses. Although the presenter application form outlines areas of interest, potential presenters are invited to suggest their own topics as well. When selecting the speakers, WQA will give preference to WQA members and to registered exhibitors and sponsors. The sessions cannot contain references to specific products or overtly promote a speaker’s products or services. Proposals are due by August 31 and must be submitted online, using WQA’s form and guidelines. Questions can be directed to education@wqa.org.

PFAS to be added to regulations
US EPA has taken the next step to implement an important per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) requirement of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA added 172 PFAS to the list of chemicals required to be reported to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and established a 100-pound reporting threshold for these substances. The agency is publishing a final rule that officially incorporates these requirements into the Code of Federal Regulations for TRI.

UV water sterilizers repurposed
WaterFiltersOnline announced it has repurposed its UV water sterilizers (which anyone can do at a low cost) to sterilize employees incoming mail and UPS deliveries. View the YouTube video about the process at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCiI8m3RAVk

Senate approves water recycling investment
In early May, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee passed legislation that will make significant investments in water recycling programs and resources. America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 and the Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 include numerous provisions that will advance the adoption of water reuse across the country. The legislation directs US EPA to establish an Interagency Working Group on Water Reuse to coordinate federal activities across the federal government. The WateReuse Association was pivotal in advocating for these provisions in the draft bill and in the managers’ amendment during committee markup.

NSF pipe testing announced
NSF International has completed the moves of two of its laboratories to one new 20,000-square-foot space in Ypsilanti, MI. The expanded location brings together all of NSF’s plastics testing and certification capabilities, including advanced chemical and structural testing on plastic pipes, fittings and valves, metal fittings and components, manifolds, solvent cements, thread sealants, PVC ingredients and plastic materials for global applications.

Bottle water consumption grows
Bottled water has once again reaffirmed its position as America’s favorite drink, outselling all other packaged beverages in 2019, new data from the Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC) shows. Consumers are increasingly choosing bottled water instead of less healthy packaged drinks. The BMC data detail how, since 2010, bottled water has steadily increased in sales volume each year, while consumption of carbonated soft drinks has declined. Bottled water outsold soda for the first time in 2016 and has done so each year since.

NACE, SSPC to combine
NACE International announced its members have voted to approve the association’s proposal to combine with the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC). During the two-week voting period, thousands of NACE stakeholders worldwide cast votes, with an overwhelming 89 percent in favor of combining forces with SSPC. The vote came after more than a year of discussions between the member leadership of both organizations and a unanimous vote this past March by NACE International’s Board of Directors, in favor of a resolution to bring the combination to a member vote.

Grant to fund resilience project
The Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience (IWER) at Stetson University is collaborating with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Coastal Management and Sea Grant College Programs in Florida and Georgia, as well as North and South Carolina, to evaluate green infrastructure interventions for reducing flood risks. The research opportunity is made possible by funding from a $404,000 (USD), two-year Karl Havens Memorial South Atlantic Regional Research on Coastal Community Resilience Grant.

Heroes of chemistry announced
Scientists who developed products that have led to significant advancements in medicine, separation technology and semiconductor manufacturing are this year’s inductees of the Heroes of Chemistry, a scientific hall of fame. The American Chemical Society (ACS) has bestowed this honor annually since 1996. Honorees included DuPont Water Solutions for its FilmTec^™ RO technology, which employs a membrane liquid separation process to reject dissolved solutes on a nanoscale level. Since its introduction 25 years ago, this technology has been widely implemented to provide drinking water for millions of people worldwide and for purification in offshore oil production and the dairy industry.

IAPMO training manuals
IAPMO has made its 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) illustrated training manuals and study guides available to read for free online for a limited time. For more information on IAPMO and its proactive initiatives in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, direct your web browser to https://www.iapmo.org/code-standard-development/covid-19-resources.

Correction
In the May issue, an erroneous website address for United Manufacturing International 2000 Activated Carbon was used on page 30. It should be http://umi20001.tripod.com.

Europe
Zenith water news
After a searing summer in 2018, UK plain water sales slipped back in 2019, but were ahead of results for 2017, according to the new 2020 UK Plain Water Report from Zenith Global. Volumes (excluding water coolers and dispensers) dipped 3.1 percent to 3,500 million liters (924 million gallons) in 2019, while value fell a more modest 2.5 percent to £2.7 billion ($3.28 billion USD). UK sales of plain, flavored, juicy and functional waters have increased by more than one billion liters over the past five years, according to the new 2020 UK Water Drinks Report. Volumes excluding water coolers rose from under three billion liters (792.5 billion gallons) in 2014 to over four billion liters (1.05 trillion gallons) in 2019, dipping by four percent in 2019 after the hot summer of 2018. The overall sales value of UK water drinks in 2019 was £3.3 billion ($4.0 billion USD).

Aquatech virtual events announced
Aquatech is set to launch a new, live event series intended to shake up the traditional and overcrowded webinar circuit. Called BreakOuts, the event series will feature engaging, live panel discussions with industry thought leaders. The format is informal, engaging and short, aiming to be the perfect break during the work day. Taking place on May 26 at 16:00 pm-17:00 pm (CEST), the first live event was expected to attract a crowd of up to 500 delegates. Bridging the themes of innovation and digitization from the physical Aquatech events, the online discussion kick-started with utilities, European partnerships and global engineering thought leaders from across Europe and the Middle East.

Pure Water Group expands
Pure Water Group has recently established two new entities. In addition to the head office in the Netherlands, the company also has offices in Spain (Pure Water Technologies S.L.) and the United Kingdom (Pure Water Technologies Ltd.). This expansion enhances company resources and demonstrates its commitment to ensuring a consistently high level of customer support and attention. For additional information: +31 165 348 252(3) or contact info@purewatergroup.com www.purewatergroup.com

Global Spotlight

Friday, May 15th, 2020

North America
WQRF study announced
The Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF) selected three researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst to carry out its latest research, a sustainability comparison of centralized drinking-water treatment to POU or POE treatment in small community systems, for Safe Drinking Water Act compliance. Drs. Emily Kumpel, David Reckhow and John Tobiason will be using real-world data to compare the human, environmental and economic impacts of centralized drinking-water treatment, to residential POU/POE treatment in small-community water systems in the US. The two-year research project begins this month. The Sustainability Comparison Study is one of several WQRF-funded projects under way right now. Details of other WQRF research is available at https://www.wqrf.org/.

WaterSense program to continue
After a review of WaterSense specifications as directed by America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018, US EPA announced that the agency will not make updates or changes to the program specifications. Additionally, the agency announced next steps in the its ongoing process of assessing and improving the program. US EPA will be engaging with WaterSense stakeholders and the public to ensure that WaterSense products continue to help protect our nation’s water supplies, while saving consumers money and performing as well as or better than regular models.

US Water Alliance, companies offer COVID-19 relief and recovery principles
The US Water Alliance joined more than 200 organizations in endorsing four principles to secure our water future, as the nation plans or recovery and relief from the Novel Coronavirus. As the country is in a public health crisis, relief and recovery measures must include both individuals who need access to clean water to survive and institutions and organizations that provide essential water service to communities. The principles knit together enduring water issues critical at this time: who has access to it, who manages it, how it is paid for and how all communities are kept safe and healthy. The high-level principles are: ensure water is reliable and affordable for all; strengthen water utilities of all sizes; close the water access gap and fuel economic recovery by investing in water systems.

May Supply acquired by Winsupply
Winsupply Inc. has closed on the purchase of assets of May Supply, a wholesale and retail distributor of plumbing and water system materials as well as kitchen and bath design and fixtures, serving customers throughout west-central Virginia from two locations. The company has its primary location in Harrisonburg, VA and a second location in Ruckersville, VA. Details of the purchase were not disclosed. The comapny has been incorporated as Winsupply of Harrisonburg VA, but will continue to do business as May Supply, which offers plumbing and wastewater solutions. It also provides sales of freshwater livestock waterers in the Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina agriculture markets, along with certified well-water testing.

WEF COVID-19 toolkit released
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has released a new WATER’S WORTH IT toolkit to raise public awareness about the vital role of water utilities and workers in the coronavirus response. The high-impact materials highlight the critical need for water and wastewater services during this unprecedented time and recognizes the dedicated professionals who are working on the front lines to provide clean water and sanitation for their communities. The toolkit, available at https://watersworthit.org/, features a series of graphics that are designed for social media and can also be used on the web and in email.

The difference between cold- and hot-brew coffee
Cold brew may be the hottest trend in coffee-making, but not a lot is known about how this process alters the drink’s chemical characteristics. Scientists now report that the content of potentially health-promoting antioxidants in coffee brewed without heat can significantly differ from a cup of joe prepared with the same beans in the traditional way, particularly for dark roasts. A brand-new video on the research is available at www.acs.org/philly-2020-coffee

Europe
UK water dispenser market growth reported
With hydration becoming ever more important for British consumers, the UK water-dispenser market grew by 2.3 percent in value to £192 million ($240 million USD) and by 2.9 percent in units installed to over 870,000 in 2019, according to the UK Water Dispense Market Report from Zenith Global. This growth was noted despite uncertainty over Brexit and poor summer weather. Bottled-water dispensers are still the mainstay, accounting for 59 percent of revenue and 40 percent of units installed. Mains-fed POU units, however, have risen steadily to 24 percent of revenue and 38 percent of units. Integrated tap systems have also gained share to 17 percent of revenue and 22 percent of units.

Global Spotlight

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020

North America
COVID-19 update
At press time, due to global measures being taken to combat COVID-19, many conferences have been cancelled or postponed. Several events have been postponed until later in 2020 or 2021, while some will be held as virtual events. In the US, the impact on the water industry is broad, as water infrastructure and related activities (such as maintenance, well drilling, plumbing and more) have been been designated essential. Check with local governments to find out any restrictions that may apply.

US EPA reuse plan to be implemented
US EPA, alongside federal partners, will release the National Water Reuse Action Plan: Collaborative Implementation, a collection of bold actions developed in collaboration with water-sector organizations that will reshape the way communities around the nation manage water. The plan identifies 37 actions across 11 strategic themes to give communities tools to consider and adopt water reuse as part of an integrated water resources plan.

New rule replaces WOTUS
US EPA and the Department of the Army (Army) finalized the Navigable Waters Protection Rule to define waters of the United States on January 23 and thereby establish federal regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act, through which Congress explicitly directed the agencies to protect navigable waters. The new rule regulates these waters and the core tributary systems that provide perennial or intermittent flow into them.

International water tasting winners announced
The Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting gave out awards in February to waters from three continents. Four continents had waters among the 118 entries. Mission Springs Water District, Desert Hot Springs, CA, received the municipal water category award. The Best Bottled Water winner was Hita no Homare Cosmo Water, Hita, Oita, Japan. Sparkling Water honors went to Voyage Spring Water, Putaruru, NZ. Waterfy Me of Gaithersburg, MD, won the purified water category. The People’s Choice packaging category was won for the fourth year in a row by Svalbaroi Polar Iceberg Water from Longyearbyen, Norway. Another People’s Choice category (added in 2018) was Flavored Essence Sparkling Water, won by Asarasi Sparkling Tree Cherry Lime from Katonah, NY. The 31st annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2021.

ASTM chemical standard released
A new ASTM International standard, D8310, will be used to help measure the concentration of potentially hazardous surfactants that are used in consumer and industrial products. Chemicals covered in the new standard are released into the environment through direct use and down-the-drain disposal. Regulatory organizations, industry trade groups and laboratories will be able to use the new standard to measure the concentration of targeted phenols and movement of the phenols in the environment. This effort directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6 on clean water and sanitation.

Clean Water Services acquired
Clearwater Systems Incorporated of Akron, OH, announced the acquisition of Clean Water Services, effective February 1. Since 1995, Clean Water Services has served the customers of northwestern Washington. Clearwater now has 17 locations throughout Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.

Online UV LED resource launched
Non-profit RadTech and IUVA have developed a new website to document and track UV LED technology at uvledsource.org. The site consolidates technical papers and articles on diverse UV LED subjects in a convenient, easy-to-search online resource. It’s designed to comprehensively educate those interested in UV LED technology, with new papers added regularly to reflect the ongoing work of RadTech and IUVA members.

Winsupply new business news
Winsupply Inc. has opened Tri State Winsupply in Dubuque, IA, serving plumbing, heating and air conditioning, water-well and septic contractors in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. In another transaction, Winsupply Inc. closed on the purchase of assets of ASAP Industrial Supply, an industrial pipe, valves and fittings distributor in southern California. Details of the purchase were not disclosed. ASAP Industrial Supply, which is changing its name to Inland Empire Windustrial and becoming part of the Winsupply Family of Companies, serves industrial contractors in the Inland Empire of California with pipe, valves and fittings.

Residential water can vary widely
According to a new Purdue University study, drinking water in the service line is clearly not the same quality at the faucet, as noted by Andrew Whelton, Associate Professor Of Civil Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering. Water quality in a home can differ in each room and change between seasons. Researchers from Purdue, the University of Memphis and Michigan State University conducted the study, published in the journal Building and Environment. So far, it’s the largest and most intensive investigation of water quality over time, conducted throughout a single, three-bedroom house (in West Lafayette, IN) that also functions as a living laboratory for developing technologies that would make homes more sustainable. Researchers collected data 58 times over the course of a year, logging more than 222,000 hours and 2.4 billion records. While more studies at this scale are needed before generalizing findings of other American homes, the results are concerning: 10 percent of the time disinfectant was not found in the water entering the house studied, meaning that the water was not properly protected from bacteria growth once it entered the home.

Mangrove tree research published
The mangrove tree survives in its subtropical habitat by efficiently converting the salty water of its environment into fresh water—an engineering feat that has long baffled scientists. A team of researchers in the lab of Yale Engineering Professor Menachem Elimelech has developed a water-purifying device that mimics the mangrove. In addition to offering a better understanding of plants’ plumbing systems, it could lead to new desalination technologies. The results appeared February 21 in Science Advances. The device, which the researchers call an artificial mangrove, combines the desalinating effects of the mangrove’s root, the capillary pumping of the leaves and the water-conducting capability of the stem.

OxyMem honored
The Water and Energy Exchange (WEX) Global Awards 2020 presented in Valencia, Spain, saw DuPont Water Solutions shortlisted in five of 10 categories and OxyMem awarded the Innovation in Process Technology Award. The company was honored to receive this recognition of achievement in the water sector. OxyMem was one of four acquisitions undertaken by DuPont Water Solutions in 2019 as part of the organization’s plan to be the most innovative provider of water purification and filtration solutions in the global market.

Asia
Consultancy firm expansion announced
Oxford, UK-based Amane Advisors has expanded its presence in the growing Southeast Asia and India markets with the addition of Pravi Bansal as its Managing Partner in Singapore. The company also has offices in France, the US, Bahrain, Singapore and China. It serves all segments of the water industry, advising clients on matters related to their growth.

India bulk-water supply project announced
SPML Infra Limited has received a large bulk-water supply project order worth Rs. 546.96 Crores ($77 million) for the externally funded Bengaluru Water Supply & Sewerage Project (Phase 3). It will cover supply, fabrication, laying and jointing 25.5 kilometers (15 miles) of pipeline for clear water transmission mains from Harohalli to Vajarahalli. The work will include laying uPVC conduit for fiber optic cable throughout the length of the pipeline on either side of the pipe and associated works. The project, expected to be completed in 30 months, will supply an additional 775 million liters (204 million gallons) of water per day to Bengaluru city. The project is envisaged to be completed in 30 months.

Correction
In the February Water Matters column, the arsenic values were noted in parts per million (ppm). This should be parts per billion (ppb).

Global Spotlight

Sunday, March 15th, 2020

North America
Lead content maximum lowered
The joint committee governing the American National Standards for drinking water treatment units recently lowered the maximum allowable concentration of lead in treated drinking water to five ppb or less—a 50-percent drop from the previous 10 ppb—and a threshold that matches Health Canada’s new maximum allowable concentration level. The new lead pass/fail criteria has been published for NSF/ANSI 53: Drinking Water Treatment Units – Health Effects and NSF/ANSI 58: Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatment Systems. Updates to both standards were published in December and are effective immediately for any new filter or filtration device claiming to reduce lead.

Groundwater Foundation helping with private wells
The Groundwater Foundation announced it has kicked off its year-long effort to drill water wells for low-income families across the US who lack access to clean water. On February 4, drilling began on a new water-well system for the Saleh family in Crete, IL. Last year, the Groundwater Foundation donated $100,000 (USD) to the Water Well Trust to fund a program that pays for the initial cost of drilling a well. Participating families are given a 20-year, one-percent interest loan.

US EPA funds SRFs
US EPA announced the availability of $2.7 billion (USD) for State Revolving Funds (SRFs), which assists states, tribes and territories with infrastructure projects that help protect surface water and provide safe drinking water to communities across the country. The 2020 annual allocation for the four US EPA Region 7 states is: Iowa – $38.95 million; Kansas – $27.13 million; Missouri – $63.46 million and Nebraska – $19.12 million.

Xylem, Waterboys helping with wells
A rural Virginia family, displaced from their home after their water well failed, received the gift of clean water through the first project of Hometown H₂O, a domestic water program aimed at bringing education and access to clean and sustainable water to people and communities in need across the US. Hometown H₂O is an extension of The Chris Long Foundation’s Waterboys initiative and the result of a partnership announced in December 2019 with Xylem Inc.

Solar water technology honored
GivePower received the first-place Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award for its Solar Water Farm technology. The containerized, solar-powered water desalination and purification technology can be rapidly deployed in coastal regions around the world suffering from a shortage of clean water.

IUVA technology award winner named
The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) inaugural 2020 Emerging Technology Award has been bestowed on the Oasis International QUASAR^™ system, a UV-C LED system for point-of-dispense disinfection. This type of treatment ensures the beverage water is getting the right amount of disinfection with no opportunity to become infected at another point and prevents outlet-sourced contamination or bacteria growing up the pipeline from the point of use.

WFC to address coronavirus
The recent outbreak of novel coronavirus, also known as 2019-nCoV, has caused a worldwide concern about a potential pandemic. On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak as a global health emergency. Wallace Leung, Chair of World Filtration Congress 13 and past Chair Professor of Innovative Products & Technologies in Mechanical Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, will deliver a timely presentation at the upcoming World Filtration Congress on filtration innovations and technologies designed to fight the spread of viruses.

Water technology takes top CES honors
The WaterSwitch^® smart-home, whole-house, water management system was named CES 2020 Product of the Year at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV. The system will identify and quantify any leak in the plumbing system. The technology is protected by two US patents, as well as 11 international and additional US patents pending, and is US EPA WaterSense-approved.

Pool drain cover standard updated
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) announced the publication of its updated ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017 American National Standard for Suction Outlet Fitting Assemblies (SOFA) for Use in Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs, approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This approval was originally published in the Federal Register on May 24, 2019 (Vol. 84, No. 101) and will go into effect on November 24, the 18-month deadline specified by the PHTA-16 Standard Writing Committee (SWC), which includes CPSC staff representation.

WinSupply news
Winsupply Inc. announced it has has closed on the purchase of Morgan Brothers Supply, Inc., a plumbing wholesale distributor primarily serving central and northern Florida. Details of the asset purchase were not disclosed. Morgan Brothers Supply was founded in 1980 and has grown rapidly to seven locations and nearly 120 employees to serve plumbing contractors and general contractors, developers, homeowners and correctional institutions. The company has six plumbing showrooms. Arnold Hardy, previously Sales Manager at Morgan Brothers, becomes President of the company, which will continue to do business as Morgan Brothers Supply. Winsupply Inc. recently celebrated the grand opening of its newest regional distribution center, a 272,000-sq. ft. center in Jacksonville, FL, the company’s fifth major regional distribution center (RDC).

Master’s Coffee acquisition
Master’s Coffee and Water Service has acquired the assets of Glacier Pure Drinking Water. Master’s will offer coffee products and services to Glacier’s water customers, as well as more product choices, such as filtered water coolers.

Europe
NSF UK certification program announced
NSF International has introduced NSF REG4, an independent certification program that enables manufacturers of plumbing products and materials to demonstrate compliance with the UK’s Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations of 1999 and with equivalent water regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. NSF REG4 certifies mechanical products and non-metallic materials that are in contact with drinking water and is the new reference program for the UK market.

Global Spotlight

Saturday, February 15th, 2020

North America
Delta Pure acquired
AJR Filtration announced the acquisition of Delta Pure Filtration in November 2019. AJR has expanded rapidly over the last few years, recently moving into a newly built, 180,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility with over 700 employees. Todd Furbee, Delta Pure’s President, will remain as President of the company to help maximize the next phase of expansion and ensure seamless support for customers.

Legionella conference to move
Legionella Conference 2020 will be held in Chicago, Il, August 19-21, with an emphasis on preventing deadly outbreaks in hospitals and health care settings. NSF Health Sciences and the National Environmental Health Association are partnering as conference co-hosts to help stem this rising public health threat. The theme of the conference is Prevention of Disease and Injury From Waterborne Pathogens in Health Care. Public health leaders, policy makers, researchers, practitioners and water management systems experts will discuss policies and strategies for the prevention of health care-associated waterborne disease outbreaks, including hazards related to medical devices, cleaning and disinfection in sterile settings, as well as water quality requirements in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

NACE standards board created
The NACE International Board of Directors has unanimously approved the membership slate of its new Standards Board and authorized its members to provide oversight and management of NACE International’s standards program. Additionally, it was agreed that the Standards Board will have a voting seat on the NACE International Board of Directors, effective March 2020. To quickly get the Standards Board acclimated and operational, members convened for a two-day orientation in Houston, TX in January. During orientation, the roles and responsibilities of members were reviewed, key issues requiring Standards Board attention prioritized and standards committees created to develop and approve NACE standards.

Rosen Supply sold to Winsupply
Winsupply Inc. has purchased Rosen Supply, a plumbing and heating wholesale distributor in the greater Seattle-Tacoma metro area of Washington. Details of the asset purchase were not disclosed. Rosen Supply has been in business since 1946 and is the leading independent, family-owned and operated plumbing and heating wholesale distributor in western Washington. Third-generation members of the family include David Rosen as President and Adam Rosen as Executive Vice President. Harvey Rosen decided to sell the company to Winsupply as an opportunity to keep some ownership in the family. The company’s legal name becomes Winsupply of Seattle WA Co., but will continue to do business as Rosen Supply.

DuPont acquisitions reported
DuPont announced it has completed the 2019 acquisitions of Desalitech, inge GmbH, Memcor^® and OxyMem Limited, adding to its portfolio of water purification and separation technologies, including ultrafiltration, RO and ion exchange resins. These four recent acquisitions support DuPont’s goal to increase access to the products and technologies needed to meet global customers’ current and future challenges, including the increased need to recycle water, while reducing the energy requirements to generate clean water. The acquisitions further broaden DuPont’s portfolio and enhance the company’s ability to accelerate innovation and offer customers better levels of service, while reducing the life-cycle costs of clean water.

Europe
Food and beverage industry acquisitions break records
Zenith Global reported that 2019 broke records again for the number of food and drink transactions around the world, with 789 registered on the Zenith Global mergers and acquisitions database, an average of 15 each week. The total is 12 more than in 2018 and 41-percent higher than five years ago. The number has increased every year since a dip in 2013. Bottled water and water coolers added up to 23. Orkla, Pernod Ricard, Nestlé, Asahi, PepsiCo, Lactalis, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Azelis, Berlin Packaging, Kirin and Waterlogic were the most acquisitive companies of 2019, with each responsible for five or more takeovers. A total of 1,290 companies were involved across 59 countries, with the United States and United Kingdom most prominent overall.

Asia
Success for drinktech reported
Over 9,900 visitors, 201 exhibitors and a total floor space of 11,400 square meters (gross) defined drink technology India (Messe München), co-located with pacprocess and food pex India (Messe Düsseldorf). The trade fair, which takes place in a yearly rotation between Mumbai and New Delhi, is now well established in the Indian capital. The New Delhi edition registered a 30-percent increase in space and saw a record number of business deals negotiated at the fair. The growth of drink technology India remains strong. The supporting program was expanded and addressed all segments and topics of the beverage, dairy and liquid food industry in conferences and seminars. Together with its partners, drink technology India underlines its status as India’s leading knowledge platform.

In WC&P’s December coverage of the 2019 PWQA Annual Convention, credit for the family photos was not properly noted. Thank you, Joyce Takeda of Water Techniques, for your outstanding contribution.

Global Spotlight

Wednesday, January 15th, 2020

North America
WQA Code of Ethics updated
The Water Quality Association’s revised Code of Ethics, which guides members in the use of marketing terms aligned with those published in the WQA Knowledge Base Glossary, went into effect January 1. One specific concern addressed by the revisions is companies using the term ‘water softener’ inconsistently with the way industry professionals understand and use it. To give the industry time to adapt to the change, WQA posted the revised code on its website (https://www.wqa.org/about-us/governance/code-of-ethics-whistleblower-policy) last spring and has been answering questions, proactively contacting companies misusing terms and providing expertise on the issue to its members as needed throughout 2019. The revisions will be explained and discussed again in detail in a session planned for the first day of the 2020 WQA Convention & Exposition.

WFC13 conference information
The 13th World Filtration Congress (WFC13) has released its complete and detailed program that includes educational and technical offerings unparalleled among international filtration conferences. Hosted by the American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS), WFC13 includes seven plenary sessions, 30 keynote lectures, 285 oral presentations and panel discussions, 11 short courses and dozens of student and industry posters. Content is organized into four tracks (Solid/Liquid, Air/Gas, Membranes, Filter Media), three symposia (Energy, Environment, Health) and a full day of short courses. Experts from 23 countries will share their valuable perspectives, discoveries and insights in sessions that range from introductory to highly advanced. For full details, visit https://www.wfc13.com/v2/.

IAPMO news
Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States: A National Action Plan, a new report produced by DigDeep and the US Water Alliance (with advisory assistance from IAPMO), reveals that more than two million Americans today live with no running water, indoor plumbing or sanitation service, and recommends a series of remedies. The report makes several recommendations to help close the water gap in the US. They include re-introducing US Census questions about whether homes have working taps and toilets, as well as changes to how the federal government funds and regulates water systems to support rural and unincorporated areas. There are also several recommendations for the philanthropic and global WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) sectors to drive community empowerment, deploy innovative technologies and apply successful WASH models from abroad here in the US. Read the full report at closethewatergap.org.
IAPMO has published ANSI/CAN/IAPMO/ISO 30500:2019, Non-Sewered Sanitation Systems—Prefabricated Integrated Treatment Units—General Safety and Performance Requirements for Design and Testing as an identical National Adoption Standard for both the US and Canada. The standard is available for purchase at the IAPMO bookstore in both English and French, at the website. The standard specifies general safety and performance requirements for design and testing, as well as sustainability considerations, for non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS). An NSSS, for the purposes of this document, is a prefabricated, integrated treatment unit, comprising front-end (toilet facility) and back-end (treatment facility) components.

Water Tower project announced
The Water Tower, Gwinnett County, GA’s new water innovation center, has joined forces with Silicon Valley start-up Aqaix to provide utilities with new technology for digitizing water operations and financing water infrastructure projects. The Water Tower has licensed two innovative products from Aqaix: a private-labeled version of its online finance marketplace, which allows utilities to showcase their water projects to potential funders and track environmental ROI, and a private-labeled version of its water-data integration hub.

ResinTech new headquarters
In summer 2020, ResinTech will be moving to a new headquarters and production plant in Camden, NJ. The company is now accepting pre-orders. Contact your representative or email info@resintech.com

Latin America
Toray products selected
Toray RO and UF membrane technologies have been selected for a new seawater desalination facility in Brazil, which is set to become the largest in the country. Expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2020, the plant will have an initial capacity to treat 12,000 m³/day, expandable to 24,000 and 36,000 m³/day and with an estimated value of US$10 million dollars. The principal objective of the plant is to decentralize the steel manufacturer’s reliance on the state’s water supply and contribute to water security to surrounding communities that rely on the same freshwater source.

Asia
Chennai RO plant erected
IDE Technologies announced it has completed the erection phase of the Tertiary Treatment Reverse Osmosis plant for Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) at the facility’s location in Koyambedu, City of Chennai, State of Tamil Nadu. The Chennai area has very challenging water circumstances due to severe and prolonged drought conditions. CMWSSB needed a suitable partner to design, build and operate (DBO) a 45-million liter/day tertiary treatment reverse osmosis (TTRO) plant in Koyambedu, including supplying and laying of a transmission pipe for conveying product water to various industries situated in Irungattukottai, Sriperumbudur and Oragadam.The DBO project also includes a 15-year operation and maintenance period.

Global Spotlight

Sunday, December 15th, 2019

North America
LaMotte Company celebrates 100 years
In October of 1919, Frank LaMotte left DuPont to start a company making pH indicators in the US. He began by making the first domestically produced pH test kits; the only ones then available came from Germany and relations with that country were tenuous. Originally located in downtown Baltimore, MD, LaMotte worked on his own until 1920, when he hired fellow chemist Doc Kenny. That same year he worked with Johns Hopkins chemist, Dr. Linn Enslow, to develop the first chlorine comparator. Its need arose after chlorinated lime was first added to drinking water in 1908. While LaMotte Company started with pH indicators and buffers for water test kits, they began developing and marketing other types of test kits as well. Methods for analyzing agricultural soil were developed in the early 1920s. In 1925, LaMotte produced the first kits in the US for testing chlorine and pH in swimming pools.

In 1929, a LaMotte pH test kit made the first expedition to the South Pole with explorer Admiral Byrd at his station called Little America. Traveling by air, the kit was later returned and is still on display at LaMotte Company headquarters in Chestertown, MD. In 1934, the company moved to Towson, MD, where it continued to grow and in the mid 1950s, LaMotte began supplying phenol red pH indicators for monitoring the stability of the Jonas Salk vaccine. Needing more space, LaMotte moved the company to Chestertown in July 1956, where it remains today. Over the years, as innovation and product demand increased, the original location expanded many times. (The latest expansion, completed in late 2018, added 10,0002 of research and development labs as well as additional production and meeting space.)
In 1968, LaMotte introduced the first DPD Free Available Chlorine test in North America under a partnership with Dr. A.T. Palin. Soon afterward, US EPA recognized the DPD method as a preferred way for testing free chlorine in drinking water and in pools. The late Charles LaMotte took over as President from Frank LaMotte in 1971, pioneering the use of electronic colorimeters to measure pH, chlorine and dozens of other test parameters. In 1983, the company was sold to the Arthur H. Thomas Corporation, of Swedesboro, NJ. The corporation allowed Charles to pass the leadership on to his nephew, David LaMotte, who became president in 1986 and remains at the helm today.

By the late 1980s LaMotte had introduced water analysis systems linked to computers and software to record data and provide recommendations to the user. In the mid-1990s, they began making an assortment of multi-parameter test strips designed for instantly measuring various elements in water. More recently the company launched and patented an automated water analyzer, WaterLink® Spin, in 2012. The key to the Spin system is a reagent-filled disk that can measure up to 10 factors using only a small water sample. The Spin meter mixes and analyzes the filled disk and displays the results in just 60 seconds.
Today the company employs over 220 at its headquarters in Maryland and has three other sales offices globally. LaMotte Company remains a privately held manufacturer, dedicated to innovations that make testing and analyses easier for all.

WQA 2020 convention notes
The Water Quality Association has opened registration for its 2020 WQA Convention & Exposition, to be held April 1-3, 2020 in Orlando, FL. The convention website, wqa.org/convention, offers easy-to-use access to registration, housing and event information for the annual industry gathering and for the March 31 WQA Business Boot Camp, both set for the Orange County Convention Center. The event is expected to attract more than 3,000 dealers, manufacturers and consultants. Expanded hours for the trade show offer greater opportunities to see the latest products and services in drinking water treatment.

NSF standard update announced
The joint committee of experts that maintains an NSF International drinking water treatment standard has recently updated it to allow a more efficient method of treating microorganisms in drinking water. The revision to NSF/ANSI 55: Ultraviolet Microbiological Water Treatment Systems establishes new criteria for use of UV-LED technology for microbial reduction and provides a new test method to certify manufacturer claims. Treatment systems covered by the standard use UV light to inactivate or kill bacteria, viruses and cysts in microbiologically unsafe water (Class A systems) or to reduce the amount of non-disease-causing bacteria in disinfected drinking water (Class B systems). See Water Matters for full details.

PFAS briefing on Capitol Hill
In an effort to bring awareness to the work being done at the local level to respond to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure in drinking water, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) joined the National Environmental Health Association, Association of Public Health Laboratories, Trust for America’s Health and American Public Health Association to hold a congressional briefing: PFAS and Water Protection Briefing with Public Health Experts. Karla Black, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for Kent County, MI, discussed PFAS contamination of wells in northern Kent County and the local health department response efforts to understand and mitigate resident exposure. The health department documented more than 700 sites in the county that were contaminated, with levels of PFAS from less than 70 ppt to a high of 96,000 ppt.

DuPont technology honored
DuPont Water Solutions was awarded the 2019 International Desalination Association (IDA) Award for Best Disruptive Technology in recognition of its efforts to meet water demand in Egypt. DuPont’s innovative, modular design of a new ultrafiltration plant constructed in Suez, Egypt in partnership with Integrated Environmental Technology and Oil Services Company S.A.E (IETOS) was showcased.

Water dispenser growth reported
The US water-dispenser market has grown by an annual average of 4.4 percent to reach almost eight million units by the end of 2018, according to US Water Dispenser Report 2019 from Zenith Global. Home and office bottled water dispensers dominated the market at 75 percent of total numbers installed. Mains-fed units have advanced faster than the overall market, rising by an average 8.8 percent a year to nearly two million in December 2018. Integrated tap systems are also strengthening their profile: 87 percent are in commercial locations, mainly workplaces. Their presence in hotels, restaurants, catering and homes is also significant.

Europe
Aquatech Amsterdam success reported
Aquatech Amsterdam 2019 proved to be an exciting week. The all-new Innovation Forum kick-started the event with the tagline, Mastering Water’s Digital Transformation. With the ambition to help people ‘think differently about water,’ the forum, which included 250 delegates, speakers and moderators, was applauded for its non-conference style, focusing on two-way interaction. Four days of an energetic, informative and interactive exhibition then followed to ensure visitors from over 147 countries were kept informed, engaged and energized throughout the entire week. Highlights included the world champions drilling and tapping won by Team Waterbedrijf Groningen; drones demonstrating groundwater monitoring in the Drone Arena; eight country pavilions; 26 visiting country delegations (including six ambassadors), specialty pavilions and much more.

drinktec name changed
Messe München GmbH announced that drinktec worldwide has changed to bev & food tec network powered by drinktec. The new name reflects the evolution of the trade-fair network. Since 2007, the network around drinktec has grown steadily to now include events at 10 locations.

Middle East
Desalination technology field tests in Palestine
A new low-energy desalination technology, developed at Aston University and the University of Birmingham and patented by University of Birmingham Enterprise, will soon begin field tests in Palestine, where it is expected to help mitigate the effects of water shortages and improve the efficiency of crop production. The technology uses a solar-powered desalination system, made of a novel combination of existing, off-the-shelf products, which can be deployed easily and relatively cheaply in locations that are off-grid. The field-testing project and the technology are described in a paper published in the November issue of Desalination and Water Treatment.

Africa
Solar-powered borehole inaugurated
In October, the Poul Due Jensen Foundation inaugurated Borehole 2 in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp. With the last of three boreholes in use, the foundation’s safe water projects provide drinking water for almost 150,000 refugees in western Tanzania. The foundation also celebrated having reached over 50,000 Tanzanians in poor rural communities outside the camp. In 2016, the foundation and the American NGO Water Mission partnered to show the international community that it is possible to provide safe drinking water for large refugee camps with solar pumping solutions.

Asia
De Nora technology highlighted
To address increasingly complex water treatment issues and standards in Asia, De Nora highlighted its groundbreaking hybrid system of CECHLO^® and Capital Controls^® at this year’s International Water Association conference. The system aims to ensure an entirely safe process of chlorine management from beginning to end. Water treatment has become an indispensable part of the water supply process, with chlorine being the most common disinfectant. Safety around the transportation and management of chlorine gas, however, is a growing concern, particularly in populated areas.