BP America Inc. to pay penalty to resolve drinking water violations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that several subsidiaries of BP America Inc. have agreed to pay a $426,500 penalty and ensure that more than $240 million in funds are secured to resolve violations of hazardous waste, drinking water and Superfund financial assurance requirements. Financial assurance protects public health and the environment by ensuring that companies have the financial resources available to properly close facilities and clean up pollution.

EPA announces that fracking may be to blame for Wyoming groundwater pollution

For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that hydraulic fracturing may be the cause of groundwater pollution in central Wyoming. A report by the EPA shows that dangerous amounts of benzene were found in a monitoring well near Pavillion, Wyo.

Founder of Payne Manufacturing Company passes away

Bill Payne, founder of Payne Manufacturing Company (now Payne USA), passed away Dec. 9 at his home in Southaven Miss. He is survived by his wife, Mary, four daughters and six grandchildren. Payne is best known as a supplier to companies that assembled and marketed reverse osmosis water purification systems. He started in 1983, making membrane housings for Arrowhead Water in Arcadia, Calif. His company went on to supply parts for virtually all of the leading companies in the industry.

Project will change way plant disinfects drinking water

There is nothing wrong with the quality of water in the city of Fort Wayne, Ind., but a $20 million project will change the way its water is disinfected. A $19.2 million contract was approved by the Board of Public Works with Kokosing Construction to convert the Three Rivers Filtration Plant from chemical disinfectant to ultraviolet disinfectant. Construction is expected to begin in January.

Registration open for 2012 Sustainable Water Management Conference

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) announced that registration is now open for the 2012 Sustainable Water Management Conference, to be held March 18-21 in Portland, Ore. The four day event, which features two workshops and more than 25 technical sessions, will offer attendees information on the benefits of robust sustainability planning and how it leads to cohesive communities and utility system optimization.

Surrey Board of Trade awards Singer Valve with Business Excellence Award

Singer Valve was one of eight companies to win a Business Excellence Award by the Surrey Board of Trade. Singer Valve Chairman Brian Blann received the award on behalf of the company at a gala dinner, emceed by local TV personality Pamela Martin, on Nov. 3. The Award recognizes leadership, strategy development and planning, employee learning, process management, supplier and partner relationships and overall business performance.

Workers settle battle against companies for alleged carelessness with toxins

Over a dozen former factory workers settled a multimillion dollar battle against Siemens Corp. and General Dynamics Corp., alleging that the companies carelessly dumped toxins into drinking water causing the workers to develop cancer. Employees at the plant had been using trichlorothene (TCE) to manufacture and clean circuit boards and other equipment before the companies realized the chemical was capable of causing cancer.

PEOPLE

• A.J. Antunes & Co. recently promoted Daniel Schmidt to business development manager – VIZION Products. Schmidt will establish and maintain business relationships with current and potential customers, design and recommend sales programs, set up distribution and serve as a liaison between A.J. Antunes & Co. and their customers for the VIZION Products. Schmidt will also work closely with the A.J. Antunes & Co. design team to develop filtration equipment.

• Water-Right Inc. announces the addition of Allen Hurtado as regional sales manager for the west coast, including Montana and Idaho. Hurtado has over 30 years of experience with emphasis in residential and commercial water treatment. In addition to residential water improvement, his experience spans numerous market segments, including irrigation, industrial process, high purity and small public water systems.

• EcoWater Systems LLC has recently named Chris Wilker as president, EcoWater Professional Products. Wilker has over 25 years in the water treatment industry with leadership experience in product distribution, science and technology, industrial filtration and branded dealer organizations.