IBWA supports 2014 National Hurricane Preparedness Week
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) encouraged consumers to take action during National Hurricane Preparedness Week from May 25-31. This is the ideal time for people to re-assess their risks and update hurricane kits and emergency plans. Continued volatility in weather across the nation reinforces the importance of always being prepared for unexpected and dangerous weather. When tap water is disrupted, bottled water provides a necessary and reliable source of safe drinking water, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) specifically recommends that store-bought bottled water be part of your supplies — at least one gallon per-person, per-day for three days.
IBWA applauds House passage of water infrastructure bill
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, which supports a strong public water infrastructure and creates the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority (WIFIA). WIFIA will provide low interest federal loans to communities that reduce the cost of financing large water and wastewater infrastructure projects. IBWA now urges the U.S. Senate to pass this legislation and support America’s public water infrastructure.
Aries FilterWorks announces opening of temporary manufacturing facility
Aries FilterWorks, a manufacturing division of ResinTech Inc., announced that it will build a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on the site of its former New Jersey location that was destroyed by fire on May 8. In the interim, the company has transferred production to its redundant Los Angeles location and is successfully fulfilling all customer orders while it opens a temporary plant to continue New Jersey operations in Berlin Township. The first products were scheduled to roll off the line at the temporary plant the week of May 19. Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were on hand to confirm that no hazardous materials were leaked into the air or water, while local authorities were able to contain damage to the individual building.
Pentair® Everpure® announces partnership with Milestone Distributors
Pentair® is pleased to announce that Milestone Distributors has joined the Everpure® family as the new residential master distributor for the Everpure product line in the Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico markets. Milestone Distributors is a Dallas, Texas-based company with three distinct business units: Premium appliance distribution, luxury appliance and decorative hardware representation and decorative plumbing distribution (Milestone Water). Milestone also provides fulfillment and logistics services through their MD Logistics division, and has facilities in Dallas and Houston, Texas and Tempe, Ariz.
Dataman Group Direct launches new website for water quality dealers
Dataman Group Direct in Boca Raton, Fla. is pleased to announce the launch of www.WaterProspects.com, a new website devoted to marketing in the water quality industry. WaterProspects.com will give water quality dealers access to a wide range of databases and products specifically geared towards lead generation. The site also provides dealers with insights into marketing strategy and brand management as well as information about the latest marketing trends. Direct mail, telemarketing, in-store programs, door-to-door canvassing and social media are some of the lead generation techniques featured on WaterProspects.com.
NGWA water well construction standard process accepted by ANSI
Following its determination that the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) properly met its standard development process, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved for NGWA to issue ANSI/NGWA-01-14, a water well construction standard. Throughout the standard development process, ANSI-required core principles to be followed were openness, balance, lack of dominance and consensus. NGWA’s first-ever third-party sanctioned standard, ANSI/NGWA-01-14 sets a baseline of expectations for water well system professionals to meet for residential, agricultural, monitoring, industrial and public supply water wells. The standard seeks to contribute to public health and safety, resource protection and to serve as an outcomes focus for NGWA’s voluntary water well system professional certification program. The process to establish the standard began eight years ago when NGWA initiated efforts to become an ANSI-accredited standards developer, and NGWA’s initiative was officially announced via ANSI’s Standards Action in 2008.
PEOPLE
The Water Quality Association’s (WQA) Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs Pauli Undesser has been promoted to the newly created role of deputy executive director. Pauli, who is highly respected in the industry, joined WQA seven years ago and in addition to Technical and Regulatory Affairs, has held positions in Toxicology and Product Certification. Effective June 1, Pauli will work collaboratively with Tom Palkon, WQA interim executive director, in shaping and guiding the mission, vision and core values of WQA and will provide the organization with leadership and direction to best serve members and employees.
The Water Quality Association (WQA) has announced that Executive Director David Haataja has left the association. The WQA thanks David for his service to the organization and wishes him the best in his future endeavors. The board of governors has announced that Tom Palkon has been named interim executive director of the association. Tom has been with WQA for the last 18 years, most recently serving as vice president and chief operating officer. The WQA will continue moving forward on key issues affecting its membership during this transition.
Each year, NSF International recognizes both an individual and a team from its global workforce that have demonstrated excellence, leadership and commitment to NSF and the NSF mission. The 2013 NSF Team of the Year is the NSF Health Sciences Medical Devices and Pharma Biotech teams based in Washington D.C. Recognized for tremendous growth and success while undergoing a restructuring transition, this team has helped enhance NSF’s strong relationship with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, provided expert services to clients and furthered NSF’s public health and safety mission. The 2013 Employee of the Year is Ariel Saulles, NSF Water Systems continuous improvement champion, who, as lean continuous champion for NSF’s global water division, was recognized for her high quality work under pressure, eager attitude, leadership and detailed approach during the Lean implementation for the water and food equipment departments at NSF.
NSF International has appointed Christian Kurdy as managing director, NSF Middle East, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. NSF International has been active in the Middle East for more than 25 years, working with more than 1,000 companies in the region. Kurdy will help guide the growth of the NSF’s operations throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (or region) by providing consulting, testing, auditing and certification services for the water, food and beverage industries as well as quality (QMS) and environmental management systems (EMS) registrations.
Global public health organization NSF International promoted two members of its senior leadership team to senior vice president. Tom Chestnut has been promoted to senior vice president, Global Food Division and Chandana Kathuria has been promoted to senior vice president and chief information officer/lean program leader. Chestnut has more than 25 years of food safety experience and eight years with NSF International, most recently serving as vice president of NSF’s Global Food Division. Kathuria has over 24 years of information technology (IT) experience, which includes 11 years at NSF developing and implementing a global IT strategy to support the increasing needs of NSF and its client base.
QMP Inc. proudly announces the promotion of Tady Salaues to its vice president position. Salaues has worked more than 13 years at QMP in a variety of key positions and responsibilities, including sales and marketing, accounting, purchasing and production. QMP Inc. is a globally renowned water filtration specialist that specializes in all types of custom water filtering systems, whole-house water filters, water purification products, well water filtration systems and industrial water filters.
