Water purification center opens in Northern California, largest of its kind
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, in collaboration with the cities of San José and Santa Clara, celebrated the opening of SVAWPC, a drought-proof water source from Silicon Valley and the largest plant of its kind. SVAWPC will enhance recycled water quality by creating a high quality water supply, protect the region’s groundwater supplies as well as the environment, reduce treated wastewater effluent discharge and help reduce dependency on water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Drink Up campaign increases bottled water sales
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) announced that Michelle Obama’s Drink Up campaign increased bottled water sales by three percent among those who saw the advertisements. The First Lady broadcast the boost by citing a study from Nielsen Catalina Solutions (NCS), which shows the increase in incremental sales from those who were exposed to the advertising, generating near $1 million in retail bottled water transactions. A statement from NCS revealed that the increase in sales per impression was the highest among “fence sitters,” or generally younger consumers seeking convenience in their eating habits.
NGWA urges well owners to properly maintain wells
The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) advises household well owners to learn good water well maintenance practices, due to poorly maintained water well systems potentially resulting in reduced water quality. If well systems are not adequately maintained, bacteria may enter the well — especially if the system’s sanitary seals, such as the well’s cap, are deteriorated, damaged or loose; this can cause gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea, nausea or vomiting or, in some cases, depending on the type of bacteria, for example E. coli, can result in severe illness or fatality. NGWA recommends periodic water well maintenance inspections conducted by a licensed professional, to help prolong the useful life of the well and to ensure the system is operating properly.
Boy at summer camp allegedly passes away due to contaminated tap water
An eight-year-old boy who was attending summer camp in Southwestern France has allegedly passed away due to the tap water, which was known to be contaminated. Seven other children staying at the camp are also suffering from the effects of the contaminated water at the St. Bernard Chalet at the camp in the Ariege area. An autopsy has revealed that the boy died from an acute intestinal infection. He supposedly became sick after a few days of being at the camp, which had been under orders to serve only bottled water since July 4, 2014, after tests had revealed the presence of coliform bacteria in its water source.
EPA awards over $144,000 for UIC program to protect sources of drinking water
EPA recently awarded $144,554 to the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to operate and implement its Underground Injection Control (UIC) program. The UIC program helps protect underground sources of drinking water from contamination by regulating the construction and operation of injection wells. The grant funds will also be used to review regulations, develop program plans, inventory injection well facilities, identify aquifers and conduct enforcement activities, surveillance and investigations.
Groundwater pumping produces significant changes in water levels below Albuquerque
U.S. Geological Survey reports showed considerable changes in water levels below some parts of the Albuquerque metropolitan area as a result of groundwater pumping. For many years, the water supply requirements of the area were met almost entirely by groundwater withdrawal from the Santa Fe Group aquifer system; reliance on groundwater led to variable responses in groundwater levels across the area, with declines in some locations exceeding 120 feet below predevelopment water level conditions. In December 2008, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority began diverting surface water from the Rio Grande with the San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Project to lower the reliance on groundwater reserves. While level declines are significant in many locations, hydrographs (graphs of water level change) show several occurrences of increased levels since the San Juan-Chama project began.
County settles alleged violations that protect waterways from polluted stormwater runoff
EPA announced that Carroll County, Md. has settled alleged violations of Clean Water Act regulations that protect waterways from polluted stormwater runoff. In the consent agreement, Carroll County agreed to pay a $40,000 civil penalty to settle violations of the County’s Clean Water Act permit for stormwater discharges from the County’s storm sewer system. In addition to the penalty, Carroll County signed an administrative order which included a schedule for correcting the violations. EPA’s stormwater regulations control pollution from sources such as: City streets; impervious surfaces; construction sites; and land disposal of waste. Polluted runoff flows into stormwater collection systems, which discharge into rivers and streams, and can harm water quality for drinking, fishing and swimming.
Pure Water Technology breaks Guinness World Record
Pure Water Technology® of Ohio (PWT) raised over $60,000 at 4 Miles 4 Water, a run/walk the company co-founded and sponsored, held on May 10, at Cleveland Metroparks’ Edgewater Park at Lakefront Reservation. In partnership with Drink Local. Drink Tap. Inc. (DLDT), PWT’s 4 Miles 4 Water spread awareness of clean and safe drinking water locally and globally, raising over $60,000 to contribute to building a new water well in Uganda. The event broke the Guinness World Record for the most people carrying a container of water on their head at one time, featuring 508 participants; the activity was held to illustrate how many people around the world walk far distances every day hauling water.
Communities across the nation to benefit from rehabilitation of dams
The announcement of a $262 million investment for rehabilitating dams that provide critical infrastructure and protect public safety and health, will benefit communities across the nation. The funding will provide rehabilitation assistance for 150 dams in 26 states, used for planning, design or construction and 500 dam sites will be assessed for safety through NRCS’ Watershed Rehabilitation Program. The rehabilitated dams will benefit an estimated 250,000 people as a result of improved flood protection.
EPA supplies funding to protect and restore urban waters
EPA is funding $2.1 million to help protect and restore urban waters, support community revitalization, enhance water quality and other local priorities, to 37 organizations in 17 states and Puerto Rico. Funds are being supplied through EPA’s Urban Waters program, which supports communities in effort to improve, access and benefit from their surrounding land and urban waters. Grants up to $60,000 are being awarded for projects occurring in regions that align with the 18 designated locations of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership. These funded projects also focus on one of three focal points: Communities and water quality data, community greening and green infrastructure or integration of water quality and community development in planning.
PEOPLE
Gresham, Smith and Partners, a multi-disciplinary design and consulting firm for the built environment, announced Chris Hammer, P.E., has joined GS&P as a senior water resources engineer in the firm’s Nashville office. He delivered more than $2 billion of infrastructure projects during his 22-year career, managing water, wastewater and natural gas projects in both the public and private sectors. At GS&P, Hammer will focus on project management, staff mentoring and client service throughout the Southeast.
Marlo Incorporated is pleased to announce that David Kimbriel has joined the company as an application engineer and inside sales representative. Kimbriel brings more than 25 years of water and wastewater treatment experience to the company. Based out of the Marlo Corp. headquarters in Racine, Wisc., he will use his extensive knowledge of the commercial and industrial markets to help specify and support the equipment and systems needs of the Marlo distributor network, design engineering firms and other specialty sales channels.
NGWA Director of Science and Technology William M. Alley, Ph.D., has been appointed to the EPA’s National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC). Alley served as chief, Office of Groundwater for the U.S. Geological Survey from 1993 to January 2012. Early in his career with the USGS, he served as national groundwater coordinator for the pilot National Water-Quality Assessment Program, where he developed the initial concepts and plans for the full-scale NAWQA.
NSF International and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) announced that Priscilla Oliver, Ph.D., is the 2014 recipient of the distinguished Walter F. Snyder Environmental Health Award. She accepted the award at the NEHA Annual Educational Conference in Las Vegas, for four decades of significant and lasting contributions to environmental and public health through education, leadership, dedication and community service. The award is given annually in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of environmental health.
After 24 years leading the dealership, Rex Ruddick will retire from Culligan Tucson. Ruddick is a top representative of the water treatment industry and has worked with leaders throughout the Tucson community. He lead the Arizona Water Quality Association (AZWQA), which represents the POU/POE water treatment industry of Arizona, as president in 1997 and 1998 and has served on the AZWQA board of directors.
