BRIDGEPORT, N.J. — Xylem Inc. was awarded a $6 million contract to fill new Panama Canal lock basins with 1.7 billion gallons of water, according to a press release.
Xylem’s dewatering pumps will be used to fill the third set of basin locks on the canal’s Pacific Ocean sector, noted the release. The project should be finished in the second quarter of 2016.
The expansion project includes a new traffic lane and two new lock complexes, stated the release. It will double the capacity of the canal and allow New Panamax ships to pass through.
“We are honored to work with the Authority of the Panama Canal (ACP) and to be part of this project, which expands one of the world’s most important transport routes," said Colin Sabol, senior vice president and president of Xylem’s Dewatering business, in the release.
Xylem filled the third set of locks with water transported from the Miraflores Lake, shared the release. Enough water was pumped over 22 days to fill 90,000 average sized swimming pools.
"The third set of basin locks includes reuse basins that will save water and also improve the Panama Canal’s efficiency, using seven percent less water compared with the amount currently used by the existing locks," stated the release. "In addition, in each transit operation, 60 percent of the water will be recycled."
ACP also awarded Xylem a contract to supply 64 Flygt mixers to prevent corrosion on the rolling gates during installation earlier in 2015, reported the release.
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