In other news below:
-- Maine earthquake lowers groundwater level, USGS reports
-- Open Spatial Australia strengthens alliance with ViryaNet
-- Pittcon 2007 Science Week grant deadlines approaching
-- ASHRAE, CAMEE pursue interests in advocacy, education
-- MWH Global appoints new CIO
-- Calif. DWR announces $21.5 million in desalination grants
-- Cimbix accepts U.S. Navy purchase order for military drinking water system in Africa
-- Primavera customers honored with Constructech Vision Awards
-- Southwest Water renews $6.6 million annual services contract
-- Cytec completes first phase sale of water treatment chemicals, acrylamide products
-- Ingersoll Rand acquires global low-pressure blower business of BOC Edwards
-- Whatman GD/XP filters prove effective for testing of heavy metals
-- URS acquires Calif.-based firm specializing in port engineering
-- HDF seals takeover of British water utility South East Water Ltd.
-- Lenders sue Suez, affiliate in New York over Aguas Argentina
-- Investment group to acquire water utility AWG Plc. for $4 billion
-- NASCAR's Busch touts training series at CA-NV AWWA Long Beach Conference
-- Experts to discuss Ontario Smart Metering Initiative at Autovation 2006
-- GE honors DuPont, Earth Rangers with ecomagination awards
-- Astro Pak promotes VP, hires another
-- Eastern Municipal Water District chooses Indus for CIS solution
-- Frost & Sullivan lauds Smith & Loveless for MBR small system solution
• Global Health and Education Foundation, National Academy of Sciences raise awareness of global drinking water crisis -- Foundation founder Kenneth E. Behring provides major grant for worldwide effort online -- WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 3, 2006 -- The Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences yesterday announced that it received a $636,900 grant from Kenneth E. Behring, founder of the Global Health and Education Foundation, to develop a web-based resource to inform decision makers around the world about the importance of safe drinking water -- and what they can do to meet this need. The grant will enable the Koshland Science Museum, in cooperation with the National Academies' Water Science and Technology Board and the Office of International Programs, to create a virtual, multimedia exhibit to examine the need for safe drinking water around the world. The exhibit, titled Safe Drinking Water is Essential, will be aimed at an international audience and will survey the range of solutions and technologies available to increase the quality and quantity of drinkable water worldwide. It is expected to be released in 2007 and will be available on the Internet, as well as on CD...
• Maine earthquake lowers groundwater level, USGS reports -- Water in Monitoring Well Still Dropping at Acadia National Park -- BAR HARBOR, ME, Oct. 3, 2006 -- A minor earthquake that shook Maine on Oct. 2 at 8:07 p.m. caused the water level in a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring well to drop more than 2-1/2 feet. Nearly 17 hours later, the groundwater level was still dropping, according to scientists at the USGS Maine Water Science Center in Augusta. Hydrologists call the change in the well "dramatic," and note that well-water users could notice changes in their drinking water. USGS hydrologists will continue to monitor this well several times per day. You can view the Acadia National Park well level by clicking here...
• Open Spatial Australia strengthens alliance with ViryaNet -- Company to manufacture and sell the ViryaNet FOCUS product in the Asia Pacific region -- SOUTHBOROUGH, MA, Oct. 3, 2006 -- ViryaNet Limited, a leading provider of software applications that automate business processes for mobile workforce management and field service delivery, today announced that Open Spatial of Australia will OEM and resell the ViryaNet Field Operations Case Utility System (FOCUS) product to its customers and prospects across the Asia Pacific region. ViryaNet, based in Melbourne, Victoria, develops FOCUS, which enables utilities to manage all types of field work in real-time. Early successes for ViryaNet include licensing its solution to the largest water and wastewater utilities along the eastern seaboard of Australia, such as Barwon Water, South East Water, City West Water, Gold Coast Water, and Brisbane Water...
• Pittcon 2007 Science Week grant deadlines approaching -- Educational grants for Chicago area elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges, and universities will be part of event at McCormick Place -- PITTSBURGH, PA, Oct. 3, 2006 -- The Pittsburgh Conference announced its educational programs for science teachers and students, as well as grant award deadlines for its annual Science Week program held in conjunction with Pittcon 2007 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. Science Week (Feb. 24-March 1, 2007) is an educational outreach program conducted during the annual Pittcon Expo and Conference in the host city. In addition to educational programs, Science Week offers workshops for students, a Thursday morning lecture accompanied by a demonstration, and workshops for local science teachers. Net financial proceeds from the conference are used to fund educational programs and institutions promoting science education for students from elementary to post secondary level institutions. Deadlines for applications fall between Oct. 31 and Dec. 1 depending upon the grant...
Also see:
-- "Pittcon announces 2007 award recipients"
-- "Dr. Charles M. Lieber to deliver plenary lecture at Pittcon 2007"
• ASHRAE, CAMEE pursue interests in advocacy, education -- Engineering associations see logic in testing joint efforts -- ATLANTA, Oct. 3, 2006 -- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Council of American Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (CAMEE) have signed a memorandum of understanding. The agreement formalizes a working relationship between ASHRAE, which is interested in the technical aspects of the building environment, and CAMEE, which is focused on the business aspects of mechanical and electrical engineering. CAMEE is a coalition of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)...
Also see: "Access door addendum proposed for ASHRAE BACnet Standard"
• MWH Global appoints new CIO -- Engineering company Promotes Micki Nelson to top IT position following six successful years as information technology director -- BROOMFIELD, CO, Oct. 3, 2006 -- MWH today announced that Micki Charlton Nelson has been named chief information officer (CIO), where she will have global responsibility for strategic planning for information resources. Nelson was promoted to CIO following six successful years as director of Information Technology (IT) for the company. A 30-year veteran of the IT industry, Nelson will also be responsible for developing, facilitating and maintaining an efficient IT system and organization through appropriate staffing, performance management and process optimization...
• Calif. DWR to hold two public workshops to inform local communities of four sites added to critical levee repair list -- SACRAMENTO, CA, Oct. 3, 2006 -- The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has scheduled two public workshops this week in West Sacramento and Chico to discuss emergency levee erosion repair work on four new sites on the Sacramento River Flood Control System. Acting under an Executive Order by Governor Schwarzenegger, DWR is repairing 33 critical erosion levee sites. Work began this summer at 29 sites located in Colusa, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties. Work will begin on the four additional sites in Sacramento, Yolo and Butte counties by Oct. 5. The repairs to the first 29 sites identified are expected to be completed by Nov. 1 and completion of the four new sites by Nov. 30...
Also see:
-- "Gov. Schwarzenegger signs legislation, executive order to develop strategic vision for Delta"
-- "Calif. DWR announces $21.5 million in desalination grants"
• Cimbix accepts U.S. Navy purchase order for military drinking water system in Africa -- WOODLAND HILLS, CA, Oct. 3, 2006 -- Cimbix Corp., worldwide distributor of Wataire Industries Inc. atmospheric water generators, announced that it has received a purchase order from the U.S. Navy for Wataire's CI-2500 model atmospheric water generators. The system will provide safe drinking water for troops based in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. It can produce 2,500 liters of safe drinking water per day and can be transported for use in hundreds of locations wherever U.S. troops are stationed. Unlike water treatment systems used to provide drinking water from surface or groundwater sources, Wataire's technology harvests water from abundant moisture in the earth's atmosphere, filters any particulate matter and uses UV treatment to ensure safety of the drinking water. By providing water right in the area where troops are stationed, there's no need to incur the costs and face the logistical problems caused when thousands of bottled water containers are loaded, shipped to a military installation and then unloaded and transported to a fixed military site. Acceptance by the U.S. military of Wataire's industry-leading technology provides further evidence of the growing worldwide acceptance of the company's alternative providing drinking water, especially where surface and groundwater may not be available or water may not be treatable in an economic, feasible or technological manner...
Also see:
-- "Universal Communication Systems Inc. subsidiary AirWater Corp. secures U.S. government official order for air to water machines"
-- "HydroFlo Water Treatment Inc. announces unit sale to major international food processor"
• Primavera customers honored with Constructech Vision Awards -- Eight companies recognized for utilizing industry leading project management software to improve business processes and reduce costs by millions of dollars -- PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 3, 2006 -- Primavera Systems Inc., the leading provider of project, resource and portfolio management software, announced today that eight of its customers were awarded Constructech 2006 Vision Awards. The awards honor construction and engineering organizations that have solved critical business issues through the use of innovative technology solutions. Consistent among the winners is their ability to employ technology across their organizations to standardize the way project teams work together to achieve success. The eight winning Primavera customers include: BE&K (Birmingham, AL); Black & Veatch (Overland Park, KS); Clancy & Theys (Raleigh, NC); Phoenix Water Service Dept. (Phoenix, AZ); Satterfield & Pontikes (Houston, TX); and VECO USA (Bellingham, WA)...
• Southwest Water renews $6.6 million annual services contract -- LOS ANGELES, Oct. 2, 2006 -- Southwest Water Co. announced the renewal of water, wastewater and public works operations contracts for the city of Gulfport, Mississippi. This is the second renewal for Southwest Water's Operations Technologies, Inc. subsidiary, which has been serving Gulfport's water and sewer, streets and drainage, and billing and customer service departments since 1999. The contracts are structured in a series of seven renewable one-year increments, each valued at approximately $6.6 million...
Also see: "Southwest Water announces CPUC decision in Southern California rate case"
• Cytec completes first phase sale of two product lines, water treatment chemicals and acrylamide -- WEST PATERSON, NJ, Oct. 2, 2006 -- Cytec Industries said that it has completed the first of three phases of the sale of its global water treatment chemicals and acrylamide product lines to Kemira Group. This phase includes the entire product lines with the exception of Cytec's Botlek manufacturing site in the Netherlands, which is expected to close in early 2007, and certain assets at various subsidiaries in Asia/Pacific and Latin America which are expected to close within the next six months. The timing of the flow of funds is approximately $208 million received today for this closing, an estimated $20 million upon the Botlek closing and an estimated $12 million upon completion of the transfer of the assets at the various subsidiaries for an estimated total of $240 million. Between this closing and the remaining applicable closings, Cytec will contract manufacture and sell water treatment chemicals and acrylamide at the Botlek site solely to Kemira and provide distribution services for Kemira for the products at those Cytec subsidiaries that were not included in this closing. The remaining closings are subject to certain conditions and the amounts could change due to final working capital transferred. The estimated 2006 sales of the two product lines are about $300 million...
• Ingersoll Rand acquires global low-pressure air business of BOC Edwards -- Includes product lines sold under the Hibon, Wilhelm Klein and Hick Hargreaves brand names -- HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 2, 2006 -- Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd., a leading diversified industrial company, has acquired the global low-pressure air business of BOC Edwards, a business of The Linde Group. This isn't connected with the impending divestment of BOC Edwards' equipment businesses announced by Linde in early September. Under the agreement, Ingersoll Rand buys the equity of BOC Edwards' businesses Hibon Inc., in Montreal, and Wilhelm Klein GmbH, in Esslingen, Germany. It also buys related business assets, including the Hibon, Wilhelm Klein and Hick Hargreaves low-pressure air lines, and employees operating in Brussels, Roubaix, France, and Bolton, the United Kingdom. Additional terms weren't disclosed. The pressure business develops, manufactures, sells and services a complete line of multistage centrifugal blowers and industrial and mobile positive-displacement blowers, complementing Ingersoll Rand's existing line of compressed air technologies and services. Blowers are used to pneumatically convey liquids and powders in transportation and industrial applications, and have diverse applications in wastewater and power industries...
• Whatman GD/XP filters prove effective for testing of heavy metals -- Independent laboratory finds filters minimize leaching and retention of
inorganic ions in environmental and industrial sample preparation -- FLORHAM PARK, NJ, Oct. 2, 2006 -- Whatman, a global leader in separations technology, today announced that its GD/XP filters have been independently verified by Katahdin Analytical Services, Inc., one of New England's largest environmental laboratories, as effective filtration devices for environmental and industrial testing. The analysis performed by Katahdin found that Whatman GD/XP filters have a very low inorganic ion background, which ensures the integrity of samples during the filtration process. To conduct the study, Katahdin passed 100 mL of dilute nitric acid through a GD/XP syringe filter and measured the levels of 23 target analytes using ICP-MS and Environmental Protection Agency-approved protocols. The resulting data showed minimal presence and retention of metals on the filter...
Also see:
-- "Whatman announces new line of water filters: OEM in-line disposable filters designed to ensure sterile hospital water"
-- "Whatman to screen for parasites in produce and water supply: FTA Concentrator-PS will enable timely, accurate safety analysis of fresh produce and water contamination"
• URS acquires California-based firm specializing in port engineering, design and program management services -- Acquisition enhances company's ability to assist port and harbor clients meet growing infrastructure demands and homeland security requirements -- SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 2, 2006 -- URS Corp. has acquired Cash & Associates, a privately held Southern California-based provider of civil and structural engineering and program management services to port and harbor clients. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition immediately enhances URS' capabilities in the California ports and harbors market and positions URS to compete for large, multidisciplinary projects at ports and harbors nationwide. In addition, the acquisition provides URS with increased expertise and resources to pursue projects in the growing port security market...
• HDF seals takeover of British water utility South East Water Ltd. -- MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 2, 2006 -- Hastings Management Funds Limited, manager of both Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund (HDF) and Utilities Trust of Australia (UTA) has acquired a 100% interest in UK water utility South East Water Ltd. (SEW) for an implied enterprise value of GBP 665.4 million or A$1,663.5 million as of March 31. SEW is a regulated utility that operates in two areas of south east England, providing water to a population of 1.4 million and supplying an area of over 3,600 square kilometers...
Also see: "Hastings Funds buys South East Water for $1.2 billion"
• Lenders sue Suez, affiliate in New York over Aguas Argentina - NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2006 (Dow Jones) -- A group of Aguas Argentinas SA's lenders have filed a lawsuit in New York, alleging that hundreds of millions of dollars were unlawfully stripped from the company by its controlling shareholders, France's Suez SA and its Spanish affiliate Sociedad General de Aguas de Barcelona SA. The lawsuit, filed late Friday in federal court in Manhattan, alleges that Aguas, which ran the Buenos Aires water and sewer system from 1993 to 2005 under a concession agreement with the Argentine government, was a "mere shell" and was dominated by Suez and Sociedad General, or Agbar. The complaint claims that the controlling shareholders lost Aguas' most valuable asset, the water concession, through gross undercapitalization and mismanagement, while allegedly extracting "management fees" and other "self-dealing transactions" from Aguas...
Also see: "Argentina's Aysa says Suez owes $909 mln for investment deficit"
• Investment group to acquire water utility AWG Plc. for $4 billion -- LONDON, Oct. 2, 2006 (MarketWatch) -- U.K. water company AWG Plc on Monday said it's agreed to be bought by a group of Australian, Canadian and British investors for about $4.12 billion (2.2 billion pounds), as long-term investors move to snap up another infrastructure company. AWG, which supplies water to 5.4 million customers in southeastern England, is being acquired by a consortium of pension funds from Australia and Canada and U.K. private equity and venture capital company 3i Group Plc. The group has agreed to offer 15.55 pounds per share for AWG, a 14% premium to the Sept. 13 close, before the company said it's received a takeover approach. AWG shares rose 4.7% to 16.18 pounds, as The Wall Street Journal reported speculation that a rival bid may emerge...
• NASCAR champion Kurt Busch endorses Water Works Industry Solutions product at CA-NV AWWA Long Beach Conference -- RENO, NV, Oct. 1, 2006 -- 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch will be spokesman for Water Works Industry Solutions (WWIS) on Oct. 3 at the CA-NV AWWA Annual Fall Conference. Busch, a former employee of the Las Vegas Valley Water Dsitrict, first endorsed the WWIS training system, a 36-part DVD series called "The Basics" also available for download via podcasting, in March. Each lesson features Kurt Busch and is performed by experienced veterans in the waterworks industry containing manufacturing approved installations...
Also see: "NASCAR champion helps launch DVD training series for waterworks personnel"
• Experts to discuss Ontario Smart Metering Initiative at Autovation 2006 -- Event to take place Oct. 22-25 at Nashville Convention Center -- NORTHBROOK, IL, Sept. 29, 2006 -- The advanced metering and utility industries are keeping a keen eye on Ontario during implementation of its plan to install smart meters in all homes and small businesses in the province by 2010. "Ontario is a bellwether for smart metering initiative across North America," says AMRA Committee Member Rob Lauridsen-Hoegh. A panel of experts at the forefront of this initiative will discuss facets of the project during "Getting Smart About Smart Meters" at Autovation 2006: The AMRA International Symposium, Oct. 22-25 in Nashville, TN. It includes: Janice Graham, Coordinator of Regulatory Policy within the Consumer & Regulatory Affairs Division of the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Peter D'Uva of Toronto Hydro; John Forsyth of Rodan Metering, and moderator Carolyn Kinsman of Automated Communication Links...
• GE, DuPont partnership shows benefits of business, environment operating hand-in-hand -- Innovative water solution saves 265,000 cubic meters of water while cutting costs -- AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Sept. 29, 2006 -- At this city's biennial Aquatech Exhibition, GE Water & Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric, presented DuPont with an ecomagination Leadership Award in recognition for its work to improve environmental sustainability in the Netherlands. Through innovative water reuse efforts and actively meeting environmental and industrial demands, DuPont's efforts produce positive results for its business and our environment -- saving US$292,100 and conserving 265,000 cubic meters (70 million U.S. gallons) of municipal water each year -- -- equivalent to the amount consumed by 5,000 Dutch residents in a year...
Also see:
-- "GE honors Earth Rangers with ecomagination award for water recycling: GE's advanced membrane technology lets green building reuse over 3.5 million liters of water annually"
-- "GE offers complete portfolio of integrated solutions for high purity water needs: One of Eastern Europe's largest fertilizer manufacturers turns to advanced GE technologies to reduce costs, minimize use of potable water supplies"
-- "GE invests SGD$130 million to establish GE Water & Process Technologies Global R&D Centre in Singapore"
-- "GE Fanuc Embedded Systems launches new unified website: New online site incorporates products from recent acquisitions"
• Astro Pak strengthens executive leadership -- Names Pozil as VP of sales and marketing -- COSTA MESA, CA, Sept. 27, 2006 -- Astro Pak Corp., announced today the appointment of Robert Pozil as vice president of sales and marketing. Pozil brings more than 15 years of experience to Astro Pak, a specialist in pipeline cleaning and passivation technology serving customers within the water and wastewater industry, and is primed to raise the company to the next level of success. Prior to joining Astro Pak, he was the president of Aleeda Grace Ltd. for nine years, as well as international markets director at Lander Co. for six years. He earned a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of California-Irvine. Pozil succeeds Erik Frankl, who has been promoted to a newly created position, vice president of strategic initiatives...
• Eastern Municipal Water District chooses Indus solution to help serve rapidly expanding customer base -- Indus Customer Suite enables centralized, integrated, seamless customer service -- ATLANTA, Sept. 26, 2006 -- Indus International Inc., a leading Service Delivery Management (SDM) solution provider, announced a significant new contract with Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD), Perris, CA, to replace the district's customer information system (CIS) with a comprehensive customer management software solution from Indus. License revenue from the contract was recognized in Indus' first fiscal quarter of 2007. EMWD delivers freshwater, wastewater service and recycled water to a population of approximately 630,000 within its 555-square-mile service area in the heart of Southern California...
• Frost & Sullivan lauds Smith & Loveless for its lead over competitors powered by innovation, customization, and better ROI -- PALO ALTO, CA, Sept. 26, 2006 -- Frost & Sullivan recently recognized Smith & Loveless Inc. with the 2006 Packaged Wastewater Technology Innovation of the Year Award in recognition of its proven technologies, which are extremely innovative when compared to other technologies that exist in the market. For instance, the membrane bioreactor (MBR) market has many participants ready to take advantage of the steady growth promised by the need to reuse water because of the legal pressure on discharge quality. Unlike its competitors, which largely use treatment methods not ideal for small-scale operations, Smith & Loveless and its affiliates provide for small volume discharges coupled with technologically innovative products. The company also spends a substantial portion of its operating funds on R&D activities, continuously launching new products and delivering enhanced solutions to up-grade and replace older technology with innovative ones. Examples of recent innovations include the TITAN MBR™ system, launched in late 2005, the BIOFICIENT™ Process, and its award winning BIOMIXER™ aeration and mixing technology. These new offerings supplement long-standing innovative and patented systems including the FAST® process, Marine FAST®, and the Model R OXIGEST® treatment systems...
Also see: "Smith & Loveless honored by Frost & Sullivan"
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