Charger announced its newest office, Charger Water Treatment Products, LLC, is located at 21420 N. 15th Lane, Suite 108, Phoenix, AZ 85027. The branch can be reached toll-free at (844) 249-3081; fax number is (623) 398-7538.
Hague Quality Water International announced the launch of a new website, www. haguedealer.com for dealer recruitment.
North America
Colorado WQA legacy to live on
The Colorado Water Quality Association (CWQA) may have terminated operations, but the organization’s profound effect on the water quality improvement industry will be felt for many years to come. In September, the outgoing CQWA Board of Directors announced it would donate the organization’s remaining funds to the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF). During WQA’s Mid-Year Leadership Conference, CWQA officials made a $150,000 (USD) commitment to WQRF’s Investing in Your Future capital campaign. CWQA, which served industry members in Colorado from 1959-2014, will be honored as a Visionary-level Partner under the Campaign’s Individuals, Dealers and Other Campaign Partners designation.
DWRF memorial lecture fund created
The Drinking Water Research Foundation (DWRF) announced the creation of the Alan A. Leff Memorial Lecture Fund. Named in honor of Alan A. Leff, PhD, the memorial fund will provide financial support for lectures on important issues related to the water industry. The inaugural lecture is scheduled to take place at the Museum of Berkeley Springs, WV, during the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Event’s 25th anniversary celebration in February 2015.
WRF honored by ASCE
The Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recognized the Water Research Foundation (WRF) and Los Angeles County Public Works–Waterworks as recipients of the prestigious 2014 Outstanding Sustainability Project of the Year award. The award recognizes projects that advance the field of civil engineering and provide an exemplary display of ASCE values. The winning project, Minimizing Waste Backwash Water From a Biological Denitrification Treatment System (#4470), was jointly funded by WRF and LACPW. The project focuses on measuring the effectiveness of biological denitrification (BDN) for removing potential co-contaminants from groundwater, specifically hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] and exploring the viability of recovering waste backwash water through a BDN treatment system.
World Standards Week honored by NSF
NSF International honored the ANSI World Standards Week (October 20-24) by highlighting the key role standards play in the global economy. Standards, like those developed by NSF International, help protect public health and the environment and provide consistent requirements for acceptance in global markets. The goal of ANSI’s World Standards Week was to raise awareness about the importance of standardization and to promote the role of standards and conformance in meeting the needs of business, industry, government and consumers worldwide. Today, an estimated 80 percent of world merchandise trade is affected by standards or regulations that reference or incorporate standards.
TMWS divests its water cooler and coffee businesses
Truckee Meadows Water Systems (TMWS), Inc. of Reno, NV reached agreement with First Choice Water & Coffee Service in June to sell its drinking water cooler and office coffee service divisions, which will enable TMWS to focus on its rapidly growing residential and industrial divisions. The transaction will affect 3,000 customer accounts. Truckee Meadows retained six employees and First Choice gained the remaining eight.
Aquionics appoints new distributor
UV treatment specialist Aquionics has appointed Rodem as its distributor for the Midwest/Southeast region. Rodem has over 40 years’ experience in providing sanitary processing equipment across the food, beverage, brewing, pharmaceutical and life science markets.
USGS water studies grants announced
The US Geological Survey awarded nearly $1 million (USD) to Purdue University, University of Iowa, University of Maryland and the University of Nebraska through the National Competitive Grants Program. The goals of the program are to promote collaboration between USGS and university scientists in research on significant national and regional water resources issues; promote the dissemination and results of the research funded under this program and assist in the training of scientists in water resources.
USDA household water grants announced
The Water Well Trust has received a $140,000 (USD) grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s Household Water Well Systems program for a project to increase potable water availability to rural households in northwest Arkansas and Oklahoma. The Water Well Trust will contribute a 51-percent match ($71,400) toward this project. These funds were donated by Water Systems Council members. The grant will fund the project in a high-need, low-resource rural target area composed of five counties in northwest Arkansas (Benton, Madison, Marion, Crawford and Franklin counties) and one contiguous county across the Oklahoma border (Sequoyah County).
Fair Canada partnership with IDE announced
IDE Technologies announced its partnership with Fair Canada Engineering to expand IDE’s business in the Canadian water treatment and oil sands markets. With more than 20 years of experience providing high-quality water treatment systems to customers’ specifications, Fair Canada Engineering is well-suited to support IDE’s sales, marketing and customer management activities in Canada.
POE systems help remote BC community
A remote community in British Columbia’s Kootenay region eliminated the need to install a large, costly central water filtration and chlorination system, instead opting to equip each building with its own UV Pure Hallett 15xs POE disinfection system. The systems have been operating since June 2012 and in addition to providing reliable, cost-effective disinfection, have enabled the community to end a boil-water advisory that has been in effect for more than 10 years.
WSI conference in Las Vegas an international draw
More than 900 professionals working in a wide range of water-related disciplines participated in the seventh annual WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition. WSI emphasized the sharing of ideas and best practices to help local communities achieve greater water efficiency and conservation. Participants included professionals from 36 states and the District of Columbia, as well as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand and the UK. The program included comprehensive professional sessions, panel discussions, pre-conference workshops and a sold-out expo hall. It also featured an opening keynote address by Sandra Postel, founder of Global Water Policy Project. In addition, a luncheon featured the presentation of the WaterSense Partner of the Year Awards by US EPA’s WaterSense Program and the Alliance for Water Efficiency.
Ohio conservance district honored by NGWA
The Miami Conservancy District in southwest Ohio has received a 2014 Special Recognition Award from the National Ground Water Association (NGWA). This award is presented to an individual or organization that demonstrates dedication, service and commitment to the groundwater industry and community through involvement and achievement on a local or regional level. The MCD monitors, analyzes and reports on conditions of the region’s water resources in the Great Miami River Watershed.
ASTM International new brand identity revealed
ASTM International introduced its new brand identity at the fall meetings of the ASTM board of directors in Seoul, South Korea. The new branding better reflects the expanding mission and global reach of ASTM and informs stakeholders of who they are and how they help to facilitate global trade, ensure public safety and maximize business growth.
GROHE sweeps NY design awards
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) New York Metro Chapter honored faucet and shower product manufacturer GROHE in its first annual design awards. Announced in early October during the 39th annual meeting, the awards recognize outstanding design, creativity, commitment and service within the industry. GROHE was honored with three awards: the Sustainability Award, Industry Partner Award and the Creative Invention Award for GROHE Blue® Chilled & Sparkling Faucet.
Latin America
Brazil’s water crisis
The worst drought to grip São Paulo, Brazil and neighboring states in 80 years is wreaking havoc on the local population. As of late October, key reservoirs hold less than two weeks’ worth of drinking water. Schools and health centers are closing early, dishes sit unwashed in sinks and restaurants are steering customers away from restrooms. Significant crop production declines are of deep concern and because 50 percent of Brazil’s electrical energy comes from hydropower, possible power cuts loom. Brazil has more freshwater than any country in the world: 12 percent of the entire planet’s total volume. So how is São Paulo, the richest, largest city in South America, running out of water? It’s a combination of distribution and management, variability and deforestation problems.
HaloSource partnership announced
HaloSource, Inc. has partnered with Jarden Consumer Solutions to launch a line of Oster® drinking water pitchers powered by HaloSource’s HaloPure® water purification technology. Oster is one of the leading brands in Latin America, and the initial launch is targeting Chile, Peru and Colombia, marking the first commercial deployment of HaloSource’s water disinfection technology in Latin America. Oster brand’s distribution strengths include hypermarkets, department stores and warehouse club stores.
Europe
Bluewater nominated for awards
Sweden’s residential water purification brand Bluewater™ has been shortlisted for four prestigious Transform Awards Asia Pacific prizes for its successful launch of its brand and products across multiple markets. The categories are Best use of copy style/tone of voice, Best implementation of a brand development program across multiple markets, Best corporate rebrand following a merger or acquisition and Best external stakeholder relations during a brand development project. The Transform Awards are considered a very highly regarded accolade that recognize the creativity and strategic thought exercised for rebranding.
Krones’ Italy subsidiary reorganized
Krones AG has rejuvenated its Italian subsidiary Kosme, which produces machines and lines for the lower output range. The new organization relates solely to Kosme’s facility in Roverbella, Italy. In order to secure the plant’s future on a sustainably viable financial basis, the product portfolio of Kosme Italy has had to be altered and the capacities correspondingly right-sized. Kosme will now be concentrating on its core competences in the fields of filling and labeling technologies. The operations for producing packing and palletizing kits have been discontinued.
Asia
Calgon awarded second South Korea contract
Calgon Carbon Corporation has been awarded a contract by Samsung C&T Corporation to supply 7.2 million pounds of Filtrasorb® granular activated carbon to the Dduk-Do Municipal Drinking Water Plant in Seoul City, South Korea. The value of the contract was not disclosed. The plant provides 198 million gallons (749 million liters) of potable water daily to approximately one million residents in seven districts, including SeongDongGu, Seoul metropolitan area. Delivery of the carbon was expected to begin in December and completed in the second quarter of 2015.
IDE expansion announced
IDE Technologies announced its expansion in the Australian water treatment and coal seam gas (CSG) industries with new offices in Sydney and Brisbane. One of IDE’s recent installations in Australia is the Cape Preston project, which is capable of producing 140,000 m3/day of potable water for CITIC Pacific Mining’s Sino Iron ore mine. An IDE PROGREEN™ modular, chemical-free desalination system has also been commissioned on Hayman Island, located off the coast of Queensland, providing potable water for the island’s visitors and residents.
China Brew & China Beverage success story continues
China Brew & China Beverage (CBB) has just completed another chapter in its successful history. Over the four-day show period, 52,063 participants came to Beijing, up slightly from the last event two years ago. A total of 708 exhibitors from 25 countries took part in CBB 2014. Feedback from visitors was positive across the board, with particular praise given to the professional organization of the event and the quality of the visitors. In 2016, CBB will be held in Shanghai.
