December 16, 2008
Association Joins International ‘Eco-Partnership'
The WateReuse Association is partnering with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and other groups in a new water quality program, which will provide a mechanism to increase collaboration between U.S. private sector entities and Chinese government officials and industry representatives to address water quality issues in China. The public-private partnership is intended to assist China in resolving water quality problems, while also supporting U.S. companies interested in doing business in China. Under the partnership, USTDA will contribute funding for management and training costs for at least 12 technical seminars or workshops on priority areas for China.
The partnership was developed to support the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) Ten-Year Framework on Energy and Environment, which was signed by the two countries on June 18, 2008. The USTDA, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) in China, and U.S. industry will collaborate with China's Ministry of Environmental Protection and other entities to advance the program.
Three U.S. trade associations, the WateReuse Association, the Water Environment Federation, and the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association, have agreed to collaborate with appropriate Chinese counterparts and help member companies identify priority projects for joint cooperation.
Queensland, Australia Delays Indirect Potable Reuse Project
The Queensland, Australia government has delayed an indirect potable reuse project in southeast Queensland until drought conditions worsen, according to the Courier Mail. The government was on track to begin pumping purified recycled water into the Wivenhoe Dam as early as February 2009, but now plans to wait until dam levels drop to 40% of capacity. Water restrictions will remain in place as long as dam levels are below 60%. The Queensland Water Commission recommended that the government fast track a new desalination plant to compensate for the decision to delay plans to add recycled water to drinking water supplies.
Pilot Desalination Facility Begins Operating in Northern California
A pilot desalination facility recently began operating on the site of the Moss Landing power generation station in northern Monterey County, CA, according to a news release. The pilot plant will run for one year so water quality and technical operations can be analyzed for final design of a full-scale, 11 million gallon per day desalination plant that California American Water proposes to construct on the site. The proposed full-scale desalination plant is intended to replace water being pumped from the Carmel River and Seaside Groundwater Basin, in response to legal directives to sharply reduce use of existing resources due to environmental and potential seawater intrusion concerns. The pilot plant, which recycles intake seawater from the cooling system at the Moss Landing power station, operates around-the-clock and produces approximately 22,000 gallons of desalinated water per day. After samples are drawn for testing, the desalinated water, as well as its concentrate by-product, is returned to the power plant's cooling system for discharge to Monterey Bay.
South Florida Allocates $5 Million More to Develop Alternative Water Supplies
The South Florida Water Management District has approved the investment of an additional $5 million for the development of alternative water supplies to better protect water resources for the public and the environment across South Florida, according to a news release. Alternative water supplies include water reuse and desalination. In September, the District's Governing Board invested more than $22 million in 24 projects to help local communities build alternative water supply projects. This includes $3.8 million in matching funds from the state. On November 13, the Governing Board authorized using an additional $5 million to pay for 15 more projects. When completed, these 39 projects will collectively provide nearly 27 million gallons of additional water per day.
Washington State University Project to Provide Water, Improve Environment
The Washington Department of Ecology recently announced plans to award a $1 million grant to Washington State University and the City of Pullman for a new water reuse project, according to KLEW TV. The project will provide water to improve vegetation and habitat long the South Fork Palouse River, irrigate a new golf course, and enhance the wetlands surrounding the golf course. The goals of the project are to relieve pressure on the community water supply and help improve the environment. The entire project is estimated to cost $16 million.
Desalination Project Advances in Northeast Florida
Plans for a proposed new seawater desalination plant on the northeastern coast of Florida are moving forward, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal. As part of an effort to address future water demands in the greater Flagler County area - a region known as the Coquina Coast - the St. Johns River Water Management District has partnered with several county and local governments to form the Coquina Coast Alternative Water Supply Project Seawater Desalination Committee. The committee has selected Malcolm Pirnie to conduct an alternatives evaluation and prepare preliminary design documents for the desalination facility. Malcolm Pirnie will make a recommendation by February 2010 whether the plant should be ship- or land-based.
Association Convenes Conference on Potable Reuse
The WateReuse Association convened a specialty conference with the theme Potable Reuse: Critical Today, Essential Tomorrow at the Hyatt Regency in Long Beach, CA on November 16-18. The conference attracted 245 attendees and speakers from around the world. International speakers included Emmanuel van Houtte from Belgium; Ross Young, Ian Law, Gary Bickford, and Greg Leslie from Australia; Harry Seah from Singapore PUB; Paul Reiter, Executive Director of the International Water Association; Sian Hills from Thames Water in the UK; and Philippe Gislette from Suez Environnement in France.
Industry Leader Recycles 100 Billion Gallons of Water
A water agency in Southern California recently produced its 100 billionth gallon of recycled water, according to a news release. The West Basin Municipal Water District has been treating and recycling water at its Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility in El Segundo, CA, since 1995. The facility produces five different types of "designer" water for use by industries and other non-residential users for non-drinking purposes. West Basin has a network of 70 miles of purple pipes to move recycled water to its customers. West Basin also plans to expand its piping system to 130 miles to allow for the doubling of its water recycling program by 2020.
Federal Funding in Australia Tied to Water Reforms
Australia's Federal Water Minister recently announced strict rules on federal grants and tax credits that will force states and territories to do more to address chronic water problems, according to The Australian. The national urban water program is part of a $1 billion effort to support water reuse, recycling, and desalination. Under the program, the Australian government will contribute up to 10% or $100 million toward projects servicing at least 50,000 people. The federal government will consult with states and territories to determine the conditions for receiving funding.
Georgia Community to Launch First Reuse Project
A community in northern Georgia has many interested customers for its first water reuse project scheduled for completion this month, according to the Gainesville Times. Officials in Hall County, GA spent about $85,000 to add a disinfection treatment step to water that has been disposed of on a spray field. The system will produce 140,000 gallons of reclaimed water each day that will be sold for irrigation once the upgrade is complete. The reclaimed water will be sold at a lower rate than potable water.
$500K Provided for Florida Keys Reuse Project
The South Florida Water Management District has awarded $500,000 to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) to support a new water reuse system, according to KeysNet. The FKAA will provide about 60% of the estimated $1.2 million needed to bring 162,000 gallons of reclaimed water to the Lower Keys each day. The reclaimed water will be primarily used in areas near the Big Coppitt regional plant, with a special line to distribute water to Shark Key, which is an island near Key West. The system is expected to begin operating in mid 2009.
Idaho City to be First in State to Use Reclaimed Water in Parks
The City of Meridian, Idaho will soon become the first city in Idaho to use reclaimed water on city parks and open spaces, according to KTVB News. Reclaimed water is regulated by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, which has set standards for water reuse. The new water supply will be the primary source of irrigation for Heroes Park.
New England's First Desalination Plant Previewed
Water managers in Swansea, MA invited the local Board of Water Commissioners in for a preview of New England's first public desalination plant on December 12, according to The Herald News. The Town of Swansea is building an $18 million brackish water desalination plant to address decades of water shortages and encourage new commercial development in the area. The plant is expected to be completed in late 2009.
Association Accepting Abstracts for the 24th Annual WateReuse Symposium
The WateReuse Association is accepting abstracts for the 24th Annual WateReuse Symposium - the world's preeminent conference devoted to water reuse and desalination. The Symposium will be held September 13-16, 2009 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel in Seattle,WA. For more information about submitting an abstract, click here.
California Section to Convene Conference in San Francisco
The 2009 California Section Annual Conference will be held March 22-24, 2009 at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco, CA. The conference is designed for individuals, organizations, and agencies that are associated with the design, management, operation, and use of water recycling and desalination facilities and projects. For more information about the conference, click here.
Request for Proposal (RFP) from Alberta Environment
The Province of Alberta, Canada, has issued an RFP for evaluating industrial water supply and wastewater treatment alternatives in the Alberta Industrial Heartland and Capital Region. This region will experience significant industrial growth over the next 10-30 years and requires a world-class integrated water management system to sustainably support social and economic development and protect the environment. The project consists of the implementation of an engineering study that meets the intent of the provincial Water Management Framework, designed to support sustainable water use in the region.
To view the Water Management Framework, click here.
To view the complete RFP, click here.
Denver Water Seeks Recycled Water Program Manager
Denver Water, the largest water utility between the Mississippi River and the West Coast, is recruiting for a new position in the Operations and Maintenance Division. This position is responsible for the overall direction and administration of the Recycled Water Program at Denver Water. Candidates must have knowledge of recycled water regulations, treatment techniques, and potential uses. They should also possess excellent customer service, negotiation and organizational skills. For more information, click here.