I have an extensive journalism background and I’ve been serving as editor of another COLE publication, Cleaner magazine, since September of last year. Adding MSW to my responsibilities is a challenge I am happy to accept.
As always, MSW will continue to bring you success stories from municipalities across North America, along with timely information on the equipment, trends and issues that are shaping the future for water and wastewater utilities.
One thing I’d like to see as we move forward is more feedback from you, our readers. It’s easy to comment on stories at www.mswmag.com. You can also comment on these blogs, or email feedback directly to me at editor@mswmag.com. If you like our stories, want to see something different or just have a comment, I invite you to join the discussion.
Here’s to a safe and prosperous 2012.
]]>"We are known in the industry for the highest standards of professionalism, support, and response," said Michel. "Our commitment is to build on this foundation, and keep growing the offering of Dri-Prime pumps and Flygt submersible pumps, as well as launching new products and services."
]]>Unless new investments are made, by 2020 unreliable and insufficient water infrastructure will cost the average household $900 a year in higher water rates and lower wages, the report says. Businesses can expect an additional $147 billion in increased costs, and the economy will lose 700,000 jobs by 2020.
The report, “Failure to Act: The Economic Impact of Current Investment Trends in Water and Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure,” shows that a modest investment in drinking water, wastewater, and wet weather management can prevent these losses. The analysis showed that by 2020, the gap between what is being spent on water infrastructure and what is needed to meet the nation’s needs will reach $84 billion.
The report, completed by the Economic Development Research Group (EDR) with Downstream Strategies, is the first of its kind to link the condition of water infrastructure to economic performance. “We’ve all seen the impact aging water and wastewater infrastructure has on our daily lives,” said Steven Landau of EDR, the lead author. “From broken water mains to boil-water alerts, failing to invest in this vital part of our country’s infrastructure has clear economic consequences”
Annual capital investment in water infrastructure is approximately $36.4 billion. To meet the needs of a growing population for clean and available water, the annual investment must increase to $91 billion, the report says. “Clean water is fundamental to our economy and our health,” said ASCE president Andrew Herrmann, P.E. “We depend on water infrastructure, but our drinking water and wastewater systems are aging. Some of our water systems are 100 years old and in desperate need of replacement. When those systems fail, they disrupt businesses and families and cost all of us more in the end.”
The report’s projections assume needs and available funding based on current trends, and do not adjust for possible costs associated with climate change, changes in regulations, or other factors. The full report is at www.asce.org/failuretoact.
]]>SCADA provider InduSoft will hold a free SCADA in the Cloud webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 14, that will demonstrate how to leverage cloud computing. Cloud-based SCADA technology is becoming more widespread with advancements in cloud application. InduSoft offers SCADA software that can leverage the portability and availability of cloud technology.
The webinar will highlight the importance of cloud-based applications within the industry. Attendees will also learn how some end users have used cloud-based SCADA. InduSoft representatives will also discuss cloud-based SCADA trends with expert, describe the tools available, and show how to use them to build a better SCADA system in the cloud.
The one-hour webinar will be offered at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Central time. All who register and attend will receive a free T-shirt and a copy of the trial version of the InduSoft Web Studio software suite. Users who wish to test the software before the webinar can download it at http://indusoft.com/mainpage.php?aricleid=14&type=download/iws/scada/software/trial/demo/HMI.
To register, visit http://www.indusoft.com/support/cloudwebinar.html.
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“Every single day, millions of gallons of good water needlessly drain away, filling our waterways with sewage and urban pollutants, rather than replenishing our water supply,” said NRDC water program director David Beckman. “But it doesn’t have to be that way. By making our communities literally greener, we can make our water sources cleaner too – and with much greater return than conventional solutions.”
Rooftops to Rivers II details common water pollution problems and provides case studies on remedies from 14 geographically diverse cities. The cities featured have effectively managed stormwater and reduced runoff pollution while saving money and beautifying their cityscapes by capturing rain where it falls.
The cities featured are ranked on a six-point Emerald City Scale and are listed below from the highest to lowest points scored:
The six-point scale identifies the primary actions every city can undertake to maximize green infrastructure: a long term green infrastructure plan, a retention standard, a requirement to reduce existing impervious surfaces using green infrastructure, incentives for private-party action, guidance or other assistance in deploying green infrastructure, and a dedicated funding source. Only Philadelphia is undertaking all six actions.
Green infrastructure stops runoff pollution from the start by capturing rainwater and storing it or letting it filter back into the ground. Examples include green roofs, street trees, increased green space, rain barrels, rain gardens, and permeable pavement. These methods also help beautify neighborhoods, cool and cleanse the air, lower heating and cooling energy costs, boost economies, and support American jobs.
The report details how green infrastructure is often more cost-effective than traditional approaches to addressing runoff. Philadelphia estimates that a traditional approach to its sewage overflow problems would have cost billions more than its state-approved green infrastructure plan.
As the EPA prepares to update its national standards for controlling runoff pollution, these cities’ successes should encourage the agency to adopt requirements that will drive similar approaches nationwide, according to the NRDC. The complete NRDC report is available at nrdc.org/rooftops.
]]>Its high vacuum and pressure offloading provide dependable performance in challenging applications. The 72-inch carbon steel cargo tank has a maximum allowable working pressure of 35 psig internal and 15 psig external (full vacuum).
The cargo tank is constructed and certified in conformance with Section VIII of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers pressure vessel code, and the vehicle is certified to meet U.S. Department of Transportation specification DOT412 for hauling hazardous materials on the highway. The truck includes a wide range of features to promote ease of use and optimize safety. Visit www.superproductsllc.com.
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The investigators have been told that hackers accessed a water plant's SCADA system and used it to turn a pump off and on repeatedly so that it ultimately burned out and failed. There apparently was no threat to public safety and there has been no confirmation of criminal activity.
Commenters to the Engadget article have suggested that lax procedures may have helped make the system vulnerable; they cited the possibility of too-simple passwords and inadequate network security. Some also observed that the equipment itself should have had protection against such abuse through a safety shutdown or other safeguards.
]]>Rather than simply do what most cities do – build tanks or deep tunnels to store wastewater until storms end – New York is also deploying a Green Infrastructure Plan that uses innovations like plantings, pervious pavement and streets, green and blue roofs and even rain barrels to trap stoprmwater before it gets to the storm/sanitary sewer systems.
The city’s green infrastructure plan aims to cut CSOs by 40 percent by 2030, and for about $1.5 billion dollars less than for traditional methods. Find out more at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/stormwater/nyc_green_infrastructure_plan.shtml
]]>The trucks also have a complete secondary vacuum system that uses an air-cooled 360 cfm vacuum pump, providing an easily controlled source of pressurized air for offloading. It also provides a smaller, more efficient source of vacuum for applications that do not require the full 1400 cfm capability or where blower operations are restricted.
Previously, customers had to use larger, more expensive 5300 cfm machines for jobs requiring an air-mover and bag house. The Omnivac series offers flexibility to send the right size machine to suit the job requirements. The unit is economically priced and offers lower operating and maintenance costs.
The truck has five operating modes: 1400 cfm wet mode operating in both vacuum and pressure modes, 1400 cfm dry mode operating in vacuum mode, and 360 cfm industrial mode operating in both vacuum and pressure for smaller jobs or for jobs where hydrocarbons are present.
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