WEX Global will once again bring together the world’s leading water experts in 2024
WEX Global will hold its 2024 edition in Madrid from March 4 to 6, and it will investigate the challenges presented by water, energy, and climate change.
Under the title “Integrated Solutions to Build a Water Positive Future”.
The summit will feature the Xylem Vue platform powered by GoAigua, co-hosted by Idrica, and Global Omnium will be the “Utility Innovation Partner”. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how the tool works. The last edition showcased Xylem Vue, which arose from the agreement signed between Idrica and Xylem Inc.
source: Idrica
South West Water announces new partners to support £3 billion projects dea
South West Water has appointed several partners to help deliver its major infrastructure schemes planned for 2025-2030, which are designed to meet the needs of its customers, communities, and the environment.
The appointments will help South West Water achieve its record £2.8bn investment programme to tackle the biggest challenges head-on, including reducing the use of storm overflows, maintaining excellent bathing waters, and strengthening water resilience in the face of climate change.
Additionally, locally based specialist firms will be appointed in the next few months to complete the company’s new engineering delivery model.
source: South West Water
ACCIONA joins carbon capture initiative from wastewater treatment plant
ACCIONA is participating in the HICCUPS project, which aims to convert biogenic CO2 emissions from biogas in wastewater treatment plants into plastics for the food industry.
The project utilizes innovative technologies to capture and convert CO2 into biodegradable polymers, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the production of renewable materials.
ACCIONA will demonstrate CO2 capture technology using separation membranes in a wastewater treatment plant. The project is co-financed by the European Union and will last four years, with the goal of implementing the solution on a larger scale.
The views expressed in the project are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the European Union or the granting authority.
source: ACCIONA
AfDB Climate Fund approves $18.3M for the construction of 3 desalination plants in Benin
The Canada-African Development Bank Climate Fund (CACF) has approved $36.3 million in concessional loans for two private sector operations in Africa.
$18.3 million will be used for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Port Autonome de Cotonou in Benin, while another $18 million will support the construction of three seawater desalination plants in Morocco.
These projects aim to address climate change risks and provide jobs for women. CACF has also approved funding for other climate-related projects in Senegal and Nigeria.
Gareth Phillips, Manager of the Climate and Environment Finance Division of the African Development Bank, praises CACF’s effectiveness in delivering climate adaptation benefits at scale with the support of the Canadian government.
source: African Develpoment Bank Group
Jacobs to advance development of new water tidal turbine technology
A Jacobs-led consortium, in collaboration with academic organizations, has been granted a $1 million UK Research and Innovation fund (UKRI) SMART grant to develop the Very Low Head turbine (VLHT).
The aim is to improve the viability and potential of UK tidal range power projects by reducing costs, improving turbine performance, and reducing environmental impacts.
The grant will fund computational fluid dynamics modeling, a large-scale test rig, and a fully functioning prototype turbine at Jacobs’ Technology & Innovation Center in Warrington, UK.
source: Jacobs
Solar-powered device produces clean water and clean fuel at the same time
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a floating, solar-powered device that can convert contaminated water or seawater into clean hydrogen fuel and purified water.
This device operates from polluted or seawater sources and can produce clean drinking water simultaneously.
It uses a photocatalyst on a nanostructured carbon mesh to generate water vapor for hydrogen production, while repelling water and contaminants.
The device is versatile, tolerant of pollutants, and works well in cloudy or muddy water. This innovation could address energy and water crises globally and contribute to a circular economy and sustainable future.
source: University of Cambridge
New EPA data show millions more have ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
New data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveals that 44 million people in the United States have toxic “forever chemicals” called PFAS in their drinking water.
This information is based on test results collected from less than one-third of the nation’s drinking water supplies.
The tests were conducted as part of the EPA’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5), which requires water utilities to test for 29 different PFAS compounds.
Only a fraction of public water systems have conducted these tests in 2023, and additional testing will continue over the next two years.
The recent data release indicates that an additional 423 drinking water systems serving over 18 million people have been found to contain PFAS.
When combined with the data from the first round of testing, it is estimated that 854 systems supply contaminated drinking water to over 44 million people.
However, it is important to note that the full extent of PFAS contamination is likely much more widespread than what the EPA’s data reveals.
A study conducted by the Environmental Working Group in 2020 estimated that over 200 million Americans are served by water systems with PFAS at a concentration of 1 part per trillion (ppt) or higher, while the EPA’s testing reports PFAS detections at 4 ppt for these chemicals.
The detrimental effects of PFAS on human health and the environment are well-documented, and there is an urgent need for immediate action to address this contamination.
The EPA plans to release additional data on PFAS in drinking water as more systems conduct tests in the coming years.
The agency collects data through the UCMR for contaminants that are not yet regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
source: The Environmental Working Group (EWG)
Clancy appointed to deliver pipeline of capital projects for Southwest Water
Clancy has been appointed to South West Water’s new Capital Delivery Programme Tier 1 Delivery Partners framework for five years with an option to extend to 10 years.
The framework will focus on building the resilience of the water network across the south west and will see Clancy bring its expertise in water and civil engineering to a range of investment schemes.
Clancy will also be building teams based in the region and bringing the benefit of their expertise across the UK to bear for the South West.
source: clancy
New Borger pumps go mobile sewer flushing
Borger’s Rotary Lobe Pumps were installed on sewer flushing vehicles for a private contractor. The pumps extract wastewater and filter it through a coarse filter and a centrifugal separator. The clean water is then stored for further use. The pumps can be reversed and connected to hoses or pipe lines, making it easier to set up the pipe line system in the vehicle.
source: Borger UK
Thames Water Trust Fund secures a further £500,000 to help vulnerable customers
Thames Water has approved £500,000 of funding for its Trust Fund initiative.
The Trust Fund aims to assist customers facing financial difficulties and provides grants to local organizations offering debt and money advice services.
As part of the funding, grants totaling £400,000 have been awarded to various organizations.
Thames Water employees can refer customers in need of essential household goods to the Trust Fund. Recently, a customer representative helped a customer in Swindon receive a new fridge through the Trust Fund.
The Trust Fund, managed by Auriga Services, supported over 4,000 customers in the previous year and aims to help even more with the new funding.
source: Thames water
Costain’s water team makes a splash at multiple industry awards
Costain and its partners, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald Bentley, and Farrans Construction, have won two industry awards for their work in the Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA) project.
SPA aims to create a large-scale interconnecting pipeline to secure water supplies in the East of England.
The project’s innovative carbon reduction approach and design optimization have earned it recognition and awards for its commitment to sustainability.
Costain’s water sector director, Gerard Shore, expressed pride in the team’s achievements and their dedication to creating innovative solutions and reducing carbon emissions.
source: Costain
Arsenic in Drinking Water: A Global Challenge and Industry Solutions
The article discusses the ongoing issue of arsenic contamination in drinking water, which has been overshadowed by concerns over lead and PFAS.
The threat of arsenic contamination may be growing due to drought conditions caused by climate change.
Fortunately, arsenic can be removed from drinking water by point-of-use or point-of-entry water treatment solutions, including reverse osmosis and active media filtration.
These systems can be verified through independent, third-party certification to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 standards.
The article also provides information on the forms of arsenic present in water, the health effects of arsenic exposure, and the information that should be included in product literature for certified systems with an arsenic-reduction claim.
source: NSF
Veolia provides state-of-the-art technological know-how for South Korea’s first lithium hydroxide plant by brine resource
Veolia Water Technologies will design and deliver an integrated conversion system using HPD crystallization technology for POSCO Lithium Solution.
The facility will produce 27,557 tons of lithium annually, enough to design 600,000 electric vehicle batteries.
Veolia’s HPD crystallization technology will convert lithium carbonate to lithium hydroxide, which is used in high-capacity batteries.
This technology will reduce water consumption and promote sustainable water resource management by maximizing the reuse of condensate generated, with a recovery rate of over 94%.
Veolia will share its industrial and technological expertise to optimize lithium hydroxide recovery and minimize water usage in battery production.
Veolia conducted laboratory testing and simulation at its Phillip J. Stewart Technology Center in Illinois to demonstrate the feasibility of the process design.
source: Veolia eater technologies & solutions
Vermont announces $3.3M for wastewater pretreatment projects
Vermont officials have allocated $3.3 million in ARPA awards to enhance wastewater pretreatment infrastructure at businesses in the state.
This investment aims to address challenges posed by high strength or toxic wastewater and promote pollution reduction and environmental protection.
The funding is part of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Wastewater Program.
Eight potential awardees, including various municipalities and businesses, have been identified to receive the funds for installing or upgrading their wastewater pretreatment infrastructure.
source: wastewater programme
Time for water providers to turn the tide on their customer service
Martin Brown, CCO at FM Outsource, emphasizes the importance of effective customer service for water firms in the UK that are falling short on performance targets.
In the short-term, providers should focus on providing timely refunds and improving communication.
To handle the influx of enquiries, they should utilize various communication channels such as chatbots and social media.
In the long-term, failing to meet targets could damage customer relationships and reputation, so providers must enhance their offering and regain trust.
Swift action, including 24/7 support and scalability during peak periods, is crucial. Failure to adjust their customer service strategy could result in long-term financial implications and reputational damage, but taking meaningful steps to support customers can mitigate these risks.
source: FM outsource
