
The most important 15 water industry news for the 3rd week of November
Climate Action Innovation Zone to Run Alongside COP28 in Dubai

The Climate Action Innovation Zone will be held from 4-8 December at the Madinat Jumeirah Conference Center in Dubai, UAE, alongside COP28.
This independent event aims to mobilize the innovation ecosystem for concrete climate action. Unlike the COP28 Blue & Green Zones, the Innovation Zone has its own registration system and does not require Blue or Green Zone accreditation.
It provides organizations with a platform to showcase their brand, products, and solutions to a global audience of sustainability-focused decision-makers.
By partnering with the Innovation Zone, organizations can benefit from thought leadership, brand activation, lead generation, and digital amplification.
The COP28 Water for Climate Pavilion has also launched its official website, www.waterforclimate.net, to promote innovative solutions and international collaboration on water-related issues.
The Pavilion brings together experts, policymakers, and organizations to discuss strategies for responsible and equitable water use.
The website features a schedule of events, a knowledge hub with key messages, and a repository of articles, reports, and research papers on water management.
With support from over 60 partners, the Pavilion is committed to science-based policies that accelerate climate action through transformative water solutions.
Source : Climate Action Innovation Zone COP28 , water for climate Pavilion
The UKWIR Annual Conference is scheduled to take place in London, UK on November 30, 2023.

The UK Water Industry Research annual conference will take place on November 30, 2023, in London, with the theme of positively influencing the water sector through research and innovation.
Keynote speakers include Helen Wakeham, director of water transformation at the Environment Agency, and Colin Skellett, CEO of Wessex Water, who advocates for increased investment in the sector and suggests nature-based solutions, cross-sector working, and attracting young people with diverse skills into the water sector as possible solutions.
The conference will explore creating a better world for customers, opportunities for strategic partnerships, tackling challenges, and digital transformation through presentations and panel discussions.
Source : Aqua Enviro
Ofwat Investigates South East Water for Inefficient Water Supply System

Water regulator Ofwat has launched an enforcement case against South East Water to probe allegations of an ineffective water supply system.
This move comes after Ofwat summoned the Board of South East Water to account for its performance over the past 18 months. South East Water was categorized as “lagging behind” in the latest Water Company Performance Report and has been instructed to publish a service commitment plan by the end of November to address areas of underperformance, including supply interruptions.
The company currently holds the worst record for water supply interruptions in England and Wales. Ofwat CEO David Black emphasized the need for water companies to improve service and regain public trust.
The investigation does not automatically imply a breach or enforcement action, and Ofwat will maintain confidentiality until the investigation concludes.
Source : Ofwat
France’s First Unit for Producing Drinking Water from Treated Wastewater Inaugurated by Veolia

Veolia and Vendée Eau have launched France’s first unit for producing drinking water from treated wastewater, as part of the Jourdain program.
The solution will provide an additional 1.5 million m3 of drinking water between May and October, addressing water scarcity during peak periods in Vendée.
The refining unit uses advanced technology, including ultrafiltration and low-pressure reverse osmosis, to eliminate pollutants and produce high-quality water that meets all relevant standards.
The Jourdain program marks a significant milestone in France’s commitment to address climate change challenges and increase wastewater reuse from 1% to 10% within five years.
Veolia has been a global expert in wastewater reuse for over two decades, successfully implementing projects such as the Windhoek plant in Namibia and the West Basin project in California.
Source : Veolia
Xylem provides utilities with a complete range of tools to tackle non-revenue water (NRW)

Xylem, a company specializing in water solutions, recognizes the significance of non-revenue water (NRW) and works with utilities to reduce it.
NRW refers to lost water and lost money due to leaks and faulty metering. Tackling NRW should be a priority for utilities as it minimizes revenue loss and improves financial performance. Additionally, each gallon of lost water due to leaks results in energy wastage and CO2 emissions.
Reporting NRW in terms of CO2 could promote funding for NRW management, especially in jurisdictions with aggressive CO2 reduction targets.
Xylem offers innovative technologies like Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua, which integrates data for a complete view of the water network. Partnering with Xylem can bring long-term benefits and contribute to sustainable water management.
Source : Xylem
Jacobs plans to separate its CMS and Cyber & Intelligence Unit with the aim of increasing margins.

Jacobs is set to spin-off and merge its Critical Mission Solutions (CMS) and Cyber & Intelligence government services businesses with Amentum, a global engineering and technology solutions provider, to create a new, publicly-traded player in the government services sector.
The new company will be a leading provider of systems integration and technology solutions, generating approximately $13 billion in annual revenue.
Jacobs’ CMS and Cyber & Intelligence Solutions will be part of a more focused, independent public company that will be a leading player in the critical mission government services space.
Jacobs will retain its innovative, next-generation data solutions and digital technologies business.
Source : Jacobs
ABB Introduces Instrumentation Digital Asset Performance Management Platform

ABB has launched ABB Ability™ SmartMaster, an asset performance management platform that remotely gathers, verifies and analyzes diagnostic data from instruments without interrupting current measurement tasks.
The platform can be used with a range of ABB and third-party instruments and is available as an on-premise or cloud-based solution.
SmartMaster addresses key challenges for industrial companies such as managing the sheer volume of instruments that are installed on any given plant.
The platform provides extended possibilities for device optimization and maintenance, allowing plant operators to access data on instrument status and identify potential issues in advance that could result in unplanned downtime.
Source : ABB
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grants $1.5M for Flood Control projects in Puerto Rico

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated nearly $1.5 million to fund flood control infrastructure projects in Puerto Rico.
The funding will support the initial phases of projects in the communities of Barceloneta, Patillas, and Villalba, which have been vulnerable to excessive flooding due to climate change and outdated water control systems.
The projects will incorporate nature-based solutions and low-impact development to repair water drainage systems and reduce flood risks.
FEMA has awarded over $18.1 million for 28 projects in Puerto Rico to mitigate flood risks through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
Source : FEMA
City of Modesto Awards Envirogen $1.51M Contract for new Groundwater Treatment System

Envirogen Technologies has been awarded a $1.51m contract by the City of Modesto, California to reduce nitrate levels in groundwater extracted from two of its potable water production wells.
The company’s Dual MinX regenerable ion exchange technology will be used to bring the nitrate levels in the groundwater to less than 80% of the state’s maximum contaminant level for drinking water.
The system provides continuous on-demand treatment with the use of regenerable ion exchange resins, and its PLC-based control and monitoring system allows for improved support for integration and monitoring. The project is set to begin in the summer of 2023.
Source : Envirogen
EPA Allocates $30 Million to Tackle PFAS Contamination in Tucson’s Aquifer

Tucson Water has received $30 million in funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect residents from PFAS in their drinking water.
This investment, made possible by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, will be used to build a second drinking water treatment facility in the region.
The facility will lower PFAS levels below the proposed standard and increase the resiliency of the water system. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority have also expressed their support for the project.
The funding is part of the larger Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes $10 billion for addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS.
Source : EPA
Southern Water Reveals £1.5bn Investment in Clean Rivers and Seas Plan to Reduce Annual Spills by 8,000 by 2035

Southern Water has unveiled its Clean Rivers and Seas Plan, which involves a £1.5 billion investment between 2025 and 2035. The plan aims to address storm overflows in the region, with the goal of reducing spills by 8,000 per year by 2035.
Half of the nearly 1,000 storm overflows in Southern Water’s region already meet the government’s 2050 targets, releasing 10 times or less a year.
The plan outlines a phased approach, with the first phase focusing on areas such as shellfish and bathing waters.
Southern Water is calling for collaboration from customers and local authorities to adopt sustainable drainage systems and other solutions to reduce the impact of storm overflows.
Source : Southern Water
Cardigan Wastewater Treatment Works to be Rebuilt as Part of £42m Investment by Welsh Water in Ceredigion’s Wastewater Assets

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has announced plans to invest £42 million in upgrading wastewater assets across Ceredigion, Wales.
The investments include a £20 million project to replace the Cardigan Wastewater Treatment Works and £9 million for improvements in four other treatment works in the region.
An additional £10.5 million will be allocated to reducing the impact of storm overflows. The focus of the investment is to enhance river water quality in the Teifi and protect the environment.
The replacement of Cardigan Wastewater Treatment Works aims to address saline intrusion issues caused by seawater entering the site during high tides. The project is expected to be completed by April 2027.
Source : Welsh Water
Global Produced Water Treatment Market Expected to Reach USD 9.80 Billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 5.80%

The global produced water treatment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.80% between 2022 and 2032, reaching a value of USD 9.80 billion, according to Adroit Market Research.
Produced water treatment is the process of treating water that is generated during oil and gas extraction. The water must be treated before it can be released back into the environment to comply with regulations and protect the local ecology.
The use of treated-produced water in various industrial processes can reduce the need for freshwater and minimize the environmental impact of oil and gas activities.
Produced water treatment typically involves primary, secondary, and tertiary stages using various treatment technologies such as filtration, chemical treatment, and separation processes.
Source : The global produced water treatment market
US Department of Energy (DOE) Allocates $169 Million to Expedite Manufacturing of Heat Pumps in the US

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated a historic $169 million to nine projects to accelerate the manufacturing of electric heat pumps across 15 sites in the country.
The projects are the first awards from the DOE’s authorization, which was invoked by President Biden using emergency authority based on climate change to increase domestic production of five key clean energy technologies, including electric heat pumps.
The projects are expected to create over 1,700 jobs in disadvantaged communities, supporting the administration’s goal of spurring economic growth and maximizing the benefits of clean energy to all communities.
The lead organizations and their proposed project locations and technologies are also listed.
Source : DOE
CIRCOR Unveils New IMO 3-Screw Rotary Pump Technology for Transformer Oil Purification

CIRCOR has introduced its IMO 3-screw positive displacement rotary pump technology, designed to reduce operating costs in transformer oil purification.
The 3-screw design of the pumps excels under low/vacuum inlet pressures and offers improved reliability and durability. The pumps are available in the 3D and 3E series for the transfer and circulation of transformer insulating oil.
The 3D pumps feature full hydraulic balance, replaceable housings for easy repair, and options for belt drive and steel casing. The 3E pumps are designed for excellent suction capability and come in different rotor sizes for various configurations.
The pumps are manufactured in Columbia, KY, USA, ensuring high quality and timely delivery.
Source : CIRCOR