Top Water News (3rd week of Jan 2024)

DEWA’s Smart Ball technology saves 243 million gallons of water and AED 9.66 million in 2023

DEWA uses innovative technologies to detect leaks in water pipelines, saving 243 million gallons of water and AED 9.66 million in 2023. The Smart Ball technology detected 81 leaks, reducing operational expenses and preventing water wastage.

DEWA also utilizes the smart grid and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to monitor and control the water network in Dubai remotely. The Smart Ball system consists of a small sphere with an acoustic sensor that detects leaks and anomalies in the water network.

DEWA has achieved competitive results in reducing water network losses compared to North America.

source: DEWA

Saudi Arabia’s NWC has completed the operation of 8 new stations to purify drinking water 

The National Water Company (NWC) has completed the operation of 8 new drinking-water purification stations in the King Fahd suburb of Al-Bayda Governorate in the Eastern Province. This is part of a project to improve water quality and increase coverage with desalinated water in the Eastern Province.

The company is evaluating the efficiency of these stations and monitoring the flow and pressure of desalinated water in targeted districts. Approximately 75,000 people will benefit from the cleaning stations in King Fahd suburb. NWC is also working on constructing 7 more drinking water treatment stations in other locations to reach a total production of 76,600 cubic meters of desalinated water per day.

This project aligns with the national water strategy and supports the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. It aims to meet the region’s demand for desalinated water until additional volumes are pumped through water quality improvement projects planned to be received from the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) in the next two years.

source: NWC

  World Bank approves $231 million project to improve water quality in Viet Nam

The World Bank approved the Binh Duong Province Water Environment Improvement Project, which aims to improve water quality and wastewater treatment for over half a million residents in southern Viet Nam.

The project, with a total investment of $311 million, will increase wastewater services in high-density urban areas, aiming to reduce pollution in the Sai Gon and Dong Nai River systems.

The project incorporates resilient and sustainable infrastructure designs, energy-efficient solutions, and principles of the circular economy. The Government of Viet Nam will provide the remaining $80 million for the project.

source: The World Bank

Dubai Municipality’s Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department is set to award a construction contract for the “sewerage and stormwater drainage systems for industrial communities” in the first quarter of 2024.

The project includes areas such as Al Khabaisi, Umm Ramool, Al Qusais Industrial First, and Ras Al Khor Industrial First and Second, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

The construction will involve pipelines, manholes, house connection chambers, stormwater drainage network, and sewer connections for existing septic tanks, with restoration of affected roads and services.

source: Zawya

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS) and Rainwater Management Solutions (RMS) have formed a strategic relationship to advance sustainable stormwater solutions in the United States and Canada. The collaboration combines ADS’ expertise in managing the entire lifecycle of rainwater with RMS’ innovative water harvesting solutions.

This partnership aims to deliver end-to-end stormwater treatment system solutions for commercial and residential customers. The collaboration addresses the challenge of water scarcity and aims to provide comprehensive water management solutions.

Both companies will leverage each other’s products to design specialized solutions for various markets. The collaboration is expected to drive the conservation of billions to trillions of gallons of water in North America in the years to come.

source: ADS

VAPAR secures AUD $5 m from Autodesk, PureTerra Ventures and existing backers to drive expansion

Australian deep-tech pipeline maintenance software company, VAPAR, has raised AUD $5,000,000 in funding for expansion into North American markets.

VAPAR’s technology aims to improve pipeline investment decision-making by unlocking unprecedented efficiencies using artificial intelligence.

The investment will make VAPAR’s AI-powered technology more accessible, enabling utilities and municipalities across the globe to achieve more resilient infrastructure for their communities.

source: Vapar

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Xylem commits to advancing Italy’s sustainable water future through Publiacqua contract

Xylem, a global water technology company, has signed an innovative agreement with Tuscany’s Publiacqua to enhance the resilience and operational efficiency of Medio Valdarno’s water infrastructure in Italy.

The three-year contract aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies such as meter data analytics, real-time leak detection modules, and predictive maintenance tools to proactively respond to varying water demands and environmental challenges.

With advanced data analytics and applications, Publiacqua’s operators and managers can proactively identify and address potential pipe failures, optimizing maintenance schedules and enhancing the overall efficiency of the water network.

source: Xylem Inc

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SES Water bolsters sustainability commitment with senior leadership role

 

Grace joined SES Water after nearly a decade at Dalcour Maclaren, where she managed client portfolios and led challenging projects. With a background in family farming and rural studies, she brings valuable experience to SES Water.

SES Water’s customers expressed support for additional investment in environmental enhancement during its PR24 planning.

SES Water is also focusing on decarbonizing its fleet, water treatment processes, and distribution network, as well as working with stakeholders to improve raw water quality and river systems.

 

Source: SES Water

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U.S. EPA announces $3 million in grants to establish National Stormwater Centers of Excellence

The U.S. EPA is offering $3 million in grants to establish Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Infrastructure Technologies, as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

The program aims to address water pollution and flooding caused by stormwater, and support research on new technologies and best practices. The funding is available to higher education institutions, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations.

The initiative is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which invests in water infrastructure solutions to protect public health and the environment.

source: US.EPA

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Come innovate in Brazil’s water sector with Isle and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)!

Isle Brasil presents a unique opportunity for small and medium-sized technology companies looking to make an impact on the water and wastewater utilities in Brazil.

The 2nd Global Call for Technologies of the Trial Reservoir Brazil is seeking innovative companies interested in participating in the Trial Reservoir: Water Innovation Platform in Brazil.

This project, in partnership with Isle Utilities and the Innovation Lab of the Inter-American Development Bank, offers the chance to have pilot projects financed with a basic sanitation concessionaire.

Source: Isle Utilities

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AECOM announces major recruitment drive to bolster environmental, water, and energy projects

AECOM plans to expand its Environment, Water, and Energy (EWE) workforce by hiring 380 new professionals this year to address global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and the energy transition.

The expansion is driven by AECOM’s involvement in major projects in the UK and Paraguay. The new roles will focus on energy, water management, environmental impact assessments, and community-focused areas.

AECOM’s recruitment drive reflects its commitment to addressing environmental challenges and the growing importance of sustainable solutions in the water and energy sectors globally. For more details, refer to the full article on New Civil Engineer.

source: New Civil Engineer

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Wavin appoints new Vice President for Northern Europe

Wavin, a leading plumbing and drainage specialist within the Orbia group, has appointed Dan Scott as the new Vice President for its Northern Europe business.

Scott joins Wavin from Danfoss UK, where he held the position of Vice President of Sales for Climate Solutions and General Manager UK and Ireland for Danfoss LTD.

In his new role, Scott will oversee sales, marketing, product management, customer service, procurement, and supply chain for Wavin’s Northern Europe territory, which includes the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

source: Wavin

Northumbrian Water’s award winning project hits an impressive milestone

Northumbrian Water’s ‘Bin The Wipe’ team has removed one tonne of wipes from the North East sewer network, equivalent to over 200,000 unflushable wipes. The project was launched in 2020 after finding that 64% of sewer blockages were caused by wet wipes.

The team has exceeded the target of reducing blockages by 40%, with recent reductions of 79% in North Tyneside and 77% in Washington.

The project aims to prevent wipes from causing blockages and sewer flooding. The team uses innovative tools to identify the source of the wipes and educate households about the issue.

Over 433,000 households have been reached, resulting in up to a 91% reduction in wipes in hotspot areas. The success of the project has led to a national ‘Bin the Wipe campaign’ launched in 2023.

source: Northumbrian Water

Itron is expanding the production of its Aquadis+ volumetric water meter to Southeast Asia, with manufacturing now taking place in Indonesia. This expansion aims to better serve customers in the Asia Pacific region, including Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The Aquadis+ meter is known for its long-term performance, efficiency, and accuracy in measuring water volumes.

By manufacturing the meter closer to its customers, Itron aims to reduce delivery time and environmental impact while increasing pricing adaptability. This move also aligns with Itron’s commitment to its customers in the region and supports the transition to smart metering.

source: Itron

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EPA makes available $3M to establish stormwater Centers of Excellence

The U.S. EPA is making $3 million available for the Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Infrastructure Technologies grant program, aiming to expand stormwater solutions across the country.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations.

The selected Centers of Excellence will conduct research, provide technical assistance, and collaborate with regional institutions to enhance stormwater best practices. The funding was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The goal is to reduce flooding and improve local water quality by supporting new investments in infrastructure and the latest research and best practices.