Water Quality and Water Management News

Frost: Membrane Technology Provides Solutions for Imminent Water Crisis in South Africa  Dec 8, 2008
The demand for membranes in South Africa is set to increase, according to Frost & Sullivan, as effluent discharge policies are enforced more stringently and water supply pressures become more apparent.

AWWA Supports Chemical Security Comments in Center for American Progress Report   Dec 8, 2008
The Center for American Progress released Chemical Security 101, a report recommending that the U.S. Congress establish a chemical security program that requires chemical facilities - including water utilities - to assess and use "feasible alternatives that reduce the potential harm of a terrorist attack."

WEF, EPA, Other Water Quality Organizations Renew MOU for Decentralized Wastewater Management  Dec 4, 2008
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and 13 water quality organizations in renewing a commitment to improving national decentralized wastewater treatment system performance by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for decentralized wastewater management.

ASTM Int'l Water Committee Issues Measurement Uncertainty Standard - ASTM D 7366  Nov 25, 2008
ASTM International Committee D19 on Water approved ASTM D 7366 - Practice for Estimation of Measurement Uncertainty for Data from Regression-Based Methods.

UPMC: Arsenic May Increase Risks for Cardiovascular Disease at Current EPA-Regulated Drinking Water Standards  Nov 17, 2008
When mice are exposed to arsenic at federally approved levels for drinking water, pores in liver blood vessels close, potentially leading to cardiovascular disease, according to University of Pittsburgh researchers in the Dec. 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

AWWA 2008 'State of Industry Report' Outlines Infrastructure Failures, Water Availability  Nov 12, 2008
Source water supply and protection were the top areas of concern among North American water professionals in the 2008 State of the Industry Report, published by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

EPA Seeks Comment on Preliminary Perchlorate Drinking Water Decision  Oct 21, 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks comments on its preliminary determination not to regulate perchlorate in drinking water at a national level after it found that in more than 99% of public drinking water systems, perchlorate was not at levels of public health concern.

AWWA Applauds Signing of Total Coliform Rule Agreement in Principle  Oct 13, 2008
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) applauded the recent signing of the Total Coliform Rule (TCR) Agreement in Principle (AIP).

Frost: Public-Private Partnerships Key to Development of South African Water, Wastewater Markets  Oct 1, 2008
South Africa is a water-stressed nation and private sector participation in water management services will contribute significantly to the preservation of natural water resources.

NSF Int'l Develops Certification Services for PVC Water Main Pipe  Aug 29, 2008
Requests from the plumbing industry prompted NSF International to expand its services for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) water main piping products including evaluating and certifying PVC pipes that meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1285 - Pipe and Couplings, PVC for Underground Fire Service performance requirements.

ASTM Int'l Approves Corrosion Resistant Steel Standard - ASTM A 1055  Aug 28, 2008
ASTM International approved ASTM A 1055 - Specification for Zinc and Epoxy Dual Coated Steel Reinforcing Bars to help provide customer reassurance that high performance corrosion resistant steel will meet a given set of criteria, according to ASTM International.

ASME Releases Report on Future Trends in Mechanical Engineering  Aug 25, 2008
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) released 2028 Vision for Mechanical Engineering, a report based on the April 2008 proceedings of the Global Summit on the Future of Mechanical Engineering.

AWWA Testifies on Geologic Carbon Sequestration  Aug 18, 2008
In recent testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, serious concerns were raised by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) about the potential effect geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) technology may have on the nation's underground sources of drinking water.

Sustainable Development Technology Canada Approves $57M for Clean Technology Projects, CO2 Storage   Aug 18, 2008
Canada's position as a leading developer of clean technologies was bolstered by its recent funding of 19 clean technology projects, after $57 million was approved for new investments.

Frost: Geothermal Projects Take Shape in Europe   Aug 18, 2008
In the race to find alternative energy sources, geothermal energy is gaining favor, according to Frost & Sullivan.

DOE Selects 10 Projects to Conserve Freshwater at Coal-Fired Power Plants   Aug 5, 2008
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection of 10 projects aimed at developing advanced technologies and concepts to minimize freshwater withdrawal and consumption by coal-based power systems.

Frost: Strong Growth for POU Systems, Filter Pitchers in Residential Water Treatment Markets  Jul 15, 2008
The relatively developed stage of the market and increasing competition present key challenges in the European residential water treatment systems markets, according to Frost & Sullivan.

NSF Int'l Certifies Vapor Control Balls  Jul 14, 208
NSF International certified vapor control balls also known as "shade balls."

Water Associations, EPA Release Tools for 'Effective Utility Management' Practices  Jul 9, 2008
Six associations representing the U.S. water and wastewater sector, in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), released a series of tools designed to help water and wastewater utilities advance "effective management practices" to achieve long-term sustainability, according to the Water Environment Foundation (WEF).

ISO Standards Makers Address Sustainability, Public Policy, Standards Development System   Jun 24, 2008
Leaders of the international committees that develop the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) international standards recently met to address the efficiency and global relevance of the organization's standards development system.

NSF Int'l Certifies Pour-Through Filtration Device to Lead Reduction Protocol - NSF 53  Jun 20, 2008
Zero Technologies LLC obtained NSF Certification for its pour-through water filtration pitchers, according to NSF International.

ASME: Engineering Students Collaborate on Water Purification System  Jun 19, 2008
Following four months working in a virtual research environment, five mechanical engineering students met in person for the first time at Western Kentucky University to carry out the initial design of a human-powered water purification system.

EC's New Water Quality Standards Move Forward   Jun 18, 2008
Agreement about a new directive on environmental water quality standards proposed by the European Commission (EC) was approved in a second reading vote by the European Council of Ministers on June 17.

Water Environment Federation Releases Chinese Version of 'World Water & Environmental Engineering'  June 17, 2008
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) released a Chinese version of World Water & Environmental Engineering.

Frost: GDP Growth, Rising Energy Demands Drive N. American Water Treatment in Power Industry   Jun 9, 2008
The North American market for water treatment systems in the power industry is extremely competitive, with price being a key factor.

AWWA: Water Groups Urge Congress to Address Climate Change Resource Impacts   Jun 4, 2008
As the U.S. Congress starts considering climate change legislation, a coalition of eight national water organizations called on senators and representatives to recognize the severe impacts global climate change will likely have on water resources in the U.S.

AWWA Addresses Pharmaceutical Compounds in Water  May 27, 2008
To responsibly address the issue of pharmaceutical compounds in drinking water, scientists must know at what concentration these substances impact human health, not simply whether they can be detected, a leading expert from the American Water Works Association (AWWA) recently told a U.S. Senate subcommittee.

NSF Int'l Launches Beverage Quality Program  May 21, 2008
NSF International (NSF) launched a Beverage Quality Certification Program, which expands the scope of NSF's bottled water program to test, audit and certify natural mineral waters, flavored and functional beverages.

ISO Publishes Int'l Workshop Agreement on Water Security  May 16, 2008
New guidelines on managing drinking water supplies during crises have become available from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the form of ISO International Workshop Agreement (IWA) 6 - Guidelines for the management of drinking water utilities under crisis conditions.

AWWA Releases 'Roadmap to Secure Control Systems' Document  Apr 30, 2008
The Roadmap to Secure Control Systems in the Water Sector, a document for water utilities to better protect themselves against cyber attacks or accidental cyber events, was released at the recent American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Security Congress in Cincinnati, Ohio.

WRI: Leading Companies Responding to Ecosystem Degradation  Mar 27, 2008
Global warming may dominate headlines today, but experts believe ecosystem degradation will capture our attention tomorrow.

AWWA Publishes First Comprehensive Review of Business of Water   Mar 27, 2008
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) published The Business of Water: A Concise Overview of Challenges and Opportunities in the Water Market, a comprehensive introduction to the challenges and opportunities facing the commercial water industry.

Frost: Industrial Sector, EU Regulations Spur for Polish Water, Wastewater Treatment Market   Mar 26, 2008
Propelled by an expanding industrial and manufacturing sector, along with European Union (EU) directives that stringently regulate wastewater and sludge quality, the water and wastewater treatment market in Poland is proving increasingly attractive.

Engineers Collaborate on Water Purification System  Mar 4, 2008
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) created a virtual community in which engineers and engineering students around the world are networking on the design of a human-powered water purification system.

EPA Seeks Public Comment on Possible Drinking Water Contaminants  Feb 26, 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for public comment on a list of 104 possible drinking water contaminants that may need to be regulated in the future to ensure the continued protection of drinking water.

ISO: Standards Aim to Improve Quality of Water Services to Consumers - ISO 24510, 24511, 24512  Jan 13, 2008
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published three standards providing guidelines for service activities relating to global drinking water supply systems and wastewater sewerage systems.

Frost: Industrialization, Energy Efficiency Drive Biological Wastewater Equipment Market  Jan 12, 2008
Increasing industrialization and modernization, coupled with end-user demand for energy efficiency, drives the market for biological wastewater equipment, according to Frost & Sullivan.

AWWA: Lead Rule Changes Underscore Importance of Communications  Dec 19, 2007
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) were published recently in the Federal Register.

ASTM Int'l to Develop Water Asset Management Standards  Dec 16, 2007
ASTM International Committee F36 on Technology and Underground Utilities is developing a standard for piping and related support equipment for water and wastewater municipal infrastructure.

ASTM Int'l Develops Standard for Sampling, Preservation, Mitigating Interferences for Analysis of Cyanide - ASTM D 7365   Dec 5, 2007
ASTM International Subcommittee D19.06 on Methods for Analysis for Organic Substances in Water developed ASTM D 7365 - Practice for Sampling, Preservation and Mitigating Interferences in Water Samples for Analysis of Cyanide.

AAMI Releases Guidance Document on Water Quality for Reprocessed Devices  Nov 2, 2007
The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) developed a guidance document addressing water quality for the reprocessing of medical devices.

Frost: Increasing Water Demand Increases Growth in Water Recycling, Reuse Systems Market   Oct 29, 2007
Stringent federal wastewater discharge regulations, growing population and increasing demand for freshwater essentially drives water recycling and reuse in the U.S.

EPA Expands NSF Int'l Scope in WaterSense Program  Oct 29, 2007
NSF International will provide testing and certification of high-efficiency lavatory faucets for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense program.

NSF Updates Requirements for Lead in Drinking Water - NSF/ANSI 61  Oct 1, 2007
An NSF International/American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard was updated to further help protect the public from exposure to lead.

International Water Security Workshop Set for October 2007  Sep 25, 2007
The Standards Institution of Israel (SII) in Tel Aviv will host an international workshop on the safety of water supply systems, Oct. 29 - Nov. 1, 2007.

EPA Issues Water Quality Trading Guide  Aug 20, 2007
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a water quality trading guide that is designed to provide guidance on the fundamental concepts of trading, which can accelerate water quality improvement and reduce compliance costs.

Frost: Euro Water, Wastewater Disinfection Systems Market Benefits from Quality Concerns   Aug 16, 2007
The water and wastewater disinfection systems market is one of the fastest growing in the overall European water industry.

Laboratorio Dr. Oliver Rod, NSF Int'l Partner on Water Testing   Aug 14, 2007
Laboratorio Dr. Oliver Rodés (LDOR), a water testing laboratory located in Spain, signed an agreement with NSF International making LDOR an official NSF laboratory partner.

AWWA Signs Agreements with India Water Works Association, U.S. Commercial Service  Aug 10, 2007
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the India Water Works Association (IWWA) signed a memo of understanding (MOU) to share expertise and resources that extend their common goal of providing safe and reliable water.

Frost: Demand for Cleaner Water Drives Desalination Technologies   Jul 30, 2007
The increasing need for clean water is the driving factor for advances in desalination technologies to purify water and wastewater, according to recent analysis from Frost & Sullivan.

Frost: Environmental Regs Create Demand for Water, Wastewater Equipment  May 29, 2007
Although the industrial water and wastewater treatment equipment markets in Hong Kong and Singapore are becoming increasingly saturated, analysts said demand from industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food and beverage will still sustain market growth.

Water Associations, EPA Release Effective Utility Management Practices Report  May 11, 2007
Six associations representing the U.S. water and wastewater sector in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Findings and Recommendations for a Water Utility Sector Management Strategy.

NSF Int'l, CDHS Expediting Residential Drinking Water Certification   May 11, 2007
NSF International entered into an agreement with the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) that will expedite the certification approval process for water softeners and water filters sold within the state.

Frost: Government Aids Growth of Hong Kong, Singapore Municipal Water, Wastewater Treatment Equipment Markets   Apr 23, 2007
The municipal water and wastewater treatment equipment markets in Hong Kong and Singapore are poised for growth, driven by rising demand for clean, potable water and a move toward centralized water and wastewater treatment networks in both countries.

Water Environment Federation Releases TMDL Tool Kit  Apr 16, 2007
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) released a new tool kit for third-party total maximum daily loads (TMDLs).

Frost: Water Treatment Market Riding on Wave of Health, Water Quality Concerns   Apr 5, 2007
The Southeast Asian residential water treatment equipment markets are experiencing steady growth, triggered by concerns about water quality, health scares due to metal poisoning and increasing pollution of potable water sources.

AAMI Revises Hemodialysis Water Treatment Standard - AAMI RD62  Apr 5, 2007
The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) Renal Disease and Detoxification Committee (RDDC) revised its standard for water treatment equipment, adding alternative and supplementary methods of removing toxic chloramines from water.

ISO Standards Designed to Help Alleviate Global Water Issues  Apr 2, 2007
A number of international standards (both published and under development) from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have a practical contribution in alleviating a number of the world's water scarcity problems.

EPA, NSF Int'l Partner to Certify Water Efficiency of Toilets  Mar 28, 2007
NSF International is participating in a new certification program designed to verify the water efficiency and performance of high-efficiency toilets, which is designed to save up to 900 billion gallons of water each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

FAQ on European Water Policy  Mar 23, 2007
1. What is World Water Day?World Water Day grew out of an initiative from the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. The U.N. General Assembly designated March 22 as World Water Day, which was then first celebrated in 1993.

EC Reports More Effort Needed to Achieve Good Water Quality  Mar 23, 2007
The European Commission (EC) published its report on the performance of European Union (EU) member states in implementing the Water Framework Directive.

Frost: EU Directives, Tech Advancements Drive Euro Water, Wastewater Sector  Mar 14, 2007
European Union (EU) legislation is the most important driver in the automation and control solutions market for the European water and wastewater sector.

EPA Approves UL Drinking Water Laboratory for UCMR 2 Testing   Feb 5, 2007
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) to perform analyses for the 25 contaminants required under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 2 (UCMR 2).

ASCE, AWWA Release Security Standard Guidelines for Water/Wastewater Utilities  Jan 10, 2007
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) released standard guidelines for protecting the public from potential malevolent acts and other threats by enhancing the physical security of water and wastewater infrastructure systems.

EPA Issues Rule Intended to Protect Underground Drinking Water    Nov 9, 2006
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule that is designed to target utilities that provide water from underground sources and is touted as requiring greater vigilance for potential contamination by disease-causing microorganisms.

Frost: Regulations, Reforms Drive Chinese Municipal Water, Wastewater Treatment Equipment Market  Nov 6, 2006
Rapid industrialization, increasing public health concerns and shortage of fresh water are some of the key factors driving change within the Chinese municipal water and wastewater treatment equipment market.

ASTM Int'l Standard Focuses on Protecting Water Systems  Jul 15, 2006
Selecting and using monitoring methods to protect water systems is the focus of a new ASTM International standard development effort.

CLSI Publishes New Guideline for Preparing, Testing of Reagent Water  Jul 12, 2006
The new Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document, Preparation and Testing of Reagent Water in the Clinical Laboratory; Approved Guideline - Fourth Edition (C3-A4), provides information on water purity requirements for clinical laboratory testing, validation of specifications, technology available for water purification and test procedures to monitor and trend water purity parameters.

ASTM Int'l Water Slide Standard Brings Consistency to Water Park Industry  Jun 20, 2006
A new standard developed by ASTM International Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices, ASTM F 2376 - Practice for Classification, Design, Manufacture, Construction and Operation of Water Slide Systems - recognizes basic industry requirements for constructing and installing water slides.

Frost: Legislation Drives European Industrial Water Treatment Market  Apr 10, 2006
In order to capture higher profit margins, participants in the European industrial water treatment chemicals market are shifting their focus from the municipal to the industrial sector, a move which significantly boosts demand for these water treatment chemicals, according to Frost & Sullivan.

NSF Int'l Publishes Guide on New European Standards for Drinking Water Treatment Systems  Apr 7, 2006
NSF International (NSF) published a reference guide to help drinking water treatment system manufacturers understand the new European Committee for Standardization (CEN) standards.

American Water Works Association Responds to Fluoride Report  Apr 3, 2006
A recent report from the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences - Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA's Standards - found that fluoride levels of 4 mg/L or higher may pose certain health risks.

NSF Accepts New Stainless Steel Materials in Drinking Water Systems  Feb 23, 2006
NSF International announced that NSF/(American National Standards Institute) ANSI Standard 61 - Drinking Water System Components - Health Effects allows additional types of stainless steel as acceptable materials for use in the manufacturing of drinking water equipment.

New Federal Arsenic Standards for Drinking Water Go Into Effect  Jan 25, 2006
New federal drinking water standards designed to lower the levels of arsenic in drinking water took effect Jan. 23 for Pennsylvania's public water systems, Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said.

EPA Finalizes New Rules to Improve, Protect Drinking Water  Jan 6, 2006
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized two drinking water protection rules.

Latest Edition of Standard Methods for Water and Wastewater Published   Nov 4, 2005
Three water and public health organizations, the American Public Health Association (APHA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), announced the availability of the 21st edition of the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater guide.