USA, Research, Environment, Alabama
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IX system improves Alabama MF plant's performance
The City of Oneonta in Alabama, USA, commissioned a 3 MGD (10,500 m³/d) MIEX® ion-exchange system in August 2012 to provide dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal prior to coagulation and microfiltration of Oneonta Utilities' Little Warrior river water source.
West Basin demonstrating desalination intake and outfall technologies
One of the first seawater desalination demonstration facilities to employ ocean-protection technology at the source of intake and discharge has begun construction in Southern California, USA.
Papers called for WateReuse Symposium
Abstracts have been invited for the 25th Annual WateReuse Symposium to be held on 12-15 September 2010.
US powerplant environment ruling could affect desalination
In a ruling that could effect desalination plants in the USA, the US Supreme Court on 1 April 2009 overruled an appeals court decision and permitted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use cost/benefit criteria to determine the technology for powerplant water-cooling structures.
IDA scholarships for PhD students in US and Singapore
The International Desalination Association (IDA) has awarded its Channabasappa Memorial Scholarship for 2011 to Errol M Glenn of the USA and Sim Siang Tze Victor of Singapore.
WERF guidance on indirect reuse contaminant removal
A new report from the Water Environment Research Foundation in the USA concludes that examining multiple barriers of drinking-water systems can help assure the absence of detectable levels of trace organic compounds in recycled water.
Low-temperature distillation technology licensed to Sterling Water
The low-temperature distillation method of desalination developed by the New Mexico State University (NMSU) in the USA has been licensed to Sterling Water LLC of Qatar.
Santa Cruz desalination EIS goes on despite alternative study
City of Santa Cruz Council in California, USA, approved another US$ 300,000 payment on 2 August 2011 for consultant URS Corp Americas to continue its work on the environmental impact assessment for a 2.5 MGD (9,500 m³/d) desalination plant for the city.
WEF seeking new executive director
The Water Environment Federation (WEF®) in the USA is seeking a new executive director. The announcement was made by recruitment consultants Korn/Ferry on 5 August 2010.
Santa Cruz desalination EIR comment deadline in July
The draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the 2.5 MGD (9,500 m³/d) seawater desalination plant for the greater Santa Cruz area in California, USA, which was released on 13 May 2013, will be available for public comment until 15 July 2013.
Groups appeal Huntington Beach desalination permit
Four environmental groups in California have appealed a decision by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board (WQCB) to grant a permit for the proposed Huntington Beach desalination plant proposed by Poseidon Resources.
USEPA chief briefs Senate on dangerous contaminants
Perchlorate, chromium-6 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water were all discussed by the US Environmental Protection Agency's administrator, Lisa P Jackson, in testimony before the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works on 2 February 2011.
EPA issues second list of endocrine disruptors
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published on 17 November 2010 a second list of chemicals for which it intends to issue test orders under the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP).
Pilot desalination plant to start up soon on Hudson river
United Water is finalizing construction of a pilot desalination plant at Haverstraw on the Hudson river in New York state. If constructed, the full size reverse-osmosis plant would be 7.5 MGD (28,300 m³/d).

State budget cuts delay Carlsbad desalination approval
Cuts to the California state budget prevented officials of the San Diego County Regional Water Quality Control Board preparing recommendations regarding the proposed Carlsbad desalination plant for the board to vote on at a meeting on 11 February 2009.
Contamination security white papers released in USA
New security technologies for detecting and monitoring water supplies could be developed as a result of a contamination warning system (CWS) demonstration pilot project in the USA undertaken by CH2M Hill and the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD).
Huntington Beach revised desalination EIS approved
Council members of the City of Huntington Beach in California, USA, on 7 September 2010 approved a revised environmental impact study for the 50 MGD (189,000 m³/d) seawater desalination plant proposed by Poseidon Resources.
EPA publishes CEC-removal studies database
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA has published Treating Contaminants Of Emerging Concern, an extensive review of recent literature on wastewater treatment technologies and their ability to remove a number of chemical contaminants of emerging concern (CECs).
Bank lends US$ 22 million to Korean firm to fund Mexican desalination project
The North American Development Bank has provided a U$ 22 million loan to South Korean company GS Inima Environment which is building a US$ 48 million, 28.5 Ml/d reverse osmosis desalination plant in Ensenada, Mexico.
More federal money sought for Chino Desalters
Western Municipal Water District (WMWD) in California, USA, is to seek additional federal money later this financial year for the Chino Desalters Phase 3 expansion.
RO-based advanced treatment plant for West Virginia mines
A 5 MGD (19,000 m³/d) membrane-based wastewater treatment plant is to be built to serve a number of coal mines in West Virginia, USA, as a result of government action following pollution violations.
IDA announces four new desalination events
The International Desalination Association (IDA) announced four new events on 22 February 2010, including its next World Congress in Perth, Australia, which will be held during 4-9 September 2011.
Oasys deal to treat Texas produced water with FO
Oasys Water has struck an agreement with Houston-based Select Energy Services, LLC (SES), a leading provider of engineered water solutions to the oil and gas industry, for exclusive use of its forward osmosis (FO) technology in the Permian Basin in West Texas and New Mexico, USA.
Desalination promotion part of Colorado river agreement
Mexico and the USA agreed to promote cooperation on desalination technology through the construction of more competitive desalination plants as part of an agreement on the use of the Colorado river signed on 20 December 2010.
Hydranautics commits to Climate Registry
Hydranautics/Nitto Denko of California, USA, has become the first US-based desalination membrane manufacturer to join the Climate Registry and commit itself to reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
January deadline for WateReuse symposium abstracts
The WateReuse Association (WRA) has invited abstracts for its 27th Annual WateReuse Symposium, to be held on 9-12 September 2012 in Hollywood, Florida, USA.
USEPA nears decision on perchlorate water standard
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of making a final decision on whether to set a drinking water standard for perchlorate.
Marin board approves EIR for desalination plant
The board of the Marin Metropolitan Water District in California, USA, voted to accept the environmental impact report on a possible desalination plant (see D&WR technical article August/September 2008).
Marin board to consider desalination EIR on 4 February
The Marin Metropolitan Water District in California, USA, has published the final environmental impact report (EIR) for its proposed desalination plant on San Francisco Bay (see D&WR technical article August/September 2008).
USEPA reuse guidelines to be previewed in webcast
A preview of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s 2012 Guidelines for Water Reuse will be one of two webcasts presented by the WateReuse Research Federation in September 2012.
Researchers share industry prize for fouling research
Doctoral students, Ariel Atkinson of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Erin Partlan of Clemson University, have received the 2014 Fellowship for Membrane Technology award from the American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) and the National Water Research Institute (NWRI) for research in membrane fouling.

MIT's McGovern wins IDA 2012 scholarship award
The International Desalination Association has awarded its 2012 Channabasappa Memorial Scholarship to Ronan McGovern, a PhD candidate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.
WRF becomes WRRF
The WateReuse Foundation announced a change of name to the WateReuse Research Foundation at its research and desalination conference in Tampa, Florida, USA on 24 May 2010
Pacific Institute report lists California desalination plans
The Pacific Institute (PI) has published a list of all the currently proposed seawater desalination plants in California, USA, as a precursor to a new desalination report in 2013.
California district probes impact of possible giant desalination plant
California's West Basin Municipal Water District board of directors has voted to begin an environmental impact report as part of its research towards the construction of a seawater desalination facility in the South Bay.
Scientists to probe outlet brine risks to sealife
Scientists have been commissioned to investigate whether brine waste from two proposed 150 Ml/d seawater reverse osmosis desalination plants could damage or alter the marine environment along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline in South Africa.
Research gives green light to proposed desalination plant
Studies by a company proposing to construct a "unique" combination of desalination plant and data centre have shown it will cause only limited negative impact to the environment according to the researchers.
EDS calls for 2014 Cyprus conference papers
The European Desalination Society has issued a call for papers and opened exhibition booking for its conference on Desalination for the Environment, Clean Water & Energy to be held in Limassol, Cyprus, on 11-15 May 2014.
IDA announces nine new Gulf task force members
The importance now being accorded to the environment by the desalination industry was emphasized on 22 April 2010 when the International Desalination Association (IDA) announced the addition of nine distinguished scientists to its Gulf regional task force and an environmental symposium in Bahrain in December 2010.

Perth desalination plant's impact "still uncertain"
The West Australia government's Environmental Protection Authority has concluded that the significance of impacts to the marine environment from the discharge of brine by the Perth Metropolitan Desalination Plant is still uncertain and that the marine environment of Cockburn Sound continues to be under stress.
Olympic Dam desalination threatens cuttlefish, say researchers
Brine discharge from the proposed Olympic Dam seawater desalination plant in South Australia poses a potential threat to the unique spawning aggregation of the giant Australian cuttlefish, in the upper Spencer Gulf, South Australia, according to two researchers.
Nanoparticles for water and desalination - how safe are they?
The potential dangers from the use of engineered nanoparticles, such as nanotubes, metal oxides or nanodots, some of which form the basis of new solutions for desalination and water treatment, are outlined in a new European Union publication.
UN gives EIA guidance for desalination
In September 2008, the United Nations Environment Programme released a new guidance document entitled Desalination - Resource and Guidance Manual for Environmental Impact Assessments.
West Basin desalination demo could begin next year
Construction could begin in 2010 on the Ocean-Water Desalination Demonstration Project at Redondo Beach near Los Angeles, California, the West Basin Municipal Water District announced on 30 July 2009.

West Basin district dedicates desalination demo facility
California's West Basin Municipal Water District is nearing completion of its new desalination demonstration facility, following formal dedication of the plant on 12 November 2010.
August Rocky Mountain reuse workshop set for Golden
This year's Rocky Mountain Water Reuse Workshop is to be held at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, on 14 August 2014.
Ionizable hydrophobes behind new IBM desalination membrane
US computer giant IBM, Tokyo-based Central Glass and the King Abdul Aziz City for Science & Technology (KACST) unveiled a novel desalination membrane technology at the World Water Forum in Turkey on 16 March 2009.

Florida water expert appointed WateReuse director
A former deputy secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has been appointed as the executive director of the WateReuse Association and the WateReuse Research Foundation.
US farmers look to water reuse, as reservoir level drops
Water reuse in agriculture is gaining ground in the USA as farmers and water technologists seek to overcome the domestic water supply shortages caused by drought. The latest figures from the US Bureau of Reclamation show that water levels at Lake Mead, Nevada, the largest reservoir by capacity in the USA, hit a record low of 1,074 feet in March.
Eight water groups press US government to up focus on reuse
The WateReuse Association has joined seven other water sector organisations in pressing the US Bureau of Reclamation to use some of its US$ 100 million in new drought funds to invest in water reuse.
WRA calls for papers for Denver symposium
The WateReuse Association has issued a call for papers for its 28th Annual WateReuse Symposium to be held in Denver in September 2013.
CH2M Hill reports to USEPA on industrial water use
Water reuse is one of a number of trends for water usage in American industry identified in a report just published by engineering company CH2M Hill for the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA).
IDA 2015 World Congress draws 1,700 delegates
More than 1,700 delegates from 63 countries attended the International Desalination Association's (IDA's) 2015 World Congress held in San Diego recently according to the association's key metrics published this week. Awards for papers and presentations topped US$ 30,000.
First IDA Young Leaders tour completed
The International Desalination Association (IDA) Young Leaders Program (YLP) recently concluded its first global Educational Tour, reaching out to more than 2,000 potential future desalters in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the USA.
Nine water purification projects bag US$ 1.49 million in funding
The US Bureau of Reclamation has selected nine projects to receive US$ 1.49 million under its Desalination and Water Purification Research programme.
Work starts on Queensland desalination plant
Preliminary work is beginning at the start of 2010 for a desalination plant to serve the Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy communities in Queensland, Australia.

IDA unveils lineup of speakers for water reuse conference
The International Desalination Association (IDA) has secured a stellar lineup of keynote speakers for its International Conference on Water Reuse and Recycling 2018, led by Spain's secretary of state for the environment, Maria Garcia Rodriguez.
IDA releases more Congress details
More details have been released about the program for the 2009 World Congress of the International Desalination Association (IDA), which will take place during 7-12 November 2009 in Dubai.

Desalitech's Rick Stover: "The world's experts on desal and reuse are coming to Miami"
Desalitech executive vice president Rick Stover says that delegates can expect stimulating open forum discussions, papers and research at the IDA Energy and Environment Conference in Miami, USA, December 2016

Yuma salinity/desalination conference - abstract deadline nears
Abstracts for the Salinity & Desalination in the Southwest conference in Yuma, Arizona, USA, on 26-27 April 2011 must be in by the end of February.
Almogordo trial for commercial-size solar desalination still
Indiana-based Suns River is nearing completion of a commercial-sized solar still at the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Almogordo, New Mexico, USA, following the issue of a patent on its process (US #8,088,257) on 3 January 2012.
University may manage Texas desalination study
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) in Texas, USA, is to negotiate an agreement with the Sustainable Energy Research Institute at the University of Texas at San Antonio to manage a feasibility study for a proposed seawater desalination plant.
MWH selected for 250 MGD Texas desalination study
MWH Global has been selected by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) in Texas, USA, to carry out the feasibility study to assess the development of ocean water desalination of up to 250 MGD (950,000 m³/d) as a regional water supply, including the option of co-located power generation facilities.
Brownsville pilot study published
Pilot study results from consultant NRS Consulting Engineers have confirmed that seawater desalination on the shore of the Ship Channel in Brownsville, Texas, USA, is technically feasible.
New Mexico BWRO seeking waste revenue stream
Processing residual wastes from a proposed brackish-groundwater desalination plant in New Mexico, USA, could provide a revenue of around US$ 4.6 million/year, according to a preliminary engineer report just completed.
Sixteen bid for Texas seawater desalination qualification
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) in Texas, USA, has received 16 responses to its request for qualifications issued in April 2012 for a feasibility study of a major seawater desalination project to supply the river basin with a fresh source of water.
ERI to vacate its facility in Michigan
Energy Recovery Inc (ERI) is vacating the old Pump Engineering (PEI) base in Michigan, USA, where it has assembled turbochargers and pumps for desalination projects since taking over PEI in 2009.
'New paradigm' need for CECs, US workshop finds
The need for a new paradigm for water and wastewater treatment, which prioritizes chemicals (or chemical classes) with similar modes/mechanisms of action for further evaluation, was a principal conclusion of a workshop held in California, USA, in April 2009, the results of which have just been published.

IDA appoints Awerbuch as Academy dean
The International Desalination Association (IDA) on 28 May 2012 named Leon Awerbuch the interim dean of the IDA Desalination Academy, which will offer its first courses in conjunction with the 2012 Singapore International Water Week (1-5 July 2012).

Yuma desalination plant pilot run concluded successfully
The year-long pilot run of the revamped Yuma desalination plant on the Colorado river in the USA has ended in success, the Bureau of Reclamation announced on 1 April 2011.
IDA chooses San Diego for 2015 World Congress
The International Desalination Association (IDA) has selected San Diego, California, USA, as the site for its 2015 World Congress.
San Diego's IPR demonstration project now has web page
The City of San Diego, which could be the first city in the USA to use indirect potable water reuse for drinking water, has updated the reuse information on its website and added a page for the renamed Water Purification Demonstration Project.
AMTA and AWWA announce ward winners
The American Membrane Technology Association and the American Water Works Association recently announced the winners of four awards at this year's Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition.
Gulf should look to solar to power desalination expert says
The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency has called on Arab Gulf states to shift their focus to solar and other renewable energy when considering power for desalination.
Commission vote halts Huntington Beach application
Poseidon Water withdrew its application for a coastal development permit (CDP) for its proposed Huntington Beach seawater desalination plant after the California Coastal Commission voted on 13 November 2013 to postpone a vote on the application.
Agbar subsidiary submits EIS for Chile desalination plant
An environmental impact study (EIS) has been submitted for the construction of a 1,000 L/s (86,400 ³/d) seawater reverse-osmosis desalination plant in the coastal town of Chañaral, near the city of Caldera in Chile's Region III.
IDA publishes Academy programme for March 2013
Full details of the courses to be presented in the next session of the International Desalination Association (IDA) Academy in March 2013 have been published on the IDA website.
EDS lists desalination courses for 2013
The European Desalination Society (EDS) has released a complete list of its courses for 2013. EDS has been giving training certificates since 2003 to over 400 participants from all over the world.
IWA schedules nanotechnology symposium for China
The International Water Association is to hold a regional symposium on Nanotechnology And Water Treatment in China in 2013.
NRDC report urges control and reuse of fracking wastewater
The US Environmental Protection Agency and individual states should ban or more strictly regulate the discharge of shale gas wastewater (SGW) from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). They should also update pollution control standards for centralised waste treatment facilities (CWTs) that accept SGW.
EIB assists Gaza desalination progress
The desalination project for Gaza backed by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) took a small step forward at a meeting in Barcelona on 4 May 2012.
IDE to hold workshop at key UNEP meeting in Kenya
Leading desalination company IDE Technologies will be presenting its Progreen reverse-osmosis desalination technology at the 12th Special Session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Kenya on 20-22 February 2012.
Agency approves W Australian desalination plant
Western Australia's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 13 February 2012 announced conditional approval for Grange Resources Ltd's proposal to construct and operate the Cape Riche Desalination Plant.
Olympic Dam desalination plan approved with conditions
BHP Billiton's proposed 200,000-280,000 m³/d desalination plant in southern Australia's Upper Spencer Gulf will be covered by the 100-plus conditions imposed by national and state government approval of the Olympic Dam uranium mining project announced on 10 October 2011.
New EIA submitted for Antofagasta desalination plant
A revised environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been submitted by Aguas de Antofagasta for the 86,000 m³/d desalination plant for Antofagasta in Chile's Region II, according to Business News America on 21 September 2011.
Ministry reported to have rejected Chile desalination EIS
The Ministerio del Medio Ambiente (Environment Ministry) in Chile has apparently rejected the environmental impact study (EIS) produced by Suez subsidiary Agbar Chile for an 86,000 m³/d desalination plant in Northern Region III.
IDA issues Gulf environmental Blue Paper
Better availability and sharing of environmental data between the Gulf states is among the recommendations contained in a "Blue Paper" released on 18 July 2011 by the International Desalination Association (IDA).
Chilean mine SWRO gets environmental approval
An environmental impact study (EIS) for a 26,000 m³/d desalination plant for a mining operation in northern Chile is reported to have been approved by the regional office of the Ministerio del Medio Ambiente (environment ministry).
Leading desalters to address AWA university meeting
In conjunction with the University of Adelaide, the Australian Water Association is presenting two lectures at the university in the evening of 27 July 2011 from leading desalination figures on Desalination: Future Directions for Australia's World Class Facilities.
Olympic Dam supplementary EIS satisfies opposition leader
South Australia's opposition leader, Isobel Redmond, was quoted on 20 June 2011 in the Australian media as being "satisfied" that the Olympic Dam desalination plant will not cause any damage to the local environment, including the area's giant cuttlefish population.
IDA publishes program for Gulf desalination and environment seminar
The International Desalination Association has published details of program sessions and topics for its seminar on Desalination and the Gulf: The Relationship between the Environment and Meeting the Region's Water Needs, which will take place in Bahrain on 6-7 December 2010.
Desalination health and environment book to be published in June
A book on the health and environmental impacts of desalination is to be published by CRC Press in collaboration with the World Health Organization on 25 June 2010.
IDA to form Gulf desalination environmental task force
The International Desalination Association (IDA) plans to form a task force to explore the environmental effects of desalination on the Arabian Gulf and recommend strategies to mitigate potential impacts.
S Australia government questions Billiton desalination EIS
Desalination discharge led the list of concerns raised by the South Australia government in its submission on 24 April 2009 to BHP Billiton's environmental impact statement (EIS) related to its proposed expansion of its Olympic Dam mining operations.
BHP Billiton asked to rethink desalination plant site
The Parliament of South Australia's Environment, Resources & Development Committee has recommended mining company BHP Billiton reconsider its proposed site for a 250,000 m³/d seawater desalination plant at Port Bonython in the upper Spencer Gulf.
Second Perth desalination plant gets government approval
The Australian government has given conditional approval to the Southern Seawater Desalination Project at Binningup, Western Australia, but has imposed "strict" conditions to minimise impacts on nationally threatened and migratory species.
IDA president calls for environmental consideration
The historical symbiotic relationship between money, water and environment is now out of balance, the president of the International Desalination Association (IDA) told a conference in Zurich on 27 April 2009.
Environment approval for W. Australia desalination project
Western Australia's water minister, Dr Graham Jacobs, said on 22 April 2009 that he was confident that conditions under which the Water Corporation had been given state government environmental approval to build and operate the Southern Seawater Desalination Project will ensure the plant will meet all environmental objectives.
Australian govt conditionally approves Melbourne desalination plant
The seawater desalination plant which will supply up to 150 million m³/year of drinking water for Melbourne was given conditional approval by Australia's environment minister Peter Garrett on 20 March 2009.
Final go-ahead for Adelaide desalination plant
Adelaide's 150,000 m³/d desalination plant was given the final go-ahead on 26 February 2009 by the South Australia state government.