could this bite us in later years

SHSU scientists design new bacteria-based water purification system	<<>
Thursday, February 11, 2010
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS — Researchers at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) have developed a portable water purification system that uses a set of common bacterial strains to create potable water without leaving toxic by-products in less than 24 hours, according to a press release. Conventional bacteria-based water purification systems take up to a month to purify water and create toxic waste as a by-product, the release stated. However, the bacteria in the new system consume their waste after they are finished filtering the water, according to the release. Sabin Holland, lead scientist of the project, said, “The bacteria, the ‘bugs,’ we are working with are naturally occurring. We have isolated a small subset of them — each bacterium has a specific function — and we have engineered a biofilm that is self-regulating and highly efficient at cleaning wastewater.” Two of the devices, called “bio-reactors,” are being delivered to Army bases in Afghanistan, and Holland said they could also be useful in Haiti to help with relief efforts, the release stated. “One of the most pressing threats to public health in the aftermath of the recent earthquake is contaminated water and the lack of infrastructure to clean it up,” Holland stated. “This technology is an ideal application to mitigate that urgent need.” To read the entire article, click here. For related information, click h

why you should live in the country

USGS well water studies released	<<>
Thursday, February 11, 2010
RESTON, VA. — New US Geological Survey (USGS) studies on the contamination of drinking water wells have been made public, according to a press release. The studies revealed that all wells are not equally vulnerable to contamination, the release stated. Factors that contribute to a well becoming contaminated include: The general chemistry of the aquifer, groundwater age and direct paths within aquifer systems that allow water and contaminants to reach a well, according to the release. Wells, which provide drinking water to about 100 million people in the United States, can be vulnerable to naturally occurring contaminants such as radon, uranium, arsenic and man-made compounds — including fertilizers, septic-tank leachate, solvents and gasoline hydrocarbons, the release stated. “Our findings can help public-supply well managers protect drinking water sources by prioritizing their monitoring programs and improving decisions related to land use planning, well modifications or changes in pumping scenarios that might help to reduce movement of contaminants to wells,” said Sandra Eberts, USGS groundwater study team leader. To read the entire article, click here.

this is why everone should have a drinking system in ther house

WILLIAMSBURG, VA. — Navy officials will hold a public meeting on Feb. 17 to announce the findings of an investigation into the possible contamination of Waller Mill Reservoir from Camp Peary, the Daily Press reported.

Officials said that traces of chemicals from an abandoned disposal site at Camp Peary might have leaked into the reservoir, according to the story.

Navy scientists analyzed samples of soil, sediment, surface water and fish tissue for the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the article stated.

According to the state Department of Health, PCBs do not readily dissolve in water, but can accumulate in fish, causing health problems for people who consume them.

To read the entire article, click here.

For related information, click here.

why do we need to be pushed to do this it should be automatic ?

LYMPIA, WASH. — Over 40 Washington State Senate and House members sent letters to Governor Christine Gregoire pushing for her to support the Water Conservation Operation & Maintenance Program (O&M Water Conservation Program), according to a press release.

The program would allow irrigators to use seasonal water conservation measures, the release stated.

The lawmakers wrote, “The irrigator’s ability to fund their own program and produce new household income for our constituents during this recession is exactly the type of activity we must promote. We call for your personal support of the Conservation O&M Program and request that you will direct your agency staff to work with the Irrigators to initiate it in 2010.”

To read the entire article, click here.

For related information, click here.

this should be a state proplem and we should want to by American

WASHINGTON — The Senate is considering a bill that would provide an additional $2 billion for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs), according to an article on waterworld.com.

The bill instructs states to use at least 50 percent of their SRFs for loan forgiveness and 20 percent for “green infrastructure” projects, the story reported.

The bill also stipulates that new water infrastructure projects limit the use of foreign-made materials and equipment, the article stated.

The so-called “Buy American” clause was met with opposition from the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA), according to the report.

WWEMA said in a statement, “The vast majority of major inputs into drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects is already American-made, including pipe and structural steel. This market, however, also depends on incorporating numerous specialized pieces of equipment, a significant portion of which is produced through international production and supply chains.”

To read the entire article, click here.

For related information, click here.

this is why we need to stay vigalente

Labor groups are furious with the Democrats they helped put in office — and are threatening to stay home this fall when Democratic incumbents will need their help fending off Republican challengers.

The Senate’s failure to confirm labor lawyer Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board was just the latest blow, but the frustrations have been building for months.

"Here's labor getting thrown under the bus again," said John Gage, the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 600,000 workers. "It's really frustrating for labor, and a lot of union people are thinking: We put out big time in money and volunteers and support. And it seems like the little things that could have been aren't being done."

The 52-33 vote on Becker — who needed 60 to be confirmed — really set labor unions on edge, but the list of setbacks is growing.

The so-called “card check” bill that would make it easier to unionize employees has gone nowhere. A pro-union Transportation Security Administration nominee quit before he even got a confirmation vote. And even though unions got a sweetheart deal to keep their health plans tax-free under the Senate health care bill, that bill has collapsed, leaving unions exposed again.

Union leaders warn that the Democrats' lackluster performance in power is sapping the morale of activists going into the midterm elections.

"Right now if we don’t get positive changes to the agenda, we’re going to have a hard time getting members out to work," said United Steelworkers International President Leo W. Gerard, in an interview.

“There’s no use pretending any longer.”

The biggest threat, of course, is apathy from a Democratic constituency that has a history of mobilizing for elections.

"You're just not going to be able to go to our membership in the November elections and say, 'Come on, let's do it again. Look at what the Democratic administration has done for us!'" Gage said. "People are going to say, 'Huh? What have the Democrats done for us?'"

Kim Freeman Brown, the executive director of a D.C.-based nonprofit called American Rights at Work, acknowledged "frustration" with the lack of movement.

"I implore Congress to listen to the voice of their constituents who want change, and so far we haven't delivered good enough on that promise," she said. "To the degree that we don't address these real bread-and-butter issues, we will have failed America's workers."

Gage warned that Democrats will struggle to energize blue-collar voters if they don't score a few victories soon. Union leaders say they will closely watch as a new "jobs bill" emerges to see if it includes more labor-friendly provisions or tax cuts for small businesses.

When you talk to labor officials these days, much of their animus is directed at Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who helped filibuster Becker's confirmation.

"Ben Nelson has got principles until you buy him off," Gerard said.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/32781.html#ixzz0fEDkdMUW

water tect news

WATER INDUSTRY NEWS
Maine releases study on drugs in drinking water
<<>
Monday, February 08, 2010

PORTLAND, MAINE — A study by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has found that even properly disposed of pharmaceuticals may find their way into the drinking water supply, according to an article on wmur.com.
Researchers found small amounts of medications — including antidepressants, birth control pills and over-the-counter pain relievers — in landfill water, or leachate, the story stated.
Leachate can eventually wind up in rivers, where many states draw their drinking water, the report stated.
The results of the study have been released at the same time that Maine legislators are debating a bill which would require drug manufacturers to collect and dispose of unused drugs, according to the article.
“People need a way to properly dispose of their drugs, and they’re not getting it right now,” said Mark Hyland, director of the state Department of Environmental Quality’s Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management.
To read the entire article, click here.
For related information, click here.

water tect so they finaly going to conserve

Gov. Perdue unveils Water Stewardship Act of 2010	<<>
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
ATLANTA ­— In response to Georgia’s water crisis, Gov. Sonny Perdue has announced the Water Stewardship Act of 2010, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported. The goal of the act is to bolster residential and industrial conservation and to encourage water development, according to the article. In a press conference at the Capitol, Perdue said he wants all new commercial or residential buildings to use submetering and he also advocated the use of efficient water fixtures in all new residential developments and efficient cooling towers in all new industrial developments, the story reported. “We cannot conserve our way out of the problem,” Perdue said. To read the entire article, click here. For related information, click here.

Should the government make you or Should you do this on you own

Proposed law would require new construction projects to capture rainwater	<<>
Monday, February 01, 2010
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Department of Public Works has proposed a law that would require new homes, larger developments and some redevelopment projects to capture and reuse rainwater, the Los Angeles Times reported. The aim of the ordinance is to control runoff, which would improve water quality and recharge groundwater, the article stated. If the ordinance is approved, builders will be required to install rainwater storage tanks, permeable pavement, infiltration swales or curb bump-outs, according to the story. Those not able to control 100 percent of a project’s runoff would be required to pay a storm water pollution mitigation fee, the article reported. Board of Public Works Commissioner Paula Daniels said she hoped the ordinance, which would prevent 104 million gallons of runoff from reaching the ocean, will be approved and in effect by 2011, according to the article. “I don't want to waste another rainy season,” Daniels said. To read the entire article, click here. For related information, click here.