Water Quality Current News 10/23/09

ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 27, 2011 (Water Tech) — According to recently released 2010 bottled water statistics, the overall consumption of bottled water in the U.S. has increased by 3.5 percent, after slight losses in 2008 and 2009 due to poor economic conditions, according to a press release.

Released by the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) in conjunction with Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC), the new data also shows the bottled water category’s overall share of the liquid refreshment beverages marketplace grew slightly to 30 percent, up from approximately 29.2 percent in 2009, the release stated.

“While economic times are still tough for many, the consumption of healthy bottled water continues to be a part of their lifestyle,” said Joe Doss, president and CEO of IBWA. “Even during the past two slow economic years, bottled water consumption decreased less than most other major beverage categories. The steady market share increase we now are experiencing is because consumers are choosing safe, high-quality bottled water over other packaged beverages.”

Las Cruces, N.M., treatment facility to remove PCE from groundwater

LAS CRUCES, NM, June 2, 2011 (Water Tech) — Construction is set to begin on a facility to remove perchloroethylene (PCE) from groundwater in Las Cruces, N.M., the Las Cruces Sun-News reported.

WaterTech e-News Daily™ reported on Feb. 28, 2011, that PCE had been detected in an aquifer at amounts exceeding the maximum contaminant level (MCL) under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The source of the contamination has been identified as historical releases that occurred at the site known as the Griggs and Walnut Ground Water Plume Superfund Site.

The new tray aerator system will expose contaminated water to oxygen, which will dissipate the PCE, according to the story.

“This is proven technology,” said Las Cruces Utilities Director Jorge Garcia. “We are not designing or constructing a new form of remediation. This technology has been around a long time and has proven its effectiveness time and time again. It's the ideal solution for this situation.”

Majority of Canadians trust public sector to provide drinking water

OTTAWA, Ontario, June 3, 2011 (Water Tech) — A new poll released by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) found that 74 percent of Canadians trust the public sector to provide drinking water and waste treatment services, according to a press release. Additionally, 87 percent of Canadians surveyed said the country’s drinking water is a precious natural resource that should remain public and be protected from private corporate interests, the release stated. “Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast put a great deal of trust in public sector workers to deliver safe drinking water,” said CUPE National President Paul Moist. “Almost everyone agrees our drinking water is too important to risk putting it in the hands of private, for-profit corporations.”

Forum to focus on endocrine-disrupting compounds

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2011 (Water Tech) — A forum being held today in Washington, D.C., by the Potomac Conservancy will focus on endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) and their impact on the environment and human health, the Connecticut Post reported.

EDCs, such as those found in pharmaceuticals and other consumer products, have been linked to intersex fish that have both male and female traits, the article stated.

Discussions at the forum will include sources of the compounds and treatment of them in wastewater, according to the story.

Companies spend millions to settle groundwater contamination case

LACKAWANNA COUNTY, PA, June 6, 2011 (Water Tech) — Two companies blamed for contaminating groundwater in Lackawanna County, Pa., have been ordered to pay fines totaling $2.5 million and spend $20 million to install water lines for more than 200 residents, WNEP.com reported. After conducting tests of more than 500 wells, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that Sandvik Inc. and Bostik Inc. were responsible for the groundwater being contaminated by TCE and PCE, according to the story. “Well six years ago, we were informed that our wells had been contaminated, so on a regular basis, first monthly and then quarterly, our wells have been tested to see if the filtration systems are doing their jobs. Adjustments are made when those filters need to be changed, so people have continually been in and out of the house, monitoring it and we’re using bottled water as much as we can as well,” said David Hubble of South Abington Township.

Multi-Pure Commentary:
Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems have been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53 to reduce TCE and PCE, both VOCs.

EPA: Source of groundwater contamination still unknown

DEEP CREEK, WA, June 8, 2011 (Water Tech) — The source of groundwater contamination discovered seven years ago near Deep Creek, Wash., is still unknown, The Spokesman-Review reported.

In a letter updating the status of the contamination site, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that samples continue to show contamination with trichloroethylene (TCE) and advised residents to avoid drilling wells within the boundaries of the contaminated area, the article stated.

The chemical was first discovered in the Deep Creek area late in 2004 during an EPA assessment of the former Air Force Nike Missile Battery 87, which was in operation in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Despite an extensive investigation, EPA has been unable to identify the source of TCE, according to the story.

Multi-Pure Commentary:
Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems have been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53 to reduce TCE, a VOC.

Cheyenne residents voice concerns about groundwater cleanup

CHEYENNE, WY, June 10, 2011 (Water Tech) — Residents in Cheyenne gathered earlier this week to voice their concerns about the U.S. Corps of Engineers’ plans to treat groundwater contaminated by trichloroethylene (TCE) from an abandoned missile site, trib.com reported.

The federal agency plans to intercept the 12- to 15-mile plume of groundwater west of Cheyenne, pump out the water and treat it, the article stated.

During a meeting this week, residents agreed that the treated water should be reinjected rather than relying on the water to soak back into the ground by using a drain, according to the story.

A pilot study is underway to find the most cost-effective and efficient cleanup process.

Multi-Pure Commentary:
Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems have been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53 to reduce TCE, a VOC.

City works to remove harmful chemical contaminants

TERRE HAUTE, ID, June 14, 2011 (Water Tech) — After finding contaminants in soil and groundwater at a site of a former dry-cleaning business, cleanup efforts are now underway, according to an article from the Tribune-Star.

Testing found that the soil and groundwater contained approximately five times the legal limit of tetrachloroethylene, or PCE, said Chief City Planner Pat Martin.

Martin told the Terre Haute Board of Public Works and Safety that he has a “moderately high degree of confidence that the site can be remediated,” added the article.

High concentrations of PCE can cause dizziness, headache, nausea, difficulty speaking and walking and even death, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Multi-Pure Commentary:
Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems have been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53 to reduce PCE, a VOC.

Water Quality Current News 6/16/11