Industry Trends


SAWS Seeks Innovative Water Supply Project Ideas

Following the request for information, the San Antonio Water System will release a request for proposals on water supply diversification.

Workers have to wear protective gear when removing asbestos

The Asbestos Debacle

The health risk and liabilities of this hazardous substance cost too much to ignore; the best approach is to eliminate the problem.

U.S. Chamber Challenges EPA Action on Texas' Air Authority

A U.S. Chamber of Commerce spokesman said that the federal agency is trying to fix flexible permitting, but the process was not broken.

Groups Settle with National Coal for Reports on Selenium Discharges

Tennessee Clean Water Network, Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment, and the Sierra Club Tennessee Chapter had filed a Clean Water Act lawsuit against the company's discharges from a mountaintop removal mine.

Organic waste for compost

Good Compost Neighbor Uses Robust Odor Control

One company minimizes odors from the start by quickly processing organic materials into the composting cell and employing covered aerated static pile technology.

EPA Asks 9 Hydraulic Fracturing Services for Chemical, Process Data

The agency is "drilling down to bedrock" to uncover the impact of the process on drinking water sources.

Mr. President, Please Don't Forget about Water Infrastructure

AWWA reminds Obama of the need for funding repair and replacement of water treatment facilities and distribution systems.

GWI Revises Desalination Market Forecast

Global Water Intelligence predicts the industry will not exceed its 2007 performance of 7.5 million cubic meters per day until 2012.



Who is doing what

Who's Doing What

New positions, recognition and calls to service top this week's summary of movement within the environmental industry.

Growers Sign Petition for Atrazine Use

Long-standing pesticide faces government review, an activist campaign, and two lawsuits.

Infrared Drying Could Save Energy for Pulp and Paper Industry

Students from Saint Martin's University found that less heat is lost using flat ceramic infrared electric emitters in research supported by Puget Sound Energy.

Parts of Texas' Air Permitting Program Not Up to Code, EPA Says

In one example, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality did not allow adequate review of impacts on total air pollution levels should changes in the Pollution Control Project Standard Permit be approved, the federal agency reported.

Lawmakers Call for Probe into Claims Handling by Enbridge

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said it has evidence that residents affected by the recent spill in Michigan are being asked to waive legal rights or sign over medical records.

New Jersey Gives Fuel Oil Industry 6 Years to Meet Sulfur Standard

By 2016, the state will require refiners to produce oil with a maximum sulfur content standard of 15 parts per million; the current standard is 2,000 to 3,000 parts per million.

Company Must Remove PCB-contaminated Materials from GM Superfund Site

Before the Motors Liquidation Company can demolish several buildings at the Massena, N.Y., site, it must decontaminate the buildings and their contents and sample and remove contaminated soil.

Air Products to Pay $1.5M for Transferring Spent Acid to Agrifos

EPA's enforcement of mining and minerals processing "leaked" over to chemical manufacturing because the company shipped spent acid to a facility not authorized to accept it.

Neighborhood design

A 'Prefurbia' Development Solution

In a multi-part series of articles, Rick Harrison, president of Rick Harrison Site Design Studio, will explain some of the problems in land development today and how innovative methods collectively known as "Prefurbia" can help to overcome them.

Emory River Opens for Recreation as Coal Ash Cleanup Continues

Federal and Tennessee agencies have determined that any coal ash remaining in the river presents minimal health risks to recreational users.

American Vanguard Files Suit for Relief from EPA Stop Sale Order

The company makes pentachloronitrobenzene, a fungicide used on turf, and was ordered to stop selling the product because it did not identify trace impurities in its confidential statement of formula.