Public-Private Wastewater Partnerships

Public-private partnerships involving wastewater are part of an innovative approach to sustainability that delivers results. Wastewater is an overlooked and underutilized resource that delivers results. Businesses, communities, residents, and the environment all stand to benefit from wastewater initiatives. This reduces demand for clean water which is particularly important in areas subject to drought. Corporations are coming to terms with issues related to resource scarcity and increasingly showing leadership in water management.

The three year long drought and resultant water crisis in Cape Town is a clarion call. On May 4th the four-million residents of South Africa's second-largest city will run out of water in what is being called "Day Zero" The availability of water is or will be a major concern for many cities and towns around the world. Some of the big cities that are currently concerned about water shortages include São Paulo, Bangalore, Beijing, Cairo, Jakarta, Moscow, Istanbul, Mexico City, London, Tokyo and Miami.

Corporate America is getting ever more serious about sustainability and water is a major focus of their efforts. The water demands of most businesses make such considersations an indispensable part of sustainability initiatives. This implies that they work alongside the communities in which they are located to collaboratively plan strategies to manage water scarcity. Businesses are cooperating with governments and local resident to develop strategies that mitigate risk. In some cases the private sector may require government incentives to recycle, store and capture water.

Public-private partnerships are one of the most effective ways of addressing water scarcity. Sustainable water management partnerships offer win-win scenarios for both businesses and communities. This benefits the economy, the environment and local residents.

One such partnership can be found in drought-prone North Central Texas. To address the problem of water scarcity businesses are cooperating with local towns to come up with some creative solutions. As reported by Triple Pundit, two cities in Texas are collaborating with a hygiene solutions company to manage their water resources.

A Sealed Air plant in Iowa Park is now using recycled effluent water from the town's wastewater treatment plant. By using abundant wastewater they have reduces their demand for potable water by 40 percent. The water reuse partnership between a Sealed Air plant and the towns of Iowa Park and Wichita Falls will conserve 19 million gallons of drinking water each year.

The idea for this innovative $1.5 million project arose as a consequence of sustained periods of drought in Texas. Effluent water is an ideal solution because it is drought proof and has environmental co-benefits like reducing demand on clean water.

Businesses across the country can benefit from collaborative wastewater projects like the one in Texas. Another form of wastewater, referred to as greywater, is already being used extensively in the beer industry.

The demand for wastewater solutions will continue to grow as water resources become ever more scarce.

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Water Scarcity and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

The importance of water cannot be overstated. It is vital to every aspect of our civilization from the survival of our ecosystems down to our own biological needs. It is intertwined with energy and agriculture, both of which are inextricably tied to climate change. On World Water Day we are called to recognize the fundamental importance of this crucial resource. In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated March 22 as World Water Day. This day is a call to action on behalf of the 1.8 billion people who are at risk of contracting cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio because they are forced to drink contaminated water. This is the white horse, also called disease, the first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

The world water crisis is real. Only about 3 percent of total earth's water is drinkable, the other 97 percent is salt water. Water from lakes, ponds, swamps, streams, rivers and all other surface water make only 0.3 percent of the earth’s fresh water. 68.7 percent of the earth’s fresh water is frozen in glaciers; about 30 percent of earth’s fresh water is ground water.  In response to the shortage of water the world's aquifers are being tapped unsustainably.

Water scarcity also augurs another apocalyptic horseman, the red horse signaling conflict. A 2016 World Bank report finds that water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, could hinder economic growth, spur migration, and spark conflict. According to the report water scarcity could cost some regions up to 6 percent of their GDP by 2050.

We are already seeing divisions over water. In 2016 the New York Times reported that ever expanding deserts are causing conflicts in China. Similar conflicts occurred during the Brazilian water crisis of 2014, between the people in São Paulo and the residents of Rio de Janeiro. Water is already a weapon of war and it is not hard to imagine a future in which wars will be fought over access to water.

State actors are failing to protect their water.  In 2014 Duke Energy repeatedly dumped coal ash into North Carolina's waterways. The first incident spilled 40,000 tons of toxic coal ash and 27 million gallons of wastewater into the Dan River. In October 2016 North Carolina’s chief epidemiologist, Megan Davies resigned after accusing GOP state lawmakers of purposely misleading the states residents when it comes to the safety of their drinking water.  Republican have already started to gut water protections including regulations preventing the dumping of coal ash into America's waterways. 

This brings us to the third horseman, the black horse of oppression. In the US a dark cloud is descending over America's hard fought water protections. Republicans have already voted to remove regulations protecting streams. Trump has advanced a budget that kills projects to clean up the great lakes and Chesapeake Bay. Even more importantly Trump has vowed to kill the Clean Water Act (also known as the “waters of the U.S. rule”). In particular, he is targeting regulations adopted by the Obama administration to protect wetlands and marshes, the nation’s natural water filters.

Water is central to the interconnected challenges associated with both energy generation and climate change. As such its stewardship is key to resolving some of the central issues of our times. We celebrate water as a staple of life and we work to provide it to those in need. Including safe water in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is but one example of UN efforts to make water accessible to everyone.

Managing water demands international cooperation.  This includes the involvement of international bodies like the UN and all levels of government. Many corporations have been working on improving their water management practices. Increasingly sophisticated techniques to re-use water have contributed to some recent advances. Appropriately the theme of this year's World Water Day is "wastewater".

In 2015, when CDP first published its Water A list there were eight companies that achieved an ‘A’ rating. In 2016, 25 companies made the A list. While we are seeing progress, there is still a long way to go for corporations to be in a position where they can say they are doing all that they can. Only 25 companies out of 600 earned an "A" from the CDP and only two are based in the US.

The current problems will be exacerbated by growing demand and increasing scarcity. The UN predicts that the global demand for water will exceed supply by 40 percent by 2030. According to the OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050 there will be catastrophic consequences if we do not change our current course. Failure to address pressing water issues will augur the fourth horseman, the pale horse which heralds destruction.

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Summary of World Water Week: Events, Ideas and Stories

World Water Week was celebrated from August 23 to 28 in Stockholm Sweden.The theme for the 25th anniversary of the event was "Water for Development." More than 3,300 delegates assembled from 130 countries to explore solutions to some of the most urgent water and development challenges.

The problems associated with water are both pressing and ubiquitous with almost 2 billion people lacking access to safe drinking water, and 2.5 billion people who lack access to a proper toilet. Contaminated water kills roughly two million people around the world every year. By 2030, the global population is expected to reach 8.5 billion and the human race could face a 40 percent water shortfall.

Social media figured prominently at the event amplifying the #VoiceofWater. The Twitter hashtag #WWWeek was used 7,000 times everyday, reaching around 1,12 million people over the course of the week.

There were a wide assortment of podcasts, webcasts, videos, workshops, plenaries, sessions, press briefings, exhibition activities, social events, articles, awards and something called SIWASofa which is a cross between a speakers’ corner and interview studio.

Sofa addressed a range of topics, interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing. Interviewees included high-level representatives from the likes of World Bank, UNDP, Veolia, Sanitation and Water For All, Unilever, Rockefeller Foundation and SIWI.

This year's Stockholm Water Prize Laureate Rajendra Singh (aka "Water man of India"), the 2015 Stockholm Industry Water Award winner was CH2M and the winner of Stockholm Junior Water Prize was Perry Alagappan.

For more information click here.

Best Water Ideas

SIWA's #BestWaterIdeas campaign is designed to increase awareness about the importance of finding solutions to the water crisis. In 2015 Going Vegan was the most popular idea winning 58 percent of the votes. In addition to other environmental impacts meat production is water intense compared to producing other crops. It requires 15,500 litres of water to produce 1 kg beef; this can be contrasted to 180 litres for 1 kg tomatoes and 250 litres for 1 kg potatoes. The virtual water we eat (i.e. the water needed to produce the crops on our plates) constitutes the majority of all water we use, and can be as large as 4000 litres of water/capita/day.

There were over 150 water ideas this year and here are some of the best ideas: Rainwater harvesting, access to tap water, the waterless toilet, sari as a water purifier, rehabilitating wastewater, installing wells close to villages, desalinating ocean water and dams to store water.

For more information click here.

Best Water Stories 

There are literally hundreds of stories that were spawned during World Water Week. This includes how to access clean drinking water, The Water Wars Myth, Water and COP21, water as a human right, local responses to the water crisis, the future of water, water energy and climate, water and development, water and agriculture,

For more information click here.

Next year World Water Week will take place from August 28 to September 2. The theme in 2016 will be: "Water for Sustainable Growth," it will focus on inclusive access to water for everyone.

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Water Management is Big Business: Carrots and Sticks

A wide range of companies are responding to the growing demand for responsible water stewardship.  This includes products like software, printing, and decontamination. There are also powerful disincentives that encourage responsible water manage water management.

The number of companies that see the importance of responsible water stewardship has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. This is due to both opportunities and threats. Those who engage responsible water stewardship stand to benefit from cost savings while those who do not get on board are vulnerable to a wide range of risks. These risks include penalties for failure to comply with their legal responsibilities.

Responsible corporate water efforts run the gamut from sustainable water programs to innovations that diminish water use. Here are some examples of products designed to better manage water and a couple of examples of what can happen when companies fail to do so.

There are a number of software programs that enable companies to collate data so that they may better understand and address their water management issues. The Water Risks Monitizer is a great example of software that helps companies to manage water resources. Another water management software from Aquatic Informatics goes by the title of Aquarius WebPortal 2015.1. This software offers real-time online access to quality assured environmental data and services, including rich statistics, intuitive maps, email alerts, data exporting and live reports.

Companies are also acting to be better water stewards. Kodak has introduced something called Sonora Process Free Plates, which eliminates the need for water in the pringing process. This innovation also eliminates the chemicals and energy traditionally required by processed plates. It does this without sacrificing quality or productivity. To meet the burgeoning demand for this product (66 percent year over year) Kodak opened a new manufacturing line at their Columbus, Georgia facility on August 7, 2015. The Sonora Process Free Plates eliminates the need for processing equipment and this can save the average printer that uses 20,000 square meters of plates almost $100,000 annually. There are now more than 2,700 printers using Sonora Process Free Plates for a variety of applications.

Innovative water treatment processes are also on the rise.  One such process employs an advanced oxidation process (AOP) using TiO2 catalyst and UV light. The process treats water to remove organic and chemical contaminants. known as Keratox, this water decontamination process was developed by atg UV Technology. This process can significantly lower costs and risks when compared to traditional approaches that use ozone and hydrogen peroxide.

There have been numerous examples of companies who pay a penalty for failing to safely address water risks. Earlier this year Arch Coal, one of the largest coal companies in the US, and 14 of its subsidiaries where forced to pay a $2 million civil penalty and conduct comprehensive upgrades to their operations to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act. The settlement was attributable to the illegal discharge of pollutants.

Pan Am Railways has also been forced to pay penalties for violating the Clean Water Act. The company has agreed to pay a fine of $152,000 to resolve the violations. These fines were levied due to the company's inadequate storm water management. This includes storm water running through debris piles and oil stains. The company also agreed to undertake an Environmental Culture Assessment (ECA) and develop and implement action plans to improve the current environmental culture.

Whether to reap financial benefits or to avoid penalties the business of water management is is a large and growing concern.

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Expanded Water Tool Reveals the Actual and Future Risks and Costs (Videos)

An expanded version of a tool has just been released that provides actionable information to help businesses manage their water risks. It obvious to everyone, including businesses that water is a finite resource that is in growing demand. It is becoming increasingly evident that water is a strategic asset. Now more than ever businesses want a better understanding of their exposure to water risks. In addition to risk mitigation water is increasingly being understood as a cost saving opportunity. Businesses are also concerned about water scarcity as a constraint to growth. While having the information to craft the right water policy can be instrumental to success, water is currently undervalued and the real price remains elusive.

To ascertain the real value water Ecolab and Trucosthave developed a free tool known as the Water Risk Monetizer. This location specific tool was first introduced in November 2014 and it provides financial valuations of water at any given plant.



This is the first tool to quantify water risks and facilitate informed decision making with actionable information. In this video CEOs Doug Baker (Ecolab) and Richard Mattison (Trucost) discuss why they invented the monitizer and what it does.



Since the initial release last year a new expanded version has become available that accounts for potential profit reductions associated with water scarcity. For more detailed information on how to use the tool watch the full tutorial below.



To access the tool click here.

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A Brief History of Responsible Water Stewardship at Nestlé

Responsible water management is a critical issue for Nestlé and their stakeholders. In recent years the company has made great strides in water efficiency and stewardship. This is important with more than a third (38 percent) of their factories situated in water-stressed regions.

While Nestlé now claims that it welcomes the growing level of stakeholder interest in water issues this was not always the case. Nestlé now aims "to minimise the impact of our operations on natural water resources and the communities they support." However, these objectives were not always core concerns for the company.

In 2011 social media campaigns helped to encourage Nestlé to adopt more sustainable businesses practices including water stewardship. One year later with the help of GE Nestlé managed to save millions of gallons of water.

Nestlé has been involved with water based efforts in India for almost a decade now. They support initiatives to provide clean drinking water and they are also working on building awareness about water conservation and sustainability. Nestlé has partnered with a number of institutions with expertise in the field of water research and outreach across the country including the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and the Embassy of Switzerland in India. Together they formed the Science Express, an innovative mobile exhibition mounted on a specially designed train, traveling across India since October 2007.

They also funded a study in partnership with the International Water Management Institute titled, “Measuring the water footprints of milk production: contributions to livelihood benefits and sustainable water use in the Moga District in Punjab" It explored the main factors for groundwater depletion in the Moga district by studying the water footprint for agriculture, and recommends interventions for sustainable irrigation and agriculture. These recommendations are being promoted by Nestlé among the dairy farmers in the region.

Nestlé is one of the first signatories of the pledge drawn up by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) that commits businesses to upholding the human right to water and sanitation within their operations. The pledge for ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Implementation at the Workplace’ (WASH) challenges companies to provide access to safe water and sanitation, and appropriate facilities to ensure personal hygiene, to employees in all premises in their direct control, within three years of signing.

In 2013 Nestlé launched its water stewardship program that includes efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle water in their operations. The right to water and sanitation is now systematically included in Nestlé's corporate Human Rights Impact Assessment.  Nestlé conducts water resource reviews to help them assess potential impacts to the Right to Water and Sanitation of local communities. Where they deem necessary they take corrective action. As of the end of 2014, 133 factories had undergone a Water Resources Review.

In 2014 Nestlé introduced a global ‘Water Stewardship Master Plan’ at a corporate level, and they started to develop local master plans in key markets which includes documented responsibilities, targets and deadlines.

There are currently more than 376 water-saving projects in Nestlé’s factories which will save around 1.84 million m3 of water. In 2014,  they reduced direct water withdrawals per tonne of product by 6 percent and 37 percent since 2005.

By the end of 2014, they have decreased water withdrawals and improved efficiency (compared to 2013 levels) in 42 percent of these facilities. They improve local water stewardship efforts by conducting Water Resource Reviews across our factory sites, with 18 new reviews carried out this year. WASH considerations are being integrated into the process.

The company has publicly announced the following responsible water stewardship goals for this year and next:

2015

– Reduce direct water withdrawals per tonne of product in every product category to achieve an overall reduction of 40% since 2005.
– Establish and implement detailed guidelines on human rights to water and sanitation due diligence.

2016

– Define water stewardship initiatives and start implementation in five high-priority locations.
– Implement water savings projects in 100% of high-priority manufacturing facilities.
– Carry out 45 new water resources reviews in selected manufacturing facilities, and all greenfield sites.

In addition to their purely water focused initiatives Nestlé now participates in efforts to help others engage sustainability and the company is also among those who were early supporters of the EPA's Clean Power Plan. While there are still reasons why environmental critics challenge Nestlé, no one can deny that they have come a long way in a relatively short span of time.

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Performance Contracting Offers Water and Energy Savings for Schools and Governments

A new report suggests that western public school schools and government facilities can reduce energy and water usage and save vast sums of money by using performance contracting. The western states covered in the report are Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.

Performance Based Contracting is a results-oriented contracting method that grantees a particular outcome. This approach focuses on the outputs, quality, or outcomes that are tied to a contractor's payment. If the contractor fails to meet the contracted objectives the contractor must make up the difference.

According to a study released at the end of July by Western Resource Advocates and McKinstry, there are almost $1 billion worth of savings to be had.

The research specifically said that using performance contracting a total of $859 million can be saved through water management and energy conservation measures.

The report, titled Tapping the Power of the Market: Financial, Energy and Water Savings, and New Revenue Streams through Performance Contracting in the Colorado River Basin States, indicates that together schools and governments in the west could save more than 6 million megawatts of electricity, 4 million cubic feet of natural gas, and 40,000 acre feet of water every year.

The study concludes that the performance contracting model, is well suited to energy and water contracts given out by cities, counties, school districts, and wastewater/water utilities .

This approach is particularly important in the Colorado River Basin which has been plagued by the combination of decreasing water supply and increasing demand. Persistent droughts and growing populations are straining resources to the limit.

Performance contracting can both reduce apparent water loss through customer meter inaccuracies by 461,000 acre-feet per year. It can also provide $593 million in additional revenue per year.

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Water is a Key to Sustainable Development

The theme of World Water Week 2015, (August 23-28) is "Water for Development." This year's theme is crucially important issue as water is central to development issues around the world. There can be no sustainable development, nor can we hope to eradicate poverty in the absence of a keen focus on water.

The issue of water is prescient as the Sustainable Development Goals are due to be formally adopted in September.  As explained in a Reuters article, the World Bank says that water management is key to achieving these goals.

Each day almost 1000 children under 5 die from diarrhea caused by contaminated water. One third of all people on earth, or 2.4 billion people do not have access to sanitation.

This already serious problem is destined to get worse as the world's population is expected to top 9 billion people by 2050. This is especially true in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia where urban centers are growing rapidly. We are expected to face a 40 percent shortfall in water supplies in 15 years due in part to urbanization.

We need to fundamentally rethink how water is managed said Junaid Ahmad, director at the World Bank's water global practice. "We're headed into a perfect storm in which over the next 20 years we will see the demand for water growing significantly, driven by thirsty agriculture, thirsty energy and thirsty cities," Ahmad said at the World Water Conference in Stockholm.

Water is not only a problem in the developing world or for the world's poor, it is a global problem that touches all of us. In 2015 alone the ongoing drought in California cost the state's economy $2.7 billion and nearly 21,000 jobs. Water issues in the developing world are even more serious and problematic.

Food scarcity is directly tied to water scarcity. Water scarcity like climate change is a major cause of stress and conflict. Water is also a weapon of war. It is not an exaggeration to say that the fate of the world hinges on how we manage water, particularly in the developing world.

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Free Sustainable Water Management Software for Universities

Water and wastewater modeling software is now available for free to students and professors at universities around the world. The GIS-centric water and wastewater modeling software is a special student edition of both InfoWater and InfoSWMM. The software address every facet water management and protection. Essentially it contains everything that is need to plan, design, operate, secure and sustain water distribution. This includes predictive analytics, systems dynamics, optimization functionality. Some of the specific features are dynamic water quality simulations, valve criticality and energy cost analysis.

The software suite is designed to provide educational opportunities for students in institutes of higher learning. Interested universities can use this advanced, high performance water modeling software in their classrooms and labs.

Working with this software will provide practical skills that are valued in the workforce. The software will give students an opportunity to design, plan, operate and manage sustainable water distribution and wastewater/stormwater collection systems.

The offer comes from Innovyze, a company that develops business analytics software and technologies for smart water infrastructure. The InfoWater and InfoSWMM software is widely used by utilities and engineering firms around the world.

For more information click here.
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Make sure to see the article titled, "Comprehensive Green School Information and Resources." It contains links to over 300 articles covering everything you need to know about sustainable academics, student eco-initiatives, green school buildings, and college rankings as well as a wide range of related information and resources.

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Water Purication for Developing Countries (Infographic)

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Event - Water for Development: World Water Week 2015

The United Nations' World Water Week, takes place on August 23-28, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. The theme for this years Word Water Week event is "Water for Development." This annual event is designed to bring awareness to the globe’s water issues. While the event is taking place in Sweden, people around the world are supporting the event. Poverty eradication is intimately connected to water.

The United Nations University (UNU) carries out research and training on numerous water-related issues. Using the latest evidence-based research, our institutes feed into policy planning worldwide. They provide economic, political and social recommendations to help ensure human development, survival and welfare worldwide.

The guiding theme of World Water Week 2015, is of crucial importance to UNU. The use of water for development is a key plank in two projects at UNU-MERIT: one focusing on India, the other on Kenya. The ‘FINISH’ and ‘FINISH-INK’ projects aim to improve not only sanitation but also regional economies: helping local engineers and entrepreneurs design, build and service modern toilets. Working with partners such as NGOs, government agencies and international organisations, including UNICEF, the scope is massive: a toilet is built by FINISH India every 3-4 minutes. The ultimate goal is to build half a million by 2016.

As of 2015, UNU has a total of 60 water projects, based out of institutes like UNU-INWEH in Canada, UNU-INRA in Ghana, and UNU-IAS in Japan, among several others. Of these 60 projects, 24 broadly focus on Asia, 16 on Africa, and eight on the Americas.

Yet water is just one piece of the puzzle for both development and the environment. Hence the ‘Nexus Approach’ designed by UNU-FLORES in Germany, which aims to encourage a more sustainable management of water, soil and waste, while working with partners like UNEP and UNESCO. The approach is based on the understanding that environmental resources are inextricably linked and therefore need to be governed in an integrated way.

Click here to see UNU’s latest policy brief on water-related issues from UNU-FLORES. The document is titled, "The Need for Water as Energy Storage for Better Integration of Renewables"

On Sunday August 23 at 2 PM there will be a session on ‘water storage and hydropower as drivers for sustainable development’. Click here for more details about the event.

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The Water Crisis and Development: World Water Week 2015 (Video)

The scarcity of clean water in certain places around the world is one of the most daunting challenges in the world today. Each day almost 1000 children under 5 die from diarrhoea caused by contaminated water. More than 2.4 billion people – a third of all humanity – have no access to sanitation. And as populations grow, water is set to become a new source of danger, of conflict, given the rapid urban expansion of Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, as climate change accelerates, we are likely to see more extreme and frequent droughts, floods and typhoons. Again, people in emerging economies are likely to be the hardest hit by water-borne disasters.

To help national governments and the global community prepare and respond to these challenges, the United Nations University carries out research and training on numerous water-related issues. Using the latest evidence-based research, our institutes feed into policy planning worldwide. Essentially, we provide economic, political and social recommendations to help ensure human development, survival and welfare worldwide.



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Climate Change Increases Risks of Water Borne Diseases Contracted by Swimming

While swimming is a common summertime activity it can also make people very sick. Cryptosporidiosis or Cryto is one of a number of sicknesses that appear to be on the increase due to climate change. Whether on a beach or in a pool cryto is one of many invisible parasites that can make swimmers sick. Microbial pathogens in the water already make thousands of people sick each year and as the world warms research suggests that the incidence of water borne disease will get worse.

Hundreds of millions of Americans travel to beaches, lakefront cabins, and swimming pools. Swimming is a far more popular activity than commercial theme parks or visits to state parks. In fact US beaches are by far the largest attraction for national travel and tourism. According to Coastal Science, 200 million Americans made more than 2 billion visits to beaches in 2010.

Increased rainfall and warmer temperatures associated with climate change appear to be increasing the amount of bacteria in our oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. The EPA estimates that pollution sickens at least 3.5 million beach visitors per year. Beach closures due to poor water quality result in hefty economic losses for workers and businesses.

As reported by Medical News Today,  a recent survey from Rx for Travel Health indicates that nearly two thirds (63%) of American travelers claim they or a companion have become sick while on vacation. Some of these illnesses can be traced to swimming. Whether a pool, coastal beach or inland swimming hole, water can contain bacteria that makes people sick.

There are a wide variety of dangerous microbial pathogens in our oceans, rivers, lakes, streams and ponds that can make people sick. This includes E. coli, norovirus, Giardia, Shigella and even a brain-eating amoeba known as Naegleria fowleri. The most common water borne disease is Crypto. Swimmers are even vulnerable in pools as cryto is resistant to chlorine.

The research indicates that climate can play a role in the waterborne transmission of this disease. An article from Physicians for Social Responsibility indicates that warmer water associated with climate change increases water borne diseases. A study titled Global Climate Change Effects on the Transmission of Waterborne Cryptosporidiosis indicates that outbreaks of crypto may increase as a result of global climate change.

"The expected positive relationship between rainfall and the concentration of cryptosporidium oocysts (this parasite's environmental form) in surface water has been documented a number of times in a variety of locations," the study said.

The increase in illnesses caused by swimming pools has been documented by a June report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They report states that the leading cause of water borne illnesses is crypto, which can live for five days even in properly maintained and chlorinated pools. The CDC has also documented a radical increase in cryptosporidium in recreational waterways.

In 2004 there were 3,411 cases of cryto and the most recent reports indicate that there are now more than 10,500 cases. Cryptosporidium can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and it can be found in pools, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds and streams. Cryptospordium and other parasites and germs enter the body through swallowed pool water, then burrows into the small intestine, often bringing on bouts of diarrhea. In rare cases, death can result if the person has a compromised immune system. Water-borne germs can also cause serious skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurological, and wound infections. Aging sewage infrastructure contributes to water borne diseases.

Illnesses can even be caused by breathing in mists or aerosols from pools, hot tubs, water parks, fountains, lakes, rivers or oceans.

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Hot Topics in Drinking Water and Wastewater

This full day program about drinking and wastewater will take place on July 22, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. -3:45 p.m. at DSM Nutritional Products, Inc., 206 Macks Island Dr., Belvidere, New Jersey.

Both the drinking water and wastewater industries are continuously evolving. Every day brings new challenges, and research is the key to meeting these challenges.

This event will address "hot button" topics in the context of actual real world applications. This involves emerging technologies and techniques as well as case studies and plans for future projects. These issues will be addressed by bringing research into the classroom and touring treatment activities at the host facility.

For more information click here.

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Event - Water and Society Conference 2015

The 3rd International Conference on Water and Society will take place on the 15th to the 17th of July, 2015 in A Coruña, Spain. The first of which was held in Las Vegas in 2011, followed by the meeting in 2013 in the New Forest, UK, home to the Wessex Institute. Conference Proceedings Papers presented at Water and Society 2015 will disseminated worldwide. Delegates will recieve the conference book (hard cover or digital format) which will be catalogued and archived in the British Library, the American Library of Congress and the WIT eLibrary.


Conference Topics

Water resources management
Water as a human right
Water quality
Water resources contamination
Water, sanitation and health
Water and disaster management
Policy and legislation
Future water demands
Irrigation and desertification

Over the centuries, civilisations have relied on the availability of clean and inexpensive water. This can no longer be taken for granted as the need for water continues to increase due to the pressure from an increasing global population demanding higher living standards. Agriculture and industry, major users of water, are at the same time those that contribute to its contamination. Water distribution networks in urban areas, as well as soiled water collection systems, present serious problems in response to a growing population as well as the need to maintain ageing infrastructures.

Many technologically feasible solutions, such as desalination or pumping systems are energy demanding but, as energy costs rise, the techniques currently developed may need to be re-assessed. The Conference will address the interaction between water and energy systems.

This meeting will encourage trans-disciplinary communication on issues related to the nature of water, and its use and exploitation by society. The conference is motivated by the need to bridge the gap between the broad spectrum of socio-political sciences and humanistic disciplines and specialists in physical sciences, biology, environmental sciences and health, among others.

The socio-political implications of a world short of clean, easily available water are enormous. Coupled with the increasing demands for energy, it will lead to realignments in international politics and the emergence of new centres of power in the world.

Policy makers need to be educated and advised on developing policies and regulations that will support the water systems of tomorrow. The role of society and its involvement with water is paramount. To meet the future demands for water, new standards, new training and additional support roles will best be delivered by those knowledgeable of the new technologies and direction of the industry.

The intention of the Water and Society series of conferences is to review these issues, as well as the more technical aspects of water resources management and quality, to help the policy makers put forward policies and legislation that will lead to improved solutions for all.

To register click here.

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Event: Canadian Water Summit: The Energy of Water

The 6th Annual Canadian Water Summit will take place on June 24 and 25, 2015 at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, British Columbia. The water professionals in attendance will be engaged and inspired by the full day program to collaborate and take advantage of the energy of water - in Canada and around the world. Since 2009, the Canadian Water Summit has served as a collaborative forum for leaders from diverse sectors to share insights and further a united mission: to build a sustainable water future for Canada.

Who Should Attend

• Business professionals and investors
• Experts in water management and technology
• Industry associations
• Building practitioners
• Municipalities
• Policymakers
• Lawyers
• NGOs
• Academics
• Community representatives
• Watershed groups

Plenaries and Panels

The conference will offer expert plenary sessions and panel presentations filled with case studies, real world projects and positive examples of nexus opportunities that exist for water and energy which benefit government, industry, and First Nations. Here is a summary of these panels and sessions on June 25, 2015.

Water Clusters: Building Capacity through Collaboration  

Morning Panel, 9:15 - 10:30 am

Over the past few years, water technology "clusters" have popped up across the globe, fuelled by the promise of a $560 billion global water market. How are these clusters benefiting economic growth, innovation adoption, and environmental protection? Are they really lending to a more cohesive sector? What are the current goals and models for these clusters? In this session, learn how clusters from Canada, the United States, and Europe are making a difference.

Session Leader: Dr Peter Gallant, President and CEO, WaterTAP

Panelists: Hein Molenkamp, Managing Director, Water Alliance (Netherlands); Bryan Stubbs, Executive Director, Cleveland Water Alliance

What is this “nexus” we are talking about? How do water flows, governance, and energy mix? How do we capture the energy of water? How are water and energy connected? 

Plenary Q&A Panel, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

Session Leader: Margaret Catley-Carlson, Patron, Global Water Partnership

Panelists: Stephanie Smith, Manager Hydrology, BC Hydro; Nick Reid, Executive Director Strategic Partnerships, OCWA

Water – Energy Nexus Natural resources, mining and gas intersections; electricity, water use, and utilities 

Breakout Session, 2:00 - 3:15 pm

Session Leader: James Fotouhi, Research Analyst, BlueTech Research

Panelists: Matt Horne, Associate Director, Pembina Institute; Matt Kennedy, Vice President, Environment, Innergex; Deborah Harford, Executive Director, ACT

Water – Land Nexus The health of watersheds is a measure of our successes and failures with land and water use. How do we balance protection of our fish, our communities, our farming, our rivers, and our lakes? 

Breakout Session, 2:00 - 3:15 pm

Session Leader: Anna Warwick Sears, Executive Director, Okanagan Basin Water Board

Panelists: Ted van der Gulik, Chair & Director, Irrigation Industry Association of BC; Fin Donnelly, Board Chair, Rivershed Society of BC; Jordan Point, Executive Director, First Nations Fisheries Council of BC

Evolution of the Water-Food Nexus

Breakout Session, 2:00 - 3:15 pm

Water is a vital ingredient and strategic resource for the food and beverage manufacturing sector and is central to asset management strategies surrounding this resource. How to continually balance production, water use, and food safety while maintaining operational efficiency and economic productivity is an ongoing challenge for food and beverage producers. The panel presentation will provide attendees with a glimpse into the complex water-food nexus, and an understanding of how water stewardship decisions made today will shape the future economic success and competitiveness of the food and beverage sector.

Session Leader: Eric Meliton, Project Manager - Water Stewardship, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Panelists: Linda Delli Santi, Executive Director, BC Greenhouse Growers' Association; Kevin Jones, President and CEO, BLOOM; Andres Palma, Director of Brewing & Compliance - Vancouver Brewery, Molson Coors Canada

Social Nexus Exploring opportunities in water ethics, sustainability and biology. What values and attitudes do we have for water?

Closing Plenary Panel: Water, 3:45 - 5:00 pm

Speakers

There will be many distinguished speakers at this event. Here is a summary of some of those speakers.

• Alex & Tyler Mifflin (Co-Hosts, The Water Brothers)
• Ian Campbell (Chief, Squamish Nation)
• Margaret Catley-Carlson (Patron, Global Water Partnership)
• Linda Delli Santi (Executive Director, BC Greenhouse Growers' Association)
• Fin Donnelly (Board Chair, Rivershed Society of BC)
• James Fotouhi (Water Reuse and Alternative Water Practice Area Leader, BlueTech Research)
• Judith Guichon (Lieutenant Governor, Province of British Columbia)
• Robert Haller (Executive Director, Canadian Water and Wastewater Association)
• Deborah Harford (Executive Director, ACT)
• Matt Horne (Associate Director for British Columbia, Pembina Institute)
• Kevin Jones (President and CEO, BLOOM)
• Fred Keating (Emcee)
• Matt Kennedy, M.Sc., R.P. Bio. (Vice President - Environment, Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.)
• Todd Latham (President, Actual Media Inc.)
• Eric Meliton (Project Manager - Water Stewardship, TRCA)
• Hein Molenkamp (Managing Director, Water Alliance)
• Andres Palma (Director of Brewing and Compliance- Vancouver Brewery, Molson Coors Canada)
• Dr. Peter Gallant (President and CEO, WaterTAP)
• Andrew Petter (President & Vice Chancellor, Simon Fraser University )
• Jordan Point (Executive Director, First Nations Fisheries Council of BC)
• Mary Polak (Minister of Environment, Province of British Columbia)
• Nick Reid (Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, Ontario Clean Water Agency)
• Stephanie Smith (Manager, Hydrology, BC Hydro)
• James Snider (VP, Freshwater Program, WWF-Canada)
• Ingrid Stefanovic (Dean, Faculty of Environment, Simon Fraser University)
• Bryan Stubbs (Executive Director, Cleveland Water Alliance)
• Ted van der Gulik (Chair & Director, Irrigation Industry Association of BC)
• Anna Warwick Sears (Executive Director, Okanagan Basin Water Board)

Click here to register.

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Event - Water Resources Management 2015

The eighth International Conference on Sustainable Water Resources Management will take place on June 15-17 2015 at the Wessex Institute in A Coruña, Spain. It will present the more recent technological and scientific developments, associated with the management of surface and sub-surface water resources.

Water is essential for sustaining life on our planet and its uneven distribution is a source of permanent conflict. The growth of human population combined with the irregularity in precipitation and water availability may restrict even further the access to water in certain regions of the world. This problem is made more severe by anthropogenic activities that affect its quality.

The Conference provides a platform for professionals involved in water resources management to exchange knowledge and gain an insight in to the state of the art in the current technology, techniques and solutions in sustainable water management as they have been developed and applied in different countries. Participants include a wide variety of stakeholders from research and academia, like industrial sectors as well as government organizations.

To register click here.

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New Clean Drinking Water Rules Supported by Business

Clean water is important to both the public and business and thanks to a new rule drinking water is now safer in the US. The new rule came into effect on Wednesday May 27, 2015. It expands protection of areas not clearly covered under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. The new clean water regulation, formally known as the The Waters of the United States rule, was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers.

The new ruling will make it easier for the EPA to regulate water pollution in "isolated wetlands." It addresses a 2001 Supreme Court decision that challenged the EPA's authority. The net result is that an additional 2 million miles of streams and 20 million acres of wetlands will now be protected. This helps business and 33 percent of Americans whose drinking was not previously protected.

This is a science based approach that addresses the interconnected reality of waterways. The increased clarity about what constitutes a tributary give the EPA the authority to do more to combat pollution and go after polluters.

The EPA adopted the new rule after a year long period where the public was invited to comment. It has the support of both business and environmental groups. According to various polls at least 80 percent of voters and small business owners support the move.

Although there was some predictable push-back from the usual suspects. Legal challenges are expected and congressional Republicans are already hard at work to undermine the rules. The House has already passed a bill that would deny these waters the protections they are now afforded.

The implications extend beyond drinking water. These rules protect wetlands which mitigate climate change by moderating cycles of drought and flooding.

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