Baltimore, MD -- Many rivers and streams in the United States are believed to contain a toxic antimicrobial chemical whose environmental fate was never thoroughly scrutinized despite large-scale production and usage for almost half a century, according to an analysis conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The chemical, triclocarban, has been widely used for decades in hand soaps and other cleaning products, but rarely was monitored for or detected in the environment. The new findings suggest that triclocarban contamination is greatly underreported. The study is published in the current online edition of Environmental Science & Technology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society.

“We’ve been using triclocarban for almost half a century at rates approaching 1 million pounds per year, but we have essentially no idea of what exactly happens to the compound after we flush it down the drain,” said the study’s lead author, Rolf U. Halden, PhD, PE, assistant professor in the School’s Department of Environmental Health Sciences and founding member of its Center for Water and Health.

The nationwide assessment of triclocarban contamination is based in part on an analysis of water samples collected from rivers in and around Baltimore, Md., as well as from local water filtration and wastewater treatment plants. From the samples, Dr. Halden and his summer research intern, Daniel H. Paull, now a graduate student in the Chemistry department at Johns Hopkins University, observed the occurrence of triclocarban in the environment correlated strongly with that of triclosan, another commonly used antimicrobial chemical that has been studied in much greater detail because it is more easily detectable.

Using an empirical model and published data on the environmental occurrence of triclosan, the researchers predicted triclocarban concentrations for 85 U.S. streams. The study results suggest that the antimicrobial contaminant is present in 60 percent of the U.S. water resources investigated, thereby making it the fifth most frequent contaminant among 96 pharmaceuticals, personal care products and organic wastewater contaminants evaluated.

To determine the validity of the analysis, the researchers compared their predicted nationwide levels of contamination to experimentally measured concentrations in the Greater Baltimore region, and found no statistically significant differences. The results also show that the levels of triclocarban in water resources nationwide are much higher than previously thought.

In surface water from the Baltimore region, the researchers detected triclocarban at concentrations of up to 6.75 micrograms per liter (parts-per-billion). This maximum concentration was 28-fold higher than previously reported levels, which are currently used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for evaluation of the ecological and human health risks of triclocarban.

“Along with its chemical cousin triclosan, the antimicrobial compound triclocarban should be added to the list of polychlorinated organic compounds that deserve our attention due to unfavorable environmental characteristics, which include long-term persistence and potential bioaccumulation. Triclocarban, for example, has an estimated half-life of 1.5 years in aquatic sediments. Do the potential benefits of antimicrobial products outweigh their known environmental and human health risks? This is a scientifically complex question consumers, knowingly or unknowingly, answer to everyday in the checkout line of the grocery store,” said Dr. Halden.

“Co-Occurrence of Triclocarban and Triclosan in U.S. Water Resources” was written by Rolf U. Halden and Daniel H. Paull.

Source: http://www.jhsph.edu/

Weekly Update : Iraq Reconstruction - 1/19/05

Washington, DC -- Weekly Update -- This fact sheet highlights overall accomplishments and some weekly activities from USAID’s reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information on USAID’s programs in Iraq please see: www.usaid.gov/iraq

Program Overview:  USAID's goal is to improve the efficiency and reliability of existing water and wastewater treatment facilities, especially those in the south where water quantity and quality are particularly low. An anticipated 11.8 million Iraqis will benefit from USAID's $600 million in water and sanitation projects.

HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK

-Work to restore 14 water treatment facilities in Basrah Governorate was completed on December 14, 2004. These facilities range from conventional treatment plants to pre-manufactured compact units. Final inspection of the facilities was completed on December 14, 2004 and the project is now 100 percent complete. Over the course of the project, there were many components refurbished: 15 clarifiers, 80 compact units, 71 high lift pumps, seven low lift pumps, nine backwash pumps, 50 pressure filters, 34 gravity filters, 19 generators, and five storage tanks. Additionally, the entire 21.50 km pipeline has been excavated, built, tested, and backfilled for the Khor Az Zubayr to Safwan water line.

-A USAID project to restore the wastewater collection system in Basrah is now complete. Final testing was conducted last month. This project restored sewage lift stations in Basrah which transfer raw sewage to a main sewage treatment plant in the governorate. The completion of this project will improve the conveyance of wastewater in the area, providing a more sanitary environment in the city of Basrah and reducing risks to public health. The project was divided into two phases which were implemented concurrently.

The first phase repaired the primary sewage pumping stations in the existing Basrah sewage collection system, while the second phase addressed repairs to secondary lift stations. The final inspections were performed on 19 vertical pump lift stations on December 22, 2004. The pumps are all operating and the electrical equipment systems are functioning. The pre-engineered warehouse structures were erected and sheathed by January 10.

-Work is continuing on a project to improve the sewage collection system in a populous district of Baghdad; when complete, the rehabilitated system will provide improved service to 1.5 million residents. Overall, this activity is 39 percent finished, and is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2005.

-Work is 79 percent complete at a wastewater treatment plant in An Najaf Governorate. The project is scheduled to be completed in mid-February 2005. Work on this plant will completely overhaul and re-store the facility.

Source: USAID, http://www.usaid.gov/

JWCE : New Immersible Motor Series

COSTA MESA, CA -- The immersible motor exhibits improved efficiency, operates at a cooler temperature, and is less expensive than typical submersible motors frequently used for applications with occasional flooding.

This new innovation is ideal for applications that are prone to intermittent flooding because it is designed to operate exposed to air, along with the capacity for 30 feet of submergence during flooding. The new motors are significantly more efficient for these applications because they are designed to operate continuously in ambient air unlike submersible motors.

The immersible motor’s special torque characteristics make them suitable for all JWC products. The motor has a U.L.NEMA 6P (IP67) approval rating allowing them to withstand watertight submergence of up to 6 feet. The units have been designed to withstand 30 feet of water and JWC warranties such submergence. The motors are available in common voltages and frequencies and utilize a high temperature lip seal. They are also designed to operate in an explosion proof environment.

The new immersible motors maximize effectiveness because they are specifically designed for flood prone applications, operate efficiently in ambient air, and are ideally suited for JWC products.

JWC Environmental is a leading manufacturer of equipment for wastewater treatment, solids reduction, solids removal and processing.  Our superior technology provides solutions for the most demanding applications for sludge grinders, shredders, screens, washer compactors and septage receiving stations.

For more information contact:
Mr. Fritz Egger
JWC Environmental
290 Paularino Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Telephone: 800-331-2277
Fax: 949 833-8858
Email: fritze@jwce.com
Web site: www.jwce.com

. USFilter To Provide Qatar's New GTL Plant With Reuse Systems USFilter is providing ORYX GTL Limited's new gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar with two separate water treatment systems for water reuse.

Colombian City Selects MWH Soft Technology
MWH Soft today announced that Empresas Municipales de Cali EICE ESP, Colombia, has awarded MWH Soft a contract for its InfoWater and InfoSewer Pro software suites.
 

Earth Tech Selected As Major Subcontractor For Iraqi Projects Earth Tech Inc. has been named a major subcontractor for a series of design/build drinking water, wastewater and solid waste treatment facilities - in northern and southern Iraq.

Click here to visit the News Center...

People post their requests for help and offer their suggestions to others in our open forum.

Mr. Hallisey has questions about floating flocs:

Installed a new inclined plate clarifier (120 gpm) last month. Basic solids removal to a plate frame press. I am seeing a small quantity of nicely formed floc floating from time to time. I am sure that I am not behind in sludge removal. I use 45% Alum (about 30 ppm), and a high Mol Cat polymer (15 ppm). Any advice?  (Click here to post a reply)

John Hallisey
PCC Airfoils
john.hallisey@pccdgls.com

Mr. Orlebeke needs help with endocrin disputers:

There is a lot of talk and studies going on concerning estrogenic chemicals coming out the typical wastewater treatment plants - what are known as "endocrin disputors". The Germans have had some success with AGC (activated granular carbon) but this creates a waste product that must be treated - as well as expensive with large flows.

Some university studies are on-going using AOT's (advanced oxidation technologies) which are either using hydrogen peroxide solutions to "incinerate" or creating high levels of oxy-radicals. AOT's have their limitations and can be costly and present numerous OSHA and other handle hazards.

Are any of you dealing with this issue now - platn operators I mean - and what technologies are you looking at/being presented with for resolving it by the "consultants" out there. Do any of the presenters have actual "real situation" data?  (Click here to post a reply)

Regards,
Dave Orlebeke
Aquatic Technologies
aquaticonsult@yahoo.com

Help Forum:  Share your expertise with others in our Help Forum.

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Engineering Opportunities - Anchorage, Alaska

CH2M HILL is seeking energetic, results oriented engineering professionals for the following positions in its Anchorage office:

Staff Engineer: Entry-level engineer for design activities of treatment processes & specifications. Activities include hydraulic & hydrologic modeling & field activities. May provide project oversight to technicians & assist more complex assignments. BS in Civil Engineering, MS in Civil or Environmental engineering preferred. 0-4 yrs exp. Knowledge of municipal water & wastewater facilities & conveyance projects preferred. (Reference 7201BR)

Environmental Engineer: Project mgmt or technical lead for planning, design, & services during construction for wastewater treatment systems, pipeline & pump station projects. Develop client contacts, proposal preparation, project positioning, preparing detailed scopes, budgets, & work plans. Will direct workers & mentor staff. BS in Civil Engineering, MS in Civil or Environmental engineering preferred. 5-15 yrs exp including 5 yrs of water & wastewater treatment plant engineering, project mgmt, & business development. P.E. in AK or obtain in 1 yr. (Reference 7203BR)

Senior Wastewater Project Manager: Design, planning, staffing, scheduling, budget mgmt, quality control, safety, & coordination of subcontractors & staff in the delivery of wastewater treatment & conveyance projects. Will help identify & lead sales efforts for public & private partnerships for wastewater projects. BS in Civil Engineering, MS in Civil or Environmental engineering preferred. 15-25 yrs exp including 10 yrs of wastewater treatment plant engineering, project mgmt & business development experience in wastewater projects. P.E. in AK or obtain in 1 yr. (Reference 7202BR)

CH2M HILL is a global, employee-owned, project delivery company whose comprehensive services help clients take projects from concept through successful operation. We employ approximately 10,000 employees throughout our more than 120 worldwide offices in 50 major technical disciplines. At any given time, CH2M HILL has more than 20,000 active projects underway worldwide. Work on these projects may include overall program management, environmental assessments, permitting and regulatory compliance, environmental information management systems, engineering design, construction management, facility operation, technical skill transfer and training, sustainable development, and other services.

We offer a full benefit package including health, life, dental, and disability insurance, as well as Paid Time Off (PTO). The position is generally 8-5 M-F, with an hour lunch. Rates are based on a 40-hour work week, but some overtime may be needed. The annual salary is determined by experience.

For full descriptions & to apply, please visit www.ch2mhill.com. CH2M HILL is an EEO/AA employer.

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Its becoming more and more obvious that trace amounts of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, like antibiotics and now anti-bacterial additives are becoming a problem for wastewater treatment plants.  How do we deal with this and what kind of new technology will it take so we can clean up our waterways?  Read on!

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Wastewater Engineering:
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Hardcover, 1848 pages, March 2002

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This weeks photo is of the massive cleansing and repair of this vital 149 mile Iraqi waterway also includes the $12 million refurbishment of 13 water treatment plants and the repair of the pumping station that sends water from the canal's reservoir through a network of pipelines leading to residential, commercial and agricultural users.

Photo courtesy of USAID.

Send us your photos:  We would love to have your photo of a water or wastewater treatment "action shot" for inclusion on our home page, free of charge.  Send your photograph and description to:  news@waterandwastewater.com

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