Archive for April, 2011

« Older Entries

California community permanently implements water conservation measures

Friday, April 29th, 2011

The city council of Arroyo Grande, California, recently announced that once-temporary water conservation regulations will now become permanent, according to the Times Press Recorder.

The measures, first put in place due to the city's limited water supplies amid drought-like conditions, will become legislation despite Arroyo Grande's water supply returning to normal levels, the paper states.

"People have adjusted to [the measures], and we need to maintain increased conservation for our long-term needs," city manager Steve Adams told the newspaper.

Some of the key measures approved by the city council include restrictions on water use for irrigation, as well as use for washing homes and vehicles.

In San Francisco, city officials levied one of the largest water rate increases ever as water levels in the Bay Area have sunk to near-record lows, reports say. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission reportedly rose water rates by 47 percent to enhance water conservation efforts.

Posted in Water Conservation News | No Comments »

Water conservation pact made among Colorado communities

Friday, April 29th, 2011

With the need for more water resources in urban communities, as well as the aim to conserve more water, sources say Colorado's top water suppliers have agreed to new regulations in order to more evenly distribute water statewide.

According to reports, 34 of Colorado's water companies – including the state's leading supplier, Denver Water – have tentatively agreed to terms of the Colorado River Cooperative Agreement. The agreement would essentially create additional water conservation efforts and require Denver Water to use only certain amounts of water from the state's Western Slope.

Eric Wilkinson, conservancy manager for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, told the Denver Post that the state's water authorities agreeing to the pact is something they've wanted to do since seeing other states come to similar terms in recent years.

"California and Arizona obviously have their own cooperative efforts," he told the paper. "It gives an advantage to Colorado to be able to address our own water-supply challenges more effectively."

One aspect of the deal mandates that Denver Water complete construction of a water conservation and recycling facility by 2020.

Posted in Water Conservation News | No Comments »

Crews work to locate, repair Massachusetts water leak

Friday, April 29th, 2011

Though utility workers in Newburyport, Massachusetts, were positive a water main break was the reason for water shortages in the area, the Daily News of Newburyport reports it took the municipal employees hours to find and fix the leak.

The water leak, which took place on Plum Island, an area of Newburyport, left local residents without water service for five hours, the paper states. A city worker discovered the leak while monitoring the water treatment plant.

The effects of the water leak included a few businesses shutting down for the day, as well as manhole covers becoming displaced from rising water.

According to the paper, the pipe leak may be cause for concern for Newburyport officials, as the pipe in question was installed in 2004. The installation was part of the Plum Island water and sewage treatment plant construction, which cost the city $23 million.

A water leak also occurred in nearby Nahant, Massachusetts. Reports say a water main there cracked, leaving many homes and businesses without water until leak repairs were made that night.

Posted in Water Infrastructure News | No Comments »

Saskatchewan crews discover gas leak

Friday, April 29th, 2011

A leak was found to be the cause of a fire that burned down a Regina, Saskatchewan, home, reports say, as crews were able to find the source in an easement near the destroyed residence.

In addition to the major leak discovered beneath the street, the Leader Post reports two other minor leaks were detected in two nearby homes. Despite the unearthing of these leaks, utility workers told the paper they aren't a big threat.

Gas company spokesman Dave Burdeniuk told the newspaper that wet grounds are likely the cause for some gas pipes breaking open this spring, but that workers will stay on top of the issue to prevent further damage from occurring.

"We're sensitive how people feel in that area," Burdeniuk told the paper. "There is flex built into the pipes, and they're meant to be flexed. But the amount of ground shifting that we're seeing out there this year is unprecedented."

A resident in the affected neighborhood told The Canadian Press that workers will dig up and replace some of the gas line beneath nearby homes to prevent more leaks.

Posted in Leak Detection Industry | No Comments »

Wastewater rates jump for Illinois city as part of system repair plan

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

In an effort to locate and fix problem areas in the city's sewage system, The Pantagraph in Illinois reports Bloomington officials are raising wastewater rates.

With a sewage treatment plant built in Bloomington in 2005, the newspaper reports city officials are looking for a new source of funding to help repay the loans for the plant's construction, as well as fund wastewater system projects to fix and prevent pipeline leaks and cracks.

According to the paper, the city uses $1.6 million of its annual revenue to help repay the $3.4 million annual loan it received to use for the plant. The rate increase would help make up for much of the remaining repayment.

Bloomington public works director Jim Karch told the paper that many of the city's other wastewater issues are mostly from cracked pipe joints.

While Bloomington will increase sewage rates, communities in East Central Illinois will likely see an increase in water rates, as many municipalities there want to fix aging and problematic water systems.

Posted in Water Infrastructure News | No Comments »

« Older Entries