Archive for April, 2011

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Indiana city considers substantial water rate increase to avoid infrastructure issues

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Out of fear of having to deal with a water leak or worse from its aging infrastructure, officials in New Haven, Indiana, are leaning toward passing a substantial increase in city water rates, according to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

The newspaper states that the New Haven City Council plans to raise water rates by 37 percent to fund new upgrades to the city's water system. City officials told the paper that the recommended rate increase is needed to help ensure the integrity of New Haven's plumbing infrastructure, most of which is between 40 and 60 years old.

"We have not kept up with the rates as we should have, and the water utility is eroding and needs help," the city's financial consultant, Greg Guerrettaz, told the paper.

Aside from the projected funds the city would receive from the rate hike, the paper states New Haven has already borrowed nearly $3 million to get the water infrastructure renovations and replacements under way for the next two years.

Water issues have occurred in nearby Brazil, Indiana, reports say. City officials had difficulty spotting the source of the leak in a 6-inch water main.

Posted in Water Infrastructure News | No Comments »

California fire crews detect gas leak after lengthy search

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Firefighters in Half Moon Bay, California, discovered a gas leak after smelling the substance and hearing a hissing noise while driving on Highway 92, reports say.

Though the smell and sound was prevalent in the air, the Half Moon Bay Review states the fire crew had trouble detecting the gas leak's location, but were eventually able to find the origin in front of a town shopping plaza shortly after the initial signs of the leak arose.

According to the paper, the fire department closed off the section of the highway until they fixed the leak as a precaution.

"The last thing we needed is someone flicking a cigarette out their car window and giving us an ignition source," battalion chief Dave Cosgrave told the paper. "We had to err on the side of precaution and be as precautious as we could."

Reports say the leak repairs lasted a few hours, with no businesses or homes disrupted by the incident.

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NJ water conservation technology firm offers online interactive training

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

To educate plumbers, water utilities and municipalities about the latest in water and energy-efficient technological advances, Noveda Technologies is offering a software program which features modern water conservation measures.

The energy and water monitoring firm stated the interactive online program will allow plumbers and contractors, as well as utility and government workers, to learn about the newest water conservation innovations available for homes and businesses.

"Our studies of real-time energy and water use indicate the importance of education and communication in achieving sustained behavioral change which drives resource conservation," said Govi Rao, president and CEO of Noveda Technologies.

Raj Valli, CEO of PrazAs, the software company which created the program, added that the initiative can considerably help with water conservation efforts worldwide.

In addition to this training program, GreenHouse, which produces energy- and water-efficient products, will provide water filtration and conservation technologies to the U.S. Department of Defense in a large-scale effort aiming to reduce harmful pollutants in drinking water nationwide.

Posted in Water Conservation News | No Comments »

CEC funds energy, water conservation projects

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

More than $4 million was given to California energy companies and research groups by the California Energy Commission with the intention of working on energy and water conservation technologies.

Using money from its Public Interest Energy Research program, the CEC gave six businesses, organizations and universities in the state money to conduct a number of conservation initiatives and research.

"These research projects will demonstrate the importance of energy research to power California's economic recovery, study how we can reduce air pollution, and produce clean energy jobs," commission chair Dr. Robert Weisenmiller said. He added that the projects are essential to moving California's water and power infrastructure into the 21st century.

California has been one of the hardest-hit states in terms of water shortages recently.

A report by Interior Department may help prove a need for more funding in California to create new water conservation technologies, as it shows water resources in the state are projected to diminish in size by between 8 and 14 percent during the next few decades.

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Water leaks occur in hard-hit San Antonio neighborhood

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

Known for a history of extensive water leaks, reports say a neighborhood in San Antonio has had another rash of pipe leaks, which has led to water loss for nearly a week.

KSAT-TV reports the neighborhood has had a series of leaks occur during the past few years. Some residents told the station the majority of the time, utility workers fix the leaks only to have the same problems arise again soon after.

"They would get the system back up, and then an hour later, they would find another major leak," neighborhood resident Danielle LeCavalier told the news station.

Water company workers told the station that after detecting the leaks, they patched them. However, many residents water tanks were low and required hours to replenish their levels.

In numerous other areas of Texas, water issues have been prevalent. Multiple sources report a 100-year-old water pipeline in Galveston sprung a leak, leaving hundreds with low water pressure and causing the city's government to issue a drought warning.

Posted in Water Infrastructure News | No Comments »

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