Archive for August, 2011

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Texas town institutes mandatory water conservation policies

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

According to The Pasadena Citizen, citizens in the town must now abide by mandatory water conservation measures as local water levels have decreased.

The city's Stage II water conservation measures aim to minimize the chance of tighter water restrictions being instituted down the road, the report relays. As part of the city's mandate, residents must now follow a schedule for watering with sprinklers. Homeowners are now only allowed to use sprinklers between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m., and such use is designated to certain days of the week.

Furthermore, non-commercial washing of vehicles, trailers and boats is only allowed once per week, during the same time restrictions as sprinkler use.

In addition, the regulations mandate that new pools, hot tubs and other similar amenities must not be filled or topped up, fountains and other purely ornamental functions may only be done with reused water, restaurants may only serve water when specifically requested by guests and sewer line and fire hydrant flushing is now prohibited outside of emergencies.

Many towns in Texas have instituted similar conservation policies, as the state has suffered from a prolonged drought and extreme temperatures this summer. 

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Chemical gas leak sends dozens of workers to the hospital

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

According to a recent report from CBS affiliate WNEM in California, dozens of workers at a tomato canning plant were sent to the hospital as a result of a massive chemical gas leak.

The Woodland, California-based plant reportedly emitted chlorine dioxide gas, which is used to clean tomatoes and fruit being canned. However, the chemical began to leak in one section of the plant.

According to officials, the gas can cause breathing problems for anyone that comes into contact with it. As a result, up to 40 people were gasping for air after the leak occurred.

Representatives of the plant relayed that two workers were hospitalized with serious effects, however, they also explained they are lucky the leak did not affect more employees.

"On a normal shift, there can be anywhere from 800 to 1,000 people a shift," corporate counsel Mona Shulman told the news source.

Residents located close to the plant were also affected by the leak, causing many to seek refuge inside their properties until they were given notice the area was safe from local officials. 

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Massive water leak costing Pennsylvania resident more than $41K

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

According to a recent report in the Bucks County Courier Times, a Pennsylvania resident currently owes more than $41,000 for a massive water leak on her property.

The resident noticed the leak initially, but was unable to afford to repair it. However, without the leak being treated, nearly three-quarters of a million gallons of water has gushed from the pipe during the last 31 days. The amount is more than what is need to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool, the report states.

Officials at local water company Aqua Pennsylvania have called the water leak "precedent setting." One company representative visited the property recently and determined the leak, which is emitting as much as 16 gallons of water per minute, is located somewhere between the home's pantry and kitchen. As a result of the massive water flow, the home's service has been temporarily shut off for the second time during the last week.

"This is an extraordinarily unusual situation," Aqua spokesperson Donna Alston told the news source. "We have never seen a leak this large on a residential customer property."

Local county officials agreed on the magnitude of the leak, however, they have questioned why the water company allowed the 23,000-gallon-a-day leak to continue and go unfixed for months. An investigation is now underway. 

Posted in Leak Detection Industry, Water Infrastructure News | No Comments »

Louisiana city requests voluntary water conservation amid hot weather

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

According to a recent report from The Shreveport Times, officials in Natchitoches, Louisiana, have requested citizens practice water conservation when possible. The request is not mandatory, but given the region's declining water levels, discretion should be used immediately.

The continued hot weather and prolonged drought in the region has led to rapidly decreasing water levels and heavier burden for the city's water system. While there is an adequate amount of water in the nearby Sibley Lake, which is the region's main water source, demand has continued to increase, placing a large burden on the system.

According to the region's utility director, Bryan Wimberly, the city's daily water consumption has reached new highs.

"The city of Natchitoches is facing an all-time high in water consumption," said Mayor Wayne McCullen. "Due to the extreme weather conditions we are facing, we strongly encourage all residents and businesses to please be diligent about the amount of water they use."

As part of the voluntary conservation methods, citizens have been asked to avoid daily watering of their lawns or washing their cars. Decreased use of washing machines and dishwashers has also been requested. 

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Carbon monoxide leak at Tennessee building affects several workers

Friday, August 19th, 2011

According to a report from News Channel 5 in Tennessee, a carbon monoxide leak recently affected several workers from a downtown Nashville office building.

Firefighters were called to the building on the morning of Wednesday, August 17, regarding a bad odor. Hazardous material crews were also called ot the scene, which immediately began searching for a gas leak upon arrival. Initial tests showed high levels of carbon monoxide on several floors of the building.

Employees had evacuated the building before any emergency crews arrived. However, two individuals were treated for minor injuries, with one later being transported to a local hospital.

Investigators on the scene believe the gas came from the building's boiler room, however, hazmat teams continued to monitor the building for several hours to detect the exact source.

"We're essentially shutting the building down, turning off all gas and all electrical to bring [carbon monoxide] levels down," assistant fire chief Mike Franklin with the Nashville Fire Department told the news source.

Employees were later allowed back in the building after crews cleared the scene, however, traffic surrounding the location was backed up as a result. 

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