Archive for the ‘environment’ Category

Water Efficiency – Bridging the Infrastructure Gap

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

Below are the highlights from the article from Water Efficiency Magazine (July-August 2009).

Jimmy Carter, Senior Director of Field Services of American Leak Detection, was interviewed for the article linked above, and we had the chance to ask Jimmy about certain quotes from the article to provide more insight on the state of the infrastructure.

- nation’s water infrastructure system 2009 grade of D-.

Jimmy Carter: “Due to our water system’s age coupled with supply and demand issues, our water infrastructure is in desperate need of repair. Typical systems lose as little as 4-5% while some systems reach as high as 40 to 60% of unaccountable water that could be due to leaks, theft or non-metered usage.  Loss not only means waste, but also the expense of treatment and lost revenue.

Homeowners hate to see their water bills go up, but may not understand the bigger picture from the water district side. The cost for treating the water, upgrading infrastructure by replacing old lines, keeping the supply for new construction of new potable and non-potable systems, increasing production at their treatment plants, and dealing with issues such as the smelt belt in our California aqueduct systems are just some of the many issues water districts must face that would impact customers.

(more…)

Pick 5 For the Environment

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Do more to protect the environment by choosing at least five actions (below) you’ll commit to. Pick 5 also helps you identify more actions you can take in the future.

Pick 5

EARTH DAY – April 22, 2009

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

This year make everyday Earth Day.

thanks to tree007

thanks to tree007

American Leak Detection has been helping people conserve water since 1974, however this Earth Day, we would like to help you reduce your environmental impact and stay hydrated at the same time.

The Value of Water

As many areas face serious water shortages and even drought, we can do our part to conserve precious supplies through small, thoughtful changes in their lifestyles and activities.

There is no shortage of news stories on the merits of tap water and bottled water from a variety of different perspectives. The truth is, while tap water and bottled water are regulated differently, both are generally safe, healthy choices. But only tap water delivers public health protection, fire protection, support for the economy and the overall quality of life we enjoy. Whatever you choose drink, the water system infrastructure needs constant attention to keep safe water flowing through our communities every day.

Bottled water impact

  • Tap water costs much less than bottled water
  • Plastic bottles are a source of pollution as 90% are not recycled
  • Bottling companies and tap water utilities are not regulated by the same standards
  • More energy used in manufacturing, storing and transporting bottled water
  • Every year about 1.5 million tons of plastic go into manufacturing water bottles for the global market, using processes that release toxics such as nickel, ethylbenzene, ethylene oxide and benzene. In the U.S. alone 1.5 million barrels of oil are consumed in making the bottles. Most bottles end up in landfills, adding to the landfill crisis.

Simple changes effect larger outcomes

  • When drinking bottled water, be sure to reuse or recycle your bottles to limit the environmental impact of plastic bottles.
  • Install an in-home water filtration system for improved tap water quality

Conserve Water:

Water Scarcity – Transboundary Environmental Management

Monday, March 30th, 2009

by Stan Berenbaum

A recent Arava Transboundary Environmental Management seminar at UCLA focused heavily on regional water leak detection as a means of minimizing water losses in the Middle East and reducing resulting tensions over water rights.

UCLA Royce Hall

UCLA Royce Hall

The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, a Middle East environmental teaching and research program, recently held a series of seminars in the United Sates on Transboundary Environmental Management. As president of American Leak Detection (ALD), an international franchisor and leading provider of non-invasive water and other leak detection services, I attended as a supporter and sponsor of the seminars.

Download the PDF of the article.

Green Jobs and Healthier Environment

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

According to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, the stimulus package recently signed into law should promote green jobs and a healthier environment. The package specifically includes $7.22 billion for projects and programs administered by the EPA. Of that amount, $4 billion is already dedicated toward helping communities with water quality and wastewater infrastructure needs and $2 billion for drinking water infrastructure needs. For more information on the stimulus package, see www.recovery.org.