To Protect And Conserve: ACE10 Puts Spotlight On Sustainability

By Kevin Westerling, Editor, Water Online

With an opening general session keynote delivered by Denis Hayes, national coordinator for the first Earth Day, it was clear that environmental issues would take center stage at the American Water Works Association's (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE10). Hayes called AWWA a "beacon of sustainability," and ACE10 lived up to that statement with hundreds of presentations and special sessions devoted to sustainability issues. Held from June 20 to 24, the conference drew more than 12,000 water professionals to McCormick Place in the heart of Chicago.

Walking the show floor and meeting with many of the approximately 500 exhibitors provided plenty of evidence that the water community is heeding the call for conservation and the protection of our natural resources. With the development of new technologies that save money as well as the environment, companies are realizing the win-win that heralds a greener tomorrow.

Going Green To Save Green
One company utilizing advanced technology to preserve water and revenue is metering leader Sensus, which was showcasing its iPERL system. In the wake of Sensus' announcement that the product is now shipping to utilities, Mike Tracy, vice president of North American water, provided me an overview of the iPERL. Equating a meter system to a utility's cash register, he described how the iPERL relies on electromagnetics to achieve exceptional low-flow accuracy. Coupled with a design that boasts no moving parts and a 20-year lifespan, the iPERL's capabilities and efficiencies support conservation efforts and provide a rapid return on investment for utilities, according to Tracy.

Another environmental and monetary issue facing water companies today is energy consumption, which Schneider Electric addresses through its EcoStruxure Solution. This intelligent energy management system saves money and reduces waste by guaranteeing optimum compatibility and efficiency throughout the facility. As part of Schneider's eco-friendly philosophy and its "Cruise Your Way To Sustainability" campaign, the company showcased in its booth the world's first V-twin hybrid custom motorcycle. Created with Schneider Electric components and the know-how of the Orange County Choppers design team, the bike was featured on an episode of American Chopper. From the Water Online booth opposite Schneider's display, I can testify that show-goers were stopped dead in their tracks by the sight of the impressive machine.

Energy footprint and expenses are also the driving forces behind a first-of-its-kind technology developed by SOLON. The Velocity Solar System combats high energy costs by providing solar power generation for wastewater treatment facilities. According to the company, the changeover to this clean, renewable energy source can reduce upfront costs by more than 5%, reduce the levelized cost of electricity by more than 30%, and increase energy output over traditional systems by more than 30%.

ITT Makes Waves
ITT created tremendous buzz on the first full day of the exhibition by announcing it had purchased Godwin Pumps for $585 million. Godwin, a major player in the self-priming pump industry that is renowned for its dewatering service capabilities, earned approximately $200 million in revenues in 2009 and is projected to make $235 million in 2010. With the acquisition, ITT assumes control of Godwin's 26 U.S. rental facilities and approximately 50 distributors worldwide, adding to a line that includes Flygt and Grindex dewatering pumps. Expected to close in the third quarter of 2010, this blockbuster deal was an early-morning revelation to even the ITT representative I spoke with following the announcement.

Also at the press event, ITT unveiled the new MiPRO Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) under its WEDECO brand name. In tune with a central theme of the show — efficiency and cost-effectiveness — as well as the increasing concern over micropollutants in the water supply, the MiPRO solution promises better results and lower cost-of-ownership by offering ozone (O₃), ultraviolet (UV) light, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) from a single source. This combination of UV and ozone-based solutions is unique to MiPRO and ITT, allowing the company to appropriate the most cost-effective treatment for site-specific contaminants.

Tending To The Tap
The protection of our water supply is always top-of-mind at this annual clean water event, and I was fortunate enough to be on hand as Calgon Carbon Corporation announced an industry-first in drinking water treatment. Robert P. O'Brien, Calgon Carbon's executive vice president, revealed that the company's Blue Lake, CA, plant is the first in the U.S. to receive certification from NSF International for custom reactivated carbon for potable water applications. With the NSF/ANSI Standard 61 stamp of approval, spent carbon can be recycled for reuse — safely, cost-effectively, and with less impact on the environment.

I was also pleased to meet with Itai Noach, CEO of Nitron, which was part of ACE10's Israeli Pavilion. Nitron's Selective Electro-Dialysis (SED) process is an alternative to reverse osmosis or ion exchange for the treatment of ground and surface water, using an electrical process to separate nitrates from the water and concentrate them in separate cells. The EPA-approved solution, which has been working successfully in Israel for 15 years, is said to save more than 55% on water costs by requiring less energy, fewer chemicals, and less maintenance.

ACE10 ‘Shout Outs'
Congratulations to the following for their efforts and accomplishments this year in Chicago:

• Wisconsin's Stevens Point Water Department won the annual "Best of the Best" Water Taste Test.

• The Pipe Tapping Contest was won by the Birmingham Water Works Board on the men's side, and by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply Wahines in the women's division.

• Team Birmingham rolled to victory in the Top Ops competition.

• Large booth Best of Show Awards went to ITT (Gold), Calgon Carbon (Silver), and Kruger (Bronze).

• Medium booth Best of Show recipients were Trojan Technologies (Gold), Schneider Electric (Silver), and Corrpro Companies (Bronze).

• Small booth Best of Show honorees included Trico Corporation (Gold), A.R.I. USA (Silver), and Blacoh Fluid Control (Bronze).

For all there was to do and see at ACE10, four days was hardly enough. The learning opportunities were boundless, and the growth of this event year after year is noteworthy. With the world water community so engaged, and AWWA serving as that "beacon of sustainability," the future of our most precious resource seems secure.

Special thanks from Water Online to everyone who stopped by our booth and received us in theirs. Keep an eye out for our upcoming ACE10 Post-Show Review, when we will announce the winner of our iPad giveaway.