Few of our community connections are as personal as a shared drinking water supply.

That’s why water utility managers ask the public to do their part to make sure home connections prevent harmful backflow into the communal water system.

The Clark Public Utilities Water Utility and other water providers in the region go to great lengths to ensure water systems never draw water from outside the system back in from the end user’s tap, but accidents can happen. That’s why working backflow prevention devices at the user’s end are so important.

Backflow means water flowing in reverse of its intended direction. Rather than it being pushed out of a pipe, it’s drawn back in.

Backflow is rare and if there’s a risk it’s generally after a significant impact to the water system like a main break or an event that causes a sudden drop in pressure, like a large firefighting effort near your connection. Irrigation systems are the biggest concern because without a functioning backflow blocker, the system can draw in harmful lawn and garden chemicals.

“Working backflow prevention devices will prevent contamination,” said Gary St. John, water quality specialist at Clark Public Utilities. “Every irrigation, automatic lawn sprinkling system, or large dedicated fire suppression system should have backflow preventers installed, and inspected and tested at least once a year.”

Backflow prevention assembly testing is required by law. Clark Public Utilities recommends testing in the spring, just before their irrigation season begins. The test is quick and doesn’t cost much.

To help customers comply with the testing requirement, the utility keeps a list of backflow testers on ClarkPublicUtilities.com that customers can access at their convenience. Tester participation on our list is voluntary and not a recommendation or warranty of any kind — but it is a helpful place to start.

The water utility also offers a convenient annual backflow testing program to Clark Public Utilities water customers. Every year a certified backflow assembly tester is contracted at a set rate to test every participants’ backflow device. To participate, call the utility’s dedicated backflow line at 360-992-8589.

Clark Public Utilities water customers who aren’t sure if they have a backflow assembly can call 360-992-3000. If there’s not a record of a backflow prevention device at your address, a serviceman can come to inspect the system.

“We can only check backflow status for our water service customers and many in Clark County have water service through cities so be sure to check with your specific water provider,” St. John said.

If your property doesn’t have an irrigation system, you probably don’t need to worry about backflow. Residential and most commercial plumbing fixtures have air gaps that stop backflow. Many lawn sprinkler systems also have devices called atmospheric vacuum breakers, or AVBs for short that create air gaps.

The garden hose is one place a homeowner could encounter backflow. Homes built before the 1990s that haven’t been plumbed might not have vacuum breaker-equipped hose spigots. Replacing those old spigots with modern ones will take care of the issue. But if that’s not an option, the hose should never be submerged after it’s been shut off.

Property owners often don’t realize they have a backflow prevention device.

“Many of our customers who either just moved here or just bought a new property had never heard of backflow prevention or backflow testing until we connected,” St. John said. “The way to know if you have a backflow preventer on your irrigation system is to look for an in-ground, green-lidded rectangular box near the water meter or close to the house. If you have a backflow assembly, it’ll be in there.”

Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to [email protected] or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98688.

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Drinking water is constantly mentioned as a reason to stay healthy, have healthier skin, and be more energetic. We’ve become accustomed to understanding drinking enough water throughout the day, even utilizing methods of water flavoring to get us to enjoy drinking the water. Without a doubt, drinking the required amount of daily water intake will keep your body functioning well, give you shinier hair and brighter skin, and numerous other benefits but let’s stop to think about the quality of the water we are consuming.

Water is already treated in order to prevent widespread waterborne diseases but even with intensive municipal water treatments, water might not be as crystal clear as we assume. The quality and the sanitation of water will then dictate just how beneficial your water intake will be. Yes, even unfiltered clean water is better than not consuming any water but just imagine how the benefits will double if you were to intake the highest quality water. Well, where do you get this high-quality water and what is it? Vortex water, you can find it right at your tap!

What is this highly valued vortex water? Good thing you asked, we have all the necessary information for you! Let’s discuss how vortex water works and what it is exactly, all the amazing benefits of vortex water, and just how to get vortex water in your homes. Let’s dive right in.

What is Vortex Water?

You might have heard of vortex water or frequently discussed as structured water, and all of its never-ending properties and benefits but what is this vortex water and how does it work? Let’s start off with what vortex water actually is; this peculiar water occurs when the water has a unique molecular arrangement within it – which can be found in mineral water out in nature.

Let’s go back a few steps, yes vortex water has a different micro-clustered molecular arrangement but that does not mean it is not water; essentially, vortex water has the same chemical make H₂O, but the way they are arranged is what makes it so unique. This micro-clustered molecular arrangement is in a hexagonal shape which is where it gets the name structured water from. This hexagonal form occurs naturally when water is in nature, and this is what gives vortex water its unique capabilities and properties. With this molecular form, water gains the ability to self-clean itself, balance its own pH levels, and increase dissolved oxygen levels, among numerous other benefits.

Now that we understand what vortex water is, let’s find out all about the benefits that vortex water can bring to you.

Benefits of Vortex Water

We now understand what vortex water is but just what are the benefits of vortex water for it to differ so much from regular water. Vortex water has numerous benefits it can offer to you, your home, your pets, and your surroundings but let’s focus on some of the most prevalent benefits of vortex water.

Self-Clean Continuously

Vortex water has the unique ability to not only self-clean itself from all the bacteria, viruses, infections, pathogens, and such but also to keep itself fully sanitary at all times. This makes vortex water fully clear and more robust against all toxic substances that might make their way into the water. Though it may remove all harmful minerals, substances, and chemicals (yes, even excess chlorine), it ensures that no essential minerals are lost from the water. This keeps your water free of contaminants but fully of healthy nutrients and minerals.

Increase Hydration

The nature of the micro-clustered molecular arrangement allows water to not only to self-clean itself but to penetrate the fully clean water deeper into the cells of our bodies to hydrate more intensely. Instant hydration without the side effects of heaviness! With intense and longer hydrations cells perform at their best leading to improved bodily functions, improved metabolism, and a healthier body.

Balance pH Levels

Water’s pH balance is crucial to keeping our bodies healthy if the water we ingest has off-balance pH it can cause issues to our digestive system. For instance, if the water we are drinking is either too acidic or too alkaline then it can cause an upset stomach, issues with the metabolism, and dry skin. On top of that, if the water pH is not in balance then you will start seeing faster corrosion and staining around the pipes and appliances. Vortex water removes all issues at hand as it naturally balances its own pH levels, leaving your vortex water at a constant optimum

Enhance Bodily Functions

Due to the peak quality and capabilities of vortex water, consuming it will naturally improve your health and bodily functions instantly. Your skin and hair will be healthy and glowing as water provides necessary hydration without excess chlorine and hard substances. This is especially the case for those who suffer from dehydrated or irritated skin as well as scalp, you won’t have to suffer from excessively dry or itchy skin after showers or swims.

Aid in Home Maintenance

Vortex water does not have the drawbacks of hard water as it eliminates all the excessive amounts of hard metals, minerals, and chlorine. Hard water can lead to corrosion around the house, and mineral build-up around drinks, toilets, and showerheads. If the water pH levels are also not in balance then that can add another headache as limescale may start to build around water sources. Vortex water helps prevent such issues and saves you from such headaches.

Increased Dissolved Oxygen

It has been found that vortex water has another monumental benefit and it is that it contains higher levels of dissolved oxygen. DO is essential to the survival of our environment and especially crucial to aquatic life and organisms. Vortex water, therefore, brings your home and your environment benefits equally.

How does vortex water work?

Vortex water has a unique molecular arrangement that gives it its distinct properties but how exactly does this happen? Water that is actively flowing and moving through the purest water sources such as mountain springs or glacial melts naturally has the vortex water structure. Water at these sources is in a continuous movement which gives water the necessary flow and ebb motion in order to retain this vortex water structure.

Ideas of vortex water were first introduced by Viktor Schauberger, an Austrian scientist, and inventor. He found through his observations that water that was in continuous motion gained these unique properties but he also observed how once this water was taken out from its own habitat, lost all of its coveted abilities. After studying the water he discovered it to be due lack of water’s natural vortexing motion. As the water is taken from natural water sources it is stripped bare of essential minerals to then go through intensive treatments with chemical additives. The stillness of municipally treated water raptures the micro-clustered molecular arrangement, leaving it bare of its unique properties.

That being said, Viktor Schauberger also found that this arrangement could be restored, reestablishing vortex water fully with its own properties.

How to vortex a drink?

Now that we understand how vortex water occurs in nature and just how that inner water structure is lost, we have to figure out how we can turn the regular tap water into vortex water in our homes. At this point, you might think restoring the innate water micro-clustered molecular arrangement will require a large number of pieces of equipment, constant checking, and overall be a hassle but we’re happy to say it does not have to be so.

As we have mentioned above, vortex water occurs in nature due to its own flow and motions and it is due to the lack of this movement that inner structure dissipates. To revive and revitalize the water, Viktor Schauberger found that it just had to go through a similar motion once again, letting the water go through its natural state of being. This is how the vortex water treatment came to be; the main aim of the water treatment is to restore the structure by imitating the natural ebb and flow of the vortex water.

The vortexing motion revitalizes the water and brings about the micro-clustered molecular arrangement, the stillness in water is counteracted and so the highly coveted vortex water is in its place. So where can you purchase this vortex water treatment?

Where to Buy Vortex Water Revitalizer?

So far you’ve read about all the magic and benefits of vortex water and how you can get vortex water in your home but where do you buy this treatment? The Vortex Water Revitalizer™ is the answer you’re looking for!

The Vortex Water Revitalizer™ provides you with an easy and simple solution right at your water sink. The water treatment works by implementing a double spiral to imitate the natural flow movement of water in nature with a powerful vortexing motion. With straightforward installation and no need for ample space, you can have vortex water right at all water sources in your home.

The Vortex Water Revitalizer™ delivers more benefits by offering

• A 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 10-Year Limited Warranty!
• Installation is for a lifetime; you won’t have to change or maintain your Vortex Water Revitalizer™.
• No excessive costs or hidden fees as the core belief is that quality vortex water should be available to all.

Find your next vortex water treatment over at The Vortex Water Revitalizer™ – getting top-quality vortex water in your homes has never been easier!

(Devdiscourse’s journalists were not involved in the production of this article. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Devdiscourse and Devdiscourse does not claim any responsibility for the same.)

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LISBON — The Village is receiving $260,910 at a rate of 2.41 percent for five years for the design of a 500,000 gallon elevated water storage tank, new booster pump station, and new water lines to improve pressure in the northern area of the village, eliminate dead ends and extend service along Lisbon Canfield Road.

The Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) awarded $9.18 million through low interest loans to Ohio communities to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and make water quality improvements for Ohioans. For the month of April, the OWDA funded eight projects that will provide improvements and replace aging infrastructure. The awarded projects received an interest rate ranging from 1.81 percent to 2.41 percent.

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Originally Appeared Here

May 5, 2022

The Navy’s contamination of its water supply with fuel last year caused approximately 2,000 people to experience symptoms of petroleum exposure, the vast majority of whom were sick for more than a month, according to preliminary results of a survey conducted by federal health officials.

Meredith Wilson had to move into a Waikiki hotel and start taking multiple medications to relieve symptoms from her petroleum exposure. Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

The findings, shared at an Epidemic Intelligence Service conference on Thursday, are among the first statistics to be publicized about the human health impacts of the water contamination crisis. The Navy’s 93,000 water customers around Pearl Harbor were exposed to fuel contamination after two leaks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility last year.

A full report on the survey is due to be published this summer, according to the Hawaii Department of Health.

The survey was administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry from Jan. 7 through Feb. 10.

A survey summary states that of the 2,314 participants surveyed, reported symptoms included: headache (57%); fatigue (44%); dizziness (38%); dry, itchy skin (50%); rash (40%); skin irritation/burning (37%); diarrhea (49%); nausea (40%); and anxiety (37%).

According to the summary, 86% of respondents reported experiencing at least one new or worsening symptom since November 20, the reported date of a major fuel leak, and 87% of symptomatic participants reported improvement after switching to an alternate water source.

Amanda Smith, who presented the results at Thursday’s conference, shared additional findings:

• 52% reported signs of petroleum contamination in their tap water (e.g. smell, taste or oily sheen)
• 75% of symptomatic participants indicated being sick for 30 days or more
• 37% of respondents sought medical care after the incident, including 17 who were hospitalized overnight
• 77% of the 730 child survey takers were symptomatic, more than half of whom were sick for over a month
• Six children experienced new or worsening seizures
• 36% of child participants were exposed at school
• 78% of child survey takers missed school because of the crisis
• Hundreds of pets experienced new or worsening illnesses and death

Honolulu Civil Beat is dedicated to cultivating an informed body of citizens, all striving to make Hawaii a better place to live. We achieve this through investigative and watchdog journalism, in-depth enterprise reporting, analysis and commentary that gives readers a broad view on issues of importance to our community.

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The Moroccan government has signed a contract with Société Nouvelle Travaux Maroc (SNTM), a public works company based in Kenitra, Morocco, for the construction of a 7.8-kilometre drinking water pipeline in Casablanca. 

This comes barely a month after the authorities completed the construction and commissioning of a 7.2 km long pipeline between the north of Casablanca and the Mediouna reservoir.

Search for construction leads

The two lines are implemented as a part of the project to transfer water from the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah dam which is located some 20 km from the Moroccan capital Rabat.

Scope of the project for the construction of the 7.8km drinking water pipeline in Casablanca

Reportedly, as part of the project for the construction of the 7.8km drinking water pipeline in Casablanca, SNTM will carry out the start tapping on the arrival of the 2,000 diameter interconnection pipe at the level of the metering structure in Mediouna, a town and municipality in Médiouna Province of the Casablanca-Settat region.

Also Read: Chtouka-Ait Baha Seawater Desalination Plant in Morocco to be commissioned this month

This will be done with a 1,600 diameter pipe connecting the arrival of the interconnection pipe to the entrance of the Bouskoura reservoir. The works will lead to the connection of the Bouskoura reservoir to its existing 1,200 diameter inlet pipe, upstream of the metering system.

The public works company will also carry out the construction of regulation and protection works and equipment, as well as main road crossings by trenching or sinking, etc.

Expectations for the project

The project for the construction of the 7.8km drinking water pipeline in Casablanca is expected to increase the capacity of a pumping station in Casablanca from 2.5 m3 per second to 4 m3 per second, in addition to the utilization of the surplus water available at the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah dam and subsequently enhance the water supply in the Noth African city, which is currently experiencing drought.

The Oum Er Rbiaâ basin, Al Massira, and other dams’ reserves have all been significantly reduced as a result of this situation. Benguerir, Marrakech, Safi, Youssoufia, Sidi Bennour, El Jadida, Settat, and Berrechid are among the cities and towns affected.

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Originally Appeared Here

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new initiative to help clean the Chesapeake Bay watershed.More than $22.5 million will be available for farmers in the watershed for technology and resources to reduce pollution in runoff water.U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) was at Friday morning’s Chesapeake Bay Commission meeting in Lancaster and said he hopes this investment is just the start.”This can’t just be a one-year investment and it can’t be a one-year initiative. We’ve got to make sure that we not only perpetuate it but also to continue the adequate appropriations,” he said.Casey said he also helped the state get an additional $2 million to help with pollution reduction in the Pequea Creek watershed, which is in Lancaster and Chester counties.

LANCASTER, Pa. —

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new initiative to help clean the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

More than $22.5 million will be available for farmers in the watershed for technology and resources to reduce pollution in runoff water.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) was at Friday morning’s Chesapeake Bay Commission meeting in Lancaster and said he hopes this investment is just the start.

“This can’t just be a one-year investment and it can’t be a one-year initiative. We’ve got to make sure that we not only perpetuate it but also to continue the adequate appropriations,” he said.

Casey said he also helped the state get an additional $2 million to help with pollution reduction in the Pequea Creek watershed, which is in Lancaster and Chester counties.

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Originally Appeared Here

Prices of staple products have gone up significantly since the start of the war. Butter used to cost 90-100 rubles per 100g and is now 130-150 rubles, while the prices of sugar quadrupled. Overall supplies are scarce because of Western sanctions hitting Russia, which controls these regions, and some products such as baby diapers have become hard to find, and incredibly expensive.

Men are also nowhere to be seen on the streets: they have either been recruited or are in hiding, reports Die Welt. Pro-Russian forces in the self-proclaimed republics are running out of military personnel and are forcing every man to join, even if they are pro-Ukraine. Initially, men between the ages of 18 and 55 were drafted, but on March 19, the age limit was raised to 65 years. Men are being picked up regardless of their medical condition.

Serhiy, a man who has been hiding in Luhansk for over two months, told Die Welt: “If I go to the store now, I’ll probably be picked up. If I go into the garden with my child for just a short time, I’m sure they’ll pick me up.”

500 Civilians Evacuated From Mariupol, As Russia Continues Assaults

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 06 May 2022n nFind out more about the UK government’s response: http://ow.ly/c7On50J0SpKu00a0nn #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/7ViaoqSnAV

— Ministry of Defence ud83cuddecud83cudde7 (@Ministry of Defence ud83cuddecud83cudde7)
1651812303

New efforts are underway to evacuate more civilians stuck inside the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk told the AFP news agency about the new operation: “We are praying for its success.”

So far, nearly 500 civilians have been evacuated from the city thanks to a UN-led operation, Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, said on Telegram.

The humanitarian operation is underway while Russian airstrikes continue, even if most Russian troops have now headed north towards Donbas, according to the Pentagon. The UK Ministry of Defence said the attacks are linked to “Putin’s desire to have a symbolic success” for the upcoming May 9 celebration.

Grandmother With USSR Flag, More Soviet Symbols Spread By Pro-Russian Forces

File photo of Soviet Flag Flying at Museum of the Great Patriotic …

commons.wikimedia.org

Soviet symbols have increasingly slipped into pro-Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine, reports independent Russian media, Meduza.

In Russian cities and Ukrainian areas occupied by Russian troops, posters and graffiti have appeared dedicated to the “grandmother with the Soviet flag.” The Ukrainian woman captured in this video had come out of her home with a Soviet flag to meet Ukrainians soldiers, mistaking them for Russians, and ultimately refusing to accept food from them after they trampled the flag.

The use of these symbols of the USSR is linked to the justification of the Russian invasion to “denazify” Ukraine as the Soviet army did in World War II.

Orban Blocking EU Oil Ban

Russian-Hungarian talks • President of Russiaen.kremlin.ru

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the current European Union proposal to ban Russian oil imports by the end of the year would amount to “dropping an atomic bomb” on his country’s economy.

European leaders continue to seek an accord to punish Moscow for the war in Ukraine, without crippling the EU countries, including Hungary, which are most dependent on Russian-supplied energy.

Teaching Class Remotely — From The Trenches

Facebook

Fedir Shandor, a professor of Uzhgorod National University, gives a lecture to his students while dug into position with his unit in the Ukrainian military.

Signs Of Germany-Ukraine Tensions Easing

“Zelensky invites Steinmeier” “Irritations in the phone call cleared up – Chancellor and Federal President are to visit Ukraine”

Germany will send more heavy weapons to Ukraine, Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht announced on Friday. The delivery will include seven self-propelled howitzer artillery systems as well as the necessary training to operate them.

The news came a day after a phone call between Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier — a sign that tensions between Germany and Ukraine may be dissipating.

“Had a good, constructive, important conversation with Federal President Mr. Steinmeier,” tweeted Zelensky, adding that German leadership was important to counter Russian aggression.

China Cites 1999 Belgrade Embassy Attack As Warning To NATO About Ukraine

A memorial service at the site of the bombed embassy in Belgrade

Wang Hui/Xinhua via ZUMA

China’s stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to be a key question, with Beijing considered the only country that could persuade Vladimir Putin to change his war aims. Yet the latest statement by China’s Ambassador to the United Nations offered scant hope that Xi Jinping intends to push Putin.

Indeed, UN Ambassador Zhang Jun, while again calling for a ceasefire, was particularly focused on castigating the West and NATO for its “eastward expansion” and “anachronistic doctrine of security,” Chinese state media China Daily reported.

In particular, Zhang reminded his UN colleagues that May 7 is the anniversary of the 1999 attack during the bombing of Belgrade, during the Kosovo War, when NATO fired five precision-guided missiles at the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia. Three Chinese journalists were killed in the attack, and 20 Chinese diplomats injured. “The Chinese people will never forget this barbaric atrocity and will never allow such history to repeat itself,” said Zhang.

He concluded that NATO “wantonly launches wars against sovereign countries, causing colossal casualties and humanitarian disasters.” In the remarks, during a UN session on the Ukraine war, he made no mention about Russia’s invasion of a sovereign country.

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Originally Appeared Here

IIT Kanpur and MIT USA have been granted a joint Indian patent for a novel water purification device. The invention titled “A Vessel and A Method for Purifying Water and Monitoring Quality of Water” is expected to be a quite cost-effective apparatus to check water quality, it said in a press statement.

Dr Indra Sekhar Sen from the Department of Earth Sciences at IIT Kanpur, and K Sri Harsha (Founder, Kritsnam Technologies) collaborated with inventors Emily Barret Hanhauser (Fellow, MIT Tata Centre), Dr. Rohit N. Karnik (Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Associate Department Head for Education; Tata Professor, MIT, USA), Anastasios John Hart (Professor of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, USA), Michael Bono (Postdoctoral Associate, MIT Tata Centre), and Chintan H. Vaishnav (Senior Lecturer, Sloan School of Management, MIT, USA), for this project.

How it works

The purification vessel contains a regenerable sorbent material capable of binding the impurities and preserving it in a moist or dry format, thus producing inorganic contaminant-free water at a cost as low as Rs 2 per litre.

It can be procured without power and it does not leave any residual wastewater leading to zero maintenance expenses.

The novelty of the device lies in its capability for both purification and measurement by a single channel, which no other system provides.

Additional application areas beyond drinking water include food and beverage industry, wastewater reuse, batch generation of deionized water and agricultural water monitoring.

The vessel could be used in monitoring and purification of other liquids for human consumption, such as dairy products, soft drinks, or other ingestible liquids.

Clean drinking water, a major problem across the globe

The availability of clean drinking water is one of the major problems that the world is facing. An estimated 844 million people lack access to an improved source of water, and it is projected that in 2025, half of the global population will live in high water stress regions.

All the sources of water systems worldwide have been found to contain trace contaminants (microorganisms that can enter the food system) that are associated with a range of chronic, often incurable health conditions, including cancers, liver and kidney damage, as well as environmental damage, thus making the increasing presence of these contaminants, a critical concern. It is to solve these problem statements that the team from IIT Kanpur and MIT, USA have developed the device.

The objective is to overcome the challenges in both water availability and water quality monitoring, by creating a water purification vessel technology that not only provides clean water but is also cost-effective and allows for widespread monitoring of impurities.

‘Timely’ device to curb issues of clean water resources

Prof Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur said, “At a time when the whole world is in the grip of several ongoing as well as potential environmental hazards, it is upon us all to contribute our bit. This is a very timely and quintessential device to curb the issues plaguing clean water resources.”

Inventor Dr Indra Sen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Kanpur with specialization in Isotope Geochemistry.

K Sri Harsha is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and Founder of Kritsnam Technologies, a startup incubated at the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre, IIT Kanpur. Kritsnam Technologies is a pioneer in water resource management and have taken measures to promote ‘water intelligence’ through their devices.

(To receive our E-paper on whatsapp daily, please click here. We permit sharing of the paper’s PDF on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.)

Published on: Friday, May 06, 2022, 11:42 AM IST

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Originally Appeared Here

Pictured left to right: Dorothy Hulett, William Ozier, Audrey Moore, Peggy Johnson,
Orbuty Ross Ozier, Nivory Gordon Jr., Kathy Horne, Will Barrett, William Snyder, Eugene
Hudson; Not Pictured: Chad Holley, Sam Donzie, and the late Bertram Pickney.
Photo contributed.

By David Lovell/The Lowndes Signal

Community pride was on display Monday afternoon as Lowndes County Water Authority unveiled its recently erected cornerstone for their office building in Hayneville. Built in 2013, this building houses the administrative offices that ensure safe drinking water is delivered to Lowndes county residents.

The new building was desperately needed for the growing water authority. The Lowndes County Water Authority serves more than 1,200 customers.

“The last facility we were in was very small and could not serve the needs of a water system. We could only serve one or two customers in the lobby at a time. It also could not house the equipment we had planned to purchase,” Lowndes County Water Authority Chairperson Orbuty Ozier said. 

“With the help of a grant and a loan from the USDA, the Lowndes County Water Authority building now serves the needs of the system so it can run efficiently,” Ozier said. 

“I can’t begin to express to you how excited I am today and how excited I was in 2013 to see this building constructed and this project funded through the USDA. It was needed,” Kathy Horne with Water Management Services, Incorporated, said. 

Having a strong water system is vital to future economic growth and provides increased economic development opportunities for Lowndes County. The Lowndes County Water Authority is prepared to meet the needs of future industry. 

“When it comes to providing water to potential businesses and industry, the Lowndes County Water Authority is ready. We are prepared and have positioned ourselves to be able to get the funding necessary to meet the needs of future industry in Lowndes County,” Ozier said.

The Lowndes County Water Authority employs many local residents and has board members that set rules and regulations to make sure that the customers have the safest water possible. 

“The Lowndes County Water Authority is a model for what water authorities this size should look like, not just the building itself but the example of the management and the board of directors. This group models what a water authority this size should be anywhere,” Will Barrett, Engineer with Civil Southeast Engineering, said. 

“It is so inspiring to see an organization continue to work together for the common good of our rural residents in Lowndes County. These are the projects that we love to see. This facility has a true impact on someone who is making one hundred thousand dollars or someone who is making five thousand dollars and is on a fixed income. All can receive clean, potable drinking water and that’s what we want to see in our rural communities,” Director of Rural Development for the State of Alabama Nivory Gordon, Jr., said. 

There is a plan being developed to provide a mural of Niagara Falls to be painted on the main wall in the boardroom by the building’s designer and muralist, William Ozier.

“I’ve been inspired sitting here and I am going to donate a mural of Niagara Falls to be placed on the wall of the chamber. It will take a plain room and really give it some excitement,” William said.

The main lobby has been closed due to Covid-19, but has recently opened its doors to the general public. They are located at 641 State Highway 21 South, Hayneville, AL. For more information, visit www.lowndescountywater.com or call 334-548-6235.

 

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The Association for State Drinking Water Administrators (“ASDWA”) sent April 25th comments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency on the proposed PFAS National primary Drinking Water Regulation (“NPDWR”) Federalism Consultation addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl (“PFAS).

See EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114.

ASDWA describes itself as the:

. . . professional association that serves the leaders (and their staff) of the 57 state and territorial drinking water programs.

A key focus of ASDWA is therefore the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”) and associated regulations to implement the program.

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in various industrial applications and consumer products for a number of years. Properties of these chemicals include resistance to heat, water, and oil. They have been described as persistent in the environment and resist degradation. Potential human exposure to PFAS includes pathways through drinking water, air, or food.

ASDWA notes by way of introduction the importance of EPA’s use of the PFAS NPDWR, noting:

. . . some states are figuring out how to appropriately use EPA’s health advisory levels for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) or have moved ahead to set their own state-level standards. This regulatory action by EPA is a step in the right direction to provide national leadership and consistency for assessing and addressing PFAS in drinking water throughout the country.

ASDWA’s comments include a recommendation that EPA consider including four additional PFAS in the rulemaking:

• perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA),
• perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS),
• perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), and
• perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)

The recommendation is qualified by recognizing such a listing should only occur if the SDWA process addressing science, occurrence, and cost/benefit analysis provide the relevant results.

Additional recommendations described by ASDWA include:

• Utilize all of the Agency’s regulatory and non-regulatory authorities to prevent PFAS from entering drinking water sources;
• Allow flexibility in the selection of a specific treatment technology (or technologies) for compliance with any NPDWR;
• Review and consider the data, guidelines, and standards of states already regulating PFAS;
• Use a monitoring approach similar to the Standardized Monitoring Framework for regulated volatile organic chemicals or synthetic organic chemicals;
• Include an option for states to utilize monitoring waivers; and
• Develop robust risk communication tools and resources to be released before the proposal of the NPDWR.

A copy of the April 25th ASDWA comments can be downloaded here.

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Originally Appeared Here