News Archive
Latest 50 news articles
US EPA Approves New Bromate and Haloacetic Acid Methods
The US EPA has recently released two new methods that feature Reagent-Free IC systems for determination of bromate and haloacetic acids. Method 302.0: Determination of Bromate in Drinking Water Using Two- Dimensional Ion Chromatography with Suppressed Conductivity Detection brings the ease of Just Add Water eluent generation to bromate analysis. Dual pumps and eluent generators of the ICS-3000 system allow different concentrations and flows in the different dimensions, permitting the use of...
Prepare Eluent Just Once a Month
The Dionex ICS-1100 and Dionex ICS-1600 are the first fully integrated systems offering Eluent Regeneration (ER). These RFIC-ER™ systems deliver consistent chromatographic results for up to 28 days with a single preparation of eluent. The IC is always on and always ready to analyse the next sample, thus simplifying operation and reducing labour costs. Automated sample preparation techniques featured on these instruments include automated filtration, matrix removal, and analyte preconcen...
Fine for Scottish Water over wastewater pollution
Scottish Water has been made to pay a fine after officials found that sewage from one of its wastewater treatment plants was getting into a nearby lake.The company was told to pay £6,000 following the discovery by environmental officers between January and April last year that Loch Ryan was being polluted by the firm's Stanraer facility.John Gorman, investigating officer at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), noted that Scottish Water will have been well aware of the legal...
Eluent Generation and Eluent Regeneration Fully Compliant with New ISO Standard for Water Quality Anion Analysis
Use of Dionex Reagent-Free™ ion chromatography (RFIC™) systems with eluent generation (EG) and eluent regeneration (ER) technology (RFIC-EG™ and RFIC-ER systems) is compliant with the newly released International Organisation for Standards (ISO) water quality standard. The new standard for anion analysis by ion chromatography, titled Water Quality—Determination of Dissolved Anions by Liquid Chromatography of Ions—Part 1: Determination of Bromide, Chloride, Fluori...
Drinking Water – are you sure it’s clean?
The new compact drinking water filter with UV-C treatment WAF 20 from AFRISO (Germany) was designed as a simple and easy to fit filter for below worktop installation, providing clean and healthy drinking water. WAF 20 consists of a robust plastic housing with active carbon fine filter insert and stainless steel reactor housing (for the UV-C tube), a sturdy mounting bracket and the housing for the electronics. WAF 20 is installed just in front of the water withdrawal point. The incoming drinki...
New EPA Methods for Bromate and Haloacetic Acids with the EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
Dionex announces two recently approved methods for the determination of disinfection by products in drinking waters. Method 302 is a two-dimensional (2-D) IC method that was developed to provide a more robust solution for drinking waters with high concentrations of anions compared to the post column method 317 and 326. Using a Reagent-Free™ IC (RFIC™) system, EPA 302.0 allows the user to just add water to each system instead of preparing eluents and unstable or toxic post-column...
Industrial Wastewater Monitoring Solutions Workshop
HACH LANGE are hosting a free workshop entitled *Industrial Wastewater Monitoring Solutions on Wednesday 24th March in Manchester. The focus of the workshop will include: - Why analyse industrial wastewater? - What to analyse? - How best to analyse industrial wastewater? The day will include an overview of some of the fundamental aspects of industrial wastewater monitoring solutions. Plus, there will be a practical session in our technology trailer and lab, which will showcase the latest...
New SuperCritical Water Oxidation Technique Optimizes TOC Analysis
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzers measure organic carbon to indicate water quality. The new Sievers InnovOx On-Line TOC Analyzer from GE Analytical Instruments, part of GE Water & Process Technologies, measures organic carbon in industrial process, environmental, and wastewater samples for a wide range of industries. The InnovOx TOC Analyzer represents the most significant breakthrough in commercial laboratory TOC analysis in the last 25 years. It replaces the widely-used combustion me...
Don’t Ignore Water Experts Warn Copenhagen
Professor Patricia Wouters, Director of the UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, University of Dundee, today fired a shot across the bows of climate change negotiators in Copenhagen, warning them not to ignore one of the planet’s most vital natural resources of all - water. “Water must be part of the climate change negotiations, and water law must be part of the water agenda, otherwise any solution could be deeply compromised, at best,” warned Professor Wouters...
Is Bisphenol A In My Water?
Debate continues on the chemical compound Bisphenol A (BPA) regarding its effects on human health and whether it requires regulation. Used in industrial activities, particularily in resins and plastics used in food and beverage packaging materials, BPA has been the subject of numerous studies, many linked to human health concerns. One study estimates there are detectable levels of BPA in more than 90% of the US population. Reacting to this news, in 2008, Canada declared Bisphenol A a hazardo...
Enhanced Drinking Water Analysis in Compliance with US EPA Methods Using Comprehensive Environmental GC/MS Productivity Solutions
Thermo Fisher Scientific (USA) announce enhanced drinking water analytical capabilities of the Thermo Scientific Environmental GC/MS Online Productivity Solutions with respect to United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Methods 524.2 and 525.2. The powerful Thermo Scientific 524 and 525 Productivity Solutions integrate the Thermo Scientific DSQ II GC/MS instrument with layered application software, analytical columns, consumables, standard operating procedures and quick start gu...
Environmental analysis news: Farmers urged to take care when irrigating land
Agricultural workers have been urged to take extra precautions when irrigating land with dirty water.The warning comes after a farming company was fined and ordered to pay costs earlier this week after wastewater flowed into a Devon stream, killing dozens of fish.Approximately 150 dead brown trout, bullheads, stoneloach and minnow were found.Investigators traced the pollution to a local farm where a field had recently been irrigated using dirty water from a dairy unit.Environment Agency spoke...
New Transmitters MV 4000
Intelligent Transmitter MV 4000 from Sensortechnik Meinburg (Germany) for all parameter in modular case front 22.5 mm for mounting top hat rail with a display for measuring value, temperature and calibration instructions, a USB interface. Networking between MV 4000 and previous series MV 3000 + AZ 3000, cost efficient measuring of process parameter and connection with PLC, data loggers, - printers or visualisation systems The transmitters MV 4000 are excellently suited for cost-efficient co...
Corrosion-Proof, High-Efficiency Refrigerated Sampler
The new Model 4700 Refrigerated Sampler from Teledyne Isco (USA) sets new standards for weather and corrosion resistance. It features a tough, rotationally-molded, fullyinsulated cabinet; energy-efficient, highperformance compressor; polyester powder coating to protect the entire refrigeration system against corrosion; and a sealed, NEMA 4X, 6 (IP67) electronics enclosure. The patented liquid detector and pump counter ensure sample volume accuracy.
Italy 'facing ecological disaster after River Po oil spillage'
Italy is facing the possibility of an "ecological disaster" following the release of oil into one of its biggest waterways last week.Italian authorities are now concerned that the river's water quality and animal life are at risk, the Chosun Ilbo reports."Efforts have been underway using at least five floating barriers to trap the oil on the waterway's surface. But it is proving to be a difficult task for civil protection officials and fire-fighting teams dispatched to the area...
Compact Infrared Turbidity Meter
The compact Lovibond® infrared turbidity meter TurbiCheck from Tintometer (Germany) is designed to allow fast, precise on-site testing. The unit measures the scattered light at an angle of 90°, as stipulated in EN ISO 7027. The wide measuring range from 0.01-1100 TE/F = NTU = FNU makes the instrument suitable for various applications, ranging from drinking water to waste water. As infrared light is used for measurement purposes, the unit can be used to test both coloured and colourle...
Measure Crucial Electro-Chemical Parameters
Log crucial electro-chemical parameters covering drinking water, effluent, cooling water and boiler feed water with a single, hand-held measurement unit – the new SensoDirect 150 from Tintometer (Germany) can measure results with up to three electrodes – and all at real value for money.
New Technology Excites US Water Engineers
A unique, highly innovative water quality monitoring technology is making waves in the North American water supply sector following initial trials at a variety of locations. Developed by Intellitect Water Ltd in the UK, the new analyser (Intellisonde™) features up to 12 sensors in a tiny sonde head that inserts directly into a pipeline through a hot tap fitting. The Intellisonde™ logs water quality data and provides remote access to the data through a variety of telecommunication...
Fuel spill raises concerns over water quality in Italy
Italy's longest river has been contaminated with a large quantity of diesel and other fuel, with authorities claiming that the incident is being treated as a deliberate act of sabotage.Ferruccio Melloni, head of the civil protection agency in the Emilia Romagna region, told Reuters that at least 400,000 litres of the fuel had entered the River Po after pouring into a tributary from storage tanks at a disused refinery near Monza.Other estimates have stated that 2.5 million litres of fuel has n...
Water quality damaged by "horrific" pollution in Israel
A batch of water wells have been closed in the Ramat HaSharon region of Israel due to a leak from a military holding.Rocket fuel and explosive components from the Israel Military Industries plant in the city have seeped into an aquifier in what is being called the worst instance of water pollution in the country's history.The Water Authority has suggested that some 16 sq km could be affected by the leak, which needs to be dealt with before contamination spreads to Tel Aviv and Herzliya.Hundre...
Simply Flexible Compact Photometer PF-12
The PF-12 from MACHEREY-NAGEL is an easy to operate compact photometer with a clear and convenient user guidance. The PF-12 impresses with modern design and precise analytics. It is adapted to our customers’ current and future needs, making it highly suitable for universal use in water and wastewater analysis. The application range for the PF-12 includes municipal and industrial wastewater, drinking water, surface water, ground water as well as cooling and boiler water. The PF-12 can...
Non-Contacting Ultrasonic Level and Flow Measurement
Pulsar (UK) has led the way in non-contacting ultrasonic level and flow measurement for over a decade, with equipment that will handle everything from battery powered remote Combined Sewer Overflow monitoring through to super-high accuracy open channel flow measurement and sophisticated pump control systems that automatically avoid periods of high energy costs. Pulsar’s award-winning innovations include DUET, the unique twin transducer solution for the highest accuracy in open channel f...
Fish used to improve water quality in China
Chinese authorities have turned to algae-eating fish to help them fight pollution in one of the nation's major lakes.Exposure to sewage and industrial waste has left Lake Tai in the grip of a blue-green algae plague, but experts are hoping that an 8.6 million yuan (£816,000) campaign involving green and silver carp could improve the water quality, AFP reports.According to the news agency, the Taihu Lake Fisheries Management Committee has arranged for 20 million fish to be released into t...
The Big Brother is Born!
Based on their patented “linear shuttle” technology, Nitto Kohki (Germany) have introduced the larger LAM-200 blower to their market leading range of LA series blowers. The eagerly anticipated big brother is born! Air-blowers are commonly used in wastewater treatment systems, aquatic & pond applications as well as sulphur scrubbing on biogas applications. The “linear shuttle” technology removes the need for troublesome diaphragms and so offers the benefit of much l...
EA trials dye products for water quality at fisheries
The Environment Agency (EA) is set to trial two dye-based products as new methods of maintaining water quality at commercial fisheries in the UK.According to the Angling Times, it is hoped that a radical blue dye can replace conventional aquatic weed killers, which will be banned by the government next month.The dye-based products, known as Dyofix Pond Blue and Lake Shadow, kill algae and other plants that can be harmful to fish by blocking ultraviolet light and preventing photosynthesis.Paul...
Skalar SP10COD Robotic Analyzer for the Measurement of Chemical Oxygen Demand, According to ISO 15705 and EPA 410.4
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) is an important parameter for determining the amount of organic pollution in water. Skalar’s SP10COD robotic analyzer has been designed for the cost-effective automation of the easy to use small-scale sealed-tube COD (ST-COD) analysis according to the ISO15705 and EPA 410.4. The ST-COD tube method is compared to the classical titration method, more user-friendly as there is no contact with hazardous reagents and more environmentally friendly, because less r...
Sensors Analyse Sulfide and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Levels In Municipal Water And Waste Treatment Plants
Municipal water engineers and plant technicians treating water for sulfates and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) will find the new S10 and S17 Sulfide Sensors from Electro-Chemical Devices (ECD) (USA) provide advanced instrumentation to help plants and processes operate smoothly and efficiently with lower operating costs. Sulfates and H2S are often present naturally in ground water in areas near oil fields, coal mines, peat deposits and areas where geothermal activity occurs. They give the water a b...
Fully Automated EPA Approved “Kelada-01” Total Cyanide Method on the Skalar San++ Analyzer
Skalar is continuously developing and integrating new automated applications for the San++ Continuous Flow Analyzer. Currently there are over 800 methods available to meet the parameter requirements of various industries. Skalar’s most recent development is the implementation of the Kelada-01 method for the determination of total cyanide, acid dissociable cyanide and thiocyanate. This method is in compliance with EPA-821-B-01-009 and “Method Kelada-01” is approved and adapt...
Coral reefs 'could dissolve within 100 years'
Some of the world's most impressive coral reefs could disappear within the next 100 years, a new study has suggested.Research carried out by Dr Jacob Silverman from the Carnegie Institution in Washington indicate that seas are becoming increasingly acidic, the Daily Mail reports.He noted that these ecosystems, which "harbour the highest diversity of marine life in the ocean" are likely to be "severely reduced".A sharp increase in acid levels caused by CO2 will make it impo...
EA investigates fungus outbreak in River Crane
The Environment Agency is investigating an outbreak of fungus in the River Crane, it has been revealed.A number of complaints were received from residents of North Feltham and Twickenham, with many noting an unusual smell.Grey fungus is generally associated with organic discharge and grows across the river bed, affecting organisms living in the water.Sarah Mills, environment management team leader, said a thorough investigation is being conducted."Due to the extent of the coverage of the...
Environmental analysis news: Expert highlights climate change danger to corals
A marine expert has highlighted the dangers of climate change and over-fishing to species living in the world's oceans.Speaking at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science 2009, Dr Jason Hall-Spencer from the University of Plymouth raised concerns that many marine environments which have just been discovered are already being damaged by global warming.The Daily Telegraph reported on the event, where Dr Hall-Spencer revealed that less than one per cent of the ocean'...
New index to help with water monitoring
The World Resources Institute (WRI) has developed a new water index to help companies identify and mitigate any risks associated with water usage, quality and supply.Working in partnership with Goldman Sachs and General Electric (GE), the WRI has created the index to take into account nearly 20 different factors affecting corporate water resources, Waterlink International reported.These include availability, quality and regulations relating to the vital liquid.Jonathan Lash, president of WRI,...
Water monitoring finds oceans becoming more acidic
New research has revealed that the world's oceans are becoming more acidic.Scientists from the University of Bristol have published a report in Nature Geoscience.The team from the educational institution developed a new model to measure and assess ocean acidity and predict future environmental changes that could occur as a result.According to the researchers, the rate at which the oceans are becoming more acidic is faster than any other similar events in the past 65 million years.This could m...
Sussex water quality rated on new website
The water quality at locations around Europe can be rated by people in the area and compared alongside official pollution statistics.According to Sussex newspaper the Argus, some areas of the region have very poor water quality.The news provider revealed that the sea off of Newhaven was described as "dirty, polluted and unsafe" by members of the public, while the European Environment Agency (EEA) labelled the water quality "very bad".However, it pointed out that many of th...
European Commission reports improved water quality
The European Commission (EC) has revealed that water quality around the continent is improving but noted that there are some areas which still need to boost their record on nitrate pollution.Figures released by the agency specifically relate to levels of the chemical in watercourses and lakes across Europe.According to the EC's data, nitrate concentrations at 70 per cent of the surface water sites it monitors either fell or remained constant between 2004 and 2007.Groundwater quality is slight...
Recommendations to improve Baltic Sea water quality produced
The WWF and its partners have released a list of seven suggestions that could help to improve the water quality in the Baltic Sea.Banning the use of phosphates in detergents, preventing eel fishing until stocks have recovered and ratifying the Ballast Water Convention are among the recommendations put forward that would improve water quality in the short term, the organisation stated.Helsinki is due to host a summit later this week, which will bring heads of state from countries with borders...
Chinese government reveals water quality worse than estimated
New figures released by the Chinese government have revealed that the country's water quality is far worse than originally estimated.Reuters published details of a new survey issued from Beijing, which found that pollution levels in the nation's water sources in 2007 were far higher than predicted.This was because agricultural waste was not taken into account, the news provider explained.When the initial report was published more than two years ago, the Chinese government hailed it as the fir...
Water monitoring 'vital to mediate climate change effects'
Monitoring the world's water supplies and developing a global consensus about how to cope with water-related issues caused by climate change is vital, an expert has said.Speaking to Reuters, chair of UN-Water Zafar Adeel, said that the main problems caused by rising global temperatures will relate to water and its supply."It has an impact on all parts of our life as a society, on natural systems, habitats," he told the news provider.Specific problems include desertification, flash f...
Sir Steve Redgrave Launches Environmental Scientifics Group - The New Gold Standard For Environmental Compliance
Environmental Scientifics Group, to be commonly known as ESG, is the new name for the combined expertise of Scientifics and the Environmental Services Group encompassing leading brands such as Soil Mechanics, TES Bretby, PMC and CL Voelker. The group of companies, initially brought together by Inspicio (a world leading testing and inspection services company), offer a complete solution for all legislative and regulatory environmental compliance from the ground up. Operating in diverse areas...
Egg producer prosecuted for damaging water quality
A duck egg producer in Spalding has been prosecuted by the Environment Agency for causing a pollution incident that caused serious damage to wildlife in a local tributary.Alan Twell, who ran his business from the Mallard House Farm in Donington, was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,917 by Spalding Magistrates' Court on February 3rd.Slurry and liquid waste was channelled from the premises and ran into the Mallard Hurn Drain, killing fish and other wildlife in July last yea...
First PEEK-Bodied pH Sensor in 12 mm Form Factor
Invensys Operations Management (USA) has introduced a family of high-performance, disposable pH sensors in the widely used 12 mm form factor. The new Foxboro(r) brand PH12 Series includes the process industry’s first polyetheretherketone (PEEK) bodied sensor, making it the most durable 12 mm pH sensor available anywhere. The PH12 family of electrochemical sensors also features advanced diagnostics, fast response, long life and high accuracy and stability. "The 12 mm form factor is...
Oil spill in Birmingham damages water quality
Water quality at one of Birmingham's beauty spots, Witton Lakes, has been compromised and birds living in the area have been put at risk by an oil spill.The Environment Agency and the RSPB were called to the incident after a barrel of oil was dumped at the site on February 1st. Dr Stefan Bodnar, biodiversity officer at Birmingham City Council, said: "It was a serious situation but we managed to contain it and stop it from becoming really nasty."He explained that hundreds of birds fl...
The Waterways and Shipping Administration in Germany (WSV) is Taking the Lead in use of Technology for Safer Marine Navigation
Aanderaa Data Instruments (AADI) and Nautilus Marine Service GmbH have received orders for delivery of 7 Data Buoys and 10 River Pile Stations totalling 180 SEAGUARD® RCMs that are fitted with sensors for monitoring water flow (speed and direction), turbidity, salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen, as well as realtime data communication. WSV, who is the regulating authority of all significant federal navigable waters including rivers, canals, locks and seaward approaches within the...
New High-Spec CTD Logger
The new OTT CTD is a professional datalogger for the measurement of water level, conductivity and temperature. With a memory capacity of 4MB (approx. 500,000 values) and capable of running on alkaline or lithium batteries, this high-specification instrument is capable of operating unattended for long periods. Primarily designed for groundwater applications in wells from one inch diameter upwards, this instrument is equally well suited for surface water monitoring. The water level measureme...
Environment Agency unveils new water quality improvement plan
The Environment Agency has announced new plans to boost water quality in the east of England.Under the proposals, rivers, lakes, coastal waters and groundwater will be targeted to make sure they all meet the standards set out in the European Union Water Framework Directive.More than 750 rivers will be included in the scope of this River Basin Management Plan (RBMP).The organisation aims to see water quality improve across all the waterways in the region during the five years that the RBMP is...
Environmental Monitoring and Consultancy
Environmental law dealing with water quality is very extensive and where activities result in any kind of effluent being produced, consideration needs to be given to the likelihood of this causing environmental pollution. ESG’s teams undertake Site Risk Assessments to identify the site activities that could affect watercourses, ground-water and discharges to sewers. Sampling, monitoring and analysis of discharges to watercourses and sewers, as well as borehole sampling of ground water,...
Abattoir fined for damaging water quality
A Lincolnshire abattoir has been fined £8,000 and been ordered to pay costs of £3,410 after it pleaded guilty to causing a serious pollution incident which damaged the water quality of a local river.Lincs Turkey, based in Grainthorpe, admitted the charge at Skegness Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (January 27th).In October 2008, the Environment Agency was called to South Drain, which had been running red with blood. The organisation discovered concentrations of fat, feathers and wha...
New Infrared Version of Signet Turbidimeter
GF Piping Systems (UK) has added the new Signet 4150 Turbidimeter to its extensive line of analytical instrumentation. The new instrument provides accurate and reliable water quality monitoring that in two-versions is compliant to either ISO 7027 or U.S. EPA 180.1 making it ideal for both municipal and industrial applications. With its integral pressure regulator, the 4150 features easy single unit installation and setup. Typical applications include monitoring distribution of potable water,...
New Rapid Toxicity Measurement Systems for Wastewater Customers
SciTOX (New Zealand) announces that they have shipped their first commercial orders for their ALPHA toxicity analyser. The first four units have been shipped to countries in Europe and Asia as a result of a series of introductory seminars given May through July in those regions, according to Ralph Wattinger, the CEO of SciTOX. “In addition to a total of five orders that we have processed, there have been commitments for further orders given by customers in the Americas, Asia, and Europ...
New Meter Now Available
QuadraChem Laboratories Ltd. (UK) is pleased to announce that the new Orion DUAL STAR Meter is now available. The DUAL STAR is ideal for measuring from two different samples at the same time or reading two different measurement parameters simultaneously from one sample. For example wastewater laboratories can measure pH and ammonia levels quickly and easily, whilst food processing facilities can measure pH and sodium levels concurrently. Repeated, routine testing is easy as up to 10 method...