'Early Detection and Warning System' Can Prevent Major Drinking Water Disasters
October 1, 2008, Jyvaskyla, Finland (H2oInstitute.org)--- Concerns about the drinking water quality, and safety and security of drinking water distribution systems, have made "WATER QUALITY" one of the hottest issues for consumers, water suppliers and industrial water users around the world.
A small investment in nanosensor technology, 'Early Detection and Warning' system, can prevent major drinking water disasters and mitigate water quality-related risks. Constant online detection, monitoring, measuring and analysis are critical, especially in aging water distribution systems, and source water-related challenges caused by global warning.
H2oAlliance views 'early detection and warning' combined with microbiology monitoring as one of the new and most important areas for water quality R&D both today, and in the future. H2oInstitute partners will focus on using unique real-time nanosensor technologies and their expertise in electrochemistry to improve detection, and research microbial drinking water contamination in distribution systems, groundwater and surface water sources. The goal is to mitigate, understand and address possible health risks, public health impacts and risk facing the industrial water users from potential degradation of water quality in the distribution systems, and declining water quality in water sources.
Our expertise in real-time liquid monitoring and measuring, and over three decades of experience using electrochemistry in water quality management, is recognized around the world. "Our time-tested technologies and cross-industry collaboration enables us to create simple, customized and accurate applications which are available in a short time, and support our customers worldwide", according to Minna LeVine, H2oAlliance Global.
Water distribution systems, watershed, and industrial process, have been identified as H2oInstitute's key areas of development. The main objective is to offer new-tech 'early detection and warning' systems, platforms, water-efficiency management solutions, and mobile devices, and to make water quality management expertise easily accessible to industrial water users, water suppliers, policymakers, and research partners worldwide.
H2oAlliance develops cutting-edge customized nanosensors using electrochemistry. Understanding of nanotechnology and the development of these nano-sensors is critical to any water research project, and effective management project. Nano-sensors using electrochemistry can be used in water treatment solutions, and to help reduce freshwater usage, and the costs of maintaining and managing water and waste streams.
H2oAlliance strives to concentrate its activities in water test and automation systems using electrochemistry, where H2oAlliance has cutting-edge expertise and proven technologies. An example of combining the 'early warning' technology, drinking water expertise and nano science, is the H2oAlliance Finland partnership. This PPP (public-private-partnership) builds on over three decades of combined successful water and liquid management experience using electrochemistry. Collaboration with the Jyvaskyla Nanoscience Center and the National Public Health Institute enables H2oAlliance to develop customized nano-sensors and new-tech solutions to mitigate drinking water-related risks such as waterborne epidemics, bio-film and pathogenic microbe formation, and by-products formed during disinfecting processes.
H2oAlliance aims to further develop nanosensor technology through H2oInstitute in FInland, and a global network of drinking water quality experts to ensure effective early detection and warning technologies, and to provide solutions that minimize and even eliminate microbiological and other risks in drinking water distribution systems. "Our approach builds on commitment to recognize the importance of addressing the safety and security of drinking water distribution systems, and quality of water resources", adds Denise Simone, VP Corporate Communications, H2oAlliance Global, New York, NY.
H2oAlliance priorities include risks and opportunities that arise from poor and declining drinking water safety and water quality worldwide. H2oAlliance's commitment is to provide new-tech solutions to mitigate risks, reduce demand for freshwater, improve OEE, and prevent pollution in our watersheds. These objectives will enhance sustainable development in three interrelated dimensions: economic, social, and ecological.
H2oAlliance nanotech solutions are being used by leading multinational engineering and process automation solution providers. H2oAlliance is expanding their global network of experts, companies and organizations through collaboration with the EU partner network and UNDP, and the member states of the WHO (World Health Organization).
H2oAlliance delivers technologies and provides local support to customers in the Americas, Europe, South-East Asia, Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific. In October 2008, H2oAlliance opens their operations in Istanbul, Turkey, to better serve clientele and partners in Turkey, Middle East and Africa.
Water quality varies from place-to-place, time-to-time, depending on the condition of the source water from which it is drawn, the treatment it receives, and the condition of the distribution system. Measuring, monitoring, and analyzing water quality, and controlling purification processes, delivery and distribution systems places great new demands on water suppliers.
Communities and companies are facing new problems due to constantly changing quality in source, treated, recycled and waste water quality, and increasing risks caused by global warming. Now water suppliers and water users can start managing their water quality more effectively by simply installing new nanosensor 'early detection and warning system' in their facilities. This unique system has been patented worldwide. The system analyzes water quality in real-time using electrochemistry, detects and alerts any changes in water quality, and improves accuracy, reduces costs, eliminates human error, minimizes risks, and secures good water quality at all times. It is a win-win situation in every company, organization and community.
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For more information, contact: H2oInstitute@H2oAlliance.org
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The Contaminated Drinking Water Crisis in Finland has Raised Safety Concerns at
Other Municipal Water Facilities Worldwide
January
4, 2008 - Atlanta, GA - - - Investigation of the water crisis in the town
of Nokia in Finland, has revealed that the contamination of the water supply was caused by
an error committed by an employee at the city's waste water treatment plant.
The employee was reportedly mortified at the implications of the mistake. The
employee had accidentally opened the wrong valve at about noon on November
28th, 2007 during routine maintenance work. Because of pressure differences,
the water flowed in the opposite direction, contaminating the freshwater
supply. The connection between the two pipes has since been removed. The
community is slowly recovering from the epidemic.
Officials say that a valve had been left open between
Wednesday and Friday, allowing at least 400,000 liters of treated waste water
to enter the town's water supply. Thousands of residents were coming down with
stomach ailments. Many of those suffering from diarrhea drank more water to
alleviate their symptoms before people realized that the water itself was the
cause of the problem. The contamination of the municipal water supply is
affecting about 25,500 local residents.
It was not until four days later that warnings on water
quality were distributed directly to all households. Before that, there was
information only in the local media and on the city's website. One week later it appeared that the situation was
improving, but the following night there was a break in the city's key water
main, which stirred up sediment in the pipeline, leading to a complete ban on
the use of water. A couple days later, another
rupture of a water pipe took place, a day after a
break in a different part of the same pipe had been repaired. The ban on using
municipal water was extended, and it remains to be
seen how long it will be before unrestricted use of
water is possible in town. Samples are taken constantly, while costly efforts
are continuing to clean the water mains to remove sediment from the inside of
the pipes that might harbor viruses and bacteria. Local businesses have to shut
down their production until clean water becomes available.
The provision of "safe" drinking water has been and
is a major priority in most communities. Raw and treated drinking water
quality varies from place to place, time-to-time, depending on the condition of
the source water from which it is drawn, and the treatment it receives.
Constant measuring, monitoring, and analysis of water quality and purification process places great demands on water treatment plants.
The water management and health professionals, and water
technology experts in Finland
have learned during this unfortunate event how to better prevent, manage, and
respond to drinking water crisis. H2oAlliance Water Quality team of experts is sending a message to water works, companies and communities urging them to
invest in constant water monitoring technology to prevent costly disasters.
Just a small investment in simple real-time nanosensor water monitoring
system can avoid human error and likelihood of similar events at their
utilities, and communities they serve.
Aware of the immediate need for drinking water safety
management consulting services and technology, companies can contact H2oAlliance in Atlanta, GA, for advice,
subscribe to online water quality management services, and order turnkey water
monitoring systems and tools that provide instant water quality analysis,
reports, and safety alerts, which can be received over the internet, or even
mobile phone.
Constant water quality research and management will improve
water quality and safety, and prevent drinking water crisis in communities we
live and work in. Water-efficiency technologies will help conserve freshwater
and reduce chemical consumption in most industrial processes, while minimizing
pollution in the environment. It is a win-win situation in every community.
Reference:
Water Safety and Risk Management Services
Technology
WEMS
Click here to learn more about Nokia Drinking Water Contamination Crisis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_water_supply_contamination#Polluted_area
Benefits of Electrochemical Water Management and Technology
Water Quality and Safety Research and Management Project
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