Water Recycling and Reuse Technologies
Demand for water is increasing as the world’s population grows, agricultural needs increase and developing nations become more affluent. Unfortunately, there is not an increase in water supply to match this growing demand. In fact, as weather patterns change and water sources continue to be overused, fresh water supplies are decreasing.The solution lies within the $29 billion water recycling and reuse technologies market, according to SBI Energy’s latest study “Global Market for Water Recycling & Reuse: Filtration Systems,” which examines at length the opportunities and challenges facing wastewater recycling systems, reuse graywater systems and rainwater harvesting. Driven by the depletion of our water resources, the public’s awareness of water-conservation products, government incentives and decreased implementation costs, this market is projected to experience a 16 percent growth rate to reach $57 billion in 2015.Within the four main types of water treatment solutions – membrane systems, multimedia filtration systems, carbon filtration systems and zero liquid discharge systems – membrane systems currently are commanding 70 percent market share. “Decreasing costs associated with membrane technology, combined with technological advancements, have broadened the ease and scope of applications within the sector,” says SBI Energy publisher Shelley Carr.
According to the study, the value of the membrane filtration systems sector of the water recycling and reuse market increased by $4 billion in the three-year period from 2006 to 2009. The sector is expected to continue exceptional growth, and is projected to grow to $38 billion by 2015. “From 2006 to 2015, this sector of the water recycling and reuse market will more than double in value,” says SBI Energy.
Foundation Work Unearths Old Ship
Workers excavating the site of the future World Trade Center Vehicle Security Center in New York discovered remnants of an 18th-century wooden ship. Nicholson Construction Co., headquartered in Cuddy, Pa., is a member of the joint venture responsible for constructing the foundation system for the new building.According to the New York Times, “The 30-foot length of the wood-hulled vessel was discovered about 20 feet to 30 feet below street level on the World Trade Center site. It is the first such large-scale archaeological find along the Manhattan waterfront since 1982, when an 18th-century cargo ship came to light at 175 Water Street.”
Nicholson, with joint venture partner E.E. Cruz, constructed the Vehicle Security Center’s perimeter foundation walls. The water-tight excavation support system includes a 40,000-square-foot diaphragm wall, 6,000-square-foot secant pile wall, and a jet grout cutoff wall. Nicholson currently is installing tieback anchors to support the foundation walls. The joint venture’s $41 million contract also includes the excavation of 160,000 cubic yards of rock, soil and miscellaneous materials.
The area under excavation had not been dug out for the original trade center. The vessel, dating from the mid- to late-1700s, had been undisturbed for more than 200 years. News of the find spread quickly. Archaeologists and officials hurried to the site, not only because of the magnitude of the discovery, but because construction work could not be interrupted and because the timber would begin deteriorating as soon as it were exposed to air.
Water Shortages Due to Climate Change
A new study released by the National Resources Defense Council identified states in the United States that likely will have sufficient water to meet their future need, and those states that likely will not.The study, which projects water needs through 2050 based on population growth, 16 climate models, precipitation trends, global warming and other factors, indicates that all areas of the country will experience some type of water shortage in the next 40 years, with some areas more severely impacted than others.
The states that will be least impacted and experience the fewest water problems all are located in the northeastern and northwestern parts of the United States. This includes such states as Maine, Massachusetts, Washington and Oregon.
Areas that likely will experience moderate to occasional water shortages are located in the Midwest and the South.
However, 14 chronically high-risk states, many of which already are experiencing severe water shortages, were identified:
1. Arizona
2. Arkansas
3. California
4. Colorado
5. Florida
6. Idaho
7. Kansas
8. Mississippi
9. Montana
10. Nebraska
11. Nevada
12. New Mexico
13. Oklahoma
14. Texas
The report blames future water shortage on climate change, and calls for “meaningful legislation” by Congress to reduce global warming. However, Klaus Reichardt, founder and CEO of Waterless Co., does not believe that necessarily is the answer. Reichardt, who is active in water conservation causes, believes greater emphasis on water conservation technologies will help solve this country’s current and future water shortages. “I believe private industry, not necessarily government, will solve many of our water shortage problems,” he says.
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