Must they come to an end? Technically, the year is supposed to end later this month. However, this issue, our last of 2006, is our annual Reference Guide, which will come in handy for you in 2007 and beyond.
Composed of numerous feature stories; 13 case studies; our Top 20 Products; a Product Compendium; and an Article Index, this issue is designed as a reference point for your water or wastewater-related needs. Based upon a variety of reader studies we conducted throughout 2006, the editorial content within this issue reflects the topics and issues deemed most important by you, the readers of Water & Wastes Digest.
In addition, the December issue of Water & Wastes Digest includes an in-depth feature on the water and wastewater marketplace in 2007; columnist Steve Maxwell examines how the issues surrounding the water industry are becoming more visible and the opportunity this presents to industry manufacturers; and Carl E. Brown, writing his first column for Water & Wastes Digest, takes a look at the advantages of conducting a good water or sewer rate study.
Enjoy this issue throughout 2007 and be sure to let us know if there is anything else we can cover editorially that will help make your job easier.
With that, we take a look back at some important news in the water and wastewater industry that made headlines in 2006:
- Regarding the future of the marketplace, the water and wastewater treatment chemical market is expected to reach $22 billion; the water and power industries will help drive the world pump market to $36 billion; the cross-flow membrane market will reach $10 billion; the ultrapure water market will reach $4.8 billion; and the microfiltration market will surpass $1.2 billion, while the water and wastewater filtration market will reach $484 billion, all by 2010;
- Business acquisitions and new business ventures were in full force as General Electric acquired Zenon Environmental; ITT purchased F.B. Leopold, while Hach opted for Marsh-McBirney; the Neptune Technology Group and Hexagram formed a strategic alliance; Dow unveiled its Dow Water Solutions business segment; and USFilter was officially integrated into Siemens Water Technologies;
- In the ever expanding global water and wastewater marketplace, Infilco Degremont opened the largest water treatment plant in India; and the Water & Wastes Digest China E-Newsletter continues to increase in popularity as circulation is rapidly growing;
- Multiple announcements involving funding were made public as the EPA revealed that all 50 states and Puerto Rico have invested almost $9.6 billion in drinking water improvements since 1996; the EPA plans to invest $1 billion into drinking water programs; the city of Indianapolis plans to invest $1.8 billion to upgrade its sewer system; New York announced a $5.8 billion plan to improve water quality; and Los Angeles unveiled a $3 billion plan to upgrade its sewer system;
- ITT shipped its one millionth Goulds 3196 pump;
- The Dow Chemical Co. will sponsor the 2007 Blue Planet Run, an around-the-world run to raise funds for clean water; and finally,
- WWEMA and WWD announced their 2006 Scholarship winner, Christopher Balallo, who is studying to be a civil and environmental engineer at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
While this is only a snapshot of the water and wastewater-related news that occurred in 2006, one could only hope this news provides a precursor to the positive news we will report in 2007.
