Editor's Note: Each week, Water & Wastes Digest will post an aggregate of business news briefs and networking news items to keep you informed on facility openings, business mergers and purchases, changes in personnel and award notifications, among others in the water and wastewater treatment industries. If you have business news briefs you would like included in this weekly round up, please email the press release, photo and a link to the post on your website to [email protected] with the subject line "Business News Round Up." One news item per company per week will be posted.
U.S. EPA Celebrates WIFIA Project
The U.S. EPA and the Orange County Water District (OCWD) participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) Final Expansion in Orange County, Calif. The project is funded in part by a $135 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan, according to an EPA press release.
“Not only will OCWD’s Groundwater Replenishment System provide Orange County residents and businesses with an additional local drinking water supply, it will also ensure the community is more resilient against periods of drought,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “Good water quality and wastewater management is vital to our health, communities, and economy. Through the WIFIA loan program, EPA is helping renew our nation’s aging water infrastructure.”
“The GWRS Final Expansion will produce enough water for 1 million people, while also recycling 100% of the reclaimable wastewater from the Sanitation District,” said OCWD President Vicente Sarmiento. “It’s truly a win-win and we will continue to implement projects and programs that bring increased water reliability to the region.”
Cyclopure Announces Series B Funding & Selection by C&EN as Top 10 Start-Up
Cyclopure, Inc., has announced new funding in a Series B round led by principal investor Dr. Irwin Jacobs, according to a press release. More than $4 million will be used to accelerate commercialization of the company's DEXSORB adsorbents. Combined with financing from its earlier Series A and SBIR grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, brings Cyclopure's total capital raised to more than $10 million.
"We can't thank Dr. Jacobs enough for his commitment and support of Cyclopure's efforts to develop novel solutions to make safe and affordable drinking water available in the home," said Cyclopure Chief Executive Officer Frank Cassou. "Irwin and his wife Joan care deeply about community health issues. We appreciate their belief in our mission to restore home tap water to drinking water quality for the benefit of personal health, family incomes and the environment."
Cyclopure has also been selected by American Chemical Society's C&EN magazine as one of the 2019 Top 10 Start Ups to Watch. Cyclopure has developed a line of DEXSORB adsorbents which remove microtoxins present in tap water, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Sherwin-Williams Announces 2019 Water & Wastewater Impact Award Winners
Sherwin-Williams has awarded the restoration of a long-standing elevated water tank serving the city of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the 2019 Sherwin-Williams Impact Award, according to a press release. The team includes professional service and contracting firm SUEZ Advanced Solutions; coatings inspection provider OmniTech, LLC; engineering firm Hazen and Sawyer; and the City of Fort Lauderdale.
The award honors projects featuring coating and lining materials from Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine. The company announced the award winners during the Water Environment Federation’s 2019 WEFTEC Conference, held Sept. 21 to 25, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois.
The runner-up project, operated by New Jersey American Water (NJAW), restored a 110-year-old standpipe serving Haddon Heights Township. The team included owner NJAW; coatings contractor Titan Industrial Services, Inc.; professional engineering services provider Tank Industry Consultants; and coatings inspection firm B&N Inspection and Supply.
The honorable mention project recognized the restoration of a 2.5 million gal tank serving the Westwood neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. The project team included coatings applicator United Coatings & Linings, Inc.; coatings inspection firm Dixon Engineering, Inc.; and Greater Cincinnati Water Works.
“Ensuring the proper care and upkeep of critical water and wastewater infrastructure is vital to the livelihood of local communities. Without dedicated contractors, engineers and asset owners focused on protecting these assets, communities could face unreliable water service and significant worries,” said Murray Heywood, North America market manager, Water & Wastewater, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine. “That’s why we established the Sherwin-Williams Impact Award; to honor demanding water and wastewater projects and recognize those professionals committed to protecting assets and enhancing public safety.”
Networking Section
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MFG Chemical has added logistics expert April Goins to the domestic service team. The company has also implemented its operational excellence software program OESuite.
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WAGO has hired Drew Amos as the new regional sales manager for Southern California.
