P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program uses the network of Facebook to lend a helping hand in sharing clean drinking water worldwide and with just a push of a button, users can donate one day of safe water.

The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) announced last week that it will launch a new Facebook campaign to let consumers engage and support its Children’s Safe Drinking Water (CSDW) Program. For the past seven years, P&G has been sharing clean drinking water in developing countries around the world through its P&G Purifier of Water packets that contain a patented powdered technology. To date, over 4 billion liters of water have been purified and an estimated 22,000 lives have been saved.

Last Wednesday, CSDW launched its first Facebook campaign, which lets users take part in the Program’s global efforts. For each “Like” on the P&G CSDW Facebook page, P&G will donate one day of clean drinking water through CSDW in a developing country where it’s needed most.

“As we work toward our goal to save one life every hour by 2020, we want others to play a part and share in our journey,” said Bob McDonald, P&G’s chairman, president, and chief executive officer. “This is one simple, but meaningful way for people all over the world to help us touch and improve lives by sharing clean drinking water.”

This effort follows the company’s recent announcement it will rebrand the purification packets used by CSDW, which marked the first time in over 100 years that P&G gave its own name to a product. McDonald called the rebranding a “natural extension” of P&G’s long-term commitment to touching and improving lives through the life-saving work of sharing clean water. The P&G CSDW Program also launched a new, interactive website at www.csdw.org, where users can read blogs from the field and stay up-to-date with current efforts worldwide.

The “1 Like = 1 Day of Clean Drinking Water” campaign will also let Facebook users experience the stories of those whose lives have been impacted by CSDW. Stories, photos and videos from the field will be shared that show how CSDW works with humanitarian, NGO, and emergency relief partners worldwide to distribute the packets, which contain a powdered water-purifying technology developed by P&G and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Earlier this month, P&G received the Award for Corporate Excellence from the State Department for the work done by CSDW and other P&G programs that help improve lives. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented the award for P&G’s work in Pakistan and Nigeria, but the CSDW Program works with its partners in over 65 countries to help transform dirty, contaminated water into clean, drinkable water.

To join in the P&G CSDW Program’s efforts and share one day of clean drinking water, visit www.facebook.com/pg.csdw.

Photo Credit: P&G CSDW

Photo Credit: University of Oregon

Read about this interesting study at the University of Oregon conducted by an eight-member research team who discovered genetic facts about rainbow trout and its influence on the environment.

Two distinct populations of rainbow trout — one in Alaska, the other in Idaho — share a genetic trait that could have huge implications for fisheries conservation and management, report an eight-member research team.

The common trait is a similar rapid rate of development that has allowed these different salmomid subspecies to adapt to their native rivers in Alaska and Idaho. The researchers, in a paper put online ahead of publication in the journal Molecular Ecology, say the similarity, a gene variant, resides in a specific portion of their genomes from where this local adaptation is triggered.

Understanding and applying that knowledge could help guide current and future efforts to save species on the brink of extinction and help rejuvenate dwindling populations, especially as changing conditions alter fish environments, says lead author Michael R. Miller, a National Science Foundation-funded doctoral student in the University of Oregon lab of co-author Chris Doe, a UO biologist and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator.

Audio with Michael Miller:

1) Overview of the findings

2) The implications

3) Brief take-home message

The research employed two technologies developed at the UO: the cloning technology pioneered on zebra fish 35 years ago by molecular biologist George Streisinger and a speedy genome-analysis tool known as RAD (restriction-site associated DNA markers). Miller and UO biologist Eric Johnson, with input from William Cresko, also a UO biologist, published their initial RAD-tagging technique in 2005.

The clone lines of rainbow trout used in the study were provided by co-author Gary H. Thorgaard, a fish geneticist at Washington State University. He had worked briefly as a postdoctoral researcher with Streisinger in 1978 to learn about a then-developing zebra-fish cloning technique later detailed in a 1981 Nature paper.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are members of the salmon family. They have a natal homing instinct in which they return to their native streams or rivers to spawn. Occasionally, some end up in other locations and have to adapt, or evolve, to survive in a new habitat. In studying the genetics of populations in the North Fork Clearwater River in north-central Idaho and in the Swanson River of south-central Alaska, researchers noted similar, speedy rates of development — a conserved trait that generally is not the case in rainbow trout, Thorgaard noted.

“We found that these two very distinct populations are using the same conserved variant of the same gene sequence to achieve this adaptation,” Miller said. “We have not identified the exact gene or gene mutations, but we have identified a region of the genome that is very similar.”

RAD gene-sequencing technology allowed the researchers to sort through the fish genomes — rainbow trout populations have between 58 and 64 chromosomes —until they isolated the gene variants, also known as mutations or alleles. “RAD gives us much better details with a much higher resolution on genetic markers than what we could ever see before,” Thorgaard said.

“RAD is being applied widely in the field of fisheries genetics,” Miller said. “This technology is having a huge impact on salmon genetics, for conservation, management and restoration.”

The findings suggest that the same genetic method of adaptation may be used by other salmonids, which includes salmon, steelhead trout, char, freshwater whitefish and graylings. The gene variant found in the study may have arrived just in time for struggling fish populations, researchers said.

“The study suggests that the same genetic types that are associated with adaptation in one population may also be used by another experiencing similar conditions in another area,” Thorgaard said. “This increases our understanding of how adaptation occurs and could help in characterizing populations for conservation purposes.”

Potentially, Miller said, matching fish with the same genetic variants could prove beneficial in increasing populations in distressed areas. “Many southern populations, in California, for instance, are already extinct or depressed, and these populations likely contain gene variants that may become important for the future adaptation of more northern populations as the environment changes,” he said. “If these populations go extinct, we are potentially hindering the future adaptability of other populations.”

Co-authors on the paper with Miller, Doe and Thorgaard were Joseph P. Brunelli and Paul A. Wheeler, both colleagues of Thorgaard at Washington State, and Sixin Liu, Caird E. Rexroad III and Yniv Palti, all of the National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service-USDA, in Kearneysville, W.Va.

The National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Agriculture supported the research.

Photo Credit: Allyson Koerner

The Charles River, once the scourge of Boston epitomized in the Standell’s rock and roll classic “Dirty Water,” joins the ranks of the Thames, Danube and Mekong Rivers, previous winners, in winning the 2011 International Riverprize, the world’s most prestigious environmental award, the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) announced. 

The International RiverFoundation’s (IRF) Thiess (pronounced “Teese”) International Riverprize, is awarded for visionary and sustainable excellence in river management. Projects from more than 20 countries competed for this year’s Riverprize; the winner was announced at the 14th International River Symposium last week in Brisbane, Australia and CRWA was there to accept the award, the largest environmental prize in the world ‐‐ valued at $330,000. The award includes a $100,000 grant for CRWA to share its river restoration expertise with a river organization in another country.

In 1965, when CRWA was founded, the Charles was an open sewer: tetanus shots and antibiotics were standard treatment for anyone unfortunate enough to fall in. Today, the Charles is heralded as the cleanest urban river in the United States by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Riverprize recognizes and rewards this rejuvenation. 

“In the world of river management, this is akin to winning the World Series—and it was made possible through the engagement, cooperation and hard work of hundreds of partners‐ at the federal, state, local and grassroots levels,” said Robert L. Zimmerman, Jr., CRWA’s executive director. “In the end, however, it’s a trophy for the people that live and work in the communities that comprise the Charles watershed, and for everyone who loves this river,” Zimmerman said. 

Photo Credit: Allyson Koerner

“The Charles River is one of Boston’s most iconic and cherished landmarks. I have so many memories from down on its banks – from bringing my daughters down to play on the river path when they were kids, to watching the Sox parade down the river in duck boats when they won the World Series. Now the Charles River Watershed Association’s forty‐six years of dedication has transformed the river into one of the cleanest urban rivers in the United States. That’s something we can all be very proud of,” said Senator John Kerry. 

“CRWA has fought for decades to bring the Charles back to life. This urban river is well on the path to recovery, and CRWA deserves great credit for raising awareness of the river’s problems; for pushing, pulling and prodding governments at all levels; and for building the tools and testing the solutions to restore the river,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator EPA New England. 

“The Charles River is a resource cherished by Boston area residents, and an icon enjoyed by visitors from around the world,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “The river’s renaissance is due to the hard work and dedication of organizations such as the Charles River Watershed Association, in partnership with federal, state and city agencies, and it is gratifying to see that success recognized by this prestigious international competition.”

The Charles River is now safe for boating 90 percent of the time due to the dramatic improvements in water quality, and well over a million people enjoy the river and its parklands each year. CRWA will use the prize money to continue to improve and protect the health of the Charles through fisheries restoration, water‐ sensitive design, and development of tools and practical solutions to watershed problems, including the growing problem of nutrients carried by stormwater to the river.

Photo Credit: Caroma

As we’ve reported in the past, Caroma’s low-flow, high-satisfaction products remain committed to the environment. Recently, Caroma’s continued support for water conservation has been validated with approval for its low-flow, high-performance shower product. 

Caroma^®, the worldwide leader in quality bathroom products, including high-efficiency, dual-flush toilets for commercial and residential use, announced last week that their first-ever shower product – Caroma Flow, has received WaterSense^® approval, and its label, giving Caroma an unprecedented number of WaterSense^® labeled products.

The Caroma Flow is the first foray into shower products from Caroma, and it was designed with the same water-conscious mission and technological know-how as their 51 WaterSense^® toilets. The Caroma Flow high-efficiency showerhead with a nominal flow rate of 1.5gpm/5.7L at 80 psi, includes a precision engineered nozzle that pressurizes water to produce a uniform, and soft yet powerful spray of water; maximizing comfort while saving up to 10 gallons more water than the standard 2.5gpm showerhead for a 10-minute shower. Incorporating a unique easy-slide spray adjustment, ranging from a wide coverage bathing spray to a concentrated rinse flow, the Caroma Flow showerhead is easy to install in both retrofit and new construction projects. 

“We’ve never wavered from our mission of designing and producing products that are innovative and eco-conscious,” said Derek Kirkpatrick, Caroma North America general manager. “Receiving the WaterSense^® label for our first shower product is proof that our company understands both global and local environmental concerns and is responsive to them in every product we design — not just a select few.” 

In fact, in 2010, Caroma was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense^® program for helping to promote water efficiency. Caroma earned an Excellence Award for its impressive number of WaterSense^® labeled products in the marketplace — all Caroma’s floor- and wall-mounted dual-flush toilet models meet or exceed the standards set by the EPA. Caroma estimates that 99 percent of its toilet sales in the United States in 2010 were WaterSense^® labeled models.

The British companies – including UK Trade & Investment’s delegation of nine organizations – exemplify the country’s extensive expertise in the water industry, ranging from water resource management and engineering to water purification and treatment technologies and monitoring.

“The UK’s holistic environmental initiatives and regulatory framework have cultivated an active business environment in Great Britain, spurring water companies to innovate and implement new technologies and approaches that can be applied to global water issues,” said Michael Rosenfeld, UK Trade & Investment, Vice Consul – U.S. Clean Technology Sector. “As the world collectively seeks answers to water scarcity and water quality issues, there is a strong recognition that the UK water sector is an important international partner providing solutions and resources to draw upon and collaborate with.” 

Great Britain – which is home to more than 500 companies and 80,000 employees in the water industry – has proven to be an important partner in supplementing the water sectors in the United States and Canada. 

“The UK’s deep experience in the water and environmental industries is a valuable supplement to the water sector in North America and has greatly enhanced the existing capabilities of Atkins North America for the planning, design and construction of water and wastewater systems,” said Douglas Fredericks, Vice President, Water Infrastructure for UK-based Atkins, a leading international engineering and design consultancy. The company has provided its water engineering services throughout North America, such as the recent upgrade and expansion of the 300 million gallon per day Potomac Water Filtration Plant in Montgomery County, Maryland which services more than one million residents. 

During WEFTEC, Mr. Fredericks discussed a more economically and environmentally sustainable approach to wastewater treatment on a UK Trade & Investment panel discussion about the water industry’s role in the world’s shift to sustainably-focused economies. 

“Atkins is pleased to join other British companies in Los Angeles this week to share the knowledge and insight gained from our country’s extensive history in water management and environmental and infrastructure enhancement,” said Fredericks. 

The UK is developing new technologies and solutions for the water industry, many of which are implemented throughout North America. For example, Cheshire-based Multisensor Systems – a developer and supplier of online environmental monitoring instruments – has received an enthusiastic response from water treatment and wastewater customers in the Western U.S. and Canada. The company has secured two trials sites in the U.S. for its latest thrihalomethane monitor, an online tool designed to monitor and report the concentrations of carcinogenic substances in drinking water, which will be showcased at WEFTEC. 

“The regulatory environment in North America, combined with the need to drive down cost and energy consumption in its water sector, makes the region an ideal platform for partnership with the UK’s advanced technologies and experience in water management and treatment,” said Brad Weaterton, CEO, Multisensor Systems. 

British companies are also providing services to several notable water quality projects in North America. For example, Atkins worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop and manage the $14 billion storm damage risk reduction program after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and Southern Louisiana. 

Arup, a UK-based international design and engineering consultancy, is currently leading the engineering design of a vital new intake tunnel at Nevada’s Lake Mead, the largest man-made reservoir in the U.S. and a source of water for millions. The new tunnel will ensure water quality and supply amid declining lake levels caused by increasing drought in the Southwest U.S. 

“As governments, companies and regulators in North America and the UK continue to address critical issues like water scarcity and conservation, the collaboration of technologies, education and standards will be key to evolving the water sectors of both regions,” added Rosenfeld of UK Trade & Investment.

Photo Credit: Ostara

Ostara is just one of many companies looking for a solution to wastewater treatment. Its Pearl® Nutrient Recovery Process is a closed-loop solution invented at the University of British Columbia that recovers nutrients from wastewater and recycles them into an environmentally-friendly, slow-release fertilizer called Crystal Green®.

The Pearl process harvests up to 90 percent of phosphorus and 20 percent of nitrogen from treated wastewater and transforms them into Crystal Green, which in turn prevents polluting nutrients from entering sensitive watersheds by extracting them for further processing. Ostara’s unique method produces several results: 

1. Eliminates phosphorus build-up in pipes, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in maintenance costs. 
2. Produces an environmentally friendly fertilizer that provides a revenue stream to further offset capital costs – in most cases, all costs are recouped within 5 to 7 years. 

Ostara’s nutrient recovery technology offers a “sustainable approach managing the complex interdependencies between the environment, the global food supply and the Earth’s water resources.” 

To learn more, visit http://www.ostara.com/.

Today at WEFTEC, The Water Environment Federation’s 84^th Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference, CH2M Hill launched WaterMatch, a grassroots, goodwill initiative to help municipalities and industries find each other and share water resources.

WaterMatch is a social networking site that promotes the beneficial reuse of municipal effluent for industrial use on a global basis. The website uses social networking and geospatial mapping to connect municipal effluent generators with industrial users. 

Once online, companies will use the WaterMatch Matching Map to find wastewater treatment plants close to their current and potential future operations and then use the social networking function to connect with the utilities operating those plants. 

The website is designed to help communities and companies meet and then take action on water. When action is taken, progress is made.                             

For more information, visit WaterMatch  www.ch2mhill.com/watermatch.

Photo Credit: Infiltrator Systems

Infiltrator Systems, one of the largest recyclers of plastic, is featuring the Plastic IM-1060™ Septic Tanks while attending WEFTEC. 

Did you know Infiltrator is the largest septic product company in the onsite industry with a combined 2.5 million systems installed across North America? It is even a leading purchaser of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled plastics through its subsidiary Champion Polymer Recycling used in the manufacture of Infiltrator products at their ISO-9002 certified manufacturing facility in Winchester, Ky.

The injection-molded IM-1060 tank is made for exceptional strength in septic, pump or rainwater applications and is the feature of Infiltrator’s booth. It features a designed mid-seam joint that accepts an engineered EPDM gasket, creating a water-tight structural tank. The tank is a two-piece design, permanently fastened using a series of non-corrosive plastic alignment dowels and locking seam clips.   

Infiltrator’s innovative products meet the environmental and regulatory requirements, and continue to drive the onsite wastewater treatment industry. 

For more information, go to http://www.infiltratorsystems.com/ or visit them at WEFTEC in booth 8427 at Kentia Hall.

Photo Credit: JM Eagle

This past weekend the 2011 Water Environment Federation’s Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC^®) kicked off in California, bringing thousands of water quality professionals from all over the world together. As the largest water quality show in North America, the exhibition offers access to the most cutting-edge technologies and services. This week, we will be profiling some of the exhibitors at WEFTEC, so be sure to check back daily to stay updated!

WEFTEC Exhibition Feature Profile: JM Eagle^TM 

Not only is JM Eagle^TM the world’s largest manufacturer of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe, but the company is committed to preserving the environment enacting initiatives to help the Earth and conserve resources. 

Here are just some of JM Eagle’s corporate and product sustainability highlights:

• Follows audited air-quality standards and guards against ground contamination.
• Employs a 100-percent-recycling policy for scrap.
• Stores no reportable quantities of hazardous materials in manufacturing and uses no chlorinated solvents. 
• Transportation of its products uses less fuel due to the light weight.
• No fuel-consuming heavy equipment is needed for product installation. 

In addition, the plastic pipe conserves water by reducing leakage and waste, and it protects the environment against biological contamination. Furthermore, PVC requires less water and lower temperatures to manufacture than other pipe materials.

Be sure to visit JM Eagle at WEFTEC in booth 137 and for more information, go to http://www.jmeagle.com/.

Photo Credit: SLOAN

SLOAN, a Chicago-based world leading manufacturer of water-efficient plumbing systems, unveiled the “next generation in green restroom design” at Greenbuild, where it was the platinum sponsor.  

One of their high-efficient and revolutionary products that have made a splash is BASYS™. The sleek sensory faucet meets the needs of any application or environment by delivering water on-demand, and provides options that harvest power from alternative sources using turbine or solar technology.

BASYS’ other features include environmentally responsible material choices, battery life extended with external diagnostic LED indicators. Furthermore, you have the option of choosing from five body types, four crowns and four power choices! 

Sloan offers a variety of products including sinks, toilets, shower heads and soap dispensers. Be sure to visit http://www.sloanvalve.com/ for more information and to check out more products.