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The Right Issues At the Right Time, in the Right Place
The right issues at the right time, in the right place — that's how the third International Emerging Technology Symposium is being viewed by an industry anxiously anticipating this timely event.
Co-convened by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the World Plumbing Council (WPC), the ETS brings pressing issues of water and energy efficiency within the built environment to the United States capital just months in advance of the presidential election, the outcome of which will undoubtedly shape the industry worldwide for the next four years.
Presentations on important new technologies, innovations and trends to be featured at the symposium include:
The Last Mile of Safe Water Delivery: A Global Problem | Kyle Konda - UNC Water Institute
The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) regularly estimates the proportion of each country that has access to piped and other types of improved water and reports that steady progress is being made on extending access to improved sources of water to ever-greater portions of the world's population. As access to ostensibly safe sources increases, problems of contamination between sourc and point of use will become of increasing concern; this threat to water safety is the problem of the "Last Mile". In some places, safe water is collected from community sources only to become unfit for drinking during transport to and storage in the home. In others, safe water is delivered to a building but becomes contaminated because of sanitary risks in the water distribution system. The Last Mile is conceptualized as being the priority threat to water quality when the water is verifiably safe at a distribution point and there are significant sanitary risks to the water along its transmission from a safe source to the point of use. In this work the only nationally representative water quality data currently available (that from the Rapid Assessment of Drinking Water Quality Project) is used to assess the number of people receiving water that is recontaminated during the last mile. National environmental and development indicators are used to create fractional logit models that predicted for most countries the proportions of piped and other improved water supplies that are microbiologically safe and, of these sources, the proportions that face elevated risk of contamination. We estimate that 1.2 billion people (18% of the world population) have access to microbiologically safe water from improved sources that nevertheless face significant contamination risks. We contend that this problem will require ever greater attention as more people gain access to improved sources, and as these sources age and accumulate ever greater sanitary risks. Addressing this problem will require use of innovative technologies, policies, programs and regulations.
Heavyweight Water User Reformed | Doug Bennett
The fastest growing population centers are in water-scarce western states. More than one in ten Americans rely on the Colorado River for urban supply, but drought and climate change threaten this critically important resource. Conservation and efficient use of urban supplies has become a major water resource strategy for nearly all arid cities. Despite improvements in technology of plumbed systems, many cities are finding that new housing consumes as much or more water than older, standing housing stock. This presentation takes a "backstage" look at urban water demand in Las Vegas and examines how water-efficient products, policies and programs are influencing future water demand in western cities.
Potable and Process Pipe and Fitting Advances Utilizing Radio Frequency Fusion Welding Techniques | Stephen R. Barrett
Where once iron, steel or copper were the choices for residential and commercial plumbing, plastics have become preferred. Current joining methods rely on solvent cements, mechanical clamps and butt or fusion weld techniques. The primary potable pipe, PEX, uses cold expansion or crimp fitting systems. Each of these choices has drawbacks. While cost-effective to install, PEX is not eco-friendly and requires a mechanical joining method that reduces flow and is prone to leaking. PVC/CPVC and ABS require fittings that use difficult primers with potentially dangerous V.O.C.s. Expensive copper requires numerous fittings, and a soldered or mechanical joint. Strong, flexible PE and PP blends are fast becoming the pipe of choice. Butt and fusion welding are most often used to melt pipes together, but are compromised by fitting costs and poor tool usability. Radio-frequency fusion welding from Watts is a breakthrough in pipe joining with a cost-effective fitting and no heat or EMF's. Clean OD sheer joints are stronger than the pipe, and can be used on any thermofusion plastic piping.
Grease Traps and Advanced Organic Waste Disposal | Alexander Brinkhoff
The state-of-the-art regarding wastewater and waste treatment by gravity separators and handling, storage and retention of food waste will be presented. In addition a short overview of Standards "PDI-G101" (US) and "DIN 4040" (Germany) will be given. The presentation's concern is to provide short information about current developments in these fields and also to show risks and consequences of missing or inadequate measures of waste or wastewater treatment. Therefore enhancements with European Standard EN 1825 (harmonization, optimization, testing and effects) are very important. Raising experiences as well as continuous technical development are offering significant advantages for operators and staff of above mentioned facilities. According to European Standard some details of the usage of gravity grease separators like dimensioning of grease traps through operation, kitchen equipment or other sources, disposal of grease traps (intervals and ways of disposal) and maintenance. In addition to that sustainability and the chance of an effective renewable energy source will get into the focus. A disposal system for organic waste will be presented as a significant cost reduction for the general public will arise caused by reduced maintenance and cleaning efforts of public infrastructure like sewage systems, pumping stations or municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Final Barrier: A New Global Approach to Water Treatment | Pauli Undesser
Final barrier provides water treatment at the source of consumption. This new approach to water treatment allows the removal of contaminants to lower levels than central treatment, removal of contaminants not addressed by central treatment, and removal of contaminants that are introduced during or after central treatment. Civil engineers and utility managers globally are beginning to recognize that treatment at the Point-of-Use (POU) may be more cost-effective than centralized treatment. Point-of-Use (POU) or Point-of-Entry (POE) devices have been tested and certified for many different classes of contaminants: Inorganics such as lead and copper, Radium & Other Radionuclides, Volatile Organic Chemicals such as disinfection byproducts, Synthetic Organic Chemicals, Microbiologicals such as bacteria, cyst and virus, Aesthetic concerns such as particulates, taste and odor.This presentation of the final barrier concept will provide global examples of final barrier implementation, the US regulatory perspective, and guidance for residential consumers pursuing this emerging paradigm.
Impact of Electronic Faucets and Water Efficiency Guidelines on a Legionnaires Disease Outbreak in a Healthcare Facility | Tim Keane
This case study is of a healthcare facility less than a year old that had a Legionnaires' disease outbreak. Data collected from this Legionnaires' disease outbreak demonstrated conclusively the impact of very low flow electronic faucets on Legionella colonization. Sample sets obtained from electronic faucets, shower mixing valves and standard manual faucets showed statistically relevant results. The percent of samples positive for Legionella collected from each type of fixture were:1. electronic faucets – 61%, 2. shower mixing valves – 13% and 3. manual faucets – 0 %. In new construction there are a myriad of codes and guidelines resulting in dramatically increased potential for Legionella colonization and resultant outbreaks. These codes and guidelines are written by varying groups who may have little direct involvement in Legionella issues or may not be aware of the growing list of changes in regulations, design and product development that are compounding the risk of Legionella colonization in potable water. For example, hot water heater manufacturers, commonly use a full page in their operating manuals detailing the potential for scalding while never mentioning associated Legionella risk. Product manufacturers, plumbing system designers, code writers and end users need to be aware of the increasing risk for Legionella colonization as a result of design and operational impact related to: scald concerns, new product technologies and energy / water initiatives.
The Defective Trap Seal Identification System | Steven Wright
The Dyteqta-System is the result of years of research by academics at Heriot-Watt University and the Dyteqta team. It uses innovative sonar technology to monitor a building's drainage network and detect any loss in water trap seals. This may be due to evaporation and / or positive and negative pressure surcharges, amongst other reasons. When these vital seals are lost, sewer gas containing contaminated air and harmful pathogens present in the drainage and sewer system can enter the building and spread infection and / or foul smells. The Dyteqta-System is the world's first dedicated remote, non-invasive, non-destructive drainage monitoring system, marking a major advance in the battle against transmission of disease through cross-contamination and prevention of bad odours in hospitals, hotels, apartments and offices. Introducing sophisticated sonar technology to building drainage, the Dyteqta-System identifies the loss of water in trap seals in complex drainage networks in high use public and commercial buildings. These vital water barriers prevent contaminated air and harmful pathogens passing from the drainage system into the habitable occupied space. With the Dyteqta-System, there is now the opportunity for responsible persons such as Code Bodies, Building Authorities and Facilities Managers to test new or existing drainage systems to ensure they are providing the required sanitary and health protection to the occupants of any given building. The data collected by the Dyteqta-System can be used to aid in targeted renovations, rectification or remedial works required to make the building a safe environment.
For a complete list of presenters and to register go to http://www.iapmo.org/Pages/EmergingTechnologySymposium.aspx |
