?? Elevate Your Knowledge: May's Best Articles Unveiled!
Welcome to the 5th edition of the 2024 Aquatech newsletter: Watertech Insights. Read our best read articles of May.
America’s big PFAS clean up: polluters must pay
In the USA, the administration of President Biden and Kamala Harris has finalised the country’s first National Drinking Water Standard designed specifically to protect people from exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), while the EPA has pledged to make polluters pay for cleaning up waters supplies.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of nearly 10,000 chemicals used in various products like firefighting foam, waterproof clothing, and non-stick cookware. These chemicals, known as "forever chemicals," are highly persistent in the environment and have been found in remote locations such as penguin eggs in Antarctica and polar bears in the Arctic. Long-term exposure to PFAS has been linked to serious health issues, including cancer.
In response, the U.S. EPA has established a National Drinking Water Standard aimed at reducing PFAS exposure for millions, with significant funding allocated to support PFAS testing and treatment. Additionally, legal measures under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) compel polluters to report and address PFAS contamination. Other regions, like Europe, are also implementing measures to monitor and reduce PFAS pollution, highlighting a global effort to tackle the widespread contamination and its health impacts.
Smart valve company secures €6.5 million seed funding for R&D
California-based smart-valve company Lumo has secured €6.5 million seed funding. The funding will enable the company to invest in research into upgrading its irrigation infrastructure and improving its water stewardship.
Lumo is enhancing water management for California farmers through its automated irrigation systems, particularly benefiting those in Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Coast. The Lumo One smart valve monitors flow rates, enabling precise water application and reducing waste.
As climate change impacts intensify and groundwater regulations tighten, Lumo's technology helps farmers manage water more efficiently. Despite recent heavy rains alleviating drought conditions in northern California, water availability remains a concern, highlighting the importance of controlled irrigation. Lumo's smart-valve technology, particularly useful for specialty crops, has gained investment support from Active Impact Investments and Fall Line Capital, positioning Lumo as a potential leader in irrigation automation.
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Largest solar-powered RO plant to be supplied by Veolia
Veolia will supply and engineer key technology at the Hassyan seawater desalination plant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), which its commissioners claim will be the second largest reverse osmosis plant in the world and the largest powered solely by solar energy.
Commissioned by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and ACWA Power, the Hassyan seawater desalination plant is set to open in 2026 and fully operate by 2027. With a €848 million investment, it will become the world's largest solar-powered reverse osmosis plant, providing 818,000 m3/d of drinking water for two million people.
This plant is a key part of Dubai's strategy to enhance water security and sustainability, aligning with multiple national plans, including the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. Veolia, through its subsidiary SIDEM, will supply and engineer critical pre- and post-treatment technology, ensuring efficient and environmentally compliant operations.
Explore how Dubai's Hassyan seawater desalination plant is spearheading water sustainability efforts
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