Cryptosporidium antibodies may lead to better detection methods
COLUMBIA, MD, August 23, 2010 (Water Tech) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected Precision Antibody™ to develop monoclonal antibodies to two species of Cryptosporidium, according to a press release.
The development of antibodies that substantially improve the sensitivity and specific detection and typing of this parasite over currently available methods may lead to improved tests for detecting Cryptosporidium in drinking water supplies and recreational waters as well as the potential to develop effective treatments for people infected by the pathogen.
The terms of the contract call for Precision Antibody to apply its proprietary technology to generate specific antibodies that bind with a high level of specificity to the two most predominant Crypto species, C. parvum and C. hominis, the release stated.
“With increasing numbers of people worldwide contracting illness from Crypto-contaminated water, we are excited that the EPA has awarded Precision Antibody a contract to develop these important antibodies,” said Jun Hayashi, Ph.D., vice president of Precision Antibody. “Our goal is to deliver highly specific antibodies that will substantially improve the detection of Crypto and allow a better understanding of this tenacious parasite.”
Multi-Pure Commentary:
Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems have been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53 to reduceCryptosporidium.
EPA releases draft strategy for clean water
WASHINGTON, August 23, 2010 (Water Tech) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for public comment on the agency’s draft strategy to protect and restore U.S. lakes, streams and coastal waters, according to a press release.
The strategy, “Coming Together for Clean Water: EPA’s Strategy for Achieving Clean Water,” was developed by considering the input and ideas generated at the April “Coming Together for Clean Water” forum as well as comments received through the online discussion forum.
Participants shared their perspectives on how to advance the EPA’s clean water agenda focusing on the agency’s two priority areas: Healthy watersheds and sustainable communities.
EPA is now inviting the public to consider and provide their comments on the approaches outlined in the strategy, the release stated.
Public comments on the draft strategy should be submitted by September 17.
EPA will review all comments and post a final strategy later in the year.
Settlement addresses wastewater, stormwater discharges
BOSTON, August 26, 2010 (Water Tech) — Under the terms of a Consent Decree lodged in federal court, the city of Revere, Mass., will significantly reduce illegal discharges of raw sewage overflows into the environment from its wastewater collection system and separate storm sewer system, according to a press release.
The city has estimated that it will spend approximately $50 million to address these illegal discharges.
Revere will also pay a civil penalty of $130,000 for past violations of the Clean Water Act, the release stated.
The federal and state complaints claim that Revere’s sanitary sewers overflowed on numerous occasions, resulting in discharges of untreated wastewater from its collection system to rivers, creeks and brooks.
Revere also discharged raw sewage through its storm sewer system to those waters.
“Under this settlement, the City of Revere will undertake much needed upgrades to how they manage wastewater, resulting in significant improvements to the waters directly impacted, and to the Mystic River Watershed,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England region. “This will mean a cleaner and healthier environment for the city’s people and those living downstream of Revere.”
Gates Foundation awards $5.6 million grant to Water For People
DENVER, September 1, 2010 (Water Tech) — Water For People (WFP), an international non-profit humanitarian organization devoted to providing safe drinking water resources and improved sanitation facilities in the developing world, has announced a four-year, $5.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to expand its Sanitation as a Business program, according to a press release.
The grant will enable the organization to test the sustainability of sanitation services in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Through the Sanitation as a Business program, WFP will combine profit incentives for small local companies and income-generation programs for poor households and schools to demonstrate the feasibility of moving from unsustainable, subsidy-based sanitation programs toward sustainable, profitable sanitation services, the release stated.
“Identifying profitable business models that engage local communities is critical to creating safe and sustainable sanitation systems,” said Rachel Cardone, program officer for water, sanitation and hygiene at the Gates Foundation.
Multi-Pure Commentary:
World Water Week - September 6-10, 2010
Multi-Pure will make a donation to www.waterforpeople.org for every drinking water system purchased during this week. Your customers' purchases can help thousands of people around the world have better quality drinking water. Share this news with your prospective customers. For complete details and to download a copy of the promotional flyer, please visit our website. www.multipureco.com/BusinessGuide/waterweek.htm
New study examines groundwater quality in North San Francisco Bay Region
SACRAMENTO, CA, September 8, 2010 (Water Tech) — A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report prepared in cooperation with the California Water Resources Control Board found high concentrations of naturally occurring inorganic constituents — including arsenic, boron and lead — in about 14 percent of the primary aquifers in Napa, Sonoma and Marin counties, according to a press release.
Primary aquifers are those that supply public drinking water.
The USGS assessment analyzed untreated groundwater from wells, not water delivered to consumers through the tap. Regulatory benchmarks are enforced only for water delivered to consumers, the release stated.
Arsenic was detected above the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 10 parts per billion (ppb) in about 10 percent of the primary aquifers.
Boron was detected above the California Notification Level, a non-regulatory benchmark of one part per million, in about 4 percent of the primary aquifers.
Lead was detected at high concentrations in about 2 percent of the primary aquifers. The U.S. Action Level for lead is 15 ppb.
“The work done by the Priority Basin Project in the North San Francisco Bay Area is important because we are providing, for the first time, a quantitative assessment of the extent to which deep groundwater may have high concentrations of both natural and man-made constituents,” said co-author Dr. Kenneth Belitz, chief of USGS’ GAMA program. “This information can be used by managers to ensure that our drinking water supply remains safe.”
Multi-Pure Commentary:
Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems have been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53 to reduceLead.
Multi-Pure’s MP880 Series has been certified by NSF International, under Standard 53, to reduce Arsenic V and Lead.
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