Daniel Salzler No. 1133
EnviroInsight.org Eight Items January 21, 2021
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Enhance your viewing by downloading the attached pdf file to view photos, etc.
The attached is all about improving life in the watershed.
Read this newsletter at EnviroInsight.org
- Showerhead Reversal. The Department of Energy reversed a Trump-era ruling that relaxed water conservation standards for showerheads.
The Trump rule, which allowed multi-nozzle showerheads to spray more water, was criticized by energy and water conservation groups, plumbing groups, and trade groups.
The rule will now revert to the definition that was established in October 2013, which permits 2.5 gallons per minute, regardless of the number of nozzles.
Federal Water Tap is a weekly digest spotting trends in U.S. government water policy. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: On July 22, 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (“NOPR”) to revise the current definition of “showerhead” adopted in the December 16, 2020, final rule (“December 2020 Final Rule”) by reinstating the October 2013 definition of “showerhead,” withdraw the December 2020 final rule’s interpretation of the term “showerhead,” and withdraw the associated definition for “body spray.” DOE did not propose any changes to the definition of “safety shower showerhead.” In this final rule, DOE revises the current definition of “showerhead” adopted in the December 2020 final rule by reinstating the October 2013 definition of “showerhead” as the Department finds that it is more consistent with the purposes of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended (“EPCA”). In addition, DOE removes the current definition of “body spray” adopted in the December 16, 2020 final rule. Finally, DOE maintains the definition of “safety shower showerhead” adopted in the December 2020 final rule.
DATES: The effective date of this rule is January 19, 2022.
2. Keeping Your Pets Safe This Winter.
Most animals love playing in the snow, but you have to keep them safe when in the ice and snow.
• De-icing salt can be fatal if your pets lick the salt or get too much salt on their paws.
• Give then more food and water to make up for the extra energy they expend in the cold
• Pets can get hypothermia and frostbite on ears and paws
• Pets kept outside should have access to a warm, insulated shelter
• For pets not kept outside don’t leave them outside for more than 30 minutes
• Some small dogs (ie Chicuachua’s) need protection from the cold by putting
them in jackets and waterproof booties.
• Dry your pets off after they have bee in cold precipitation.
Source: https://weather.com/safety/winter/video/how-to-keep-your-pet-safe-this-winter
3. Twenty Nine. That is the number of PFAS compounds that water utilities will be required to monitor in drinking water. The rule applies to utilities serving more than 3,300 people. For smaller communities, a representative sample of utilities will be required to take part in the monitoring program, which runs from 2023 to 2025. The purpose of the program is to collect data on the occurrence of chemical contaminants that can inform future regulations.
- 40 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40) Part 141: Final – Revisions to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) for Public Water Systems and Announcement of Public Meetings (PDF) (27 pp, 650 K, About PDF)
4. Aravaipa Creek Success Story. The last decade has been the hottest on record. The Nature Conservancy’s 9,000 acres Aravaipa Canyon Preserve remains an oasis in the desert 50 miles northeast of Tucson.
Aravaipa Creek , a tributary of the San Pedro River is home to the state’s healthiest population on native fish, including two endangered desert species:
Source: Winter 2021 Nature Conservancy
5. 2021 Was Earth’s Sixth-Hottest Year on Record, Temperature Reports Say
The findings reflect the trend toward rising temperatures around the globe.
Earth experienced one of its hottest years on record in 2021, with new reports released Thursday by two federal agencies showing that the global average surface temperature last year reached its sixth-highest level since reliable temperature record-keeping began in 1880.
The average temperature across land and sea surfaces in 2021 was 0.84 degrees Celsius (1.51 degrees Fahrenheit) above the average for the 20th Century, according to a report issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Last year marked the 45th consecutive year during which global surface temperatures were above average, according to the report.
A separate analysis from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration said 2021 tied with 2018 for the sixth-warmest year and was hotter than all other years except 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020. The years 2020 and 2016 share the temperature record. Source: Wall Street Journal January 11,2021
6. Breakthrough In Separating Plastic Waste: Machines Can Now Distinguish 12 Different Types Of Plastic.
Date: January 5, 2022
Source:Aarhus University
In contrast to common perceptions, plastic is in no way near one material. Rather, it is a combination of many materials (polymers) with different chemical compounds and additives such as pigments or fibres, depending on its use. It is very difficult to tell the difference between different types of plastics, and this is what makes it difficult to separate and recycle them.
In collaboration with Vestforbrænding, Dansk Affaldsminimering Aps, and PLASTIX, researchers from the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University have now developed a new camera technology that can see the difference between 12 different types of plastics (PE, PP, PET, PS, PVC, PVDF, POM, PEEK, ABS, PMMA, PC, and PA12). Together, these constitute the vast majority of household plastic types.
The technology makes it possible to separate plastics based on a purer chemical composition than is possible today, and this opens up for completely new opportunities to recycle plastics. The technology has been tested at pilot scale and is planned to be implemented at PLASTIX and Dansk Affaldsminimering Aps in spring 2022.
“With this technology, we can now see the difference between all types of consumer plastics and several high-performance plastics. We can even see the difference between plastics that consist of the same chemical building blocks, but which are structured slightly differently. We use a hyperspectral camera in the infrared area, and machine learning to analyse and categorise the type of plastic directly on the conveyor belt. The plastic can then be separated into different types. It’s a breakthrough that will have a huge impact on all plastics separation,” says Associate Professor Mogens Hinge, who is heading the project at Aarhus University.
The study has been published in the scientific journal Vibrational Spectroscopy.
Plastics are currently separated using near-infrared technology (NIR) or via density tests (floats/sinks in water). These methods can separate certain plastic fractions (for example PE, PP, and PET), but not with the same accuracy as the new technology, and therefore not with the chemical purity in the composition, and this is vital to be able to increase the recycling rate of waste plastic.
“The technology we’ve developed in collaboration with the university is nothing short of a breakthrough for our ability to recycle plastics. We look forward to installing the technology in our processing hall and starting in earnest on the long journey towards 100% utilisation of waste plastic,” says Hans Axel Kristensen, CEO of PLASTIX.
Plastic must be at least 96% pure by polymer type to be recycled in conventional industry. This means that the plastic has to be separated to an almost pure product in terms of chemical composition.
Using the new technology, we are now a big step along the way, says Associate Professor Mogens Hinge, who stresses that the technology is continuously being developed and that data indicates it may be possible to differentiate even further between polymer types and additives before long.
The hyper-spectral camera technology has been developed in cross-disciplinary collaboration, including BSc and MSc engineering students and researchers at the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Aarhus University, as well as experts from the participating companies.
Story Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220105174109.htm
7. Items You Should Keep In Your Car This Winter. Traveling through cold snowy conditions can create treacherous conditions and be punishing to your car. If your car breaks down or goes into a snow bank, you’ll be glad have three items readily available in your vehicle.
Jumper cables
First Aid Kit
Cell phone and cell phone charger or phone charging block.
A foldable shovel and pickax or mattock in case you need to dig out of a
snowbank
Cat litter to help you tires grip in slippery conditions.
- Warm blankets and extra clothes could be life savers.
- Functional spare tire
- Battery-powered road flares. These last longer than the ones that ignite.
- Food and plenty of water
Source: The weather channel or https://weather.com/safety/winter/video/items-you-should-keep-in-your-car-this-winter
8. AZ Water Conference.
Registration for Attendees, Exhibitors and Sponsors will open on Wednesday, January 19th at 10 AM MST
During our Annual Conference & Exhibition, AZ Water provides value to our members
By offering a three-day program designed to provide professional development, continuing education, and technology transfer to support our vision of “a vibrant Arizona through safe, reliable water.” Attendees at our conference have the following opportunities:
- Earn up to 19 professional development hours over 3 days from over 180 technical presentations.
- Enjoy 3 Panel Discussions, 2 Operator Training tracks, Exhibit Hall Mobile Sessions and our New & Emerging Technologies track dedicated to our exhibiting manufacturers
- Observe the presentation of over 20 awards.
- A chance to participate in various competitions and networking events.
Before registration opens, visit our website and review the following:
Schedule-at-a-Glance
Sponsor Prospectus
Exhibitor Prospectus
On Wednesday access Conference Registration from our events calendar or from the slideshow graphic on our home page.
Golf Tournament
Tee off with us for the 95th Annual AZ Water Conference & Exhibition Golf Tournament returning to the Legacy Golf Resort on Monday, April 11th. Register Now!
Conference Hotel
Hyatt Regency Phoenix
122 N. 2nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
The conference hotel is only 2 blocks away from the Phoenix Convention Center South Building and easily accessible using the Metro Light Rail. Reservations must be made by March 22, 2022. The hotel will continue to accept reservations at the group rate after the cut-off date, but only if rooms are still available. AZ Water Group Rate is $205/night. To receive this rate, call 1-888-421-1442 and mention the AZ Water Annual Conference or reserve a room online.
Our current Covid Policy Statement can be found here.
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