Containment

Ignorance about the details of a key standard for ground engineering could lead to on-site disputes when it becomes effective in April 2010, NCE reports. A lack of training among smaller consultants and a general lack of awareness of the details of Eurocode 7 (EC7) and supporting documents such as execution standards are behind the fears. Learn more here.;

The July 2010 issue of CE News has been released, and in addition to interesting articles on an engineer's perspective of design-build, an exclusive on the EPA's strengthening of NPDES, and an "Olympic-sized" upgrade to one community's wastewater system, the Progressive Engineering section features an article from Laurie Honnigford of the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC). Honnigford's article, "Opening the QDOR," outlines the Quality Data Oversight and Review (QDOR™) program from ECTC--a program which takes a scientific view on selecting the best erosion control materials.

The Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) has recently approved and published a comprehensive General Usage and Installation Guideline for Sediment Retention Fiber Roll (SRFR). These guidelines are the product of consensus amongst leading manufacturers of SRFRs in the industry and are designed to satisfy the needs of engineers and designers and other end-users of these products. These guidelines provide expert information on appropriate application and spacing along with key elements for successful product performance.

Within the framework of the All-Russian Conference "Railway Transportation of Oil Cargoes" a round-table discussions were held dedicated to the project of liquefied petroleum gas transshipment terminal at Ust-Luga port. Representatives of SIBUR, Gazprom Neft, Novatech and Federal Tariff Service took part in the event.

Increasingly tougher environmental regulations for farms have motivated the incorporation of better containment barriers. Carlisle Syntec's GeoEPDM membrane systems provide cost-effective, long-term solutions for virtually any exposed animal wastewater containment application. These highly puncture-resistant membranes have proven themselves in exposed applications for more than 40 years. Read more from Carlisle (PDF). Learn more here.;

In his year-end review letter, North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) Executive Director David Suits writes, "The year 2011 has been a very good year for the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS)….We are maintaining a healthy membership. This year we had 32 new or revived memberships. Under the guidance of the past Board, the early part of the year was devoted to working with IFAI, and the Geo-Institute organizing the Geo-Frontiers 2011 Conference. We had close to 2000 attendees and 150 exhibitors. As a result NAGS received one of the best, if not the best financial return that we have experienced for any of the conferences in which we have participated." Read more, and don't forget to renew your membership (or join).

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) ANTEC® 2010 conference will explore topics of critical importance for improving the environmental sustainability of plastics. The 2010 installment will include some new technology forums on issues of sustainability. Among them: "Polymer Applications for Clean Environments." This session includes discussion of geomembrane utilization. The event will take place 16-20 May 2010 in Orlando, Florida. Read more.

AMI has announced the dates of Waterproof Membranes 2018, the 12th installment in the annual series. The call for presentations has been issued. The international conference focuses on the market dynamics,...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to require livestock agriculture to report manure-related greenhouse gas emissions is not well thought out and could increase environmental problems, according to the National Pork Producers Council. Among the NPCC's concerns is that reporting requirements may actually deter the installation of methane-harvesting systems, such as geosynthetic covers.

The 11th Asian Textile Conference (ATC-11) invites abstracts through March 31. The biennial event is open to geosynthetics-related submissions. Abstracts of 150 words for oral and poster presentations are encouraged. All abstracts will be reviewed by the program committee and the full paper (2-4 pages) must be submitted for all accepted presentations. ATC-11 committee is expecting valuable participation from diverse research fields. The event will be held 1-4 November 2011 in Daegu, Korea. Learn more here.;

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is developing new roads to improve access for residents who live near I-5 in the fast-growing zone along the Washington-Oregon border. As Associated Construction Publications (ACP) reports, the region is transitioning from rural to suburban infrastructures, populations and traffic volumes. But developers and officials want to keep the wilder appearance of the area, so they are using interesting drainage technologies for site runoff. Holding ponds release across geogrid slopes with tree branch cover. As the water flows through, it interacts with the brush as in a wetland. Eventually, it reaches a creek. Learn more here.;

The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in England is reopening after an £8.5 million (USD $12.2 million) renovation. The upgrade included the installation of a barrier membrane for the canal's clay liner--though referred to in the article as permeable--and geotextile separators to serve as underlay to riprap. Learn more here.;

CQA Solutions, Ltd. (http://cqasolutions.co), a leader in containment construction quality assurance (CQA), is looking to expand our field services department in the Mining, Energy, Shale Gas, and Waste Containment...

The Environmental Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers has announced that GPEC 2011 (Global Plastics Environmental Conference) will be held 17-19 October 2011 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, Atlanta, GA, USA. The theme of GPEC 2011 is "Plastics Recycling and Sustainability on my Mind." Key topics include reclamation and supply; bio-based and biodegradable materials; and recycling. SPE invites abstracts through 11 May 2011. Learn more in the PDF flyer. Learn more here.;

BRUSSELS - Firestone Building Products is pleased to officially announce the new brand name for its EPDM geomembrane in the EMEA region: Firestone GeoGard™ EPDM. The new GeoGard logo leverages the value...

Penton Media, organizers of the very successful Global Waste Management Symposium (September 2008), has sent out finalized information for the Waste Tech Landfill Technology Meeting, which will take place in June in Las Vegas. In closing the email announcement, Rita Ugianskis-Fishman, a group show director with Penton, indicated that the company was close to announcing dates for a 2010 edition of the Global Waste Management Symposium. September is a likely month. Learn more here.;

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) has appointed Willem (Wim) De Vos as its new Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Susan Oderwald, who left SPE in December. Willem De Vos comes to SPE after serving as CEO of the Vitalo Group, a global supplier of plastic packaging and thermoformed products. Previously he managed compounding and processing units of Recticel, an international producer of polyurethane automotive components. He entered the industry in 1991 with technical and sales positions at Eurocompound, a supplier to the textile and automotive industries.

In the Philippines, the first methane gas extraction plant has been put into operation for agricultural waste management. Others are following. LEISTER, an international manufacturer of welding equipment, has been there at the forefront of this important environmental movement. Here, the company reports on the use of its equipment to ensure the sealing of an HDPE lining system on a methane-harvesting system at a power station.

The India-based publication the Business Standard has published an article about Emmbi Polyarns and the company's plan to expand its operation significantly, including in canal liners and geotextile market. Emmbi is reportedly pushing its products in Eastern Europe and the Benelux region as the initial stage for growth. Learn more here.;

One of the most eye-catching items in the exhibit hall at Geotechnical Frontiers 2017 (March, Orlando) was a large diameter pipe section. The product was stationed at...

In its latest update, Magnum Energy reports that it is preparing to build a new battery that will be able to service future increases in oil production from its Provost area wells. This is a sweet light crude conventional oil battery. The planned facilities will include about a 1500 bopd treater, a geotextile lined and diked tank farm comprised of oil tanks and a fiberglass produced water tank, a pipeline header system, a test separator and a water injection pump.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that more U.S. coal ash disposal facilities are revealing contaminated water sources, both potable and surface water. Arsenic and other heavy metals have been discovered. The Journal has cited a study conducted by the Sierra Club, Earthjustice and the Environmental Integrity Project. The study reveals 39 polluted sites across 21 states and is available here (PDF). Learn more here.;

"Geosynthetics Evolved" is the credo of the newest manufacturer to enter the geosynthetics industry. SYNTEC, based in Baltimore, MD, is a newly formed company with many familiar faces. In a recent transaction, SYNTEC acquired the environmental division of TENAX Corporation. Read more about this new venture.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) just announced the availability of grants for aquaculture producers from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Grant funds will assist producers for losses associated with high feed costs during the 2008 calendar year. The deadline for receipt of applications is 21 August 2009. Learn more.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA Region One) has extended the abstracts submission deadline for Environmental Connection 2015 to June 16. Environmental Connection 2015, the annual conference and exhibition...