Containment

Even though more U.S. cities are trying to come up with more efficient ways to control storm-water runoff, some developers and regulators are still not up to speed with technology and methods, according to Thomas Ballestero, a civil engineering professor at the University of New Hampshire. Some systems in cities such as New York and Chicago treat sewage and storm water that have been carried in the same pipe and have problems with overflow when there is too much rain. Green roofs and permeable pavement could help mitigate the problem. 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 International Association of Hydro-Engineering and Research (IAHR) will hold a workshop on "Geosynthetics and Modern Materials for Coastal Proction and Related Applications" on 6-7 August 2010 at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM). This event is being organized in conjunction with the 9th International Conference on Hydro-Science and Engineering (ICHE 2010). Read more about the presentations.

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) has produced a new guideline entitled Subgrade Requirements for Fabricated Geomembranes. This guideline details the proper preparation of the subgrade for the installation of all fabricated geomembranes. This document is written such that these guidelines can be picked up by an engineer or specifier and put into a specification for subgrade condition and requirements. Color pictures of both acceptable and unacceptable subgrade preparations and protrusions are provided to give the user a visual depiction of what is described in the text.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute is proud to announce that Rob Schweinfurth became the G-I's new director on 1 July 2010. Rob brings more than 29 years of professional experience in several geo-technical disciplines, as well as hydrogeology, environmental geology, water quality, and sustainability. His experience spans a broad organizational spectrum including non-for-profit associations, industry, government agencies, consulting firms, and association volunteer leadership. Rob can be reached at +1 703 295 6015 or rschweinfurth@asce.org.

Egypt plans to build a $1 billion tunnel under the Suez Canal at Port Said and will begin seeking finance as soon as the designs are completed. The tunnel, to be built 19 km (12 miles) south of the Canal's northern entrance, will have 3 passageways, one for rail and two for cars. Learn more here.;

The July 2010 issue of CE News features an article from Laurie Honnigford of the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC). Writing for the magazine's Progressive Engineering section, Honnigford outlines the Quality Data Oversight and Review (QDOR) program from ECTC--a program which takes a scientific view on selecting the best erosion control materails. Read "Opening the QDOR" online. Learn more here.;

The cost of reducing pollution in the waters around Seattle will top $500 million over the next 15 years, local officials say. About 15 major construction projects will be needed to prevent storm water from entering the municipal system and to increase treatment-plant capacity, which officials say will be necessary to meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act. Learn more here.;

In Lake Tahoe, 45-mil pond liners are being tested for their effectiveness in suffocating invasive Asian clams. A half-acre portion of the lake bed was covered with the rubber-synthetic barrier. Total eradication is not thought possible through this or any means; but effective control is the goal. Geomembrane panels, smartly deployed in various locations, could deter rapid expansion of clam population. Learn more here.;

Management has been contracted to handle solid oily waste that's cleaned off our beaches. An article at Fox 10 TV (Pensacola, Florida area) take a look at landfill construction and environmental security measures. According to Waste Management, that oily waste is not hazardous. So when it's dumped there, it's mixed in with all the other garbage and is contained by the waste cells' up-to-regulation, multi-layer liner and leachate management systems. Learn more here.;

The U.S. Conference of Mayors has voiced their support for the International Green Construction Code, the first code to address regulation of green construction. A resolution was passed that endorses Version 1.0 of the Code, which is slated for release in November. The Conference of Mayors believes that making buildings more energy efficient could save the U.S. up to $140 billion annually. ASTM International is one of the Cooperating Sponsors of the IGCC. For more information, visit www.iccsafe.org. Learn more here.;

Even among construction professionals, it's widely believed that building green adds 10% or more to the cost of new projects -- but analysts say such beliefs have little basis in reality. Experts say that although about two-thirds of construction-industry professionals believe there's a hefty green-building premium, studies suggest that in fact going green brings negligible costs or a premium of as low as 1% to 2% Learn more here.;

ASTM International has relaunched its website with nice new look. One of the most-welcomed additions to the update is a new navigation bar arrangement. With the vast amount of sectors ASTM's consensus-oriented standards committees are involved in--including our favorite, Committee D35 on Geosynthetics--the cleaner navigation tool is welcomed. Also of note, rotating news stories have been added to the front page, the site search tool has been improved, and the "My Committees" page has been streamlined. We encourage our readers to take a spin on the new ASTM website. Read more.

Applied Market Information (AMI) has released the program and registration brochure for Waterproof Membranes 2010, the fourth international conference in this series. Waterproof Membranes 2010 takes place at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany 30 November - 2 December 2010. AMI is offering Euro 100 off registration for those who book their space before October 20. Learn more about this year's program.

Trelleborg's interim report for the second quarter will be published on Wednesday July 21 at 07:45 CET. Analysts, investors and media are invited to attend a telephone conference which will be held at 09:30 CET on the same day. Trelleborg will be represented by President and CEO Peter Nilsson and CFO Bo Jacobsson. The telephone conference will begin with a brief presentation of the report, after which participants will be given the opportunity to pose questions.

The Global Plastics Environmental Conference (GPEC® 2011) will be held 17-19 October 2011 at the Atlanta Peachtree Westin in Atlanta, Georgia. GPEC® is sponsored by the Plastics Environmental Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE). The theme of GPEC® 2011 is "Plastics Recycling and Sustainability on My Mind." The technical program includes: (1) Bio-based and Biodegradable Materials, (2) Reclamation and Supply (PCR & PIR), and (3) Recycling: Electronics, Marketing and Business, Automotive, Regulatory Ribbon.The conference invites your abstracts through 1 May 2011. Final papers will be due 1 December 2009. For more information, view the Call for Papers in PDF. Learn more here.;

SKZ, with scientific committee support from Cemagref and the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), will host the 3rd International Symposium on Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GBR-C 2k10) 15-16 September 2010 at the Fortress Marienberg in Würzburg, Germany. Technical sessions will address shear and mechanical behaviour of GCLs, chemical resistance of GCLs, testing of GCLs under unsaturated conditions, behaviour of GCLs in landfill covers (case studies), regulations, new concepts and developments in the use of GCLs, and GCLs for hydraulic and construction applications. Visit the conference's website for the latest. Learn more here.;

Former head of Allied Waste Industries, Larry Henk, has published a special op-ed piece in Arizona-based newspaper The Explorer, regarding the proposed Marana Regional Landfill. Henk discusses the role played by landfill liners, federal regulations and more. And he opens with perhaps the only Gilda Radner reference ever uncorked for a waste management debate. Learn more here.;

April 2010 saw the release of the first newsletter from the recently formed Anaerobic Digester and Biogas Association in the United Kingdom. Read it here. Learn more here.;

The second issue (June 2010) of the Anaerobic Digester and Biogas Association's newsletter is available. Learn more here.;

Flooding in Romania has become a major problem this year. The European Union is now stepping in to assess the situation and relief strategies. Some nations, such as Hungary, are offering immediate help in the way of dewatering pumps, geotextile rolls and other hands-on, water management materials. Learn more here.;

After more than five months of traffic closure, the Esquimalt Lagoon bridge in Colwood, British Columbia--on Victoria Island--is being repaired. The City has placed timbers at the base of the abutments to protect them from waves. On the north side, a section of the asphalt is being removed and fill material excavated out. That area will then be repacked and the sides reinforced with geotextile to prevent fill material from being drawn out. Learn more here.;

BioCentric Energy Holdings, Inc. (Pink Sheets:BEHL) President Monique Berry today announced the company has successfully achieved the use of the ambient temperature of fresh water at the company's Death Valley Junction (DVJ) location using an aquifer for radiant cooling. The BioCentric Team researched radiant cooling utilizing the close proximity of pond liners within 12 inches of the waterline and could find nothing comparable to the unique location of Death Valley Junction and a massive fresh water aquifer beneath.

ASTM International Committee D20 on Plastics has revised standard D2103, "Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting," to D2103-10. This specification covers the classification of polyethylene film and sheeting. Recycled polyethylene film or resin may be used as feedstock, and the film or sheeting may contain additives for surface property improvement, pigments, or stabilizers, or a combination of these, but they must conform to the requirements specified. Learn more here.;

ASTM Interntional Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has established work item WK29397, "Standard Practice for Exposure and Retrieval of Samples to Evaluate Installation Damage of Geosynthetics." It is a work item revision to existing standard D5818-06. After the winter meeting in San Antonio it was voted to make modifications on section 7.1.7 of the standard. This ballot ONLY changes the existing paragraph to a clearer paragraph. Learn more here.;