One billion gallons of coal waste
January 2, 2009

People living near Kingston, Tennessee, are understandably concerned and upset after a coal impoundment spilled a billion gallons of water and coal ash over hundreds of acres of land and into a river. The EPA is monitoring and reporting on the water quality in the area, with special concern paid to the arsenic levels in the water in the area.

We can help you with geomembranes for spill containment and geotextiles to reinforce dams and levees, as well as portable pumps for emergency use. Please feel free to contact us with your questions.


Happy new year!
January 1, 2009

Happy new year -- we warmly welcome 2009, and look forward to serving you throughout the year. Our office will be closed on New Year's Day, but we will be open on Friday.


Boil order in Creston
December 31, 2008

The Iowa DNR has issued a boiling advisory for Creston due to a high level of turbidity created by a clarification problem. Since the Creston water treatment plant also serves much of the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association with its water, SIRWA customers in many places are being advised to boil their water before consumption as well. The advisory is likely to remain in place for a few days, since the clarifiers need to be cleared out and the distribution system flushed before the water will be approved for direct consumption.

We can help you with water-treatment products, including turbidity monitors. Please feel free to contact us with your questions.


Fire strains municipal water system
December 30, 2008

The north-Iowa town of Lake Park taxed its municipal water system to the limit during a fire on Sunday, as twelve fire departments fought a fire that destroyed three buildings in the downtown block. While we often talk about municipal water treatment and distribution as a reliable system for protecting public health, a reliable water supply is also essential to preserving public safety. Fortunately, the firefighters at Lake Park had access to lake water, which is commonly drawn using PTO-driven fire pumps.


Stimulus package could be here by this time next month
December 29, 2008

The Washington Post is reporting that the Obama administration expects to see a $850 billion economic-stimulus package waiting for the incoming President when he takes office on January 20th. The package will almost certainly include a considerable share for environmental protection and infrastructure improvements, which suggests that municipal water and wastewater projects could get a boost in the new year. Congress will convene on January 6th.


Office closed today
December 26, 2008

Our office is closed today for the Christmas holiday. We wish you the best of season's greetings, and we will be open again on Monday. In an emergency, you may call our office at 515-223-4144 and we will try to return your call as soon as possible.


Merry Christmas
December 25, 2008

We wish a Merry Christmas to all. Our office will be closed on Christmas Day and on December 26th.


PTFE diffusers win in head-to-head tests
December 24, 2008

A Texas wastewater plant tested SSI's PTFE diffusers as replacements for conventional ceramic-type aeration disc diffusers and, not surprisingly, found the PTFE to be not only cost-efficient but highly effective as well. SSI's PTFE-coated diffusers have pleased several clients in our area as well, showing themselves to be very low-maintenance.


Arbitrator caps claims Kansas can put on damages from water dispute with Nebraska
December 23, 2008

An arbitrator has handed down a preliminary ruling that Kansas can only seek payment for the damages it actually has suffered from Nebraska's over-use of the Republican River allotment (if any can be shown), and is not eligible to place a claim on what Nebraska may have gained from the use. If arbitration fails, though, the case could go to the US Supreme Court. The damages, in either case, could start at $31 million.

We can help you with tools for farm use and irrigation as well as water conservation. Please feel free to contact us with your questions.


Bad weather slows levee repair work across Iowa
December 22, 2008

The Rock Island District of the US Army Corps of Engineers has been trying to complete 38 levees and other flood-control projects in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, after this past summer's historic flooding damaged many flood protection systems. But of those 38, only three are finished. Bad weather, including the early and cold start to winter, has been part of the problem, but funding and administrative delays were also involved. Nationwide, the Corps says that dozens of levees in important locations nationwide would not be expected to stand up to flooding. Many of the projects here in Iowa will cost millions of dollars and take some time to complete.

We have been and will continue to be involved in a wide range of flood-control projects, with equipment ranging from portable flood-cleanup pumps to permanent stormwater pumping stations, from flood-control gates to the geotextiles that hold levees together. Please feel free to contact us with your questions.


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