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By Sam Masson
Forester Communications just mailed the first issue of its newest publication, Water Efficiency, focusing on water conservation issues and technologies to help water industry professionals get the most for their money. The new title joins Onsite Water Treatment, and Stormwater, the journal for surface water quality professionals, in addressing a broad range of water-related topics. Naturally, there is a little overlap between these three magazines, and many news stories and product releases that come across my desk have relevance for the stormwater and conservation industries as well.
My interest has been piqued in the months leading up to Water Efficiency's debut, because an important part of onsite treatment has to do with what to do with post-treatment water. Last month, at NOWRA’s annual conference, I heard much discussion on the topic of reuse. Whether treated wastewater is being used to cool a building or help a garden grow, or if it’s simply being released into the water system, two major aspects of onsite treatment have to do with getting the most use as is possible from our water, and making sure that it’s as safe as possible by the time it reaches the ocean or the groundwater. Another aspect has to do with what happens when you have too much of a good thing, and this is where Stormwater magazine comes in.
All three titles are applicable in our own backyard, in everyday life. For the last month, firefighters in southern California have been battling a 130,000–acre wildfire. Our offices have been repeatedly dusted with ash since Labor Day, and, each day, we attempt to clear the particulates from our carpets and our lungs. As we go to press, the blaze is about 40% contained, but we’re aware of how quickly that can change. Although the highways that deliver my coworkers from home to office have closed a couple of times, there’s been remarkably little structural damage so far. The fire will hopefully be contained soon, and then our attention will invariably turn to the El Niño conditions that are predicted for the upcoming winter. Mudslides and flooding will become the focus of our concern in southern California, especially in areas affected by the recent fires.
Forces of nature can be incredibly powerful, and when fires or floods occur, we are quickly reminded of how little we can do to stop them in their tracks. However, we can be more prepared and better prepared for these scenarios, and improved awareness and technology help us with these pursuits. Firefighters are using handheld GPS units to map and record the fire’s progress, as well as cutting-edge technology ensuring efficient water consumption in the battle against the blaze. Meteorologists are better able to predict how wet or dry our winters are going to be, and stormwater professionals are better able to deal with situations resulting from excessive runoff in El Niño conditions.
Preparedness—being aware of our potential problems, and having contingency plans—is key to our survival, and we will all be better prepared to weather the storms if we’re armed with the information found in Stormwater and Water Efficiency.
I invite you to take a look at our sister publications, on the web at www.stormh2o.com and www.waterefficiency.net, and see where your business or personal interests cross over between onsite treatment and these other titles.
Send an email to sam@forester.net
OW - September/October 2006 |
