AERZEN Rental Solutions expands operations
AERZEN Rental Solutions opened a new rental location in Phoenix, Arizona. The new Phoenix location will house a comprehensive inventory of AERZEN’s rental fleet, including oil-free blowers, screw blowers, compressors and turbo blowers. The facility will enable a quick response to customer needs, providing 24/7 emergency support and ensuring the timely delivery of rental solutions.
Fortiline acquires Belair Road Supply
Fortiline, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reece, announced the acquisition of wholesaler Belair Road Supply. The acquisition expands Fortiline’s reach into the northeastern United States and grows the Fortiline branch network to nearly 80 locations across 16 states. Belair Road Supply provides water, sewer, storm, masonry products, hardscapes, tools and supplies to customers in Maryland and Delaware. Its five locations will be rebranded Fortiline Waterworks. Fortiline has been Reece USA’s waterworks supplier since 2018.
Reworld wins Platinum Level Award for Environmental Excellence
Reworld was awarded its second consecutive Platinum Level Award for Environmental Excellence by the Virginia Water Environment Association, a nonprofit, technical and educational organization focused on producing quality programs for continuing education and training for members, the technical community and the general public. The award recognizes organizations that have strong environmental records that go above and beyond permitted requirements. For the second year in a row, Reworld was nominated by AlexRenew, the wastewater authority for the city of Alexandria and portions of Fairfax County. Reworld’s Alexandria Thermomechanical Treatment Facility on Eisenhower Avenue was selected as the recipient of this accolade for demonstrating dedication and commitment to sustainability by achieving 100% compliance with its wastewater discharge permit requirements for over five consecutive years.
ClearWater Solutions names Paul Quentel as CEO
ClearWater Solutions, a provider of water and wastewater management services, announced the appointment of Paul Quentel as CEO. Quentel has more than 27 years of executive leadership experience helping companies drive growth, standardize processes and scale effectively. Prior to joining CWS, Quentel served as the managing partner for Q Management Advisors, providing strategic guidance to businesses across multiple industries. Before that, he was the CEO of Envirowaste Services Group, one of the largest providers of storm and wastewater system maintenance, repair and rehabilitation in the Southeast, as well as other CEO positions in diverse industries.
Matt Parsons named new COO of Sedron
Sedron has appointed Matt Parsons as its new chief operating officer. Parsons joins Sedron at a pivotal moment as the company continues to expand its innovative Varcor system across North America, transforming waste management into sustainable resource recovery. Parsons brings over 25 years’ experience in operations management, most recently serving as vice president of global EHS at Cargill, a global leader in food and agriculture. A graduate of Iowa State University, Parsons has built a reputation for fostering collaborative teams and delivering results in complex, fast-paced environments.
Franklin Electric signs agreement to acquire Barnes de Colombia
Franklin Electric has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Barnes de Colombia S.A., a manufacturer and distributor of industrial and commercial pumps based in Cota, Cundinamarca, Colombia. This acquisition aligns with Franklin Electric’s long-term growth and diversification goals, providing opportunities for expansion in Latin America. Barnes de Colombia, also operating under the WDM brand in certain countries including the U.S., is headquartered near Bogotá, Colombia. It has two manufacturing facilities and over eight stocking locations in Colombia, as well as assembly facilities in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, and local warehouses in Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.
Aqua-Aerobic promotes four team members
Aqua-Aerobic announced it has promoted four of its team members. Christine Reyes was named marketing assistant. She joined Aqua-Aerobic Systems in 2024 as a sales correspondent where she assisted the sales team with various aspects of customer projects. In her new role, she will be responsible for the company’s customer seminar program and assist the department with several areas of marketing including trade shows, special events and other communications. Paula Dorn was promoted to senior process engineer. Dorn has been with the company since 2018. Her primary roles have included design, application and technical support for biological products, with the emphasis on AquaNereda aerobic granular technology. Most recently, she held the role of project application engineer, where she is responsible for approving and managing process designs or modifications. The company also promoted Kristy Chycota to product specialist, filtration. In her most recent role as process engineer, filtration, she was responsible for overseeing pilot and bench scale testing for applications of cloth media filtration and providing technical assistance to consulting engineers, end-users and plant operators. Additionally, Thea Davis was promoted to senior process engineer. Davis has been with Aqua-Aerobic Systems since 2019 as project application engineer, where she was responsible for managing and approving process designs or design modifications.
Water Council founding CEO to retire
Dean Amhaus, the founding president and CEO of The Water Council, will retire later this year after 15 years of service to the organization. The board will immediately commence a nationwide search for a new leader for The Water Council, with Amhaus remaining in place until a new CEO comes on board to ensure a smooth transition. Amhaus played a key role in the formation of The Water Council in 2009 and became its first staff person in 2010. Since then, he has built The Water Council’s programming, grown its international network and raised Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s reputation as one of the premier water technology hubs in the world.
Aerzen USA appoints new company president
Aerzen announced the appointment of John Ansbro as president of Aerzen USA. With over 30 years’ experience in the industrial sector, Ansbro will lead Aerzen USA’s strategic direction, focusing on enhancing AERZEN’s market presence, increasing customer value and improving operational efficiencies to address customers’ evolving needs across various sectors.
Northumbrian Water chooses Blackline Safety
Durham, UK-based Northumbrian Water Group announced that it has selected Blackline Safety to help uncover safety hazards and protect lone workers at two of its water treatment sites. The water company — which provides clean water and wastewater treatment services to nearly five million people across northeast and southeast England — is the eighth of the UK’s 12 water companies to choose Blackline’s safety devices. The technology includes Blackline’s cloud-connected G7c personal gas wearable and EXO area monitor, enabling NWG to consolidate gas detection, communication and lone-worker connectivity into a single device.
British Water agreement boosts international opportunities
A memorandum of action was signed between trade association British Water and U.S. innovation hub The Water Council to establish a framework of collaboration to foster innovation, business development and global connections in the water sector. Signed in London in February during the British Water International Reception, the memorandum will facilitate the exchange of ideas, innovation, and business opportunities, enable members of each organization to access new markets and establish connections, and support sustainable water technology advancement globally.
Central Florida’s RO water treatment plant breaks ground
The Polk Regional Water Cooperative broke ground on its Southeast Water Production Facility in Lake Wales, Florida. The construction of this reverse osmosis water treatment plant will utilize brackish water from the Lower Floridan Aquifer to produce up to 12.5 million gallons per day of drinking water for distribution to 10 PRWC member utilities.
