Europe’s largest floating solar system will soon be installed on a United Utilities’ water reservoir in Greater Manchester. The $5.4 million (U.S.) installation will include 12,000 solar panels and should come online before Christmas 2015. This mega-installation will dwarf the only similar European solar array, which is an 800-panel pilot project in Berkshire.

According to a PV Magazine article, the array will supply one-third of the utility’s power needs once it’s connected to the grid. The unorthodox floating technology was developed by British entrepreneur Mark Bennett.

United Utilities is also considering ground-mounted solar panels at other locations.

Source: PV Magazine

 

Ohio River Algae Bloom Surprises Operators

A large algae bloom on the Ohio River, which was first detected in August, is finally decreasing. However, according to an Associated Press article, treatment plant operators and researchers along the river say the large bloom is a warning sign for water plants that pull raw water from rivers and lakes.

“You need to be ready and have a plan in place,” said Lousiville Water Company’s Roger Tucker in the AP article.

This particular bloom made news because of its size — nearly 650 miles long — and toxicity. The bloom was first detected near Wheeling, West Virginia, and over the course of two months made its way toward Cincinnati, Louisville and northern Kentucky. Toxin levels were higher than those detected around western Lake Erie.

Microcystin never entered municipal water supplies, but water utilities in the affected area did spend more to treat water during the bloom. Greater Cincinnati Water Works spent $7,500 extra per day to treat water. In Huntington, West Virginia, a water company brought in extra testing equipment and temporary pumps and pipes in case it needed to pull water from another river.

Source: Seattle Times, The Columbus Dispatch

EPA Opens Gold King Mine Treatment Plant

The Environmental Protection Agency has opened a $1.5 million wastewater treatment plant near the Gold King Mine in Silverton, Colorado. The agency accidentally discharged 3 million gallons of wastewater from the mine on Aug. 5, which contaminated the Animas River. The new plant will treat up to 600 gallons every minute and use lime to neutralize the acidic wastewater. Although effective, lime treatment is costly.

“The solid disposal is always a challenge,” said EPA on-scene coordinator Steve Way in a Durango Herald article. “That’s why treatment with lime addition is something any corporation, any agency wants to avoid if they can. It’s an expensive treatment process.”

While the treatment plant is in use, an average of two staff members will monitor the site. The EPA estimates the plant will cost $16,000 a week to operate.

Source: The Durango Herald