A snow-related power outage at Richmond, Virginia's main water plant recently caused untreated water to flood critical infrastructure, halting water production.
Most recently, the city's water treatment plant faced another setback as a finished water pump failed between Jan. 13 and Jan. 14, following the six-day water crisis caused by the power outage. As of Jan. 15, auxiliary pumps were maintaining normal water supply levels, producing 68 mgd to support the city's distribution network and nearby counties.
A video by WTVR News below shows the extent of flooding at the treatment facility.
Lawsuit Alleges Mismanagement of Water Reservoir Prior to Palisades Fire
Residents affected by Los Angeles' Palisades Fire recently filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, alleging mismanagement of a key reservoir critical for firefighting.
The suit claims the Santa Ynez Reservoir was left empty since February 2024 due to delayed repairs, leaving firefighters without adequate water to combat the blaze. Read more about it at Reuters.
Researchers Find Dialysis Effective for Wastewater Treatment
Researchers at Rice University and Guangdong University of Technology have adapted medical dialysis technology to treat high-salinity organic wastewaters effectively.
This method, detailed in Nature Water, separates salts and organics with minimal dilution, offering a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to traditional, energy-intensive wastewater treatments for industries like petrochemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
