Business News: Conroe’s New Central Wastewater Plant Begins Construction

Editor's Note: Each week, Water & Wastes Digest will post an aggregate of business news briefs and networking news items to keep you informed on facility openings, business mergers and purchases, changes in personnel and award notifications, among others in the water and wastewater treatment industries. If you have business news briefs you would like included in this weekly round up, please email the press release, photo and a link to the post on your website to [email protected] with the subject line "Business News Round Up." One news item per company per week will be posted.

Construction Begins on Conroe’s New Central Wastewater Treatment Plant

Construction has begun on Conroe, Texas' new Central Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Conroe’s new wastewater treatment plant, which is being constructed on 25 acres of a 50 acre greenfield site east of I-45 north of South Loop 336, will have a 6 million gallons a day (mgd) capacity with the ability to be expanded to 12 mgd. Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN), a national planning, engineering and program management firm, is the project’s design engineer, while LEM Construction Co, Inc. is the contractor.

 “The new treatment plant will increase the city’s treatment capacity by 50% and is Conroe’s largest public works project to-date,” said Melissa Mack, P.E., LAN’s senior associate and principal. “It will also reduce the city’s operating costs over the lifespan of the facility.” 

The construction of the $60 million treatment plant is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2022, according to the press release. 

Vortex Companies Partners with Gemex to Form Vortex Mexico

After months of negotiation, the Vortex Companies officially announced the launch of Vortex Mexico, a joint venture with Gemex and its subsidiary, Umbral, to provide water, sewer and commercial infrastructure repair solutions in key markets and cities in Mexico. 

"It's no secret that Mexico's infrastructure needs attention and collectively I believe we can help bring vital water and sewer services back to life and provide a better quality of life for Mexico's general population," said CEO of the Vortex Companies Mike Vellano in the press release.  

"This joint venture marries three companies that have the capability to disrupt traditional methods of delivering repair solutions to the Mexican infrastructure market."

"Our vision is to bring together the right people, resources and technologies, then collaborate with cities and contractors to deliver engineered solutions to address the failing water and sewer infrastructure," said Gemex CEO Alvaro Oliver in the press release. "As a company our interests have always been about environmental responsibility. Water is no longer a commodity, but a critical asset that is vital to the sustainability of modern societies."

Tiel Opens 100% Energy-Neutral Sewage Treatment Plant

The opening ceremony of Tiel’s sewage treatment plant took place in the Netherlands on Nov. 14. 

The project consisted of upgrading the sewage treatment plant to a 100% energy-neutral facility, according to the press release.

"The plant itself meets its own energy needs. This was made possible by the installation of a sludge treatment process to produce biogas,” said project manager Hans De Wulf in the press release. “This biogas is then used to provide heat and electricity. The treatment also includes a production facility of natural fertiliser that can be sold to the agro-industry.”

Ecolab Commits to 1.5C Pledge

Ecolab Inc., announced plans to align its operations and supply chain to the U.N. Global Compact’s Business Ambition for 1.5⁰C, and will work to reduce its carbon emissions by half by 2030 and to net-zero by 2050. 

 “Climate change demands urgent action, and it’s absolutely critical that we accelerate our efforts to mitigate its impact,” said Ecolab Chairman and CEO Douglas M. Baker, Jr. in the press release. “We don’t yet have all the answers as to how we’ll get to net-zero carbon emissions, but business needs to come together and create forward momentum. That’s why Ecolab is committing to 1.5°C.”

Contech Releases New Design Your Own Hydrodynamic Separator

Contech Engineered Solutions recently launched a new online tool for designing hydrodynamic separators. The Design Your Own Hydrodynamic Separator (DYOHDS) tool helps to automate the design process for hydrodynamic separators, providing calculations, drawings and specifications for engineers to use in creating project plans. 

 “The ability of the tool to size HDS systems based on different sizing methodologies means this tool can design solutions in compliance with local stormwater regulations,” said Contech’s Hydrodynamic Separation Product Manager Elaine Thomas in the press release. “It can also significantly reduce the amount of time an engineer will need to design an HDS system.”

 Networking Section: 

• DSG has named Troy Olsen branch manager in Rochester, Minnesota.

• WAGO Corporation has announced the signing of Crescent Electric Supply, Inc. as an authorized distributor.