Breathtaking New Orleans’ water strategy takes step forward on special flood control seminar

May 8th, 2012 by nwp

The seminar Flood Control Solutions for Complex Flood Risk Reduction Systems in New Orleans on April 23 demonstrated high-tech solutions for improved flood risk reduction and underlined the close cooperation between Louisiana and the Netherlands.

The seminar addressed advancements in the fields of levee monitoring, maintenance and ICT solutions, from US national and international perspective, which support cost-effective solutions.

Powerfull application to support flood control
“New Orleans’ water strategy is breathtaking and is an example for the world!” mentioned Mr. Dale Morris (Netherlands Embassy, DC) when he expressedhis admiration for the passion of the people of Louisiana. However, the operation and maintenance of the new Hurricane & Storm Damage Risk Reduction System is an enormous challenge.

With ICT applications that go beyond checking your Facebook page, maintenance can be improved and enhanced decision making in crisis conditions can be facilitated. Some powerful applications were demonstrated at the seminar.

Intelligent levee monitoring
Speakers John Monzon (CPRA, LA) and Bob Woldringh (REAL, CA) showed that with intelligent levee monitoring systems levee failure can be prevented and potential damages rapidly assessed. This matches the ´dream´ of Mr. Jan Put (Water board Groot Salland, Netherlands) to “….monitor and maintain complex flood risk reduction systems from a single intelligent dashboard. I need cost-effective maintenance measures, which I can easily determine with the dashboard of the water board.”

The dashboard of mr. Put was developed as part of Flood Control 2015. Also Mr. Colin Berghouse of the Environment Agency (UK) showed how dashboards play a role in UK flood risk reduction.


Efficient maintenance
With the Hurricane & Storm Damage Risk Reduction System of New Orleans nearing completion, Robert Turner (SLFPAE, LA), is in need of advanced solutions for efficient maintenance management. He demonstrated a dashboard for improved decision making under storm conditions, developed by Dutch flood control experts Royal Haskoning, Fugro and HKV.

The Hurricane Risk and Safety Module makes data from several sources accessible (water levels, weather forecasts) and provides the levee operator with insight into levee strengths under storm conditions. The tool was demonstrated live and is a successful example of the Flood Control 2015 innovation program.

The seminar was organized as part the Flood Control 2015 Dutch innovation program, in which nine flood control institutes have joined forces for better flood protection. It was also supported, in part, by the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington DC

This news item was originally published on the website of the Flood Control 2015 innovation programme.

Downloads of the presentation (as pdf-files):
www.royalhaskoning.com

More information
Stichting Flood Control
Delft, the Netherlands
info@floodcontrol2015.com
+31 88 3357446
www.floodcontrol2015.com


Posted in News.

Oasis to launches first water cooler with Philips InstantTrust disinfector inside

March 20th, 2012 by nwp

Oasis International announced its new partnership with Philips Lighting for the integration of the InstantTrust UV-disinfector in its water coolers. The first water dispensed from coolers can be disinfected instantly and efficiently, on-demand with the Philips InstantTrust solution and will soon be available in the Oasis Kalix water cooler, the Aqua Pointe and VersaFiller® bottle fillers.

Quick disinfection
Philips InstantTrust disinfects water as its being dispensed, up to 4 liters/minute, its simple and quick disinfection process is ideal for water dispensing solutions such as OASIS’ bottle refill stations and water coolers. Its unique design works independently of water temperature, disinfecting both hot and cold water on-demand.

Entire Oasis’ product line
The new Philips InstantTrust solution is designed to fit point-of-use water delivery solutions including taps, water pitchers, under-sink water filters and portable counter-top systems. Oasis and Philips keep working closely to make it possible to integrate the InstantTrust into its entire product line.
The Kalix will be the first of the Oasis water cooler line to include Philips InstantTrust. It’s the industry’s only cooler with the revolutionary Pressure Vessel Direct Chill (PVDC) system, in a stylish, modern design.

Cleaner and better-tasting water
John Kucharik, CEO and President of OASIS states: “We’re very proud to be working in partnership with Philips Lighting and providing this unique, state-of-the-art UV disinfection technology in our water coolers and bottle fillers. By adding Philips InstantTrust into our water coolers and bottle fillers we’re the only company to offer a solution that disinfects water just before it’s served. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to developing innovative water-friendly solutions that provide fresh, great-tasting, safer water for everyone, everywhere.”

Hendrik-Jan Dreuning, Global Marketing Director UV Purification at Philips Lighting stated: “Philips is committed to enhancing people’s health and well-being, and thanks to InstantTrust, we can ensure cleaner water is always within reach: anytime, anywhere. We’re pleased to be working Oasis, a global company that offers innovative solutions for water coolers, and look forward to a rewarding partnership. Together we’ll be making safer water available for people around the world.”

The latest Oasis coolers featuring Philips InstantTrust were unveiled at WQA Aquatech 2012 in Las Vegas.

More information

Philips Lightning
Eindhoven, the Netherlands
+31 40 275 6529
www.lightning.philips.com

Oasis
Columbus, Ohio, USA
+1 800 646 27 47
www.oasiscoolers.com

Posted in News.

TenCate Geotubes selected for large dredging project on Onondaga Lake, USA

January 11th, 2012 by nwp

TenCate Geosynthetics Americas is selected by Parsons Engineering to supply TenCate Geotube containers for the dredging project on Onondaga Lake, in the State of New York.

Superfund clean up project for removal of contaminated sediment
As a result of over a century of industrial activity on the shores of Onondaga Lake, lake sediments have been contaminated with chemicals such as heavy metals, PAH’s and volatile organic compounds (e.g., chlorobenzene). Due to this contamination, Onondaga Lake and related upland sites were added to the Federal Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in 1994.

Dewatering of sediment in stacked geotubes
The design by Parsons Engineering is to hydraulically dredge an estimated 2.1 million cubic yards of waste and pump it to a 50 acre dewatering cell through 4 miles of double-walled pipeline. Their design specifies containing and dewatering the waste in geotextile tubes stacked 30 feet in height.

Four years
TenCate Geotube containers, of various large circumferences, will be supplied to dewater the sediments. This project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2012 and is planned to continue for 4 years. Upon completion of dredging and dewatering, TenCate Geotube containers will be permanently stored in the capped cell.

Good references
“TenCate has been chosen for the value it brings to the project”, comments Vicki Ginter, Regional Market Manager at TenCate Geosynthetics Americas. “This includes the unique features of the TenCate Geotube containers such as circumferential seams and mechanical geoports, a history of projects worldwide that are similar in scope and complexity, technical services including geotechnical engineering support and detailed layout drawings for the dewatering cell, quality control evidenced by its ISO 9001 certification and A2LA certified labs and the history and strength of the TenCate corporation.”

This news items was originally published on the website of
Ten Cate.

See for more information on the restoration plan: Onondaga Initiatives Restoration Plan.

More information
TenCate Geosynthetics Americas
Jennifer McKay, marketing manager,
j.mckay@tencate.com
+001 706 693 2226
www.tencategeosynthetics.com


Royal Haskoning completes contribution to New Orleans new flood defence system

December 18th, 2011 by nwp

On 8 December, the engineering firm Royal Haskoning celebrated the completion of its activities for the famous Hurricane & Storm Damage Risk Reduction System program. The Dutch Consul in New Orleans, Constance Willems, was also present at the event, which was held with local partner Evans and Graves. Willems praised the company for deploying Dutch coastal defence expertise in New Orleans.

Design of IHNC surge barrier
In recent years Royal Haskoning has been involved in designing the New Orleans levee system, including construction of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) barrier.

The IHNC barrier seals New Orleans off from the Gulf of Mexico when a hurricane strikes. Royal Haskoning specifically worked on the design height, wave forces, navigation and soil protection. It also advised on and gave direction to the resiliency of the design.

Forecast of hurricanes
Besides working on the IHNC, Royal Haskoning developed concepts for storm forecasting. One of these was the Storm Atlas, which was used effectively in 2008 for efficient prediction of the path of Hurricane Gustav. More recently, the tool has been extended to low intensity storms, enabling the Atlas to forecast a broader range of hurricanes.

Levee information management system
Furthermore, Royal Haskoning has contributed extensively to the system’s operational aspects. It has set up various operational water control plans for the US Army Corps of Engineers. It has also devised a Levee Information Management System (LIMS) for the levee boards. LIMS contains information on the whole levee system, with a visual display function.

Opening and closing of levee floodgates
A special LIMS module has been developed to monitor the opening and closing of the levee floodgates.

This new monitoring system helps the levee boards to plan and coordinate the opening and closure of the gates. Last hurricane season, this module was successfully applied during Tropical Storm Lee.

Giuseppe Miserendino, Director of one of the levee boards, explains “Royal Haskoning staff have a full grasp of our work and the flood protection system, which has resulted in a tailor-made solution that fully suits our needs.”

Making New Orleans a safer place
Resident Director Maartje Wise: “We are very proud to have worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers on the Hurrican & Storm Risk Reduction System and our contribution to make New Orleans a safer place.

Involvement of many
Many interested visitors from the Netherlands and elsewhere came to see the works in New Orleans while the project was in progress. The project triggered students’ imaginations. Marten Hillen, one of the students from Delft University of Technology and now working for Royal Haskoning, was actually awarded “student of the year,” early in 2008, for his work on the project.

This press release was originally published in the website of Royal Haskoning.

More information
Royal Haskoning
Nijmegen, the Netherlands
+31 (0)24 328 42 84
www.royalhaskoning.com

or

Haskoning, Inc.
Metairie, Louisana, USA
Maartje Wise-Hoevenaars
+1-504-831-0677
See all projects by Royal Haskoning in New Orleans: www.haskoninginc.com

Posted in News.

HKV assists university with inundation modeling for US Steel plant

September 21st, 2011 by nwp

HKV Consultants assists the Southern Illinois University with the preparation of hydrodynamic levee-breach and inundation modeling for Metro East Sanitary District (MESD) in Granite City, with particular focus on the US Steel plant. This area is situated along the easterly bank of the Mississippi River, immediately across from St. Louis.

Hydrodynamic models
The primary objective of the study is to estimate flood arrival times and maximum flood depths for the 1/500 year event. HKV Consultants provides the university with computational facilities as well as technical assistance in the use of hydrodynamic models.

More information:
HKV Consultants
Lelystad, the Netherlands
+31 320 294242

This press release was originally published on the website of HKV Consultants.

Posted in News.

Delta Commissioner briefs Capitol Hill on 5 Dutch D’s for flood control

September 16th, 2011 by nwp

During his visit to Washington on September 13th and 14th Dutch Delta Commissioner Wim Kuijken made several visits on Capitol Hill to tell US authorities about the Dutch delta progrmma. Wim Kuijken is responsible for the draw up, update and implement the Delta Programme on behalf of the cabinet. Including its financial consequences. The Delta Programme was set up to protect the Netherlands against flooding and ensure a sufficient supply of fresh water, now and in the future. Mr Kuijken has been appointed for a term of seven years.

Much in common
“Our US allies are very interested in our innovative approach that uses the 5 Dutch D’s: Delta Act, Delta Programme, Delta Fund, Delta Commissioner and Delta Decisions”, experienced Kuijken.

“I am here to learn a lot about the approaches adopted by the US and Canada in dealing with their freshwater problems, their emergency management and their adaptive approaches; we have many subjects in common. We will be examining all three layers of safety.”

Colaboration with Louisiana
Tuesday evening, 13 September, the Delta Commissioner and Dutch ambassador Renée Jones-Bos attended a reception and dinner hosted by Louisiana state senator Mary Landrieu. Other attendees included four senators, several members of the House of Representatives and delegates of the Obama administration. Those present discussed the collaboration between the Netherlands and the state of Louisiana; the Delta Commissioner explained the Dutch Delta approach.

Debate about climate adaptation
On Wednesday, 14 September the focus was on ‘Capitol Hill’. In the government buildings, the Delta Commissioner presented the Delta Programme to the Resources for the Future think tank, which conducts independent research into sustainable development. At the U.S. Global Change Research Program, an advisory council commissioned by the government of President Barack Obama to conduct national research into adaptation, the Delta Commissioner debated with top scientists on adaptation, the state of know-how in the United States and the issues in the Dutch Delta Programme.

Furthermore, Mr Wim Kuijken gave presentations on the Delta approach in the Netherlands to a delegation of members of Congress from California and at a theme meeting of the Waterways Caucus (a group of delegates who have joined forces around the theme of water). The presentations of the Delta Commissioner show that there is a great deal of interest on the American side in the Dutch multi-disciplinary approach to water safety and projects such as Room for the Rivers.

Talks with Corps top officers
On Thursday morning, the Delta Commissioner visited the headquarters of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an agency comparable to the Dutch Rijkswaterstaat, the executive arm of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. Mr Kuijken was welcomed by the Corps top officers, including major general William T. Grisoli. They presented the plans of the National Committee on Levee Safety and the recommendations this committee has submitted to the federal government regarding a National Levee Safety Plan.

Many similarities were found between their plans and the Dutch Delta Programme. The implementation of the recommendations by this committee still awaits passing by the American Congress. The long-term collaboration with the American counterpart of Rijkswaterstaat will be expanded further.

More information:
Delta commissisioner
The Hague, the Netherlands
www.deltacommissaris.nl

Posted in News.

Dutch Delta Commissioner visits the United States, September 12 – 17

September 13th, 2011 by nwp

Delta Commissioner Kuijken will meet with state and national water management officials including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, members of Congress, think tanks and academics to exchange best practices and discuss the Dutch approach to water management.

Similar water related water challenges The historic flood levels experienced by states along the Mississippi River this spring were a reminder to the Dutch of the flooding in the Netherlands in the 1990’s when 250,000 people were evacuated and large tracts of farmland were flooded. While the United States and the Netherlands face similar water-related challenges such as sea level rise, salt water intrusion and subsidence, both countries also share a history of cooperation on water management issues. Most recently, Dutch water management specialists are working with Louisiana on designing a water management strategy for the state. In New York City, Rotterdam and Brooklyn officials are collaborating on a waterfront exchange project on urban flood protection.

New delta programme
Sixty percent of the Netherlands is at or below sea level and two-thirds of Dutch people live in flood-prone areas. As Delta Commissioner, Wim Kuijken is responsible for overseeing the annual Delta program and budget in the Netherlands to protect the land and its people. The Dutch government will unveil a new Delta program in September to further strengthen its defenses against flooding and protect the Netherlands’ supply of freshwater. By 2014, the Netherlands will face major decisions regarding its delta system including creating new safety standards for levees, improving methods to secure the freshwater supply and looking at ways cities build in the future.

Governemental cooperation at all levels
“The Netherlands and the United States are each other’s best allies in water-related challenges. Be it knowledge exchange, delegation visits or memorandums of agreement, our cooperation extends from the national to state level,” said Delta Commissioner Kuijken. “We share the same challenges and shared challenges require shared solutions.”

Visit to Florida
While in Florida on September 12th and 13th, Delta Commissioner Kuijken will focus on how the coastal state protects itself against sea level rise and salt water intrusion. As the United States is in the midst of hurricane season, the Delta Commissioner is keenly interested in how Florida prepares for and responds to weather emergencies. Delta Commissioner Kuijken will take a tour and meet with officials of the Miami-Dade Department of Emergency Management. He will also meet Melissa Meeker, Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District and LTC Michael K. Kinard of the US Army Corps of Engineers. In Ft.Lauderdale, he will give a presentation at Florida Atlantic University with FAU’s School of Urban and Regional Planning followed by a Q&A discussion about collaborative, long-term sustainability efforts.

Visit to Washington, D.C.
In Washington on September 13th and 14th, the Delta Commissioner will meet with senators from the Gulf Coast states including Senator Mary Landrieu (LA) and the Congressional Waterways Caucus. He will meet with Steve Stockton, Chairman of the National Committee on Levee Safety, the American equivalent to the Dutch Delta Commission. Delta Commissioner Kuijken will join Resources for the Future for a discussion on “Making Room for the Rivers: Learning from the Dutch Approach”. He will also meet with officials from the United States Global Change Research Program.

Visit to New York City
In New York on September 15th and 16th, the Delta Commissioner will discuss how the Netherlands and New York are tackling flooding risks to urban areas. He will meet Amanda Burden, Chair of the City Planning Commission and Director of the Department of City Planning. The Netherlands and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are working on the Brooklyn Waterfront Rotterdam Exchange project to develop the South-West Brooklyn Waterfront using sustainable economic development, strengthened infrastructure and climate adaptation principles. Delta Commissioner Kuijken and members of Waterfront Vision 2020 and Chris Ward, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will take a boat trip along the Brooklyn Waterfront to Governors Island, an island first purchased by the Dutch in 1637.

Delta Commissioner Kuijken will tweet while in the United States. Follow his visit using #DutchDeltaWorks.

This news item was originally published on the website of the:
Dutch Embassy in Washington DC.


Click here: VIDEO – Working on the delta
In this video (in English, 6.15 min, 15 mb) the Delta Programme is explained

Posted in News.

New Orleans safer due to first regional, web-enabled levee management system

August 30th, 2011 by nwp

The Dutch engineering company Royal Haskoning completed the vital Levee Information Management System (LIMS) Emergency Operations Support module for the South Louisiana Flood Protection Authorities East and West (SLFPA-E & W).

Status of flood gates, valves and flood defense openings
The objective of this project was to support emergency operations on a regional level by accurately tracking and planning the status (open/closed) of floodgates, valves and flood defense openings during a hurricane event within a web-based environment that allows local, regional, state and federal emergency officials to instantly access the same critical information.

Levee boards in full control
This project was important, because for the first time, the levee boards, Louisiana State and USACE can simultaneously manage and monitor the status of the flood gates (open or closed) during a hurricane event.

Fully suits the needs
As we are now in the middle of the hurricane season (1 June – 30 November), this system is welcomed by all stakeholders involved in emergency management.
“Royal Haskoning staff have a full grasp of our work and the flood protection system, which has resulted in a tailor-made solution that fully suits our needs,” says Giuseppe Miserendino, Regional Director of SLFPA-W.

Royal Haskoning has been working on the New Orleans flood protection since 2006.

This press release was originally published on the website of Royal Haskoning

More information:
Royal Haskoning
Nijmegen, the Netherlands
+31 24 328 42 84

Posted in News.

Arcadis awarded 54 million contract for removing sediment from Passaic River

June 28th, 2011 by nwp

June 27, 2011 – ARCADIS (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the international consultancy, design, engineering and management services company, announced today that it has been awarded a 54 million dollar contract to manage an environmental sediment remediation project in the tidal Lower Passaic River in Newark, N.J, one of the most complex and industrial river systems in the U.S.

The project involves dredging, dewatering and off-site disposal of approximately 40,000 cubic yards of the most heavily contaminated sediment from the river. These actions will help create and maintain a more healthy and sustainable river environment.

Removing sediment
The project is anticipated to start this July and continue through late 2012. The team will install an enclosure around the work area prior to removing any sediment, which will support existing shoreline structures and minimize movement of any re-suspended sediment. After removal, the sediment will go through a dewatering process with subsequent treatment of the effluent, and the sediments will then be transported out-of-state for ultimate disposal.

Leading position
Steve Blake, member of the Executive Board of ARCADIS and CEO for its U.S. business said: “ARCADIS has an excellent track record of assisting clients in removal and disposal of contaminated sediments, a growth market in which ARCADIS has a leading position. Over the past several years, our staff has worked on the design of the project and we are excited to see these efforts come to fruition”.

“ARCADIS’ involvement with the project further bolsters our position in the sediment remediation market as a leading designer and implementer of river system restoration to improve the natural environment.”

About Arcadis
ARCADIS is an international company providing consultancy, design, engineering and management services in infrastructure, water, environment and buildings. We enhance mobility, sustainability and quality of life by creating balance in the built and natural environment. ARCADIS develops, designs, implements, maintains and operates projects for companies and governments. With 16,000 employees and over €2 billion in revenues, the company has an extensive international network supported by strong local market positions. ARCADIS supports UN-HABITAT with knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of life in rapidly growing cities around the world.

This press release has originally been published on website Arcadis.

Arcadis, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Joost Slooten
+31 20 201 10 83
joost.slooten@arcadis.com

Posted in News.

Consultancy firm Arcadis awarded $60 million in US sewer improvement program

June 15th, 2011 by nwp

June 15, 2011 – ARCADIS (EURONEXT: ARCAD), the international consultancy, design, engineering and management services company, announced today that it has been selected by the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) for two contracts totaling $60M in value, further establishing the company as a trusted advisor in the D.C. water sector.

ARCADIS will assist with the management and the implementation of DC Water’s $1.6 billion sewer system capital improvement program. In addition, ARCADIS will manage under a four-year construction management contract, the implementation of the $400 million biosolids program at the 370 mgd Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.

In the greater D.C. community sewer system improvement projects will take place over the next five years to help restore structural and performance integrity to the system and minimize disruption across a network that includes more than 1,800 miles of sewer pipe and eight major pumping stations, providing conveyance of wastewater to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.

At Blue Plains, under a second contract, ARCADIS will leverage its program management experience in construction of large-capacity, sophisticated treatment systems on very confined sites. As a very serious commitment to sustainable systems, DC Water will produce class “A” biosolids, reduce operating costs, capture waste energy for reuse and reduce the facility’s carbon footprint once the construction is completed.

“These environmentally driven projects fit in the market trend towards renewal and upgrading of existing facilities to meet the latest environmental, technical and efficiency standards. Our Malcolm Pirnie Water division provides ARCADIS a strong competitive edge as these projects are at the heart of our capabilities,” said Bill Dee, Global Director for the Water Business line in ARCADIS.

“The sewer system capital improvement program will help protect the Rock Creek, Anacostia and Potomac Rivers while strengthening the District’s sewer system infrastructure. At the same time, the biosolids program will include innovative solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of the Blue Plains facility”.

More information:
Joost Slooten of ARCADIS at +31-202011083 or outside office hours at +31-627061880 or e-mail joost.slooten@arcadis.com

This press release was originally published on the Arcadis-website.

Posted in News.

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