status is none of yer' damn business!! :-)
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Hmmmm?
and then some!!!!!!!
Nah, better news will start next week for some miraculous reason. LOL.
Wow, you're making a fuss over 4 days??
Why would America all of a sudden be better in March?
LOL - You got that right.
This is so oversold.
Wonder how will the market react to the stimulus bill?
Looks like we gonna test 1.70 here. May get a bounce on this news though.
House Democrats propose $825 billion stimulus bill
WASHINGTON – Working closely with President-elect Barack Obama, House Democrats on Thursday called for $825 billion in federal spending and tax cuts to revive the moribund economy, with strong emphasis on energy, education, health care and jobs-producing highway construction.
The legislation calls for federal spending of roughly $550 billion and tax cuts of $275 billion over the next two years — totals all but certain to rise as it makes its way through Congress.
"Immediate job creation and continuing job creation" are the twin goals, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said at a news conference. Joblessness has risen sharply in recent months, and Obama has warned it could reach double digits unless action is taken to invigorate the economy.
At $825 billion, the legislation would be one of the largest bills ever to move through Congress, and by traditional standards, lawmakers were moving with unusual speed. Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the Senate Majority Leader, have pledged to have it ready for Obama's signature by mid-February.
The measure calls for $87 billion to help the states meet the rising cost of providing health care for the poor in the recession, and another $39 billion to subsidize coverage by out-of-work wage-earners who cannot afford the cost of their employer-covered health care.
More than $100 billion is ticketed for education, including money for school districts to shield them from the effects of state cutbacks in services. Democrats also provided tens of billions in spending and tax breaks designed to lessen the nation's dependence on oil as a principal source of energy.
Obama's top aides have worked closely in recent days with Democrats in Congress to shape legislation that generally adheres to the president-elect's wishes.
At the same time, lawmakers departed dramatically in one area, jettisoning the incoming administration's call to give a $3,000 tax credit for each new job created by private companies.
Another key priority of the new administration was preserved, though. The summary calls for a tax credit of $500 per worker and $1,000 per working couple.
The measure does not include money to help middle- to upper-income taxpayers ensnared in the alternative minimum tax, which was originally designed to prevent the extremely wealthy from avoiding payment of taxes but now threatens more than 20 million tax filers. Several officials said the Senate was likely to include that provision in its version of the bill, a step that could push the overall total close to $900 billion.
The legislation is one of two key elements in Obama's emerging plan to revitalize the economy. He also has lobbied lawmakers not to stand in the way of the use of another $350 billion in financial bailout money.
The Senate was expected to vote on the issue later in the day, and the outcome was so uncertain that a tie vote seemed possible. If so, the money would be released.
With unemployment rising, and applications for various forms of federal aid keeping pace, the legislation calls for increased spending on food stamps, unemployment insurance and job training. It also proposes an increase in Pell Grants for college students of $500.
House leaders called for $30 billion for highway construction and $10 billion for mass transit and rail.
The summary claimed "unprecedented accountability" and said the bill would include no earmarks, the pet projects that lawmakers are fond of.
In addition, Democrats said all announcements of contract and grant competition would be posted on a Web Site to be created by the new administration.
Funds for energy-related programs were sprinkled throughout the legislation, reflecting a priority not only of Obama, but also House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and numerous lawmakers in both houses of Congress.
Included is $32 billion to upgrade the nation's electrical distribution system, more than $20 billion in tax cuts to promote the development of alternatives to oil fuels, and billions more to make public housing, federal buildings and modest-income homes more energy efficient.
House committees are working on a schedule that calls for votes next week on parts of the bill, which would then be advanced to the floor for a vote during the last week of January.
Across the Capitol, a companion measure is expected to move along roughly the same timeline in the Senate, and congressional leaders have expressed confidence they would be able to agree on a final version by the time of a scheduled vacation coinciding with Presidents' Day.
Other items in the measure include funds for state and local law enforcement funds, extending broadband service to rural and other underserved areas, and money to computerize health records, a key priority of the incoming president.
Businesses would be able to reduce their taxes through a provision that expands their ability to write off current losses again past profits, and by accelerating the depreciation of new plants and equipment.
First-time homeowners also would get a break. The bill eliminates the requirement for them to repay a new $7,500 tax credit created in a housing measure that passed last summer.
House Democrats propose $825 billion stimulus bill
WASHINGTON – Working closely with President-elect Barack Obama, House Democrats on Thursday called for $825 billion in federal spending and tax cuts to revive the moribund economy, with strong emphasis on energy, education, health care and jobs-producing highway construction.
The legislation calls for federal spending of roughly $550 billion and tax cuts of $275 billion over the next two years — totals all but certain to rise as it makes its way through Congress.
"Immediate job creation and continuing job creation" are the twin goals, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said at a news conference. Joblessness has risen sharply in recent months, and Obama has warned it could reach double digits unless action is taken to invigorate the economy.
At $825 billion, the legislation would be one of the largest bills ever to move through Congress, and by traditional standards, lawmakers were moving with unusual speed. Pelosi and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the Senate Majority Leader, have pledged to have it ready for Obama's signature by mid-February.
The measure calls for $87 billion to help the states meet the rising cost of providing health care for the poor in the recession, and another $39 billion to subsidize coverage by out-of-work wage-earners who cannot afford the cost of their employer-covered health care.
More than $100 billion is ticketed for education, including money for school districts to shield them from the effects of state cutbacks in services. Democrats also provided tens of billions in spending and tax breaks designed to lessen the nation's dependence on oil as a principal source of energy.
Obama's top aides have worked closely in recent days with Democrats in Congress to shape legislation that generally adheres to the president-elect's wishes.
At the same time, lawmakers departed dramatically in one area, jettisoning the incoming administration's call to give a $3,000 tax credit for each new job created by private companies.
Another key priority of the new administration was preserved, though. The summary calls for a tax credit of $500 per worker and $1,000 per working couple.
The measure does not include money to help middle- to upper-income taxpayers ensnared in the alternative minimum tax, which was originally designed to prevent the extremely wealthy from avoiding payment of taxes but now threatens more than 20 million tax filers. Several officials said the Senate was likely to include that provision in its version of the bill, a step that could push the overall total close to $900 billion.
The legislation is one of two key elements in Obama's emerging plan to revitalize the economy. He also has lobbied lawmakers not to stand in the way of the use of another $350 billion in financial bailout money.
The Senate was expected to vote on the issue later in the day, and the outcome was so uncertain that a tie vote seemed possible. If so, the money would be released.
With unemployment rising, and applications for various forms of federal aid keeping pace, the legislation calls for increased spending on food stamps, unemployment insurance and job training. It also proposes an increase in Pell Grants for college students of $500.
House leaders called for $30 billion for highway construction and $10 billion for mass transit and rail.
The summary claimed "unprecedented accountability" and said the bill would include no earmarks, the pet projects that lawmakers are fond of.
In addition, Democrats said all announcements of contract and grant competition would be posted on a Web Site to be created by the new administration.
Funds for energy-related programs were sprinkled throughout the legislation, reflecting a priority not only of Obama, but also House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and numerous lawmakers in both houses of Congress.
Included is $32 billion to upgrade the nation's electrical distribution system, more than $20 billion in tax cuts to promote the development of alternatives to oil fuels, and billions more to make public housing, federal buildings and modest-income homes more energy efficient.
House committees are working on a schedule that calls for votes next week on parts of the bill, which would then be advanced to the floor for a vote during the last week of January.
Across the Capitol, a companion measure is expected to move along roughly the same timeline in the Senate, and congressional leaders have expressed confidence they would be able to agree on a final version by the time of a scheduled vacation coinciding with Presidents' Day.
Other items in the measure include funds for state and local law enforcement funds, extending broadband service to rural and other underserved areas, and money to computerize health records, a key priority of the incoming president.
Businesses would be able to reduce their taxes through a provision that expands their ability to write off current losses again past profits, and by accelerating the depreciation of new plants and equipment.
First-time homeowners also would get a break. The bill eliminates the requirement for them to repay a new $7,500 tax credit created in a housing measure that passed last summer.
let's not get into politics here please.
Does this make you want to puke or what??
Obama tells daughters he ran for president for them, all children
WASHINGTON (AFP) – In an open letter to his young daughters, US president-elect Barack Obama said Thursday that he entered the race for the White House "because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation."
"When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me -- about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world," Obama said in the letter published in Parade magazine, a weekend newspaper color supplement.
"I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfilment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation," wrote the soon-to-be Dad-in-chief.
Obama's wish-list for children includes challenging and inspirational schools; equal opportunity to go to university, regardless of their family's financial standing; and well-paid jobs with benefits such as health care and a pension plan that will allow them to "retire with dignity."
The 47-year-old father of Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, said he wants to "push the boundaries" of discovery to encourage the development of new technology and inventions that improve lives and protect the environment.
And he spoke of his vision of a United States that has reached "beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other."
He would strive to send young Americans to war "only for a very good reason", trying first to settle differences with other nations peacefully.
"These are the things I want for you -- to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world," wrote Obama.
"And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure," wrote Obama, who on Tuesday will move into the White House with his two daughters and wife, Michelle.
Yep, good bargains all over today. Don't worry you will get another chance.
Yeah, that's BIG plus in my book. No dilution and wouldnot even think about it at these levels.
$272 Million Invested in Smaller British Columbia Communities:
Applications Open for Building Canada’s Communities Component
Victoria, British Columbia, July 7, 2008 – For the first time, smaller British Columbia communities with populations of less than 100,000 can now access more funding for cleaner water, better waste management and flood mitigation thanks to a $272 million investment by the federal and provincial governments through the Building Canada Plan.
Until 2014, the federal and provincial governments will each invest $136 million to be applied to projects approved under the Communities Component, which includes $25 million for flood mitigation. Together with matching funds from the local governments, $408 million will be available, through until 2014, to help meet the local infrastructure needs and priorities of smaller British Columbia communities.
The announcement of the Communities Component of Building Canada was made today by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Honourable Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Community Development.
“Our Government is proud to commit this unprecedented level of funding to assist communities with populations of less than 100,000. Working with our partners in the spirit of open federalism allows us to provide better sewer, water, local roads, tourism infrastructure, short-sea shipping, short-line rail, as well as flood mitigation infrastructure. This will make a real difference in the every day lives of the people in British Columbia's smaller communities,” said Minister Cannon.
“Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in implementing our Building Canada plan in British Columbia. The Communities Component will help to address the infrastructure needs of smaller communities to help develop a stronger, safer and better British Columbia,” said Minister Day. “Building Canada will provide targeted funding for infrastructure projects in communities with populations of less than 100,000 – helping these communities meet their unique challenges.”
Eligible Applicants may now submit applications for the first round of the Communities Component. The focus of the first intake will be projects related to sewer, water, local roads, tourism infrastructure, short-sea shipping, short-line rail, as well as flood mitigation. Projects funded will be selected through a competitive process, with priority given to those demonstrating the principles of sustainability and supporting provincial initiatives such as action on climate change and the objectives in B.C.’s Energy Plan, Living Water Smart and Green Building Code. Applications are available on the BC Secretariat Web site at www.bcbuildingcanadafundcommunities.ca, with a deadline of September 5, 2008.
“Today’s announcement supports our commitment to work in partnership with federal and local governments to ensure high-quality, modern public infrastructure” said Minister Falcon. “This new infrastructure funding will contribute to long-term economic growth, a clean environment and strong communities.”
“The province is committed to helping B.C.'s local governments build and improve their communities,” said Minister Lekstrom. “This new infrastructure funding will be key in supporting local governments as they build strong local economies and greener, more sustainable communities.”
“By targeting communities with populations of less than 100,000, the Communities Component will deliver more per capita funding than the previous Municipal Rural Infrastructure Program,” said Susan Gimse, President of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. “Building Canada is an excellent example of governments working together to renew infrastructure in BC communities.”
All local governments, large and small, will have the opportunity to benefit from Building Canada. Over $1.485 billion will be transferred to British Columbia local governments through the federal Gas Tax Fund between 2007 and 2014. Further, both governments have agreed that a further $78 million will be made available for major projects in communities with populations over 100,000 or to further supplement the Communities Component. In addition, significant funding will flow to major projects of importance to local governments. For example, Canada and British Columbia today announced a tri-partite working group with representatives from all three levels of government to advance planning and preparations for moving forward on the first phase of the Capital Regional District Sewage Treatment Project.
Through its unprecedented $33-billion Building Canada infrastructure plan, the federal government is providing long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada. Building Canada will support a stronger, safer and better country. On November 6, 2007 the governments of Canada and British Columbia announced the signing of a Framework Agreement under Building Canada worth $2.2 billion.
The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund will be administered jointly by Western Economic Diversification Canada, and the provincial Ministry of Community Development.
For further information contact:
Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
(613) 991-0700
Dave Crebo
Director of Communications
B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
(250) 387-7787
Infrastructure Canada
(613) 948-1148
Top of PageBACKGROUNDER
British Columbia Communities Component first round intake:
The first round of application intakes will close September 5, 2008. One application may be submitted per municipality during this intake. A Regional District may submit one application per community in its area. ONLY applications from the following categories will be accepted during this intake. Future intakes will be announced at a later date.
Funding Categories and Contact Information
WATER – Projects that construct or materially rehabilitate public infrastructure that contribute to: improved safety, management, reliability and efficiency of Canada’s drinking water treatment and distribution systems; increased number of households with access to safe drinking water that meets or exceeds the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality; improved protection and/or management of drinking water sources; and improved conservation of water.
WASTEWATER – Projects that construct or materially rehabilitate public infrastructure that contribute to: reducing the negative impacts of wastewater effluent or stormwater effluent on human health and the environment; improving the safety and management of wastewater sludge; and, improving the management and efficiency of wastewater infrastructure or stormwater infrastructure.
Contact for water and wastewater categories:
Province of British Columbia
Tel: (250) 387-4060
Fax: (250) 356-1873
TOURISM – Projects that achieve significant economic and/or regional impacts through the construction or material rehabilitation of convention centres or exhibition hall-type facilities.
LOCAL ROAD – Projects that construct, improve or rehabilitate local road infrastructure that contribute to improving road safety; improving mobility; improving sustainability; supporting economic and community development.
SHORT SEA SHIPPING - New or significantly expanded infrastructure supporting increased short sea shipping capacity and/or new routes, in order to promote Canada’s competitiveness, trade, and quality of life by optimizing the use of all transportation modes in order to maximize the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of the national transportation system.
SHORTLINE RAIL - Promote Canada’s competitiveness, trade, security and quality of life by optimizing the use of all transportation modes in order to maximize the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of the national transportation system.
Contact for tourism, local road, short sea shipping, and shortline rail categories:
Province of British Columbia
Tel: (250) 952-0675
Fax: (250) 952-0688
DISASTER MITIGATION* – Projects that construct or materially rehabilitate public infrastructure that reduces the vulnerability of a community or public infrastructure to the negative impacts of extreme natural events, including adverse events related to climate change.
* Only projects relating to flood mitigation will be considered during this intake.
Contact for disaster mitigation category:
Province of British Columbia
Tel: (250) 953-4006
Fax: (250) 953-4081
Tar sands operations require the use of vast quantities of water, which become contaminated and must be stored in huge tailing ponds. This both depletes local water reserves and threatens to pollute the environment and nearby communities.
Toxic Tailings Ponds
During the process of separating bitumen from the tar sands, large amounts of water are mixed in with the sand, and once the oil has been removed, the leftover mixture of water, sand, clay and residual bitumen – known as tailings – has to be stored in a stable location so that the solution can settle and separate. The storage facilities are known as tailings ponds. Because each cubic metre of bitumen extracted results in three to five cubic metres of tailings that need to be stored, the tailings ponds are so enormous they can be seen by the naked eye from outer space. Other “wastewater” is also stored in human-made holding lagoons such as sewage, water used for cooling, and water that has come into contact with coke, asphaltenes, sulphur, or heavy metals. This tactic is supposed to prevent the contamination of groundwater and river systems, but there is concern that this is not working properly.
What is so toxic about these ponds?
In most mining operations, harsh chemicals are needed to separate the minerals from the sand or rock that they are embedded in. For example, in gold or copper mining, arsenic and cyanide are often used, so tailings in those operations are extremely poisonous. In the tar sands, naphtha and paraffin are used, but they are supposed to be separated from the water before it is pumped into the tailings pond.
However, the byproducts of the petroleum itself are dangerous and known to kill the microorganisms which would ordinarily be present in a river or natural wetlands. Scientists state that the most dangerous contaminant in tar sands tailings water is naphthenic acid, a natural constituent of petroleum that becomes dissolved and concentrated in the hot water used to process the tar sands. Repeated exposure to naphthenic acid can have adverse health effects upon mammals, causing liver problems and brain hemorrhaging, and higher concentrations lead to more serious effects. Another component of the tailings is alkyl-substituted polyaromatic hydrocarbon, which causes deformities and even death to birds exposed to it.
Besides the toxic chemicals that are contained within the tailings, the water in these storage facilities attracts methanogenic bacteria, which produce methane, a greenhouse gas. The methane bubbles change the composition of the tailings pond and make some of the other dangerous toxins in the water more concentrated.
The oil companies’ response to these dangers is to fire airguns around the tailings ponds to prevent any birds and animals from coming near it. A more serious risk is that these ponds are leaking into the groundwater in the area, and into the Athabasca River. Another fear is that companies will stop operating in the area (if the oil runs out, or if profit margins go down), and stop maintaining the facilities.
Water Pollution
Naphthenic acids are persistent and hard to disperse from the environment. They are released in high concentrations from tar sands projects, so people who live downstream have serious fears about contaminated water, fish and wildlife. Mercury contamination is another risk, because when the wetlands which originally covered the tar sands are drained, high concentrations of mercury can be released into the surrounding water bodies.
Recently, people living in Fort Chipewyan (a First Nations community downstream from the tar sands projects) began to publicise their concerns about the effects of water pollution on their health. Since tar sands development has been accelerating over the past few years, they have noticed greater incidences of cancer and diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis in their community.
NFP as well.
FTBK is another to keep an eye on again.
Looking good for another entry here soon.
Wouldn't go all in here but it may be worth a dabble just in case.
UN says cholera has killed 2,106 in Zimbabwe
1 day ago
GENEVA (AP) — The United Nations says the death toll from Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak has risen to 2,106.
The World Health Organization says more than 40,448 people have been infected by the disease since the outbreak began in August.
The figures released Wednesday by WHO show that the fatality rate for the newly added cases stands at 12.6 percent. The average fatality rate from cholera in Zimbabwe is at 5.2 percent. Both are far above the 1 percent considered normal in large-scale outbreaks.
Cholera has spread in Zimbabwe because of the country's crumbling health care system and water supply infrastructure.
Yeah, scary short term.
CAEI - Below 2 now. Watching very closely now.
Crap, 2 did not hold. 1.84 and 1.70 next support. Overall market is sucking big time.
Hopefuly that 1.91 was bottom, 1.84 and 1.70 next support.
In this market who knows. Scared to get in anything today!!! LOL.
Majority of Americans Say News Media to Blame for Making Economic Crisis Worse
December 16th, 2008 · 3 Comments
Is the news media to blame for making economic crisis worse? According to new poll results released by the Opinion Research Corporation today, they are.
An overwhelming 77 percent of Americans believe that the US media is making the economic situation worse by projecting fear into people’s minds. The majority of those surveyed feel that the financial press, by focusing on and embellishing negative news, is damaging consumer confidence and damping investment, making a difficult situation much worse.
Richard L. Scheff, a national expert on corporate liability and white-collar crime issues, warns media that they could potentially be exposed to liability despite apparent constitutional protections:
“Although statements by the media are protected by the First Amendment, the survey results demonstrate that the public believes that the press bears some responsibility for the lack of confidence in the economy. One would hope that these media would act less out of self-interest in these times of national crisis. I could see creative lawyers attempting to pierce constitutional protections by constructing theories of liability for losses they may allege were driven by irresponsible news releases,” said Mr. Scheff, vice chairman and partner with Philadelphia-based law firm Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads.
The US survey of 1000 adults was conducted by ORC, on behalf of Park Lane Communications, and is statistically representative of the total U.S. population. The survey question asked was: “Do you think the financial press is making the economic crisis worse by projecting fear into people’s minds?” While the overall response indicated that 77% of Americans answered YES, here are some highlights of note:
Household Incomes:
$25k - $35k - 79% answered YES
$35k - $50k - 88% answered YES
$50k - $75k - 76% answered YES
$75k - more - 78% answered YES
Demographics:
85% of young adults (18-24 yrs old) answered YES
77% of males and females alike answered YES
65% of blacks answered YES
Yep. Ain't it FUN!!!!
C & BAC screwing everything up today plus Forclosures are up, everybody jumping ship. Roll the dice and hope the bargain you think you just got does not go Bankrupt. LOL.
In this market who knows.
Misc. Water Contamination Stats.
Impacts on Kids
Every 15 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease. (15)
Children in poor environments often carry 1000 parasitic worms in their bodies at any time. (9)
For children under age five, water-related diseases are the leading cause of death. (16)
1.8 million children die each year from diarrhea – 4,900 deaths each day. (12)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impacts on Women
Millions of women and children spend several hours a day collecting water from distant, often polluted sources. (12)
Lack of toilets makes women and girls vulnerable to violence if they are forced to defecate only after nightfall and in secluded areas. Sanitation enhances dignity, privacy and safety, especially for women and girls. Schools with decent toilet facilities enable children, especially girls reaching puberty, to remain in the educational system. (17)
A study by the International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) of community water and sanitation projects in 88 communities found that projects designed and run with the full participation of women are more sustainable and effective than those that do not. This supports an earlier World Bank study that found that women’s participation was strongly associated with water and sanitation project effectiveness. (8)
Evidence shows that women are responsible for half of the world’s food production (as opposed to cash crops) and in most developing countries, rural women produce between 60-80 percent of the food. Women also have an important role in establishing sustainable use of resources in small-scale fishing communities, and their knowledge is valuable for managing and protecting watersheds and wetlands. (8)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impacts on Health
At any given time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease. (12)
It is estimated that improved sanitation facilities could reduce diarrhea-related deaths in young children by more than one-third. If hygiene promotion is added, such as teaching proper hand washing, deaths could be reduced by two thirds. It would also help accelerate economic and social development in countries where sanitation is a major cause of lost work and school days because of illness. (17)
No intervention has greater overall impact upon national development and public health than the provision of safe drinking water and the proper disposal of human waste. (18)
Human health improvements are influenced not only by the use of clean water, but also by personal hygiene habits and the use of sanitation facilities. (19)
Close to half of all people in developing countries are suffering at any given time from a health problem caused by water and sanitation deficits. (12)
The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns. (12)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impacts on Productivity
Estimated economic benefits of investing in drinking-water and sanitation:
272 million school attendance days a year, an added 1.5 billion healthy days for children under five years of age, together representing productivity gains of US $9.9 billion a year (14)
Values of deaths averted, based on discounted future earnings, amounting to US $3.6 billion a year (14)
Every US dollar in sanitation provides and economic return of eight US dollars. – WHO (12)
http://water.org/waterpartners.aspx?pgID=916#Ref_20
Independant Performance Evaluation Report Exceeded Expectations
At a cost of over $250,000 the performance of the PURIO technology was monitored and evaluated by Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation-West (CETAC-WEST). The comprehensive evaluation report is similar in most respects to USEPA or ISO 14023 protocol. Operational data from the plant, actually serving the wastewater treatment needs of a community of 120 homes was evaluated over a nine-month period. This report, summarized on Table 1 below, confirmed the unit’s ability, alone, to meet “enhanced primary” treatment objectives in terms of BOD (biological oxygen demand) and TSS (total suspended solids). It exceeded expectations by reaching “tertiary” standards in phosphorus removal. The plant was not designed to address nitrification or nitrogen removal so it did little, as expected, in either.
Coupled with accessory components, the train met the even higher “tertiary” treatment efficiency in terms of BOD and TSS and phosphorus concentrations.
Table 1.
Primary Treatment Secondary Treatment1
Raw Sewage Typical Standards Purio Separator Typical Standards Treatment Train
TSS (mg/l) 200-300 50-100 32 10-30 5
BOD (mg/l) 200-300 75-150 62 10-25 9
P (mg/l) 7-10 5-7 1 3.6-6.5 0.2
Total Coliform >107 >200,000 >1,000,000 <200,000 1,600
1Train includes Purio separator, rapid gravity sand filters, Waterloo Biofilters and UV disinfection.
Smaller-scale “Batch” unit developed and Sold
Its technology has been employed in a smaller scale “batch” version of the clarifier and is successfully operating on location. This unit produces clarified water for household use. The unit has now been serving a rural household in Canada for about three years with total success. The batch unit draws water from a lagoon (or dugout as it is sometimes called) that is overgrown by reeds, grasses and contains abundant wildlife. This raw water has a green color and a strong “wild” odor making it unfit for human use.
The water is drawn into the unit, clarified and stored in a cistern. The clarification process removes all color, and nearly all of the suspended solids to produce a clear, clean odorless product. No further treatment is required for its use in laundry, toilets and bath use. For drinking, this clarified water is then polished by means of a Reverse Osmosis system to produce high quality drinking water that is then passed through an Ultra-violet sanitizer to assure sterility.
The capacity of the batch clarifier unit is 1000 gallons (4000 liters) per day. The unit is fully automatic and requires only about $20.00 CDN per month in in-puts.
The product was able to out-compete regular filtration methods proposed by other companies and has proven its effectiveness over several years of trouble-free operation.
GNW bounced off of 2.10 now. If it pulls back more needs to hold that $2 mark.
Good snag, I was suprised at the drop yesterday AH ans this Am, really thought that 50MA would hold. Looks to be bouncing back up now for a bit though which is good. Regardless anything under $4 is golden if your in this for 12-18 months minimum. GL bud.
Needs to hold $2 today.
GNW falling hard. Watch for a bottom around $2 area.
Speaking of a buyout just as a possibility. This company is scooping all kinds of smaller companies. Just food for thought.
America Inc. (WTR): They provide water and waste-water systems to 2.5M customers. They are the "leading acquirer" in the sector, having snatched-up over 100 smaller fish in the past five years. Current revenues are about $500M, and rate increases are between 3-5%. As the industry leader, WTR is well positioned to benefit from government infrastructure spending estimated at $280B over the next 20 years. Shares ($22.90) trade at 27x estimated earnings, but are cheaper than their March high of $29.79. Management targets 7% annual revenue growth and a 5% dividend yield; analysts say it should have no trouble reaching these. "If the company stays on course, its shares could appreciate more than 20% in the coming year -- continuing a decade-long trend of 25%-plus annual gains."
The possibility of a buyout from the the larger companies is not that far fetched either.
Estimated Deaths from Water-Related Diseases 2000-2020
Pacific Institute Research Report
Peter H. Gleick
August 15, 2002
Abstract
The failure to provide safe drinking water and adequate sanitation services to all people is perhaps the greatest development failure of the 20th century. The most egregious
consequence of this failure is the high rate of mortality among young children from preventable water-related diseases. This paper examines different scenarios of activities in the international water arena and provides three estimates of the overall water-related mortality likely to occur over the next two decades.
If no action is taken to address unmet basic human needs for water, as many as 135 million people will die from these diseases by 2020. Even if the explicit Millennium Goals announced by the United Nations in 2000 are achieved1 – unlikely given current international commitments – between 34 and 76 million people will perish from waterrelated
diseases by 2020. This problem is one of the most serious public health crisis facing us, and deserves far more attention and resources than it has received so far.
http://www.pacinst.org/reports/water_related_deaths/water_related_deaths_report.pdf
What are the Costs/Benefits of Global Water and Sanitation Improvements?
Taking Water and Sanitation Coverage for Granted
Every day millions of North Americans freely flush their toilets, liberally run the faucet or relax under the steady stream from a warm shower. To many North Americans these activities are not considered luxuries, but basic functions of everyday life. Yet, for some in Africa or Asia it is a daily struggle to find a single cup of clean water. Nearly 40 percent of Africa has an unsafe water supply and poor sanitation coverage and in Asia, more than half the population is exposed to unsanitary conditions, according to a study conducted in 2000 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The effects are demonstrable. According to the WHO, water-borne diseases spawned from unsanitary conditions resulted in roughly 1.6 million deaths in 2003, of which 90% were children under five. In addition, roughly 1.1 billion people are without access to safe water sources and 2.4 billion people lack access to improved sanitation. The following table crystallizes this global disparity in access to water supply and sanitation coverage.
Table 1: Water and Sanitation Coverage By Region
Region Coverage (%)
Water Supply Sanitation
Africa 62 60
Asia 81 48
Latin America & Caribbean 85 78
Oceania 88 93
Europe 96 92
North America 100 100
Source: WHO/UNICEF, 2000
In response to these startling statistics, the United Nations Millennium Declaration established goals to halve the proportion of people without sustainable access to both improve water supply and improved sanitation by 2015.
The WHO commissioned the Swiss Tropical Institute (Institute) to conduct a comprehensive cost/benefit analysis of improved access to safe water supply and the subsequent health, economic, education and cultural benefits. The Institute recently completed its report, "Evaluation of the Costs and Benefits of Water and Sanitation Improvements at the Global Level" (to read the complete report, please go to http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/wsh0404/en/).
The Institute's findings are clear: Increased access to "improved" water supply and sanitation coverage is directly related to the level of financial investment. The more money invested globally, the greater access to safe drinking water and sanitation coverage for the impoverished. Furthermore, achieving global water supply and sanitation goals would yield quantifiable benefits far exceeding the financial investments required.
What Constitutes "Improved?"
For purposes of their analysis, the authors focused on low technology improvements and defined "improved" water as water supply that involves better access and protected water sources, resulting in a significantly increased probability that water is safe and more accessible. "Improved" sanitation is quantified as better access and safer disposal of excrement. Using the above definition of "improved," WHO identified five intervention goals and their corresponding costs, as outlined in Table 2.
Table 2 Intervention Goals Costs (US$/per annum)
1.) Reducing by half the number of people without sustainable access to improved water supply. $1.78 billion
2.) Reducing by half the number of people without sustainable access to both improved water supply and sanitation. $11.3 billion
3.) Access for all to improved water and sanitation services. $22.6 billion
4.) Household water treatment using chlorine and safe storage would cost an additional $2 billion on top of access for all to improved water and sanitation services. $24.6 billion
5.) Access for all to regulated in-house piped water supply with quality monitoring and in-house sewage connection w/partial treatment of sewage. $136.5 billion
The figures cited above fluctuate greatly depending on the access targets. For example, the table clearly illustrates that a high level of funding is required, $136.5 billion per annum, to secure "access for all to regulated in-house pipe water supply with quality monitoring and in-house sewage connection w/partial treatment of sewage." Yet, the table shows that even a modest investment of $1.78 billion per annum can go a long way towards increasing access to safe water by reducing in half the number of people without sustainable access to improved water supply.
While Intervention Goal 2 requires an additional investment of approximately $10 billion annually, the benefits justify the expense. According to the WHO, Intervention Goal 2 would reduce diarrhea episodes by 10 percent and provide a global economic benefit of $84 billion.
Overall, the WHO believes that "careful consideration of all benefits and all costs of water and sanitation projects will tip the balance in favor of positive investment decisions."
Health Benefits of Safe Water Supply and Sanitation Coverage
While policy decisions are closely tied to their expense, the underlying concern of limited access to safe water supply and sanitation coverage is the incalculable cost of human life. Most prevalent with water-borne diseases is infectious diarrhea. In fact, the WHO found that a reduction in the number of episodes of diarrhea and the resultant reduction in the number of deaths were directly tied to access to safe water supply and sanitation services (Table 3). Clearly, the health impact of "improvements" will vary from region to region.
Table 3: Intervention Goals Global Diarrhea Reduction
Intervention 1 (water only) 4% (episodes)
Intervention 2 10% (episodes)
Intervention 3 16.7% (episodes)
Intervention 4 53% (episodes)
Intervention 5 69% (episodes)
Economic Benefits of Safe Water Supply and Sanitation Coverage
The economic benefits of improved access to a safe water supply and sanitation coverage are extensive. Healthcare constitutes a considerable expense, particularly in nations where access to healthcare is limited. For example, if access to safe water and sanitation coverage were improved there would be a smaller frequency of diarrhea cases. As a result, patients would avoid costs accrued with treatment expenditures, such as care, drugs, transportation and time spent seeking care.
There are four distinct groups that stand to receive direct economic benefits from water and sanitation improvements: the health sector, patients, consumers and agricultural and industrial sectors. Realized direct benefits for these groups include less expenditure on treatment of diarrheal disease, less expenditure on transport in seeking treatment, less time lost due to treatment seeking. While indirect benefits would include the value of less health workers falling sick with diahrrea, avoided days lost at work or at school, avoided time lost of parents/caretakers of sick children and avoided deaths. The total economic benefits of interventions are impossible to ignore (Table 4).
Table 4: Intervention Goals Economic Benefits
(US$ year 2000)
Intervention 1 $18.143 billion
Intervention 2 $84.4 billion
Intervention 3 $262.879 billion
Intervention 4 $344.106 billion
Intervention 5 $555.901 billion
The WHO report validates the premise that "improved" access to safe water supply and sanitation coverage would bear health care related benefits that would significantly reduce global healthcare costs. This analysis concluded that every $1 US invested would yield an economic benefit ranging from $3 to $34 US depending on the region. Further, additional improvements to drinking water quality, "such as point of use disinfection" would portend benefits varying from $5 to $60 US for every $1 US invested.
Conclusion
Water-borne diseases have plagued the global population for centuries. Unfortunately, many people remain exposed to the pathogens that trigger these deadly illnesses. The WHO analysis of this issue is not complex: increased funding to improve access to safe water and sanitation will go a long way towards eradicating this problem. Different intervention strategies have been captured to provide policy makers with guidance. As is generally the case, those who do not have a seat at the decision making table often do not have their voices heard. Clean water and sanitation is not a privilege, it is a right.