DUTCH company Hatenboer-Water has supplied three reverse osmosis units for an oil ship.^[1]  The vessel, Pioneiro de Libra, is a Floating Production Storage and Offloading unit, which produces, processes, and stores oil.^[2]  Two of the reverse osmosis units each produce 480 cubic metres of water for the oil separation process.  The third unit provides potable water.

SUEZ has taken the next step in refinancing its acquisition of GE Water, offering €600 million worth of undated, deeply subordinated hybrid bonds.^[3]  In early March, the global water company, and Canada’s Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, agreed to acquire GE Water for €3.2 billion.^[4]

THE U.S. National Water Research Institute has hired Ken Hardy, former executive of the Encina Wastewater Authority, as its executive director.  Hardy will be responsible for supporting the Institute’s mission to promote scientific research and improvements in the quality and availability of potable water.^[5]  The Institute aims to work more closely with policymakers and private and public agencies, while also facilitating its own programme on technological innovation and policy.^[6]

^{Credit: EWA}

THE German pump-maker KSB Aktiengesellschaft has created a new series of submersible borehole pumps.^[7]  The stainless-steel pumps are designed for use in water supply and irrigation applications, and for use in small systems to reduce groundwater levels.^[8]  They are capable of handling water with a solids content of 50 grams per cubic metre; and flow rates of up to 21.5 cubic metres per hour.

DOOSAN Heavy Industries & Construction has won its first desalination facility in Saudi Arabia after five years.^[9] The company has signed an EPC contract with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation of Saudi Arabia to build new facility in Saudi Arabia.  Located in Shuaibah, the $422 million facility will desalinate 400,000 cubic metres of seawater per day.  It is expected to become the country’s largest seawater reverse osmosis facility.^[10]