Australian Dust Control  designs a range of shaker dust extractors that are energy efficient, environmentally friendly and can be delivered ready to be installed by the customer.

This type of shaker dust extraction system can be delivered to site preassembled and then easily placed on the base framework.

Located in Harvey Bay, timber flooring and cladding supplier Urbanline commissioned Australian Dust Control to supply a shaker dust collector with an 18.5kw fan that they were able to easily install themselves

These types of shaker dust extractors are also suitable for school woodworking rooms and industrial design classrooms. The dust extractors will ensure that students have access to high standards of protection.

All dust and fume extraction systems designed by Australian Dust Control comply with selection criteria and OH&S regulations.

Research Overview

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled South African Air Pollution Control Market provides a strategic overview of the total air pollution control market. In this research, Frost & Sullivan’s expert analysts thoroughly examine the current trends in air pollution control and how market participants can take advantage of opportunities that are expected to arise. The following market sectors are covered in this research: energy and power, chemicals and petrochemicals, steel and metals, pulp and paper and cement and brick manufacturing. Fabric filters, electrostatic precipitators, scrubbing equipment, flue gas desulphurization and dust suppression are some of the technologies examined in the research.

This analysis is available through our Environmental Growth Partnership Services programme. With continuous access to intelligence and resources from all seven perspectives of the Complex Business Universe, the Growth Partnership Services programme ensures that you and your Growth Team are able to maintain a 360 Degree Perspective of the market. This comprehensive, objective information allows your company to mitigate risk, identify new opportunities, and drive effective strategies for growth. For more information on this custom subscription service, please click here.

Market Overview

Climate Change Concerns Underpinning Development of Air Pollution Control Market in South Africa

The South African air pollution control market is going through a dynamic phase of change as the impact of new legislation starts having an impact on the market. Despite the current economic hardships faced by emission generating industries, the market is projected to continue growing. “The recent tightening of legislation by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) has been a major driver behind growth in this market,” notes the analyst of this research. “The Air Quality Act, which was promulgated into law in 2005, addresses all the short-comings that existed during the previous Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act.”

The new Air Quality Act focuses on ambient control rather than emissions control. This approach aims at securing an environment that is not harmful to the health and well-being of people. As a result, the act presents new challenges to industries as it imposes far stricter regulations and heftier penalties for non-compliant companies than ever before.

Non-compliance Still Presents a Major Challenge to Market Expansion

Currently, non-compliance by emission generators is still a major obstacle for the development of this market. “Previously, most emission generators considered emissions control as a ‘nice-to-have’ technology rather than an essential requirement,” explains the analyst. “As such, fume abatement technology is viewed as a grudge purchase, a capital cost not adding to the bottom line.” Despite numerous challenges present as a result of non-compliance by some industrial segments, the market still presents numerous opportunities for growth. The energy and power sector, being the largest emissions generator, is currently undertaking an expansion initiative.

Eskom Holdings Limited has embarked on an expansion drive to increase generation capacity and ensure reliable supply of electricity to the country. Expansion in operations is likely to be accompanied by increased green house gas (GHG) emissions. To capitalise on growth opportunities, equipment suppliers will need to provide low-cost but reliable technology types to this market. “Both the power generation and petrochemical industries are expected to generate large volumes of emissions as they embark on their expansion drive,” comments the analyst. “The strict enforcement of legislation guarantees the need for responsible and holistic air pollution control mechanisms by these industries.”

Market Sectors

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

Energy and power Chemicals and petrochemicals Steel and metals Pulp and paper Cement and brick manufacturing Technologies

The following technologies are covered in this research:

Fabric filters Electrostatic precipitators Scrubbing equipment Flue gas desulphurization Dust suppression

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

Research Aim and Objectives

Research Scope and Definitions

Research Methodology

Industry Challenges and Market Forces

Industry Challenges Market Drivers Market Restraints Life Cycle Analysis

Industry Best Practices

South African Air Pollution Control Market

Market Overview Legislative Overview Overview of Air Pollutants Equipment Overview Enduser Analysis Supply Chain Analysis Market Engineering Measurements Market Revenues and Growth Rates Market Share Analysis Company Profiles

Energy and Power Industry

Market Overview Technology Selection Market Engineering Measurements Market Revenues and Growth Rates

Chemicals and Petrochemical Industry

Market Overview Technology Selection Market Engineering Measurements Market Revenues and Growth Rates

Steel and Metals Industry

Market Overview Technology Selection Market Engineering Measurements Market Revenues and Growth Rates

Pulp and Paper Industry

Market Overview Technology Selection Market Engineering Measurements Market Revenues and Growth Rates

Cement and Brick Manufacturing Industry

Market Overview Technology Selection Market Engineering Measurements Market Revenues and Growth Rates

Monitoring and Sampling Market

Market Overview Technology Selection Market Dynamics Company Profiles

Strategic Recommendations

About Frost & Sullivan

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/15fe2e/south_african_air

SOURCE: Research and Markets

Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager, press@researchandmarkets.com U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

97F Cat® Mining Truck
The 797F, with 4,000-horsepower (2983 kW) and rated payload capacities to 363 tonnes, combines the strengths of its predecessors with a new engine, redesigned operator station and custom body systems to deliver even lower costs per tonne – with less environmental impact.

The 797F also offers easier maintenance and enhanced safety provisions. Ground level service points ease access, and 1,000-hour hydraulic filter service intervals reduce required maintenance. Safety enhancements include wider walkways, a rear access ladder and a bumper-mounted, three-way, lock-out tag-out box.

The 20-cylinder, 4,000-gross-horsepower Cat C175-20 ACERT engine has a single engine block and is the heart of the new truck. The engine has accumulated more than a quarter-million hours of field testing in mining trucks and power-generating systems. The C175 displaces 5.3 litres (323 in³) per cylinder – for a total displacement of 106 litres (6,458 in³). The 797F develops 450 horsepower more than its predecessor, the 797B, which used a 24-cylinder Cat 3524B engine displacing 117 litres (7,143 in³).

The cross-flow engine design uses four turbochargers, an air-to-air after cooler and an electronically controlled common-rail fuel system, which precisely delivers multiple injections in a single combustion event. These electronically controlled systems account for much of the high power density and low emissions and contribute to the 797F fuel efficiency and responsive performance. The engine meets EPA Tier 2 emissions standards. The engine-cooling system, also electronically controlled, uses the engine cooling fan only as needed, which conserves power and fuel.

The engine control module, the Cat ADEM™ A4, has 50 times the computing power of its predecessor. The new module monitors more than 30 critical engine functions, drives the 20 fuel injectors and communicates more than 100 engine parameters that describe engine health and assist in diagnosing problems.

A robust drive shaft transfers the immense torque of the C175-20 engine to the rear-axle-mounted, seven-speed planetary transmission, which delivers a smooth flow of power through the massive rear axle to double-reduction final drives. An integral lock-up torque converter enhances high speed performance and fuel efficiency.

The Cat Electronic Clutch Pressure Control system effectively manages transmission-clutch operation under varying speed and load conditions, assuring that gear changes occur with no power loss and that clutch engagement is modulated to promote smooth shifts and long clutch life. A separate fluid system assures a dedicated supply of clean, cool oil for clutch operation and transmission lubrication. Transmission features include engine over-speed protection, downshift inhibitor (at high speeds) and programmable top speeds.

The 797F integrated braking system combines three brake functions (primary, secondary and parking) with an automatic, hydraulically actuated retarder in a single assembly located at each wheel. These immense, oil-cooled, multiple-disc assemblies provide a total braking/retarding surface of 51,250 in² (330 645 cm²). An integral heat exchanger controls brake-oil temperature to maintain no-fade performance and to extend brake life.

A robotically welded and ultrasonically checked frame incorporates nine mild-steel castings. The large radii castings are resilient to absorb frame flexing and ensure long life. The mild steel castings and fabrications provide flexibility, durability and resistance to impact loads, even in cold climates.

Available for the 797F is a choice of four Mine Specific Design (MSD II) body options that can be used in conjunction with a configurable liner system to provide an optimal blend of payload capacity and durability in a given application. Customers can tailor body systems to production demands and operating constraints, and payload capacity can be as much as 18 tonnes greater in some instance than was available with the 797B.

793F Cat® Mining Truck
The new 793F Cat® Mining Truck, the fifth generation of the 793, builds on the proven, 20-year performance record of its predecessors with a powerful new engine, choice of power train options, choice of body systems and a completely redesigned operator station. These refinements take the 793F – now with 2,650 horsepower (1976 kW) and a 226.8-tonne payload capacity – to higher standards of productivity, durability, operating ease, altitude capability, fuel efficiency and emissions control.

The 793F also offers enhanced serviceability through its ground level service points and 1,000-hour hydraulic filter service intervals. Other changes promote safe operator and technician access—wider walkways, flat upper deck, rear access ladder and a three-way lock-out tag-out box mounted on the bumper.

The 16-cylinder, 2,650-gross-horsepower Cat C175-16 diesel engine displaces 5.3 litres (323 in³) per cylinder – for a total displacement of 85 litres (5,187 in³). The 793F develops 235 horsepower more than its predecessor, the 793D, which used a 16-cylinder Cat 3516B engine displacing 78 litres (4,760 in³).

The 793F electronically controlled six-speed planetary transmission, with an integral lock-up torque converter, drives through the massive rear-axle differential and double reduction final drives, which together provide an overall reduction-ratio of 29:1.

The 793F standard braking system combines three brake functions (primary, secondary and parking) with an automatic, hydraulically actuated retarder operating on all four corners of the truck. These sealed, oil-cooled assemblies use a number of 34.5-inch (874.5-cm) diameter friction discs stacked alternately with same-diameter steel plates. Compressing this assembly with a hydraulically actuated piston (primary braking/retarding) or via spring pressure (secondary/parking brake) slows and stops the truck.

The 793F continues to offer the Additional Retarding option designed for long, steep downhill hauls. This option includes the Extended Life Wheel Stations package and adds a second oil-to-water cooler for brake oil, a second water pump in the brake-cooling system and larger-diameter cooling lines. Equipped with the Additional Retarding option, the 793F typically can negotiate downhill grades one gear higher, compared with trucks having standard brake/retarder assemblies. The higher gear normally allows an approximate 25-percent increase in attainable speed.

The 793F is offered with three body options: X-Body; MSD II (Mine Specific Design); and Gateless Coal Body. The X-Body uses a particularly heavy-duty design and accommodates a larger volume than previous Cat dual-slope or flat-floor bodies – but design enhancements keep the weight of the new body the same as previous bodies. The X-Body is designed primarily for new mine sites, where materials of different densities frequently must be hauled.

The MSD II Body is configured based on an evaluation of parameters at specific sites, including material density, material abrasiveness, impact potential, type of loading tool, haul road conditions and conditions at the loading and dumping sites. The MSD II Body then is custom designed to yield the best balance of payload capacity and durability when working at established mine sites, where material density likely will be consistent.

When hauling coal is the primary task, the Gateless Coal Body can be used to achieve consistently large payloads. The body is designed to retain full loads without the additional weight and complexity of a tailgate. The Gateless Coal Body is designed to be used without liners.
The new F-Series cab features an angled, centre-mounted instrument panel and a centre console. The cab provides greater viewing area when compared to the previous model. Ergonomic design of controls and displays promotes efficient and comfortable operation. Analogue-type gauges are quickly checked without losing sight of the haul road, and the integral Vital Information Management System (a powerful third-generation configuration) provides machine health and payload data, plus easy access to diagnostic and machine management information either onboard or off, via internet-based access.

Levers and switches in the console are comfortably positioned just forward of the right armrest to allow easy control with minimum effort. The fully adjustable air-suspension seat assures all-shift comfort for the operator and is available as an option for the trainer. The newly designed front and side windows give a commanding view of the haul road and work area. A 600-mm-wide (24-in-wide) stairway and walkway, assist safe entry and exit, and wide-angle mirrors, body-raised indicator, double body-retaining cables and reverse-neutralizer (when dumping) further promote safe operation.

Ed Vanderleelie, her neighbor on adjoining Mackinaw Road, says he’s tried to fill in a deep road rut in front of his mailbox to help out the postal carrier, but it’s no use. The water just washes it all away.

And Margaret and Raymond Favichia, who live across the street from Vanderleelie, had to stop inviting their friends in the Christian Motorcycle Association to visit for fear of someone hitting a good-sized pothole in front of their driveway and ending up in the ditch.

They have cracks and they need dust control 

These neighbors are irate, especially after reading an article they read Sunday in Hernando Today that the county was using $1.27 million in federal stimulus money to resurface the entire 20-mile length of the Suncoast Parkway bicycle and pedestrian trail.

They also object to county commissioners voting last week to spend $760,000 to resurface parts of Deltona Boulevard, Spring Hill Drive and Burwell Road. Commissioners reason it is cheaper to do it now when they are in good shape than wait until they deteriorate.

The county calls it preventive maintenance: resurface now, save money later.

At Tuesday’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting, Transportation Planning Coordinator Dennis Dix admitted resurfacing of the 10-year-old trail could have waited four or five years.

He said the federal stimulus money gave the county the opportunity to take care of it now without spending more money down the road.

But Brooksville Councilwoman and MPO member Lara Bradburn said she believes taxpayers would be better served by improving the Good Neighbor Trail rather than spending more than one million on the Suncoast Trail, which she called in fairly good condition.

Margaret Favichia calls it wasteful spending, especially when so many people who live on substandard and limerock roads battle daily with potholes and cracked surfaces.

"Some of these roads are being repaved and they don’t need it," said Favichia, who said it has been at least one year since any serious grading has been done on her road.

Favichia said she knew when she moved there she would have to put up with a limerock road. But the Realtor told her neighbor that in time, the road would be paved.

Three years later, it’s still not paved and the potholes and dust are getting worse.

Favichia said she and her neighbors feel neglected in Royal Highlands and believe the county is dragging its feet improving their roads.

"We bought the house with the anticipation that growth would come and the county would catch up with it and (improve) the roads," she said.

Or as her husband Ray puts it: "They’re improving the improved roads."

And he doesn’t believe he should have to petition the county to form a Multiple Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) because he already pays about $3,000 a year in taxes, which should pay for road upkeep.

Under an MSBU, the county pays one-third of road improvements and residents pay two-thirds.

County Commissioner Dave Russell defended the Suncoast Trail resurfacing project. The feds, he said, were seeking "multi-modal" projects with a wider impact on different modes of transportation. The trail, he said, was tailor-made because it involved bicycles and pedestrians and affected a wider area.

Also, limerock roads were not eligible for federal stimulus funds, Russell said.

Russell said the county is making a concerted effort to improve limerock roads and has been able to shift funds into that project. The priority for resurfacing goes to roads that are heavily traveled and connect to other highways.

Royal Highlands, like other limerock roads in the county, are routinely maintained, he said.

Russell said people know when they move to a limerock road what they are getting.

He said he lives on the far end of an unimproved private road that is not maintained by the county.

"I knew that going in," Russell said.

"Unfortunately, a lot of folks buy on limerock roads and are told by developers and builders there are plans to have the road paved and they don’t know better," he said. "When it doesn’t come to fruition, they’re upset."

Or people buy a home on a limerock road during the wet season and don’t know how much dust can be kicked up during the dry months, Russell said.

Russell said about 90 percent of the former limerock roads in Royal Highlands were paved through property owners petitioning the county for an MSBU.

And because of low interest rates and the cheap cost of paving, now is the ideal time for homeowners to go that route, he said.

County Engineer Charles Mixson said county commissioners have approved putting $390,000 into its limerock road surface treatment program to help with dust control.

Commissioners asked Mixson to do two years worth of treatment this past year, amounting to six miles of roadwork.

Mixson said he will approach county commissioners in October about an updated five-year plan to start next year’s program.

Mixson said Mackinaw Road was last graded on June 11 and Eggers Lane this past summer.

Nobody has called in a service request for either road this year, Mixson said.

Both roads are "very short roads" and only graded when needed, he said.

Meanwhile, the county engineering department has been using a less expensive alternative called "chip sealing," which is a limerock-prepared base topped with two layers of asphalt and rock.

Cost is about $130,000 per mile, or roughly 40 percent of the road paving.

The downside: Chip sealing is a short-term option and the sealant starts breaking down in 5 to 7 years, depending on traffic.

Chip sealing is what the county did on Star Road, when residents complained about the dust and condition of that limerock road.

Former Spring Hill Fire Commissioner Bob Kanner, who lives in Royal Highlands, said he finds it ridiculous the county is resurfacing roads that are barely in need of repair and neglecting ones that are more in need.

"That money would be better spent on law enforcement and other services," he said.

The sheriff has already vowed to cut the department’s anti-drug program for schools and to close his five substations for lack of money.

"This is gross negligence on spending tax money on repaving roads unnecessarily when they’re cutting back on law enforcement and fire service and there are roads here in Royal Highlands that have never been paved," Kanner said.

It’s the second time this week that officials have issued an alert for dust storms in the area, as rapidly lowering temperatures have been accompanied by strong winds.

At this time, unhealthy levels of dust are not occurring.

As part of the county’s dust-control program, air quality officials are sending notices to construction sites around the county, asking them to take precautions to prevent blowing dust.

Air Quality officials will continue to monitor the situation and will post an alert on the forecast page of the DAQEM website if unhealthy levels of dust actually occur.

Under windy conditions, localized or valley-wide areas of blowing dust are likely to occur.

Airborne dust is a form of inhalable air pollution called particulate matter, or PM, which aggravates respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma.

Children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases are urged to stay indoors during dust storms.

Residents are encouraged to call Air Quality’s dust-complaint hotline at 385-DUST to report excessive amounts of blowing dust.

Officials also recommend the following tips to keep dust down:

• Drive slowly on unpaved roads.

• Don’t take short cuts across vacant lots.

• Ride off-road vehicles in approved areas outside the urban Las Vegas Valley .

• Fence off barren property or cover it with gravel, rock or desert-friendly landscaping.

ORDINANCE PROHIBITING

DUST CONTROL

ON COUNTY ROADS

Section 1: Title of Ordinance. This Ordin-ance shall be known as the “Ordinance Prohibiting Dust Control on County Roads.”

Ok.. now this sounds logical.. If they want to keep to a standard, Fine, have the product approved before application, but to have to pay the government to do your work for you.. Please.. it just keeps getting goofier.  Sorry if this is too dramatic for dust control But Come On.

Section 2. For the purpose of promoting the public safety, health, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of public travel and to protect the public investment in public highways, it is hereby declared to be in the public’s interest to regulate and restrict the application of any type of dust control on a county road by anyone other than the Daviess County Highway Department or contracted with the Daviess County Highway Department.

Section 3. No person may apply or pay for the application of any substance to a county road for the purpose of dust prevention or for any other purpose, except for payments made to the Daviess County Highway Department. This Ordin-ance shall not apply to persons or organizations that contract with the Daviess County Highway Department to apply dust control.

Section 4. Any person who is found to be in contravention of this Ordinance shall be deemed to have committed a Class C Infraction and may be fined in a sum of up to and including, but not exceeding, Five Hun-dred Dollars ($500.00). The Daviess County High-way Attorney is hereby directed to initiate appropriate legal action against any person found to be in contravention of this Ordinance upon being presented a Complaint and Summons by the Daviess County Sheriff’s Depart-ment to be pursued as a civil matter in a Court of competent jurisdiction in Daviess County, Indiana.

Passed by the Commis-sioners of Daviess County, Indiana, this 28th day of September, 2009.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

By Anthony D. Wichman

By C. Michael Taylor

By Larry G. Wilson

ATTEST:

Gail Doades, Auditor

She had many reasons, but they boiled down to differences between living with an existing mine in a long-compromised area and bringing a new one into a more pristine site — and to differences in trust between neighbors of Freeport and of Rosemont.

Freeport’s mine — where mining has occurred for a century — employs 1,000 people and sprawls 1.5 by 2 miles in its open pit. A peek inside the 1,500 foot deep pit shows about 25 mine benches, each about 50 feet tall, heading toward the bottom. To the pit’s west lies the rocky Sierrita Mountains.

The mine processes 160,000 to 170,000 tons of ore daily, down in this recessionary area from 220,000 a year ago. Rock is blasted five days a week, three to five times daily. Electric shovels cost $25 million and stand 64 feet high. Each of 18 haul trucks can carry 162 tons for crushing. A mill building stands five stories tall.

Finally, the company’s 3,500 acre tailings impoundment stands as a testimony to past dust complaints from residents but also offers promise for future groundwater cleanups and newer dust control equipment, since the company is proposing to do a massive, very expensive cleanup of tainted groundwater lying underneath and spreading from the tailings.

At one point, Giffords marveled to company officials: “You’ve got quite a piece of land. How did it get like this?”

“One truckload at a time,” came the reply.

The company’s environmental bottom line starts with new dust collectors to capture dust off the top of the tailings. Then there is the seepage that has created an extensive sulfate plume undereath the tailings that has flowed toward public drinking wells. But the company has paid to drill two new public wells in recent years so homeowners no longer drink sulfate-tainted water that can harm the stomach and intestines.

Freeport also has developed an extensive mitigation plan to deal with the pollution, that proposes to spend $81 million to drill 16 new interceptor wells to pump that sulfate water out from under the tailings and put it back into mining operations. Community feedback has been positive from from the plan, which is under state review, Freeport’s Chad Fretz told Giffords at a meeting inside the mine’s office.

“There’s a lot of water. it’s not something we can fix overnight. There’s nothing we can do to make the plume go away tomorrow,” Fretz said. “But there are things we can do tomorrow to make sure the plume doesn’t spread.”

A new proposed tailings impoundment, slated for state-owned land lying west of the current tailings, would help the mine control water pollution underneath the tailings because this one would be lined to prevent seepage. But company officials acknowledged that there’s always a risk in trying to buy state land because by state law, it must be sold to return the highest value for public schools, which usually means to a developer. There’s no auction date set but public comments on the proposed sale close the third week of October. The company has gotten state support and is working to gain community support.

“It’s a costly approach, but we feel it is the right approach,” Fretz said.

At the meeting, Giffords told Freeport that this mine is well managed and that officials have demonstrated their ability to be good stewards and reduce their environmental impacts.

“Other mining operations don’t have the track record or history — you have a plus on your side,” Giffords said, without naming names.

After the tour, she was asked why she was opposed to Rosemont and its 400 jobs when she praised Freeport so heavily. Part of the difference lies between appreciating an existing mine and bringing in a new one, she said.

Repeating many comments she’d made before, she also pointed to the opposition from every local government to Rosemont, the huge concerns about that mine’s additional water use, whereas the water use at Freeport has been here a long time. There’s also noise and light pollution from Rosemont, said Giffords, adding: “To begin a new mine in one of the most scenic spots in the desert Southwest is a mistake.”

Finally, “we hear from constituents that by and large, about the mining operations here, we hear confidence in Freeport, in the process taking place that assures water quality. There is trust in the relationship here.

“With the Augusta mine, the process has tarnished the trust between the community and Augusta,” Giffords said. “We’ve heard dissatisfaction with the process from thousands of people. We’d like some resolution.”

Recently SCI was tested on a tank training facility that has hundreds of miles of tank trails. The test were very successful and it looks like they will be taking over the contract for dust control at this location. Details withheld until further contracts are completed at which time a formal press release will be available.

If they only used Top-Seal for their Dust control they would not need to worry about the water restrictions.

Customers of two local water companies, Antelope Run and Indiada, have been placed on mandatory water conservation.

“Indiada lost all well production, so this situation is dire. The wells for that system have literally gone dry,” said Bonnie O’Connor, president of Southwestern Utility Management, Inc., the company that runs the two utilities. “Customers on Indiada’s system had absolutely no water, but we were able to use an interconnection between Antelope Run and Indiada to provide water for those customers.”

Both water systems are now being served through Antelope Run’s water source.

“That little bit of rain we received over the weekend helped Indiada’s water supply, but it’s a minimal, short-term boost,” O’Connor said.

While sharing water with Indiada has put a strain on Antelope Run’s water system, O’Connor says Antelope Run is pumping enough gallons per minute to sustain regular household usage.

“But no excess watering can be going on right now,” she warned.

Customers have been notified about the need to conserve.

“Antelope Run and Indiada have been placed on Stage 4 water conservation, which will remain in effect until further notice,” O’Connor said. Stage 4 exists when the water storage or well production has been less than 25 percent of capacity for at least 12 consecutive hours.

“At this level, all outside watering is prohibited. People on these systems  have been notified that they’re not going to have water unless they really conserve.”

Despite tough warnings, some customers aren’t listening, O’Connor said.

“Some people are still watering gardens and filling pools. We have guys out there watching for this, and they’re trying to talk to these people so they understand the urgency. We are in a critical situation here.”

In July, Southwestern Utility Management submitted emergency surcharge requests to the Arizona Corporation Commission on behalf of the water companies. O’Connor says that money generated by the surcharge is needed to operate the systems, but is not enough to dig deeper wells or take care of necessary infrastructure upgrades the systems require.

With concerns about wells going dry, O’Connor says that requests have been submitted to the commission, urging the commission to expedite the emergency surcharge.

Under current water usage restrictions, the following is banned:

• Irrigation of outdoor lawns, trees, shrubs or any plant life.

• Washing vehicles.

• The use of water for dust control or any outdoor cleaning uses.

• Use of drip or misting systems of any kind.

• Filling swimming pools, spas, fountains or ornamental pools.

• Restaurant patrons will be served water upon request.

• All water-intensive activities.

Failure to comply results in a written notice, advising the customer to discontinue all outdoor water use. Those who fail to comply within two working days of receiving the notice will experience a temporary loss of service until an agreement can be reached. In order to restore service, the customer will be required to pay reconnection fees.

Customers who feel they have been disconnected in error can contact the utilities division of the Arizona Corporation Commission at (800) 222-7000 to initiate an investigation.

The mandatory conservation requirement will remain in effect until a written notice is given to customers through the mail.

The commissioners decided during their meeting to change the land from agricultural to industrial.

Mary Hodell, who spoke on behalf of Neighbors United at the meeting, is against the zoning change.

“Why does it have to be right in the middle of agricultural land?” Hodell asked.

Chairman Duane “Bucky” Wolf said accessibility to the railroad and Interstate 94 makes it a good place.

Hodell also wants the commission to set strict rules for the trucks going to and from the plant, saying she’s already seen trucks breaking from suggested routes.

“If you’ve got road agreements, what’s the consequence when they don’t follow this? And they haven’t been,” Hodell said.

Commissioner Russ Hoff said the road agreement between GTL and Stark County covers “anywhere from dust control to different roads that they’re taking, signage on roads, weight permits — it pretty much covers it all.”

“GTL has agreed to be held to a higher standard than we hold a lot of producers out there that are trucking a lot of grain on those roads and doing equally as much damage to those roads and I applaud them for their willingness in taking care of them,” Commissioner Jay Elkin said.

Commissioner Ken Zander said he believes most Stark County residents are in favor of the plant, saying he has heard from many residents outside of meetings about their approval of the project.

Neal Messer, spokesman for GTL Energy, attended the meeting.

“This is a beneficiation plant, which will drastically improve the quality of North Dakota lignite and any type of coal, for that matter, by a drying process which allows the coal to drastically increase the BTU value, which would make it much more competitive in the world market…” Messer said.

The same rezoning request was passed by the Zoning Board and the County Commission last year. However, a judge ruled the county did not follow proper steps and the zoning change was overturned, which caused those involved to start the process over.