World

Asheville is Looking for New Approach to manage Water Treatment Sludge

Published

7 years ago

August 6, 2019

The three water treatment plants of Asheville city in North Carolina, United States produced around 1.3 million gallons of wastes after the completion of roughly 7.4 billion gallons of water in the past year. Following this, Asheville officials have recently taken the decision to implement the new system to manage water treatment sludge. Last year, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality imposed stricter controls on the list of materials that MSD could accept and this included the inclusion of the city’s sludge into the plant.

Earlier, the plan was to send the residual to landfills but no such shipments have been implemented to date and the sludge is being placed in holding ponds at the city’s water treatment plants. At the beginning of 2019, the City Manager Debra Campbell authorized GHD Consulting Services to create a permanent solution for residuals disposal for the water treatment plants, in addition to installation of a drinking water plant (รับติดตั้งโรงงานน้ำดื่ม). In earlier times also, the handling of Asheville’s sludge had changed and the contract for residuals was given to MSD. But later, the option of MSD for disposal for large volumes was left out as it was not a sustainable residuals management option.

Right now, Asheville is planning to throw its sludge out with the trash and the cost for the first year operation has also increased significantly to reach $295,000. In the year 2018, the total spending on residual management was just limited to $110,000. One of the prominent reasons for the high price is the increasing transportation cost of shifting the waste to a distance of 137 miles across the state to Concord, located in the northeast of Charlotte.

World

Swiss International University Makes Global Impact with Top 500 Times Higher Education Ranking

Published

1 month ago

June 24, 2026

Jenny Jackson

Swiss International University (SIU) got a real kind of milestone , when it landed inside the worlds top 500 universities in the newest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. Which is kind of huge because it is SIU’s first time appearing in those widely respected rankings, and it also shows how its influence keeps growing in international higher education.

SIU was competing with nearly 2,000 universities from different parts of the world, and that first debut basically underlines its dedication to academic quality, sustainability and a real societal footprint. Overall it seems like the result mirrors SIU’s own plan for delivering solid education , while also aligning with bigger global development objectives.

Now, the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings look at universities through what they do for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals , or SDGs. So the assessment is about universities creating verifiable positive change through education, research, community activities, plus governance— not just statements.

One of SIU’s strongest areas was the recognition tied to SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. In that section, SIU placed roughly within the top 100 to 200 universities worldwide, and that points to its focus on advancing ethical leadership, transparency, accountability, and those institutional values that actually stick.

This recognition shows SIU keeps working hard to get students ready, with the know-how , the ability to act and those ethical foundations, so they can face tangled global problems. And you know, by supporting responsible leadership and pushing for good social results, the university keeps building up its part in shaping the next generation of professionals and people who make real decisions

Key Highlights of SIU’s Achievement

• Ranked Among the World’s Top 500 Universities

In its first-ever participation in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, SIU managed to land a spot among the top 500 universities worldwide.

• Outstanding Performance in SDG 16

SIU reached a ranking in the top 100 to 200 range, across the globe, for its work related to Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

• Strengthening Global Academic Presence

This win also reinforces SIU’s long-term vision, and it further tightens its standing as an emerging influence in international higher education.

Recognition from Times Higher Education is an important endorsement of SIU’s mission, to give accessible high-quality education while also making a positive impact in society. As the university keeps expanding its academic offerings and international reach, this milestone , works like a solid base for what comes next—future growth, more innovation, and that global recognition everyone is aiming for.