water

 by Water

Water, Water Everywhere

water-water-everywhere_300x232

Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.
– “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”

Water is everywhere–in fact, it’s so omnipresent that we often take it for granted. One place where we often forget its presence is in literature.

Take some of the famous works of literature, such as Huckleberry Finn and The Wizard of Oz. Have you ever thought about the role that water plays in each story?

In Huckleberry Finn, the Mississippi River is Jim’s ticket to freedom. Its steady flow connects a country deeply divided by the issue of slavery, an issue that divides Huck’s own mind. While those he respects most have told him that slaves are subhuman, Huck’s own experience shows him another, very different story. Jim has a deep love for his family, works to shield Huck from the harshness of his world, and is willing to risk everything to to live as a free man. Mark Twain uses Huck and Jim’s journey down the Mississippi to take us on a journey of our own, where we as well as Huck must decide what it means to be human.

Water plays a much different role in The Wizard of Oz. The story opens in a tired farm in Kansas where the ground is so dry that its lips have cracked open, desperate for water. In a few terrifying moments, a tornado carries a tiny girl named Dorothy, her dog, and her home to the mysterious land of Oz. A witch so wicked as to have her wickedness attached to her very name has intimidated the local population to the point that only an outsider can stand up to her. At this witch’s word, the perfume of beautiful flowers becomes deadly intoxicating, monkeys become flying assassins, and the Wizard himself melts like putty! Only an outsider, little Dorothy, can stand against her. While all Dorothy wants is to get home, she’s thrust into an adventure where her weapon is… that’s right: water! The film version of this classic story extends the story arc even further, showing rain coming to Dorothy’s farm–delivering her family from something even more evil than the Wicked Witch: the evil domination of drought!

The next time you’re reading a book or watching a movie, look for the role that water plays. You may be surprised at what you find!

Can you think of a common story where water plays a significant part?

in Waterblogged 0 comments
 by Water

Alliance Announces New Company at Inventrek

This article was originally published on November 13, 2009 in the Kokomo Perspective

The Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance has announced that Criterion Water Labs, LLC, will become the newest tenant at Inventrek Technology Park, 700 E. Firmin St., when it begins testing water samples Nov. 23.

“Criterion is another example of our strategy to build new businesses based on our local assets in an encouraging and cost effective manner,” Jeb Conrad, Alliance president and CEO, said. “They are a great addition to our business environment and Inventrek Park.”

Coli form and e-coli bacteria can be a health issue in any water supply, and, as a Microbiological Testing Laboratory, Criterion Water Labs, LLC, can help local businesses, homeowners, well drillers, church officials – any one needing water testing – monitor their water sources.

Criterion owners David and Ann Ihms have lived in the Russiaville area since 1987. David has a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Missouri- Rolla, which is now the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He is a senior project engineer at Delphi Electronics in Kokomo. Ann has bachelor of science and master of science degrees in materials engineering from the same university. She has worked at Delphi Electronics in Kokomo and as the chemical hygiene officer for Indiana Wesleyan University.

David will continue to work at Delphi, but he will oversee Ann’s work in Criterion’s lab. Ann completed the Fast Trac Tech Venture program that Inventrek offered in June.

“That excellent entrepreneurial course gave us the information and confidence we needed to create a small business and hopefully make it an asset for the community,” Ann said.

Criterion also will provide a package of water conditioning tests to help customers monitor what their water conditioning needs are and how well their systems are meeting that need.

“As an outside source, we can help provide information without trying to sell the conditioning system,” Ann said.

Criterion also is working with Indiana University-Kokomo on a grant to use interns in the lab. “We hope to be a resource to encourage young people in the fields of biology and chemistry,” Ann said.

Criterion Water is gathering local water information for its website ( www.criterionwaterlabs.com ) and will develop educational materials about groundwater and environmental issues.

“Criterion makes it easy to have your water tested,” Ann said. “It is extremely important to collect a water sample in a correct manner and to have it tested quickly because mailing a test lab can have time and temperature problems.”

Sample collection information is on the Web site (www.criterionwaterlabs.com).

Currently, Criterion can give a customer data on chlorine/chloride, hardness, iron, ammonia, nitrates, fluoride, coli forms, and e-coli.

Starting on Nov. 23, water samples can be dropped off at Criterion’s Lab at Inventrek from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday and by appointment at Inventrek or Criterion’s Russiaville office, 8166 West County Road 200 South.

For more information call Ann Ihms at 883-7681 or 438-4995, or visit the company’s Web site: www.criterionwaterlabs.com.

in Waterblogged 0 comments