water in space!

Interesting blog item from the Discovery network here. Scientists in Utah have developed a way to test for chemicals in water; it is being tried by the astronauts in the space station. This technology might also eventually help in ensuring safe water in poor countries. A good example of space exploration inspiring inventions that eventually, er, trickle down to help problems on Earth.

Posideon desalinization a go?

news reports indicate that the desalinization plant planned for Carlsbad, California, is on the homestretch getting approval from the California Coastal Commission. Reading between the lines of news reports, apparently there were rumblings from CCC staff that with budget cuts and furloughs, they wouldn't be able to get paperwork done in time before existing permits expired and Poseidon would have to start over with the regulators (there were also rumblings that CCC staffers wouldn't be heartbroken if this happened). But after legislation was introduced extending the time Poseidon had to get everything wrapped up, CCC said it could finish the paperwork on time, don't worry about it.....

http://www.waterworld.com/index/display/article-display/8923725763/s-articles/s-waterworld/s-drinking-water/s-treatment/s-desalination/s-2009/s-09/s-deadline-avoided_.html