Plastic Pipes Conference calls for papers
IRVING, TEXAS — The Plastic Pipes Conference Association is now accepting abstracts for its Plastic Pipes XV Conference, which will be held Sept. 20-22, 2010, in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. The deadline for abstract submission is Oct. 31, 2009.

Being held for only the second time in North America, the 30-year-old conference series will feature more than 100 presentations in the areas of sustainability, conservation, energy, water, plumbing, drainage, mining, industrial, and irrigation. In addition to the technical sessions, Plastic Pipes XV will feature exhibits showcasing the latest developments in plastic piping systems testing, design, and manufacturing.

Additional information, including a downloadable abstract submission form and sponsorship opportunities, is available online at www.ppxv.org

Sustainable land development best practices system released
DUBUQUE, IOWA — Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI) is releasing what it calls “the world’s first comprehensive sustainable land development best practices system.” Pilot testing is underway, including a residential greenfield project, a commercial brownfield project, a mixed-use urban revitalization project, and a mixed-use rural conservation project.

SLDI said the Best Practices System is “descriptive rather than prescriptive … [guiding] decision-making throughout the process toward more sustainable results rather than requiring specific practices and/or products be utilized during design and construction.”

Public comment opens on water utility guidelines
Reston, Va. — The American Society of Civil Engineers’ Environmental and Water Resources Institute (ASCE/EWRI) is conducting a public comment period from Oct. 15, 2009, through Nov. 30, 2009, on two professional standards: Guidelines for the Physical Security of Water Utilities and Guidelines for the Physical Security of Wastewater/Stormwater Utilities. The drafts of these guidelines were developed as a joint effort between ASCE and the American Water Works Association with technical input from the Water Environment Federation under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

To participate, contact Lee Kusek, ASCE Codes & Standards administrator, at lkusek@asce.org.