Ugly Side of Wastewater Treatment

[Half Ton]

More specifically on the West Fork of the White River.

http://5newsonline.com/2014/04/07/west- ... ite-river/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

thankfully downstream of boatball venue

[JB2012]

When I hear people rage about big government regulation, I always think they are a little on the nuuty side. In experience--and I'm an old man--most government regulation is more in theory than fact. This is another example. I predict that this waste water problem will exist for at least another six months.

[Cowper]

Another six months? I hope that is all!

In the interest of being "fair and balanced", two tales:

Case 1: Several years ago, Roger Head noted a funny odor while taking a stroll under the bridge over the Little Buffalo river in Jasper, we walked upstream until we located the exact point of discharge. A report was filed with ADEQ, but was also backed up with a personal phone call to someone who near the top of the food chain in that organization. Inspectors were dispatched, a stuck valve was freed, and the overflow was terminated within days.

Case 2: Last year, I reported an overflow occurring at a manhole cover in Hot Springs on Gulpha Creek. I learned that this was a known problem in Hot Springs that occurs "after every storm", because the old sewer system has places where storm water leaks into the system, causing it to overflow at the low points. I heard things like "they have a plan to fix it, but it's going to cost a lot of money". Which really means "we know how to fix it, but we don't have the money." I looked at the official report filed by the city, and using some basic math and USGS data on when the rains occurred, estimated that the City underestimated the amount of sewage which had overflowed by at least a factor of 8, and was incorrect because it said there was "no human contact" with the overflow, when the thing had been reported precisely because humans were in contact with the water. When I pointed these things out to ADEQ, they didn't even bother to respond to the e-mail, so I'm guessing that the report was tucked away in a file somewhere without being corrected.

If you know of an overflow, do whatever you can to keep the public pressure up and make sure that the source problem is dealt with. Otherwise, I think you'll find my "Case 2" is the more likely outcome.

[Half Ton]

Allegedly, this one has been occurring over a 12 year period....or MORE

I'll put 3 yrs on the total problem, but would gladly accept 6 months. This system is set to be shut down and decommissioned, so no major investments will occur and daily fines would be more cost effective than fixing....

[hollohead]

Wish there were more people like Cowper, but this thread makes a point without trying. One person upset about people "raging" against big gov., then Cowper making the point that big gov. does not do it's job even when told about problems. Which brings me to my point; you can love big gov. and regulations all you want, but if you don't hold big gov. accountable, and if big gov. is not effective, than you are no different than people "raging"? about big gov. Bottom line is that if government is accountable, effective, and efficient, than there would be no need for such rages. To hell with big.gov, give me GOOD gov. anytime.

[okieboater]

The voters send almost all of the incumbents back, regardless of performance.

Congress has voted so many perks for them selves and government bureaucrats it seems obscene to those of us who pay taxes plus there is no incentive for good management performance when your budget gets an automatic cost of inflation increase each year no matter how you manage it.

Congress passes laws with no idea how to finance them or follow up to see if they work. The President may or may not enforce those laws.

I am sure they are out there, but sadly, "good" government or government employees are sure hard to find these days.