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WATER POLLUTION AND TREATMENTWHAT ARE NITRATES AND NITRITES?What exactly are Nitrates and Nitrites and where do they come from? The following information is from Wikipedia. “In inorganic chemistry, a nitrate is a salt of nitric acid with an ion composed of one nitrogen and three oxygen atoms (NO−3). In organic chemistry the esters of nitric acid and various alcohols are called nitrates “In most cases of excess nitrate concentrations in aquatic systems, the primary source is surface runoff from agricultural or landscaped areas which have received excess nitrate fertilizer. “These levels of nitrate can also lead to algae blooms, and when nutrients become limiting (such as potassium, phosphate or nitrate) then eutrophication can occur. As well as leading to water anoxia, these blooms may cause other changes to ecosystem function, favoring some groups of organisms over others. Consequently, as nitrates form a component of total dissolved solids, they are widely used as an indicator of water quality.” “How will Nitrates/Nitrites be detected in and removed from my drinking water? “The regulation for nitrates/nitrites became effective in 1992. Between 1993 and 1995, EPA required your water supplier to collect water samples at least once a year and analyze them to find out if nitrates/nitrites are present above 50% of their MCLs. If it is present above this level, the system must continue to monitor this contaminant every 3 months. “If contaminant levels are found to be consistently above their MCLs, your water supplier must take steps to reduce the amount of nitrates/nitrites so that they are consistently below that level.” (Wikipedia) “How will I know if Nitrates/Nitrites are in my drinking water?” “If the levels of nitrates/nitrites exceed their MCLs, the system [water supplier] must notify the public via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health.” (Wikipedia) For 30 years the terrorists have said the alleged high Nitrate content in our water and the Bay were caused by Los Osos on-site septic systems. At no time during this period did any of the three water companies in Los Osos announce high levels of Nitrate or take any actions to provide drinking water. The people charged with monitoring the public water supply gave it a clean bill of health. Another fear tactic used by the terrorists is to continually talk about “fecal coliform” in the water from our on-site systems. The information from Wikipedia below sheds light on the true impact of coliform, what it really is and where it comes from. FECAL COLIFORM“Fecal coliform: As recently as April 2006, many official websites including that of the Environmental Protection Agency failed to address the fact that presence of fecal coliforms does not necessarily indicate the presence of feces, as well as not being directly harmful.” (Wikipedia) “Fecal coliforms (fecal bacteria) as indicator of water quality “Basics of fecal coliform (fecal bacteria) bacteria “In general, increased levels of fecal coliforms (fecal bacteria) provide a warning of failure in water treatment, a break in the integrity of the distribution system, or possible contamination with pathogens. When levels are high there may be an elevated risk of waterborne gastroenteritis. Tests for the bacteria are cheap, reliable and rapid (two-day incubation). “The presence of fecal coliform (fecal bacteria) in aquatic environments may indicate that the water has been contaminated with the fecal material of man or other animals. Fecal coliform bacteria can enter rivers through direct discharge of waste from mammals and birds, from agricultural and storm runoff, and from the main human sewage. However their presence may also be the result of plant material, and pulp or paper mill effluent. “Pets, especially dogs, can contribute to fecal contamination of surface waters. Runoff from roads, parking lots, and yards can carry animal wastes to streams through storm sewers. “Birds can be a significant source of fecal coliform bacteria. Swans, geese, seagulls, and other waterfowl can all elevate bacterial counts, especially in wetlands, lakes, ponds, and rivers” [and the Bay]. Sentinel note: In the early 2000s it was determined through extensive DNA testing of Morro Bay and the estuary that birds were the single most prominent contributors to the coliform levels, followed by agriculture runoff and old vegetation. (Morro Bay is a bird sanctuary.) POINT AND NON-POINT POLLUTANT SOURCES
“There are two classifications of pollution to groundwater: Point and non-point. GROUNDWATER POLLUTIONIt is important to have a true, scientific understanding of Groundwater Pollution and Leach Fields in order to easily comprehend the Los Osos situation. According to world-class experts, because of our unique sand and other related soil attributes, Los Osos has one of the best conditions in the nation for treating wastewater from on-site systems. In order to further reader understanding, The Los Osos Sentinel has included material from Wikipedia that clearly describes the complexity of groundwater pollution. “Interactions between groundwater and surface water are complex. Consequently, groundwater pollution, sometimes referred to as groundwater contamination, is not as easily classified as surface water pollution.[4] “By its very nature, groundwater aquifers are susceptible to contamination from sources that may not directly affect surface water bodies, and the distinction of point vs. non-point source may be irrelevant. “A spill of a chemical contaminant on soil, located away from a surface water body, may not necessarily create point source or non-point source pollution, but none-the-less may contaminate the aquifer below. “Analysis of groundwater contamination may focus on soil characteristics and hydrology, as well as the nature of the contaminant itself. “Oxygen-depleting substances may be natural materials, such as plant matter (e.g. leaves and grass) as well as man-made chemicals. Other natural and anthropogenic substances may cause turbidity (cloudiness) which blocks light and disrupts plant growth, and clogs the gills of some fish species.” (Wikipedia) CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTIONPathogens “Many of the chemical substances are toxic. Pathogens can produce waterborne diseases in either human or animal hosts. Alteration of water's physical chemistry include acidity (change in pH), electrical conductivity, temperature, and eutrophication. Eutrophication is the fertilization of surface water by nutrients that were previously scarce.” “Coliform bacteria are a commonly-used bacterial indicator of water pollution, although not an actual cause of disease. Other microorganisms sometimes found in surface waters which have caused human health problems include: • Cryptosporidium parvum • Giardia lamblia • Salmonella • Novovirus and other viruses • Parasitic worms (helminths).[8][9] “High levels of pathogens may result from inadequately treated sewage discharges. This can be caused by a sewage plant designed with less than secondary treatment. Pathogen discharges may also be caused by poorly-managed livestock operations.” Sentinel note: The DNA study of Morro Bay and the estuary rated ag runoff as the second highest source of contamination. LEACH FIELDS“Septic drain fields are used to remove contaminants and impurities from the liquid that emerges from the septic tank. Another term for this is a leach field or leach drain. A septic tank, the septic drain field, and the associated piping compose a complete septic system. The septic drain field is effective for disposal of organic materials readily catabolized by a microbial ecosystem. “The drain field typically consists of an arrangement of trenches containing perforated pipes and porous material (often gravel) covered by a layer of soil to prevent animals and surface runoff from reaching the wastewater distributed within those trenches.[1] Primary design considerations are hydraulic for the volume of wastewater requiring disposal and catabolic for the long-term biochemical oxygen demand of that wastewater.” (Wikipedia) It is important to understand what a leach field is and how it works. With this knowledge you will understand the necessity of pumping down the groundwater near the Bay and how wastewater is safely treated before being released back into the aquifer. “In general, sandy soil [like Los Osos’] will absorb more water than soil with a high concentration of clay or where the water table is close to the surface. (As it is around the Bay). LEACH FIELD ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMIf Los Osos did not have the optimum soil conditions for treating septic discharge, and if there were really problems with effluent leaking into the Bay, the mound system would be a far better alternative than a billion-dollar vaccine-resistant, deadly pathogen-producing factory. “A mound system is an alternative to the traditional rural septic system leach field. The mound system is an engineered leaching field used in areas where septic systems are more prone to failure due to having extremely slow or extremely fast permeable soils, soil with shallow cover over porous bedrock, and soils that have high seasonal water table [1] “The primary waste liquids cleaning and purification action in a leaching field is performed by a biofilm in the loose fill surrounding the perforated drain tile. If the soil permeability is too low, liquid is not absorbed fast enough, resulting in surface ponding of unsanitary liquids. If the soil permeability is too high, or is exposed fractured bedrock, the wastewater quickly penetrates down to the water table before the biofilm has time to purify the water, leading to contamination of the aquifer. In either situation, the mound system provides an ideal habitat for the biofilm and has the correct balance of permeability to assure slow absorption of effluent into the mound before exiting as purified water into the surrounding environment.” AEROBIC TREATMENT SYSTEMThis type of system is a viable, cost-effective system for new homes, subdivision, and to upgrade a broken or irreparable on-site septic system. Not only is it a cost-effective, environmentally friendly waste disposal system, it recycles treated water for irrigation. “An aerobic treatment system or ATS, often called (incorrectly) an aerobic septic system, is a small scale sewage treatment system similar to a septic tank system, but which uses an aerobic process for digestion rather than just the anaerobic process used in septic systems. These systems are commonly found in rural areas where public sewers are not available, and may be used for a single residence or for a small group of homes. “Unlike the traditional septic system, the aerobic treatment system produces a high quality secondary effluent, which can be sterilized and used for surface irrigation. This allows much greater flexibility in the placement of the leach field, as well as cutting the required size of the leach field by as much as half.” (Wikipedia) BIOFILTER“When a septic tank is used in combination with a biofilter, the height and area of the drain field can be reduced. This technology allows higher density residential construction, minimal site disturbance, offers more usable land for trees or swimming pools or gardens, and greatly reduces the chances of the drain field plugging up. “Biofiltration is a pollution-control technique using living material to capture and biologically degrade process pollutants. Common uses include processing waste water, capturing harmful chemicals or silt from surface runoff, and microbiotic oxidation of contaminants in air.” BIOSWALE“Bioswales are landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. They consist of a swaled drainage course with gently sloped sides (less than 6%) and filled with vegetation, compost and/or riprap. “The water's flow path, along with the wide and shallow ditch, is designed to maximize the time water spends in the swale, which aids the trapping of pollutants and silt. Depending upon the geometry of land available, a bioswale may have a meandering or almost straight channel alignment. Biological factors also contribute to the breakdown of certain pollutants. “A common application is around parking lots, where substantial automotive pollution is collected by the paving and then flushed by rain. The bioswale, or other type of biofilter, wraps around the parking lot and treats the runoff before releasing it to the watershed or storm sewer.” (Wikipedia) CONTAMINATES ADDRESSED“There are several classes of water pollutants that may be arrested with bioswales. These fall into the categories of silt, inorganic contaminants, organic chemicals and pathogens. “In the case of silt, these effects are resultant turbidity to receiving waters. Inorganic compounds may be metallic compounds such as lead, chromium, cadmium and other heavy metals. Lead is the most prevalent chemical of this class, deriving from automotive residue (e.g. surface spillage of leaded gasoline). “Other common inorganic compounds are macronutrients such as phosphates and nitrates. Principal sources of these nutrients are excess fertilization, which can cause eutrophication in receiving waters. [Los Osos is surrounded by agriculture land]. “Chief organic chemicals are pesticides, frequently over-dosed in agricultural and urban landscaping. These chemicals can lead to a variety of organism poisoning and aquatic ecosystem disturbance. “Pathogens typically derive from surface runoff containing animal wastes and can lead to a variety of diseases in humans and aquatic organisms.” Sentinel note: The 11 illegal, “poorly constructed” monitoring wells in Los Osos have allowed “animal waste” and other contaminates into the Los Osos water supply since 1982. “Examples. In 1996 for Willamette River Park in Portland, Oregon, a total of 2330 lineal feet of bioswale was designed and installed to capture pollutant runoff from entering the Willamette River. Intermittent check dams were installed to further abet silt capture, with the outcome of reducing 50% of all suspended solids entering the river system.” Nutrient runoff Manure spreader “Nitrogen and phosphorus are key pollutants found in runoff, and they are applied to farmland in several ways: • commercial fertilizer • animal manure • municipal or industrial wastewater (effluent) or sludge. “These chemicals may also enter runoff from crop residues, irrigation water, wildlife, and atmospheric deposition.[4]:p. 2-9 Farmers can develop and implement nutrient management plans to mitigate impacts on water quality.” Sediment runoff Highly erodible soils on a farm in Iowa. “Soil washed off fields is the largest source of agricultural pollution in the United States. “Excess sediment causes high levels of turbidity in water bodies, which can inhibit growth of aquatic plants, clog fish gills and smother animal larvae.”[1] NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION“Non-point source pollution from farms is caused by surface runoff from fields during rain storms. Agricultural runoff is a major source of pollution, in some cases, the only source in many watersheds.”[1] (NOT ON-SITE SEPTIC SYSTEMS!) PERCOLATION TESTThere is a simple test to show the ability of soil to treat waste. It’s known as the Percolation Test. “A percolation test (from percolation, colloquially called a perc test) is a test to determine the absorption rate of soil for a septic drain field or “leach field.” The results of a percolation test are required to properly design a septic system. “In its broadest terms, percolation testing is simply observing how quickly a known volume of water dissipates into the subsoil of a drilled hole of known surface area. While every jurisdiction will have its own laws regarding the exact calculations for the length of line, depth of pit, etc., the testing procedures are the same. “In general, sandy soil will absorb more water than soil with a high concentration of clay or where the water table is close to the surface.” (Wikipedia) TESTING METHOD“A percolation test consists of digging one or more holes in the soil of the proposed leach field to a specified depth, presoaking the holes by maintaining a high water level in the holes, then running the test by filling the holes to a specific level and timing the drop of the water level as the water percolates into the surrounding soil. There are various empirical formulae for determining the required size of a leach field based on the size of facility, the percolation test results, and other parameters. “For leach line testing (the most common type throughout most of the country), a minimum of three test holes are drilled, most commonly six to eight inches in diameter. Ideally, these should be drilled to different depths from three to six feet below the surface. For better, more conclusive results, five drill holes are used in a pattern of one hole at each corner of the proposed leach field and one test hole in the center. Testing of these holes will result in a value with units of minutes per inch. This value is then correlated to a predetermined county health code to establish the exact size of the leach field. “Testing for horizontal pits typically requires five to eight test holes drilled in a straight line, or along a common contour, from three to ten feet below the surface. Testing is identical to leach line testing, though the end result is a different type of septic system, established through a different calculation. “Vertical seepage pits are slightly different in testing methods due to their large size, but the basic testing method is essentially the same. A hole, typically three to four feet in diameter is drilled to a depth of 20 or 30 feet (depending on the local groundwater table), and a fire hose is used to fill the pit as quickly as possible, and then, again, its dissipation rate is observed. This rate is used to calculate the size and number of pits necessary for a viable septic system. “Finally, for leach line systems and horizontal seepage pits, a "deep hole" is drilled to find the water table or to approximately 12 feet (dry). Exact depths will again depend on local health codes. In the case of a vertical seepage pit, local groundwater data may be used, or if the drill hole reaches groundwater, the pit will be backfilled again according to county health codes.” (Wikipedia) Since 1970, there has been an ever-increasing nation-wide public awareness of the dangers of central sewers that has prompted a considerable number of federal and state laws and regulations regarding water conservation, waste water management and other clean water requirements to be revised or enacted. For decades, the common (and only) wisdom believed to be safe wastewater management was to build a mega-sewer. Since the mid-1990s, technology and science have proven this “wisdom” prehistoric, archaic and dangerous to public health. It has been scientifically proven that sewers are a direct cause of many deadly diseases and devastating ecological hazards. In recent years, the CDC and other responsible national and international agencies have identified a frightening number of deadly vaccine-resistant pathogens that are bred in central sewer wastewater and sludge. Some of these pathogens are airborne, others are released into the public water from sewage spills, flooding and even deliberate intent. When a sewage spill occurs (and they always do with every central sewer), the Bay, estuary and public water are in danger of being inundated with these deadly vaccine-resistant pathogens. Wildlife and humans will be in grave danger. It won’t take much to transmit these deadly pathogens; a drink of water, swimming or wading into the Bay or estuary or simply breathing. It’s because of these serious threats to public health and safety that the USEPA reversed its policy regarding sewers and is in full support of on-site systems which include individual septic systems and Cluster Plants where necessary. More and more responsible cities and counties are placing public safety and clean, reusable water above political and economic interests by adopting laws and regulations that discourage or forbid central sewers and promote on-site systems. They recognize the necessity of a Septic Tank Maintenance Program that monitors all on-site systems, providing a safe, efficient mechanism that will identify a problem before there is little or no danger to the public water. There are an increased number of state and Federal Grants available for Cluster Plants and other more responsible, safer and cost-effective systems, as well as to help pay for a new or upgraded system for qualifying individuals. The LOCSD or the County could apply for larger Grants that would allow them to act as the central source for funds to help low-income residents repair or replace their on-site systems. A required inspection of Los Osos on-site systems every two to five years would guarantee no pollution and safe, affordable water. Instead of residents being forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars per household for a deadly, vaccine-resistant, pathogen-producing factory, they would invest a nominal $25 or $50 dollar per year fee to support the On-Site Maintenance Program. The RWQCB damage control mailer continues by attacking pumping down the groundwater: “Could we solve the problem by dewatering the shallow aquifer?” The first sentence deceives the public by stating that it would cost more to pump down the groundwater than build the most expensive (per-capita) mega-sewer system in the history of the world. They end with the lie that pumping would be “… in violation of environmental laws.” Sentinel note: Whenever the terrorists cite law or regulation in defense of challenges, they NEVER include any of the referenced laws in their texts. The Sentinel conducted extensive research into state and federal laws regarding pumping down the groundwater. We found that there are specific requirements and procedures in place and that pumping down of the groundwater is not only legal, it is encouraged as a necessary and responsible water management practice. In fact, pumping is necessary to maintain properly working Leach Fields. Leach Fields are best served when the groundwater is maintained at a proper level. If the groundwater is too high, the Leach Fields are unable to properly or expediently filter the wastewater. When it rains in high groundwater areas there is contaminated overflow. The terrorists included a number of lies regarding the costs and infeasibility of pumping down the groundwater. In order to psychologically create the illusion of a serious problem that only a massive central sewer would be capable of handling, they repeatedly included the empty phrase “extensive treatment.” What “extensive treatment?” Each on-site system takes care of the individual residence or business. There is no “extensive treatment” required. |
