Problematic waste disposal long time concern for local officials….
The history of lax septic management in West Sonoma County has been considered problematic for many years because of a very difficult environment that includes sliding slopes, big floods, high ground water, and towering trees that shake and sometimes fall during heavy winds. The mostly substandard lots can contain inadequate septic systems, especially on steep hillsides and river banks, that may leak during heavy rains (other times also) ending up in the Russian River.
Conventional sewer has not proven to be the best way to go in our very constrained and volatile west county environment partly because of the extraordinary construction costs and limited financial assistance. (Several years back, plans for both Monte Rio sewer system and Camp Meeker/Occidental came in at $22 million each for about 600 hookups.) Numerous leaders have tried to address the problem for some communities and have mostly failed. Occidental has been out of compliance with their permit for almost 20 years and are now under orders to build a new system by 2017.
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Sonoma County Gazette, February 2015: Another Great American Heroine
Two Great American Heroines….
Theo Colborn died a month ago at the age of 87. She was the Rachel Carson of our time, a tireless advocate in the field of endocrine disruption, also referred to euphemistically these days as contaminants of emerging concern (CEC’s). But these concerns have been emerging for the last 50 years or more and it is our impression that not enough has been done in that time by elected representatives and governmental agency officials to address the issue, while humans beings, wildlife, and aquatic life, usually unknowingly, are paying the price for this neglect.
Rachel Carson taught us about the devastating effects of pesticides, especially DDT, on songbirds and other creatures, and was severely chastised for her views by some, while given hero status by others. Carson challenged the belief that man could and should control nature with poisonous products, and she spoke extensively of the price to be paid for our assault upon the land in order to control the ‘pests’. She tragically died from breast cancer in 1964 at the age of 57. Many other pesticides have replaced DDT since then, but the problem of toxicity of our soils, waterways, food, fish and wildlife, etc. have remained.
Questions About SCWA Water Data
RRWPC letter sent to State Water Resources Control Board, November 25, 2014
Re: Dec. 2, 2014 Agenda Item # 5:
Update on Emergency Water Conservation RegulationI am writing on behalf of Russian River Watershed Protection Committee (RRWPC). As residents, business, and property owners of the lower Russian River, and with concern for water quality and quantity in our lower river environment, we have been tracking water use and conservation practices by Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) prime contractors for many years, including Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, North Marin Water District, Sonoma, Valley of the Moon, and Windsor. In the past, we have spoken to your board regarding irrigated wastewater (Recycled Water Policy) and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals.
November 2014 Newsletter
November, 2014 Dear RRWPC Supporter:
With the end of the year almost upon us, it’s time to recount RRWPC’s accomplishments, count our blessings, and look to the future to see where we go next. For the last 35 years, RRWPC has served as an articulate voice for protection of the lower Russian River. We have carefully studied the issues, respectfully spoken truth to power, and continued to maintain our independent voice on behalf of the river environment. Santa Rosa leaders and the Press Democrat have openly acknowledged RRWPC’s significant role in removing Santa Rosa wastewater discharges from the river.
This last year we have written numerous articles for the Sonoma County Gazette on urban water supply and drought, Regional Water Board pathogen studies and anticipated septic rules to come, and problems with urban over-irrigation of wastewater and inadequate regulation of toxins in wastewater (see website http://www.rrwpc.org). To substantiate irrigation runoff, we have gone out on many occasions to photograph its occurrence in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park. We have urged the Regional Board to take strong action against repeat offenders and they are currently working on the issue. It is noteworthy that wherever we saw irrigation systems turned on, runoff was occurring.
Sonoma County Gazette, November, 2014: The Drought
Urban Conservation Report Card:
20% goal not met….
Who’s paying attention?
Most people served by public water systems are accustomed to turning on the tap and water flows out. Busy urban dwellers seldom ponder where their water is coming from, how it gets to their taps, or whether reservoir supplies are adequate. City planners generally rely on ‘paper water’ for new development, i.e., estimated projections of how much future water is expected to be available.
What motivates people to pay attention to water use? How much attention has been paid to media publicity repeatedly announcing we are in a drought? Do people notice the pictures of depleted reservoirs? The new heroes are those who look at their dying lawns with pride! In this time of dire shortage, the difference between green and brown has become the symbol of who cares and who doesn’t.
Sonoma County Gazette, October 2014: Septic Upgrades
New sewer regulations on the way…..The North Coast Regional Board is gearing up to develop new septic regulations to satisfy requirements of AB 885, a controversial regulation in the making for over ten years and finally approved a few years ago. AB 885’s intent is to clean up waterways allegedly polluted by failing septics, and its implementation in our area relies on their assessment of bacterial problems in the lower Russian River, a process to be completed within two years.
Russian River Watershed Protection Committee supports requirements that provide assurance of environmental protections that address health concerns and beneficial uses, yet appropriately distributes responsibility for identified problems.