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Major pipe break causes raw sewage spill into Russian River….
Leaking ‘water’ was reported near the Vacation Beach pump station late in the day on February 12th. When Water Agency crews were on site the following day, attempting to repair a leak, the 16” pipe broke and began spewing about 40,000 gallons an hour of raw sewage that ended up in the river nearby. It is estimated that about 100,000 gallons entered the river before a vacuuming operation began transferring the still leaking sewage to eight tanker trucks holding up to 5,000 gallons each and transporting it to the nearby treatment plant for processing. The pipe was repaired by early the next day.
This event came a few days after a four day period of heavy rain that dropped about a foot of water in the general area. Because of leaky pipes throughout the system, it is likely that excessive water entered the pipes. The break was located near the end of the collection system where it was probably under heavy pressure to move vast amounts of collected sewage after a significant rain event.
DROUGHT! This word is foremost in Californian’s minds these days, and no less in Sonoma County. Recent Press Democrat headlines shout, “Water officials say turn off that tap”, with the added mantra of: “The drought is on; Turn the water off!” This energetic winter water conservation campaign by Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) and their nine major contractors is a first.
If no significant rain occurs between now and July, Lake Mendocino, serving Mendocino and northern Sonoma County, may be completely drained (based on average use over last several months). Rainfall in 2013 was only one fourth of the average amount. Water Agency claims it’s the driest of all 119 years of record keeping.
Last year SCWA had petitioned State Water Board and, concerned about having enough water for salmonid fish, was granted the right to implement reduced summer flows in response to the lack of spring rain.
Potable water is irreplaceable….
Fresh, clean potable water is irreplaceable, yet instances of sullying limited water supplies with endocrine disrupting, cancer causing, birth defect resulting chemicals are growing day by day. Approximately 80,000 chemicals have been identified, including many pharmaceutical products, with at least 1000 labeled as endocrine disruptors. The array of sources for chemical entry into our water supply includes wastewater discharges, irrigation and storm water runoff, industrial spills, etc. Their mixtures blend into an undefined and inadequately regulated toxic soup.
Because these toxins are mostly unseen, and because they cause health problems for humans and wildlife that are not immediately visible and identifiable, health and environmental officials, and even the general public, often express minimal concern for their presence in our water. This is particularly problematic for creatures living in this water full time, as well as humans wanting to dine on delectable fish, normally so beneficial to our bodies and souls.