On Wednesday (May 14), U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Environmental Protection Agency to act quickly to help curb the threat that toxic algae found in nearly 100 Upstate New York water bodies is posing to drinking water and New York residents. Schumer explained that conditions are ripe for record blue-green algae blooms in Upstate New York, and that the toxins that this algae produces, cyanotoxins, have the potential to contaminate local drinking water because many of these lakes or reservoirs are drinking water sources.

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This toxin is also found in lakes that are used for boating and swimming, putting swimmers at risk and also potentially causing beach closures, which harm tourism and the local economy.

Therefore, Schumer is urging the EPA to issue guidance to help protect New York drinking water supplies and New York residents.

View Schumer Report Toxic Algae

First, Schumer asked the EPA to issue guidance to help local water treatment plants test for and treat cyanotoxins in drinking water sources. Over a dozen countries including Canada currently test drinking water for cyanotoxins, but to date the EPA has not issued guidance on testing in the United States. Second, Schumer urged the EPA to develop water quality criteria for cyanotoxins in ambient water, which will help states better identify contaminated water bodies and implement water quality improvement programs that will help keep beaches open and drinking water safe.

Lakes are some of Upstate New Yorks greatest resources for tourism, recreation, and for healthy drinking water but toxic algae blooms threaten to greatly undercut the value of this resource, and whats more, have the potential to contaminate drinking water and make people sick, said Senator Schumer. So Im announcing a two-pronged plan that will help keep New Yorkers safe and protect our valuable lakes and reservoirs. First, I am urging the EPA to issue guidance and recommendations to local water treatment plans on how best to test for and treat these cyanotoxins. Second, I am pushing the EPA to develop clear water quality criteria for cyanotoxin levels in ambient water so that states like New York can better identify contaminated lakes and implement programs that will improve water quality.

With these two steps one to address contamination in drinking water and one to address contamination in lakes primarily used for recreation we can safeguard that glass of water we drink every day and ensure that lakes across Upstate New York can be enjoyed by tourists and residents alike, he continued.

Due to a number of factors, including runoff from nearby agricultural areas and aging sewer systems, the amount of phosphorus in lakes across Upstate New York has increased in recent years, causing large algal blooms to grow in the water.

Climate change has also brought warmer temperatures and more spring rainfall, both of which favor the growth of algae blooms.

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Schumer: Dangerous Toxic Algae Found In Nearly 100 Upstate NY Lakes Could Contaminate Drinking Water, Impact Summer ...

NORTH SEWICKLEY TWP. -- A month after rescinding a motion made in 2010, the North Sewickley Township Supervisors are now in hot water with the state Department of Environmental Protection.

On Tuesday, Supervisors Philip Dent, chairman, Emmett Santillo and Linda Brown received strongly worded letters from the DEP, sent via e-mail with registered mail copies on the way, criticizing the action the board took in April to derail a proposed Phase III for a township sewer project.

The DEP gave them two weeks from Tuesday to respond, and at a supervisors meeting Tuesday, solicitor Ryan Long recommended that they respond as soon as possible.

Long said the DEP has enforcement powers, which include requiring that the project go forward, assessing fines to the township and fining individual supervisors. Long said the request-for-action process was not that far along, but the DEP letter was powerfully worded, which was probably because supervisors rescinded board action on Nov. 9, 2010, giving the township sewer authority permission to begin planning the third phase of a township sewer project.

In April, Dent and Santillo approved rescinding the 2010 action while Brown voted against the move. That vote also caused a rift that ousted Brown as supervisors chairwoman and put Dent in the position of leading the board.

Long said he would write the DEP by the end of the week and request a meeting with the DEP as well as members of the township sewer authority.

Santillo said he wanted his reasoning for rescinding the 2010 motion to be included in the response to the DEP. He said he was not against sewer projects in the township but that he wanted to know what it would cost to complete the sewer project for the entire township. He said he didnt want the project to continue to a possible Phase IV or beyond.

Brown said a study to include the entire township in the project would take years, to which Santillo responded, Weve been working on this for 20 years.

Brown cautioned her fellow supervisors, saying there would be repercussions for their action. She also read the DEPs letter aloud, despite Dents opposition.

The DEP letter said there are malfunctioning septic systems in the area of the proposed Phase III, which includes Harpers Ferry Road, Wises Grove Road and Glendale Road. The proposed project was also to address some repairs at the Eastvale sewage-treatment plant.

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North Sewickley Township Supervisors in hot water with DEP

Echo Reservoir, along with Rockport Reservoir, has been found to contain too little dissolved oxygen due to high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen. Under the Clean Water Act, the state will look to remedy that problem with the collaboration of many agencies and water districts. (Park Record file photo)

Important efforts could be underway in the coming years for Echo and Rockport Reservoirs to improve their water quality, and it will require the participation of state, county and private parties. The water quality concerns came after a state study found the level of dissolved oxygen in both reservoirs is too low.

"The dissolved oxygen levels that occur in the reservoirs dropped below what they needed to be at for a coldwater fishery," said Mike Luers, general manager of the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District. "The state was required to conduct a study under the Clean Water Act to determine why [oxygen levels are low]."

Dissolved oxygen levels are too low due to excessive loading of phosphorus and nitrogen into the reservoirs. These nutrients, which are found in fertilizer and wastewater effluent, promote the growth of algae in water, Luers said. However, at night algae consume oxygen, and when there is too much algae, the oxygen content diminishes.

This lack of oxygen in the water is not suitable for trout, and it also impacts water quality. Luers said the Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District will need to upgrade its Silver Creek water reclamation facility as part of the Division of Water Quality's recommendations. It will contribute half of the $30 million needed for the upgrade.

But runoff from wastewater facilities across the Basin and the East Side is only half of the issue. With pollution from non-point sources such as agricultural and grazing land, construction sites, urban development and roads, steps must be taken as well -- though such efforts will be voluntary, says Utah Department of Environmental Quality Director Walter Baker.

Part of the solution could be imposing more strict standards for septic systems in the area, Baker said, or connecting homes to sewer infrastructure. Summit County Health Department Director Richard Bullough said this is already a priority for the department.

"In Weber Canyon, we're going to take a look and start mapping where septic systems are. If we have a cluster where we know the systems are 30 [or more] years old, that may be an area we focus on," Bullough said.

In addition to participating in the implementation of the DWQ study, Bullough said the Health Dept. will be doing surface, ground and well water testing in the Snyderville Basin. He added there has been strong collaboration with the state on the matter.

The Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, which is the sole operator of Rockport Reservoir and is a stockholder in Echo, will also play a role in improving the reservoirs' water quality. General Manager Tage Flint said the water districts involved need to know how to balance water quality with delivering contracted water efficiently.

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Dissolved oxygen low in Echo, Rockport Reservoirs

Sewer Line Cleaning in St. Louis and St. Charles County, Missouri

If you have spent a large amount of money on purchasing a septic tank and having it installed, maintaining the tank properly is the best way to preserve this investment. But cleaning and maintaining the tank is time-consuming, and not for the squeamish. All Star Pumping is a sewer and septic tank maintenance company that is equipped and trained to handle all of these needs for you.

Our trained technicians can handle all the maintenance and repair of your septic tank, minimizing the number of dirty jobs you have to do.We provide regular service and maintenance of sewer lines and septic tanks for homeowners as well as businesses. Through regular upkeep, your septic tank or sewer line should operate perfectly for years to come. But if you have problems with your system, All Star Pumping can also clean your sewer line in St. Louis. If you are unsure about exactly where your sewer line runs, our team of professionals can locate a sewer line in St. Louis, and then perform sewer line jetting, using pressurized water to get it running again.

From installation to maintenance, we can take care of all your sewer line needs! Call us today from St. Louis, St. Charles County, Wentzville, St. Peters, St. Charles, O'Fallon, Florissant, and Metro East, Missouri.

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Sewer Line Cleaning | St . Louis and St . Charles County ...

By Larry Kiker

Fort Myers Beach

Chairman, Lee County Commission

Lee County Commissioners thank the Lee County legislative delegation for working on the critical water-related issues during the recently ended session in Tallahassee.

With approval of the budget last Friday, Lee County has had a stellar 2014 legislative session. We will continue to monitor the budget now that it has gone to Gov. Rick Scott for final approval.

Among the projects in the proposed budget are $18 million in infrastructure for the C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir, which will help clean up the Caloosahatchee River and its estuary. Other projects include funding for Lee County initiatives related to storm water runoff, flood control and nutrient-load reductions.

For example, more than $750,000 is being allocated to help construct a much-needed sewer line along Alico Road. The project will protect public health and the environment by providing central sanitary sewer service to an area that would otherwise be served by onsite wastewater systems such as sanitary sewer package plants and septic tanks.

While accelerating the realization of thousands of permanent jobs created by planned developments in the corridor, the force main will also allow FGCUs proposed Emergent Technologies Institute (ETI) to further the universitys growing national reputation for green initiatives.

Other projects include:

Palmona Park water quality improvements: Retrofit a degraded 1960s storm water drainage system in North Fort Myers to include legacy pollutant removal and construction of a vegetative swale to improve water quality.

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Guest column: Legislators work the Lee way

Pierce County is teaming up with hundreds of organizations across Puget Sound to challenge residents to take at least one Sound-healthy action during Mays Puget Sound Starts Here Month.

The goal of Puget Sound Starts Here Month is to raise awareness that Puget Sound is in trouble due to a variety of pollution sources, and empower residents to make a difference through simple actions and local volunteer opportunities.

The waterways of the Puget Sound area are a critical part of our community, industry and quality of life, said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy. Each of us taking a small, positive step adds up to a huge effect and helps maintain and protect Puget Sound for years to come.

Upcoming local events include:

Puget Sound Starts Here Family Fun Day: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday,May 10, at Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock St. in Tacoma. Attendees can enjoy free family-friendly activities put on by local organizations that work to protect Puget Sound.

Puget Sound Starts Here Night with the Seattle Mariners: 6:10 p.m., Saturday, May 10, at Safeco Field in Seattle. Visit http://www.mariners.com/pugetsound and use the promotional code salmon for discount tickets.

Look for additional opportunities on the Puget Sound Starts Here events calendar at: http://www.pugetsoundstartshere.org/events-list/ Other simple Sound-healthy actions:

Volunteer to help with local habitat restoration projects.

Take your car to a commercial car wash instead of washing it in your driveway. Look for fundraising organizations that sell car wash coupons.

Fix auto leaks right away and take any used fluids to a recycling center.

The rest is here:
Celebrate Puget Sound Starts Here Month in May

Its not going to be cheap for Trosky to switch to a community wastewater system, but thats what the small city is doing to address the issue of failing private septic systems within municipal boundaries.

For the community stabilization pond and collection system chosen by the Trosky City Council, the cost will be $1,972,300, with another $25,747 projected for operating and maintenance costs annually.

Is the pond going to be the cheapest route? No, said Jeff Carstensen, Trosky mayor. But its the system thats going to last the longest.

The system was one of several alternatives compared in a Trosky Wastewater Facility Plan that Trosky hired Banner Associates out of Sioux Falls, S.D. to complete. Tanya Miller, Banner project engineer, attended the councils April meeting that held a City Hall full of local residents. During that meeting, questions were answered and information was given about the need for the project, the solution, and the financial implications, including the monthly sewer fees that come with a community system.

The residents did not express any sticker shock they know construction is expensive, Carstensen said.

Still.

How can 43 households in Trosky afford to pay $2 million? Carstensen said.

The community of 86 residents located nine miles southeast of Pipestone along U.S. Highway 75 is the last unsewered city in Pipestone County. Resident wastewater needs are met by individual septic systems. A Community Assessment Report (CAR) completed for the city in 2011 indicated that 89 percent, or 48 out of the 54 properties that had private systems, were noncompliant with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) regulations.

For the most part, the non-compliant properties either have straight-pipe discharge into a tributary of Poplar Creek or fail to protect the ground water.

Trosky today ranks number 33 on the MPCAs Clean Water Project Priority List of 331 unsewered communities in Minnesota requiring remediation due to the threat the citys wastewater methods pose to public health and adjacent surface and ground water.

The rest is here:
Longevity trumps cost in Trosky wastewater decision

Tropical storms and hurricanes can cause flooding. Although skin contact with flood waters does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, health hazards are a concern when waters become contaminated. Flood waters may contain waste material with associated bacteria and viruses.

DOH recommends the following precautions to prevent possible illness from flood waters:

Basic hygiene is critical. Wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, after participating in flood cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.

Avoid eating or drinking anything that has been contaminated with flood waters.

Do not wade through standing water. If you do, bathe and put on clean clothes as soon as possible.

Avoid contact with flood waters if you have open cuts or sores. If you have any open cuts or sores and cannot avoid contact with flood waters, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap to control infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention. People who sustain lacerations and/or puncture wounds and have not had a tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years require a tetanus booster.

If there is a backup of sewage into your house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup. Remove and discard absorbent household materials, such as wall coverings, cloth, rugs, and dry wall. Clean walls and hard-surfaced floors with soap and water and disinfect with a solution of 1/4 cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Thoroughly disinfect food contact surfaces (counter-tops, refrigerators, tables) and areas where small children play. Wash all linens and clothing in hot water. Air dry larger items in the sun and spray them with a disinfectant. Steam-clean all carpeting.

If your plumbing is operating slowly or sluggishly, you should:

Save water as much as possible; the less water used the less sewage the septic tank must process or a sewer line needs to handle. Minimize use of your washing machine. Rental of a portable toilet for a temporary period may be another option.

Do not have the septic tank pumped. Very high water tables might crush a septic tank that was pumped dry. If the basic problem is high ground water, pumping the tank does nothing to solve that problem.

Link:
Warning: Flood Waters Pose Health Risks

Tim BeckerUpdated: Wednesday, April 30, 2014, 6:04 pmPublished: Wednesday, April 30, 2014, 5:36 pm

LONGVIEW, Wash. (KOIN 6) The city manager of Longview admitted Wednesday that is was a mistake to hire a sewer contractor who was not in compliance with the city.

All Out Sewer & Drain Service and its owner, Ray Caldwell, were also indicted by a federal judge for violating the Clean Water Act.

Well, Ray recently was convicted of in federal court of charges that were related for his illegal dumping activities, said Jeff Wilson with PTI Septic Services about Caldwell, who is notorious in the area.

As a result of the federal indictment, Caldwell was fined $250,000 and sentenced to 27 months in prison. The city also recently fined the company $11,000.

I wish our employee had maybe used better judgment on that or maybe saw the bigger picture, said Longview City Manager Bob Gregory.

Gregory explained that an employee had a plugged sewer at a transit facility and wanted to get it back in service as quickly as possible when he chose to call Caldwells company.

Well again, this is one of our maintenance people who has responsibility for a small building maintenance thing and may not see the bigger picture about something like that there, said Gregory.

Gregory said he has since told his management team to not do business with All Out Sewer & Drain Service for now.

However, contractors, including Brian Fletcher whose sewer business is next to the city shop where work is done, still wonder.

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City manager calls hiring of contractor mistake

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Greg Johnson: Little Pigeon River's cleanup a long time coming