Concerning Granger water: We have experienced water problems ever since we moved to Granger more than 10 years ago. We have no well or septic system. We have city water, established through the former Clay Utilities and city sewer. The water heaters in our neighborhood are constantly being replaced. We have had five in the 10 years we have lived here. We were told that it was electrolysis so we installed a ring. We have a perforated copper pipe as proof. Recently, when the furnace man hooked up our humidifier, there was reddish gunk in the line. He said that it was bacterial iron. We have neighbors who refuse to drink the water. Sometimes our water smells and tastes terrible -- sometimes like chlorine. Should we drink it? We would welcome any answers.

Dave and Alice Miller

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LETTERS: Their water tastes funny

The Cowlitz County Health Department is revoking the septic pumping license of All-Out Sewer & Drain owner Ray Caldwell, who was convicted last month of 33 federal felonies.

According to a Jan. 16 letter the health department sent Caldwell, the Longview businessman no longer will be allowed to operate or participate in any business involved with pumping sewage or performing inspections or maintenance of septic systems within Cowlitz County.

The Health Department considers this to be a permanent revocation, states the letter, signed by County Health Officer Jennifer Vines and County Health Administrator Carlos Carreon. This determination has been made subsequent to the finding of guilty in United States District Court.

The evidence presented in the federal case demonstrate intentional and/or willful malfeasance of, and serious repeated violations of county OSS (on-site sewage) pumper regulations, the letter states.

If Caldwell doesnt file an appeal within 30 days, his license will be revoked Feb. 15. Caldwell, reached at his business Tuesday, declined to comment.

Although he may lose his ability to pump septage in Cowlitz County, Caldwell does have customers in other counties, according to his courtroom testimony.

Last month, Longview Public Works Director Jeff Cameron declined to comment regarding All-Outs city general business license, which expires in May.

In mid-November, the county revoked the license of Caldwells business partner, Randy Dingus, who pleaded guilty to one felony count of violating the federal Clean Water Act. Dingus held a license as an operations and maintenance provider of septic systems, Bischoff said. He will be sentenced Jan. 27 for participating in the illegal dumping scheme.

On Dec. 16, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle found Caldwell guilty of all 33 counts he faced: 25 felony counts of violating the federal Clean Water Act, six counts of mail fraud and two counts of making false statements. He will be sentenced March 10.

Caldwell was accused of pumping septic waste from his collection trucks into the city sewer system on 25 different dates last year to avoid disposal fees of 10 to 25 cents per gallon. He also is accused of underreporting by hundreds of thousands of gallons the amount of septage he collected from customers.

Excerpt from:
County revokes All-Out Sewer owner Ray Caldwell's septic license

Published: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 9:57 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 9:57 p.m.

It's been a big month for Florida's springs. Whether it will end up being a big year remains to be seen.

The announcement Tuesday by Gov. Rick Scott that he will request $55 million in funding for springs restoration and protection in this year's budget is just the latest pro-springs move by Tallahassee policymakers. Though skeptics will say it is merely an election-year ploy by Scott, the fact remains Florida's 700 springs particularly its 33 first-magnitude springs, including Silver and Rainbow are suffering from long-term degradation, and the help is desperately needed.

Scott's $55 million surprise comes on the heels of a proposal by five influential Senate committee chairmen to allocate the first 20 percent of state documentary stamp revenues, or about $378 million, to springs and groundwater cleanup, largely through septic tank repair or replacement.

The senators including Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, and Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, who represent Marion County also are calling for the creation of "protection and management zones" around the 33 first-magnitude springs and five others considered important. In those zones, septic tanks would be repaired, or homeowners would be hooked up to a central sewer system at no cost. Also, the issuance of new water permits would be severely curtailed.

While those two proposals surely please water-quality advocates, state Rep. Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, was less encouraging about the chances of any sea of change in Florida water policy in the upcoming legislative session in March. Crisafulli, the House speaker designate for 2015 and House Speaker Will Weatherford's point man on water issues, said in an interview with the Florida Current this week that the senators' plan was too costly and would not likely survive in the House, at least not as proposed.

Nonetheless, Crisafulli has indicated in recent months that Florida must begin addressing its water problems, and the solution starts with taking a statewide approach.

"There is not a silver bullet to fix all these problems," he told the Current. "It's just a matter of working with the current situation."

Unfortunately, the current situation is a crisis of our springs, rivers, lakes and aquifer. Florida has allowed its waters to become over-polluted and over-pumped, and time is not on the state's side if it is going to restore and protect its springs and surface waters and, in turn, its groundwater.

State economists expect Florida to enjoy an $846 million budget surplus this year, and there are certainly plenty of overdue needs that could use some of that money. Clean and ample water, however, is more than a need; it is an essential if Florida expects to continue prospering into the 21st century.

The rest is here:
Editorial: Springs funding

Consumers quest for the softest soft and the cleanest clean coupled with low-flow flushing is leading to costly, inconvenient clogs.

The new toilet paper, its bad news, says Paul Evan, owner of Ken Evans Plumbing and Heating Ltd. in Dartmouth.

I get the sales pitch that it is more comfortable, but toilet paper, it should never be that thick.

The plumber said his business has increased as toilet paper manufacturers have introduced increasingly more luxurious products and that is because the new multiply and super-strong tissues are tough on plumbing.

But the worst offenders, however, are the recently introduced wipes, which manufacturers claim are flushable, Evans said.

The new products are particularly tough on homes that have low-flow toilets and or old cast-iron pipes because the old metal pipes develop spurs that catch and snag the tissue and wipes, he explained, while low-flow toilets have less water pushing waste down the pipes.

So the paper, now, doesnt break down as much, its not being pushed down as far because it doesnt have enough water behind it. Thats what we found.

Evans recommended testing toilet paper at home to check for its flushability.

Take a couple pieces of that (ultra-thick) toilet paper and throw it into the bowl. If you look at it and wait, you will see that it wont break down. The cheaper stuff, you will see that it will basically shred itself.

And, even though some manufacturers are marketing flushable wipes for adults, Evans says they should go in the trash not the toilet.

Read more:
Plush paper puzzles plumbers

MOULTRIE Popular pre-moistened toweletts that are often advertised as flushable are creating clogs and backups in sewer systems around the nation. Moultrie is now facing obstacles because of these wipes, according to city officials.

This problem has increasingly over the past five years become a major issue for our Moultrie sewer system, Utilities Director Roger King said.

Just as disposable diapers are now considered a necessity, wet wipes have become essentials in the average parents arsenal, the city said in a press release. But the popularity of these one-time-use items isnt limited to infant backsides. Special-use wipes are being marketed for make-up removal, pet owners, day care centers, rest homes, computer users and the list goes on. Antibacterial wipes are available to clean just about every surface, from hands to grimy floors and bathroom mirrors.

A lot of them end up down the toilet, and the city said few are flushable. Well, they flush just fine, but the cloth like products dont disintegrate the way toilet paper does. Thats where it starts to cost The City of Moultrie money and ultimately all citizens.

Our lift stations are plugged up about once a week, King said. It has just cost us $18,000 to repair a piece of equipment due to these wipes. King said he has seen this problem increase 5 percent each year.

The city said its residents need to realize while companies may say their wipes are safe for sewers and septic, they do not break up like toilet paper. Wipes not only affect the city sewer system but it can also ruin septic tanks.

If its not toilet paper, dont flush it, King said.

Other common items that should not be flushed into the sewer system:

Medications (could end up in drinking water).

Plastic objects.

See the article here:
City of Moultrie says: 'If it's not toilet paper, don't flush it'

home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Home Repair & Maintenance Plumbing How to Clean Septic Tanks

Colette McCormick

Colette McCormick started writing in 2006 and has had work published in books, newspapers and magazines. She has recently written travel articles for "My Weekly," a leading weekly magazine in the U.K. McCormick was educated in Sheffield, England and gained A levels in economics and politics.

A septic tank is commonly used in rural areas where there is no connection to the main sewerage system and, according to the American Ground Water Trust, around a third of American homes are serviced by a septic tank. The tank will be buried somewhere near your home and the waste is delivered to it via a pipe leading from the house. If you have a septic tank, it is important to keep it clean and in good order because if your tank develops a serious problem, it can be expensive to fix.

Unscrew the lid on top of the filter unit to expose the filter. Wearing the gloves and goggles, pull the filter out. Attach the hose to a faucet and hose down the filter until there is no waste left on it. Make sure that the water always is facing away from you as you do this. Replace the filter and screw down the lid.

Contact your local authority to see if they can recommend a cleaning contractor, as some states insist that cleaners of septic tanks be licensed. Cleaning septic tanks is a specialized job and you should always use a reputable professional. You also can ask friends and neighbors for a recommendation. The contractor will back his truck as close as possible to your drain and insert a hose into your septic tank. The contents of the tank will then be pumped into the back of the enclosed truck. The contractor also may hose down the inside of the tank to remove any debris that may have become lodged, This water also will then be pumped out.

Introduce a natural bacterial product such as BioGest to optimize the natural bacterial activity inside the tank. These bacteria break down the waste allowing liquid to rise to the top and "sludge" to form at the bottom. These bacteria balancing products come in sachets that can be introduced either directly into the septic tank or via the toilet, and will maintain the bacterial levels within the tank.

Never flush away cat litter, sanitary products or anything else that could clog the system.

Do not use anti bacterial cleaning products on a regular basis as these will interfere with the natural bacteria that are keeping your septic tank clean.

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How to Clean Septic Tanks | eHow

Our sewer and drain cleaning serviceadministers the use of ajetter,snake andcamera in sewer line issues and when needed for a particularlydifficult clogged drain.Anchor Sewer and Drain Cleaning technicians willrestore flow to blocked sewer systems,relieve a slow orclogged drain and resolve septic tank issues.Anchor Sewer and Drain Cleaning servicealso performs video inspections. We also network with reputableRhode Island and Massachusetts plumbers for repair services neededwhile handling your sanitary drainageissues.

Our goal is to provide a better standard for sewer, drain cleaning, and septic system repair service in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, especially in our local service area of Bellingham, Mendon, Franklin, and Foxboro.Our technicians utilize solid sewer and drain cleaning techniques. Having experienced various types of sewer and drain systemsup and down the east coast, ourcrew has seen many of the sewer and drain systems in use.

In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, our drain cleaning technicians service large and small businesses as well as apartments and single family homes. We serve the entire area, but especially Bellingham, Franklin, and Mendon.

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anchorseweranddraincleaning - Sewer Drain Cleaning: Mendon ...

Updated: Friday, January 10 2014, 03:59 PM CST

by Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune

More than 600 children in a South Texas border town may be prevented from returning to school on Monday because of a long-standing dispute over water rates, which have skyrocketed in recent years amid attempts to make badly needed upgrades to the town's water infrastructure.

Several attempts at negotiation between the city of La Villa and the La Villa Independent School District have failed, after the district refused to pay more than $50,000 in overdue water bills and the city cut off its water service. School officials say they are being charged too much for water from a mismanaged utility, while the city contends that it needs money to cover millions of dollars in needed repairs to water and sewer treatment systems.

Beyond the political and financial tussle, the situation illustrates the struggles facing the small Texas border towns that operate the treatment plants that supply drinking water and clean up wastewater.

"Basically, it's planning and lack of money, and lack of management," said Carlos Acevedo, a senior project manager for the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, a binational agency charged with improving environmental conditions along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Towns like La Villa, with fewer than 2,000 people, often have high turnover rates in city and utility leadership positions. Between one project and the next, management may have changed -- along with the politics of the situation. Acevedo said the BECC has tried for years to persuade La Villa and its neighboring towns, Elsa and Edcouch, to connect their water and wastewater plants into one system, but local politics and changing players got in the way. The towns even argued over where the regional facilities should be located.

"If they don't want to participate in a joint effort, we can do nothing," Acevedo said.

La Villa City Manager Wilfredo Mata, who has been on the job for a year, doesn't disagree that the city suffers from serious infrastructure problems. But regionalization wont solve the cost issue, he said.

"It's still going to cost the same amount of dollars, and were still going to pay it," Mata said. "You have an aging, antiquated system thats going to need a substantial amount of money to repair and replace."

Excerpt from:
Border Towns Struggle To Protect Water Infrastructure

DARLINGTON Bacterial levels in Black Creek continue to remain at safe levels, according to data from analyzed water samples collected by members of the Black Creek Land Trust.

The nonprofit environmental group that advocates for the waterway has continued monthly monitoring on the main stem of Black Creek to help clean its reputation after a Department of Health and Environmental Control report found the waterway impaired because of fecal coliform.

Since September 2012, the group has taken approximately 275 samples from 16 stations on the main stem of Black Creek that flows from the headwaters of Lake Robinson in Darlington County into the Great Pee Dee River in Florence County.

On July 2, 2013, samples at six sampling stations showed elevated bacterial levels after consistently heavy rains that the group thinks led to storm water discharges and contamination from other sources. Before then, only one sample had been over the regulatory limit.

For Black Creek Land Trust Secretary and Treasurer Jay James, that information wasnt too surprising because of the summers record-setting rains increasing runoff that flows into the waterway. But James said the monitoring data continues to be encouraging.

I think you can tell people who are interested in recreation on Black Creek that involves direct contract with the water, that in most cases it is going to be safe, James said. But after major rainfall events you may want to wait a day or two.

The group has discontinued its monitoring of the Lake Robinson headwaters and below the lakes dam, where samples have shown that bacterial levels were almost non-detectable.

Fecal coliform is used as an indicator of the possible presence of other harmful pathogens in the water that may cause some waterborne pathogenic disease such as ear infections, dysentery, typhoid fever, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis and hepatitis A.

The group also began monitoring for E. coli last February.

In October, efforts to pinpoint problem areas were stepped up and the group added two monitoring stations on Swift Creek, which flows through the City of Darlington and into Black Creek. The added Spring Street remains within range, but the Phillips Street location had exceeded limits in October.

The rest is here:
Black Creek bacteria at safe levels

Whitney Jennings

Whitney Jennings writes for various online publications, focusing on topics in business, technology and fitness. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in management from North Georgia College and State University.

A backed up or blocked septic line or drain is not a pleasant thing to have happen in the home. There are some things you can try if a backed up or clogged septic line or drain occurs in your home. However, you must be very careful and call a plumber if you do not feel comfortable taking care of it yourself.

A clog can lead to mechanical problems and possibly replacement of the entire septic system. Clearing a clogged line is relatively easy...

Foul odors are also an indication of a clogged septic line. If your system is working properly there should be no odors...

A clogged sewer line can present a problem to homeowners. The unpleasant smell associated with a blockage can be almost unbearable. Obstructions...

Clogged pipes and/or blocked sewer lines can pose a serious problem. After all, if the plumbing isn't working correctly, the entire house...

Septic systems hold household waste and can become easily clogged if you flush the wrong thing down the toilet or drains. Once...

If you detect septic system odors, either outdoors or inside your home, there could be a variety of reasons for this. For...

Sewer drains don't often clog, but when they do, they can become quite dangerous. Clogs can cause water to rise up into...

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The Best Ways to Clean Out Blocked Septic Lines | eHow