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In each of the case studies
discussed in this website, we see successes (pros) and failures (cons) among
distinct styles of wastewater management. When sewer systems were first being
installed and developed in the United States,
engineers carefully studied European cities with existing infrastructure and
transferred the technology and knowledge base to urban centers in the U.S.
(Burian et. al, 41). Today, engineers need only to look at other models within
the U.S. and
again apply a transfer of technology and knowledge. Each city uses slightly
different methods, though primarily under an overall system of centralized,
combined or separated sewerage. Engineers and urban planners can study the
successes and failures of infrastructure in nearby cities when working to
improve wastewater management models.
One
model that researchers may want to look at is the Hornsby Bend Biosolids
Management Plant in Austin, Texas.
This facility “integrates recycling urban wastes with the conservation,
protection, and restoration of Austin’s
ecology” (Hornsby). This plant is not, itself, a wastewater plant, but it
receives all of the biosolids from Austin’s
wastewater plants. These biosolids are then treated and recycled and turned
into “Dillo-Dirt,” “a quality soil amendment made from recycled materials”
(Hornsby). This helps to return nutrients and organic matter to impoverished
urban soils, saves valuable landfill space, and also generates electricity by
burning methane gas produced in the process (Hornsby). Furthermore, this site
is also home to a center for environmental research, and is known as one of the
best birdwatching sites in Texas
(Hornsby). The center for environmental research features classrooms and a
laboratory used by the community as well as university students and professors
studying wastewater engineering, soil ecology, natural resource management, and
restoration ecology (Hornsby). The 360 species of birds here “are a special
focus of ‘citizen science’ at the site through the classes and monitoring
programs of the Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory” (Hornsby). Today, the community
is also involved in education, habitat conservation, and urban sustainability
programs (Hornsby). Thus we see the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant is
implementing innovative technologies, not only in the area of waste treatment
and recycling, but also through community involvement and efforts to encourage
citizen science.
Within
the case studies discussed in this website, there are many technologies and
methods being utilized which have had very positive effects. The city of Detroit
has been innovative with its use of CSO basins to prevent excessive pollution. Chicago
has been innovative throughout its sewerage history, from raising the city, to
diverting the Chicago river, to implementing its tunnel
system to prevent overflows. Milwaukee,
too, has its share of successful methods. The Deep Tunnel, despite its leaks,
has been proven to be quite effective in minimizing overflow events and the
innovative technologies used at both of its treatment plants deserve praise as
well. However, none of these cities have been truly successful in combating the problem of sewer overflows.
As a report
prepared by the National Resources Defense Council and Environmental
Integrity Project stated, "protecting all Americans from exposure
to raw and inadequately treated sewage is not a matter of waiting for
the next technology breakthrough" (Dorfman, 57). The technology is
there, but public and political apathy have made this issue get much
worse than it ever should have. "What is needed is the political will
to adequately implement, enforce, and fund existing laws and sewage
infrastructure improvement programs and fill data gaps on the
occurrence of sewage overflows, their health and economic impacts, and
the condition of the U.S. sewage collection and treatment
infrastructure" (Dorfman, 57).
Believe it or not, federal funding for wastewater infrastructure
received the largest cut of any environmental program in President
Bush's proposed budget for fiscal year 2004 (Dorfman, 57). Poll after
poll indicates that Americans are very concerned with this issue and
clean water in general. Nonetheless, these concerns are ignored and
this major issue is not being addressed in the least.
There are three major aspects of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan
for wastewater management in the Great Lakes region. These are outlined
in greater detail in the aforementioned report.
- Increase
federal funding for wastewater infrastructure. This money should go to
maintenence and improvement of existing plants, as well as for the
development of more plants using the latest and most effective
technologies. Federal subsidies should be available to cities looking
to clean up their act. There should also be federal disincentives for
those cities who are failing in this area.
- Enforce
current sewage treatment plant requirements. "Sanitary sewer overflows
are illegal, yet the EPA estimates that the number of such overflows is
growing." (Dorfman, 60). Current standards and requirements are not
enforced, when they should, in fact, be more strict. The EPA's proposal
to allow "blended" sewage to be released into the environment must be
dropped. Management, operation, and maintenence requirements should be
strengthened and enforced. Adopt water quality standards and require
treatment plants to meet them.
- Collect
data and inform the public. This is perhaps the most important step to
take, and also the easiest to implement. Citizen scientists are already
taking this action by writing letters, doing water samples, raising
awareness, holding forums, and suing perpetrators. The more people know
about the seriousness and immensity of this problem, the easier it will
be to get federal funds and stricter regulations to put an end to sewer
overflows. Treatment facilities and overflow pipes must always be
monitored, and the public must always be informed whenever there is an
overflow event. It is the right of citizens to know when these
hazardous pollutants are released into their community. The public must
also be informed and educated about the risks involved with sewer
overflows and about waterborne illnesses.
(Dorfman, 57-66).
Many
technologies, new methods, and successful models are available today which
could drastically improve urban wastewater management in the Great
Lakes watershed. What is lacking, however, is funding and initiative. The current
federal administration has been threatening the funding for wastewater
management, an issue which clearly needs to be a priority. Since federal,
state, and even municipal groups seem to be ignoring this huge problem, it is
now up to citizen groups to raise awareness and push for action now. The
citizen groups mentioned in this site have been working hard through education, activism,
clean-up programs, and legal actions. Currently the public is left in the dark
about sewerage problems such as sewer overflows. Once people start to know about
how often these events are happening and the harms they can have, not only to
human health but also to the greater ecosystem, action will follow.
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