Flood Waters Can Threaten City Water Supplies
The wastewater division of the local public works department is currently facing a struggle that, according to one of the staff members working, is worse than any in the last 45 years. The combination of the heavy storms over last weekend followed by a heavy rainfall this morning has caused all the sewer lines in the city to be running at more than full capacity. While the treatment plant is capable of handling flows over three times the normal flow, the city has now exceeded that limit. Normal flow through the plant, including all industrial flows, averages approximately 13 million gallons a day. As of this morning, the city has pushed the plant to handle 42 million gallons a day in order to help alleviate the conditions in the collection system.
It is important to note that every neighborhood line flows to one of three major collection lines: an interceptor in the North, one in the West, and one in the South. Each of these major collection lines is now full and is at risk of overflowing. Any flow greater than the current amount will cause an overflow of systems at the treatment plant.
All local city residents who have a sump pump in their basement which discharges to the sanitary sewer, have been directed to quit pumping. In fact, there is now a city ordinance prohibiting this discharge. More importantly, it is imperative that everyone who is not following this mandate is contributing to the potential overflow of the system, as well as the possibility of sewage backing up into a neighbor’s home. The flow from one single sump pump may not seem like much to a property owner, but when a large number of people do this, as city officials know this is being done in many parts of the city, this problem contributes to the problem the city is trying to remedy.
In an effort to get more help, the local wastewater division is in communication with the state department of environment and energy and this bigger group is aware of the city’s problems and has been informed about the sump pumping mandate.
Water Problems Create Difficult Choices for Many People
In a time when record flooding has ben a problem in many places in the country, it is important to remember that there are often times when the guidelines from the community have to be more important than the needs of the individual. We live in a time when CLEAN WATER< is not something that can always be taken for granted:
- Cooling down in the summer requires drinking the right amount of water. This can be difficult, however, if you live in a place where the local water is not as safe and clean as it should be.
- Learning about the quality of the drinking water where you live can help you know if you need to be buying bottles water, instead of drinking tap water.
- Every time that you leave the water on while you are brushing your teeth or when you are putting a few dishes away while you are getting a drink of water, it is important to know that you are wasting a valuable commodity.
- A new shower install can help limit water usage.
- Noticing monthly water bills is just one reason that 90% of home owners are changing the style of their master bathroom during an upgrade, including a new shower install.
- Water consistency remains a problem in many parts of the world. In fact, 2.7 billion people find water scarce for at least one month every year.
- A remodeling effort that includes a new shower install or complete bathroom design is the perfect time to install more efficient water options.
- The best way to make sure that you are getting the cleanest water is to check the local statistics about the purity levels of the water.
- Every time you invest in a new shower install or a lofluch toilet you are adding to the value of your home.
- Rivers overflowing because of heavy rains can cause problems that last for not just days or weeks, but sometimes for months.
From bathroom designs including water saving toilets to following city regulations, 90% of home owners are changing the style of their master bathroom during an upgrade.
