|
Sewage: Don't Let Our Rivers Drown in Raw Sewage!
Dr. Bill Myers, a retired family physician listed twice in Good Housekeeping's "Top Ten Family Physicians of the Year," has seen numerous patients with health problems related to contaminated water during his years of practice. Dr. Myers was also the Health Commissioner of Circleville and Pickaway County, and has volunteered in U.S. Indian Health Service since his retirement. Over the years, Myers has become increasingly concerned about the amount of illegal raw sewage being discharged throughout Ohio, especially into the Scioto River. The Scioto River is host to two wastewater treatment plants: the Jackson Pike and Southerly Wastewater facilities. The treatment system overflowed sewage 539 times in 2003, usually into the Scioto and the Olentangy Rivers. In October 2003, overloaded pipes sent 5.6 million gallons of wastewater directly into the Scioto.1 Because of the age of these systems and the increased burdens placed upon them as the region continues to succumb to sprawl development, they frequently discharge untreated sewage directly into the Scioto, contributing to the river's unhealthy water quality. Even worse, the Bush administration has blocked a proposed rule to inform the public when an illegal raw sewage discharge occurs in their neighborhood so that people can take steps to protect themselves and their families from contamination and pollution. The rule was written during the previous administration, but the Bush administration has blocked it, denying the public's right to know. Sewer overflows into our waterways can have serious human health risks. Raw sewage carries bacteria such as E. Coli and fecal coliform, viruses like Hepatitis C, and parasitic intestinal worms. Untreated sewage is the major cause of contaminated drinking water. Chemicals and industrial effluents can also enter our waters in untreated sewage. "In general, waterborne illnesses are not being reported by doctors," says Dr. Myers. "Waterborne organisms called pathogens produce infections and diarrhea, which are common diseases. How many times have you gone to a doctor just because you have diarrhea?" No sewage system is perfect, and it is not expected that Ohio's will be, either. However, a national sewage expert reports that Columbus has between 5 and 10 times more raw sewage discharges per mile of pipe than the average American city.2 Fixing the system would create jobs, improve the economy and quality of life, enhance recreational and fishing opportunities, protect public health, and restore urban areas. For anglers in Ohio, the water-quality history of the Scioto River is well known, and these days people rarely, if ever, eat their catch from the Scioto. The treatment system overflowed sewage 539 times in 2003, usually into the Scioto and the Olentangy Rivers. In September 2003, a single sanitary sewer overflow point sent over 72,000,000 million gallons of wastewater directly into the Scioto. The same dumping area, the Whittier Street storm tanks near German Village and the Brewery District, released at least 211,461,417 gallons of wastewater into the Scioto in 2003 alone. However, no warnings were posted for residents who were likely to have contact with the water.3 "The big whack the Bush Administration has given Ohio was giving the state EPA permission to back off water quality standards," says Dr. Myers. "With this action, they essentially said the Clean Water Act of 1972 was not important. It costs too much, the EPA says-but they're wrong. What really costs a lot are the medical bills and community health problems." There's a better way to protect Ohio's families. We can ensure that residents are warned where not to fish, while we work to clean up the waters and stop continuing pollution of our lakes, streams, and rivers. For more information contact:
Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
||||||||||||
