Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
April 16, 2007
4. Water Quality
WASTEWATER EFFECTS:
SR to take careful look at its wastewater; Session will focus on whether residue from household products adversely affects fish - Santa Rosa Press Democrat
CONTAMINATION ISSUES:
Contamination at old waterfront mill site confirmed - Eureka Times Standard
WASTEWATER EFFECTS:
SR to take careful look at its wastewater; Session will focus on whether residue from household products adversely affects fish
Santa Rosa Press Democrat – 4/15/07
By Mike McCoy, staff writer
By
But over the past few years there has been a growing national concern over what remains in processed wastewater, particularly household products ranging from pharmaceuticals to shampoos and cosmetics.
Studies in Europe dating back 12 years, and a 2003 study of the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., found evidence of male fish sprouting female organs, a fact scientists believe can be traced to the increasing amounts of chemicals found in wastewater, including those that can stimulate estrogen production in male fish.
So far, there has been no scientific evidence to indicate the minute levels of chemicals have been harmful to humans.
But the issue has generated enough concern that
"The presence of male fish developing female reproductive organs has not been found here," Smith said. Still, "We're trying to stay out in front of the research" so the city can take action when and if necessary, he said.
"We're the big city and everyone looks at us as the 500-pound gorilla," Dean said. More than a dozen sewage treatment operations from
Among those to first raise the issue locally of wastewater's hormonal impact on fish was Brenda Adelman, who heads the Russian River Watershed Protection Committee. She first talked about the "feminization" of male fish 12 years ago based on wastewater studies in
"It's on par with global warming," Adelman said of what she sees as the severity of the problem.
While there have been no definitive studies to link the impact of wastewater and its constituents on drinking water supplies and human health, Adelman said "Some (scientists) believe it has played a role in increases in cancer rates, birth defects and diseases."
The issue received little attention in the past, but has been gaining more scientific urgency with an aging and more medicated population.
Dean and Adelman don't expect Thursday's meeting to result in a decision.
Dean said the information should help guide city decisions on how and where it should discharge wastewater in the face of what likely will be even more stringent discharge regulations.
Adelman said removing all chemical constituents may be a near impossibility. Many of the compounds found in wastewater do break down into harmless elements, scientists say.
"We're not saying get rid of all the chemicals, but let's find the worst offenders and find substitutes for them," Adelman said.
Consultant Smith said dealing with the issue is important now as
Smith said
More than 80 percent of the 8 billion gallons of wastewater
Among the treatment options
But Smith said scientists don't know if that process removes everything harmful.
"Clearly, it removes a vast majority of compounds. There may be something that remains, but I don't think anyone knows that yet," he said. #
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070415/NEWS/704150523/1033/NEWS01
CONTAMINATION ISSUES:
Contamination at old waterfront mill site confirmed
By
A byproduct of a now-banned wood preservative containing pentachlorophenol, the dioxins are present at their highest levels in a ditch not far from a booth where the chemical was sprayed on lumber. The Geomatrix report said the dioxins might have moved to the ditch in runoff or migrated through the soil, and recommended further removal efforts.
The site has undergone cleanup before. In 2003, after tests showed pentachlorophenol contamination, Simpson removed 1,900 tons of material from the site as called for by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
In 2005, the environmental group Humboldt Baykeeper tested sediment in the drainage ditch and found high levels of dioxins.
Later that year, the group sued Simpson -- which no longer owns the property -- the current owner Preston Properties, the North Coast Railroad Authority and SHN Consulting Engineers for alleged federal Clean Water Act violations.
Geomatrix's most recent round of testing roughly confirmed Baykeeper's findings, and in some cases found higher levels of dioxin in shallow sediment. The deeper the testing, generally the less dioxin was found, according to the report.
”Dioxin-containing sediments identified in the swale by the current investigation should be addressed to minimize the potential for human contact and reduce the potential for them to erode or scour to off-site locations,” the report reads.
The site has been a lumber yard and mill since the 1800s. Simpson bought it in 1956 and operated a plywood mill there until 1968.
Simpson spokeswoman Bev Holland said the company will continue to work with the water board to determine how to handle the contamination.
”Simpson is committed to doing whatever is necessary to clean it up,”
The Geomatrix report said that Simpson is considering either diverting water away from the hot spot and capping the ditch, or removing more material.
Water board Executive Officer Catherine Kuhlman said her agency is evaluating the alternatives, but if it's possible to remove the tainted soil that's what will be ordered.
”It's preferable to get it, pick it up and haul it away,” Kuhlman said.
On a broader scale, Kuhlman said the discovery of dioxins in the absence of pentachlorophenol will prompt a second look at previously contaminated sites around
Humboldt Baykeeper Executive Director Pete Nichols said his group is asking for a full inspection at the property to determine exactly where the dioxins are coming from, and for a full cleanup. He also said that testing for pentachlorophenol alone is clearly not a way to exclude the possibility of dioxin contamination.
”The water board needs to start utilizing dioxin as the trigger for cleanups around the bay,” Nichols said. #
http://www.times-standard.com/fastsearchresults/ci_5658465
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