[Water_news] 4. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS -WATER QUALITY-2/27/09

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

February 27, 2009

 

4. Water Quality –

 

Sewage spills foul San Francisco Bay over and over

2/27/09

By Jason Dearen, The Associated Press

Last weekend, 890,000 gallons of raw sewage and storm water spilled into San Francisco Bay from an overloaded World War II-era treatment plant. Five days earlier, a ruptured pipe released 400,000 gallons of filth into the bay.

 

And those were just the big spills the public heard about.

 

On average, human waste spills into the San Francisco Bay more than five times a day, fouling the waters and shorelines of the environmental jewel and recreational treasure.

 

Decrepit pipes, outdated municipal sewage treatment systems and poor upkeep have been blamed for many of the spills into one the world's most famous and beautiful natural harbors. And some of the Bay Area's wealthiest communities have been identified as some of the most persistent polluters.

 

"It's like living in a situation sort of like a Third World country, where there's poor sanitary management," said Sejal Choksi of the environmental group San Francisco Baykeeper.

 

Some spills have been blamed not only for killing large numbers of fish but also for causing respiratory infections, skin and eye irritation and diarrhea in swimmers.

 

Signs warning against water contact are a common sight at beaches and marinas for those who swim, fish or sailboard in the bay, especially after storms.

 

"A number of California jurisdictions have let their infrastructure age beyond the breaking point," said William L. Rukeyser, a state water board spokesman.

 

The EPA this week released $283 million in economic stimulus money earmarked for sewage system upgrades in California. But that is only a fraction of the needed repairs.

 

San Jose alone has a sewage treatment plant that is more than 50 years old, and a $1 billion, 10-year plan to fix it. #

 

http://www.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_11794242?source=rss

 

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