Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
June 16, 2009
4. Water Quality –
Yuba Net
Illnesses come to light in claims against Disney
Treatment plant eyed for development
Oroville Mercury-Register
The source of the smell
Ukiah Daily Journal
UC Davis Begins $2.8 Million in Studies of Agricultural Nitrogen's Impacts
UC Davis Newsroom
$7.5 million Coca Cola settlement will improve AmCan water system
Toxic Legacy Lingers From Bay Area Ghost Town
KTVU TV
Waste dump threatens Arabian Gulf
Gulf News
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Yuba Net-6/15/09
Published on Jun 15, 2009 - 7:53:01 AM
In an effort to improve water quality and create jobs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $2.8 Million to the California State Water Resources Control Board under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
A total of $39 million will be awarded nationally to states for Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) grants, which will keep and create jobs to help prevent water pollution and protect human health and the environment.
"The Recovery Act investments are meeting urgent needs for economic growth and protecting human health and the environment," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Communities across the nation can count on green jobs to help pull them out of this downturn and ensure the long-term strength of our economy and our environment."
"With this infusion of Recovery Act funding,
Planning is an important step in EPA's goal to improve water quality in
States are also encouraged to use these funds for more innovative planning activities like developing plans to adapt to climate change, analyzing trends in water availability and use, and creating low-impact development programs. Grants are awarded to state agencies and some of the funds can be awarded to regional and interstate planning organizations.
President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009, and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at Recovery.gov.
For information on EPA's implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, visit http://www.epa.gov/recovery/.#
Illnesses come to light in claims against Disney
Residents cite cancer, diseases in animals as proof of chromium 6 contamination
By Chrisopher Cadelago
As their attorneys shuffle between four similar lawsuits that allege the Walt Disney Co. has for decades contaminated groundwater with cancer-causing chromium 6 and other toxic chemicals, stories of ill health from the plaintiffs are beginning to emerge.
In the latest lawsuit, filed last week in Los Angeles Superior Court by the Sacramento-based firm Kershaw Cutter & Ratinoff LLP on behalf of 16 people with strong ties to the Rancho District, the plaintiffs claim Disney dumped wastewater contaminated with hexavalent chromium from its on-site cooling systems down the centerline of Parkside Avenue, toward Parish Place and across Riverside Drive into the so-called Polliwog, an 11-acre parcel near the studio’s Imagineering facilities.
“The water, without warning, would rush down like a flood,” said resident Bob Bell, who in 1945 paid $25,000 for his home at the corner of
While
“We live in one of the most beautiful areas of
Panuska is one of a handful of residents who fiercely opposed a planned sewer project by the city of
Standing at the intersection of
Disney officials have denied all of the charges in the lawsuits, and last week pointed to an October 2006 soil investigation by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control that found chromium levels in the area “below levels of concern” and well within state and EPA regulations.
“In light of this, we believe these lawsuits are grossly inaccurate and meritless,” spokesman Jonathan Friedland said.
On
Three of Weisenbaugh’s horses were diagnosed with diseases similar to laminitis, a painful inflammation of the foot, and had to be put down. At the Polliwog this weekend, large groups of children played tag and several more rode bicycles. The undeveloped site — hemmed in by
“There are other places to play,” he said. “Keep them out of there until we know it’s safe.”
Plaintiffs William and Robin McCall, whose house looks out onto
“We’re afraid of the consequences of living in this house,” said Robin McCall, whose husband began to develop “huge open sores that itched and oozed” three years ago. “Ultimately, I care more about the bodies than I do property. I want the Polliwog and homes that are contaminated to be cleaned up.”
Plaintiffs in the June 9 suit are seeking damages for restitution, “disgorgement of profits” and compensation for any damage to surrounding property values. Testing of the Polliwog parcel, which is owned by the city of
The lawsuit alleges that Disney has contaminated wastewater with chromium 6 from its on-site cooling systems since 1988. The organization also claims that recent tests show dirt dust and micro-fine hexavalent particles migrated off the Polliwog property, attaching to clothing, shoes, hair and horse hooves to such an extent that anyone walking on the parcel would be exposed to the toxic chemicals and carry residue with them, according to the lawsuit.
C. Brooks Cutter, attorney for the plaintiffs, would not comment on the lawsuits.#
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2009/06/16/publicsafety/gnp-polliwog16.txt
Treatment plant eyed for development
Oroville Mercury-Register-6/16/09
By Mary Weston
The Oroville City Council tonight will review proposed agreements to provide sewer plant services to large developments and annexations.
Over the last couple of years, a conversation has ensued between agencies about how wastewater treatment services would be provided to large developments.
Data indicates the treatment plant only has the capacity to serve 2,700 more homes during rainy weather, when water can enter the sewer system though cracks in the pipes and connections.
The proposed Oro Bay Estates on Highway 162, seeking annexation into the city, has the potential to add more than 2,000 new homes.
The city of
Tonight, the council will review a proposed agreement SC-OR would have with developers to pay costs of increasing effluents flowing into the wastewater ponds.
The city report cites that the agreement has two problems: The developer would have to pay for an impact study, and the developer would be required to pay for infrastructure improvements that exceed a project's value.#
http://www.orovillemr.com/search/ci_12599035?IADID=Search-www.orovillemr.com-www.orovillemr.com
The source of the smell
Ukiah Daily Journal-6/15/09
By Denise Rockenstein
An Environmental Health Advisory notice has been issued advising residents against swimming in or ingesting lake water in various areas of Clearlake. Environmental specialists were collecting samples on Monday and official results are pending.
James Scott, supervising registered environmental health specialist for Lake County Environmental Health (LCEH) reported that several complaints have been received regarding suspected raw sewage along the shores of
"We received several complaints that it was raw sewage but everything we've evaluated turned up negative for indications of a sewage leak," Scott said. "We are sampling the algae to determine what kind of algae it is. We also did a coli test with negative results."
Scott reported that water samples were taken from
The massive presence of a thick, odoriferous algae-type substance surfaced along the shores in the City of
"The appearance of this form of algae easily can be mistaken for raw sewage," Scott said.
According to the Lake County Water Resources Division of Public Works, recent weather and water conditions have been
conducive in this type of algal growth. Further analysis is in progress to confirm the exact species and to clarify any potential health impacts.
As an immediate, temporary solution, Clearlake Public Works, Lake County Fire Protection District and volunteers Tommy Vallot and Clay Van Hausen spent much of the day Monday spraying out
"We want to get this cleaned up so it's useable to our residents and guests," Clearlake Public Works Supervisor Doug Herren said. "We've had some people coming in to launch their boats and they are getting stuck in the algae blossom."
Herren said that easterly winds blowing in from the west have contributed to the accumulation of algae in the southern part of the lake. "I don't know if there is a solution, but I wish the county would look into it," he said. "We're doing the best we can do."
As a precaution, LCEH recommends that individuals of all ages as well as pets avoid swimming in or ingesting lake water in the affected areas. Families should exercise caution in keeping children and pets away from the water.#
UC Davis Begins $2.8 Million in Studies of Agricultural Nitrogen's Impacts
UC Davis Newsroom-6/11/09
UC Davis researchers will receive $2.8 million in new grants to study the use and impacts of nitrogen, a hero of the agricultural revolution that is increasingly viewed as a worrisome source of water and air pollution and potent greenhouse gases.
"This is one of the most important and least publicized environmental issues we face: Escaped nitrogen from agricultural production affects the quality of our air, water, and soil and has huge potential to contribute to climate change," said Tom Tomich, director of the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at UC Davis.
"Many members of the public and politicians are unaware of the scope of this challenge. And many farmers are increasingly interested in nitrogen management to cut costs."
Nitrogen is a chemical element that occurs naturally in Earth's air, water and soil. It is essential to life, and cycles through all plants, animals and people. Nitrogen-based fertilizers help
But excess nitrogen is emitted from soils, seeps into groundwater and runs off into surface waters. Wastes from cattle, chickens and other livestock include nitrogen. Farm machines burning oil, gasoline and diesel release nitrogen to the air.
The resulting environmental impacts include:
Trapped solar radiation in the atmosphere, contributing to the "greenhouse effect" that is changing the Earth's climate;
Decreased high-altitude ozone, which allows more solar radiation to reach Earth's surface, causing skin cancer and adding to the greenhouse effect;
Increased smog and ground-level ozone, which can cause or worsen respiratory diseases such as asthma and viral infections such as the common cold;
High concentrations of nitrates in groundwater, which can cause methemoglobinemia, or "blue baby disease," and possibly bladder and ovarian cancers; and
Nitrogen runoff in bays and coastal areas, where it makes algae numbers spike then crash, drawing oxygen from the water and leading to "dead zones" -- areas that cannot support finfish, shellfish or most other aquatic life.
Those environmental impacts are not fully documented, Tomich said.
"With this new funding, we can start to fill in those blanks, and improve management of nitrogen, carbon and water to help move agriculture toward sustainability in significant ways," he said.
Data on agricultural nitrogen pollution are limited, and some nitrogen pollution forms are difficult to monitor. Measurements can be labor-intensive and expensive and are influenced by variables such as weather conditions, irrigation timing and method, and crop-specific fertilization practices.
The new studies should improve data-collection methods, said Agricultural Sustainability Institute researcher Johan Six, a professor in the Department of Plant Sciences.
"It's urgent that we know how much nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases are released during irrigation and fertilization of farm lands in
The new Agricultural Sustainability Institute grants and objectives include:
$1.5 million from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for a statewide assessment of existing scientific evidence on nitrogen use in conventional and alternative farming systems, and relevant practices and policy options.
Also: a program to improve communication about nitrogen concerns among California farmers, ranchers, extension advisors, environmental and community groups, agribusiness (including the fertilizer industry) and government agencies (including California Department of Food and Agriculture and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
This grant is to the Agricultural Sustainability Institute, in collaboration with the University of California Agricultural Issues Center, Kearney Foundation for Soil Science, and the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.
$500,000 from the California Energy Commission and $350,000 from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to Johan Six for new research on nitrous oxide emissions in various farming systems.
$300,000 from the California Air Resources Board to Will Horwath, professor in the UC Davis Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, for research on practical ways to reduce nitrous oxide emissions in California agriculture.
$150,000 from the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Fertilizer Research and Education Program to Horwath, Six and David Goorahoo, an assistant professor at the Center for Irrigation Technology at California State University, Fresno, to measure nitrous oxide emissions from cotton, corn and vegetable cropping systems.#
http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=9136
$7.5 million Coca Cola settlement will improve AmCan water system
By Sarah Rohrs
With millions in the city's coffers from a lawsuit settlement, the City Council on Tuesday will vote on a plan for spending that money.
The city reached the $7.5 million settlement in February with Coca Cola Co. over waste water discharge violations at its local bottling plant.
Tuesday's council meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. with a closed session. The public portion of the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall,
A bulk of the settlement funds will help pay for major infrastructure projects for the city, particularly to improve the city's ability to store water, Mayor Leon Garcia said. Other money will go into various reserves.
The city hopes to combine the settlement funds with federal stimulus money to build a water storage facility to better meet
"In terms of being responsible to the people of
The city has combined the Coca Cola settlement money with $1.8 million from two internal service funds which were closed out.
The plan for spending this money was discussed by the council's finance committee prior to going to the full council, Garcia and Finance Director Barry Whitley said.
The matter is on the council's "consent calendar" and may not be discussed unless a council member or member of the public requests it.
The finance committee also recommends funds be used to establish a reserve in the vehicle replacement fund, and to increase reserves in the general, water and wastewaster funds, according to the resolution before the council.
In other matters, the council will revisit a policy regarding rental of the Council Chambers. The city's new City Hall opened in February.
Council members want to allow those who rent the chambers a chance to serve food and beverages, which are not allowed, according to a city staff report.
One option is to allow groups to rent a break room that could be used conjunction with the chambers.
The council also wants to address situations in which groups frequently request ongoing use of the chambers, a situation which could make city functions more difficult.#
Toxic Legacy Lingers From Bay Area Ghost Town
KTVU TV-6/15/09
Just south of the San Francisco Bay Area, a forgotten ghost town is drawing a handful of people mining what may be the rarest gemstone on earth, but is also awash in a highly toxic heavy metal that can wash down into
New Idria is the name of the remote abandoned mining town about 60 miles south by southeast of Hollister. For almost 150 years hundreds of men labored to haul out mercury, which was initially used to separate gold ore by the 49ers.
The mines – and the town – were abandoned a generation ago, but high levels of mercury are now gushing out of the more than 80 miles of tunnels. During wet years the toxic waters flow into the
In addition to the mercury, asbestos and sulfuric acid has also been found in the waters, according to researchers.
“Most of this stuff was locked deep in the earth,” said
One of the few residents of New Idria, Kate Woods, lives amid the toxics she has tried to get cleaned up for more than 20 years.
“It’s ghastly,” she quipped, looking at a rust red creek running through the handsome
Woods and her brother have a mining claim on hundreds of acres of the land around New Idria, where they prospect for a cobalt blue gemstone called
Despite the conditions, Woods says she’s staying .
“You couldn’t blast me out of here,” she remarked. “I’m not going anywhere.”#
http://www.ktvu.com/news/19756848/detail.html
| Waste dump threatens Arabian Gulf Gulf News-6/14/09 |
| By Emmanuelle Landais |
Every time desalination plants dump tons of brine carrying chemicals into the
This is having life-threatening effects on the marine ecosystem in the region.
More than 12 million cubic metres of sea water, equivalent to 4,800 Olympic swimming pools, are desalinated daily in this region.
The UAE,
This chemical mixture is affecting seabed organisms and making its way up the food chain. Researchers say the
Removing salt from sea water to provide safe drinking water has allowed severely water-scarce countries to prosper, but the energy intensive desalination process has a definite impact on the marine environment.
According to European studies, the largest number (120) of sea water desalination plants draw water from the Arabian Gulf, and work around the clock to desalinate just under half (44 per cent) of worldwide daily production.
The recently released Arab Environment: Future Challenges 2009 report by the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) and Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) echoes this, highlighting that power plants cause thermal pollution and desalination plants release chlorine, brine and thermal loads into sea water.
Mohammad Dawood, acting manager of Water Resources Management at EAD, confirmed that impacts of desalination effluents on the local marine ecosystem are being felt. A link to red tide and brine has not been strictly ruled out either.
"There is no monitoring of long-term effects of desalination. EAD is looking at starting a project to assist and monitor desalination plants. We will check salinity, chemicals, enzymes and brine around the outlet and make better models for dilution," he told Gulf News.
"Organisms and coral reefs are being affected near the coastlines and are dying ... Brine can increase the normal sea temperature by up to 10 degrees Celsius, which has a huge effect on the marine ecosystem."
The marine environment of the Gulf has been degraded over recent years as a result of a wide range of land-based pollution sources and man-made activities.#
http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10322908.html
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