4 ms·

It's strange though, cause the potential solutions proposed, especially the first, seem like they would be goals of environmental lobbyists, whoever or whatever

by nverno 3y ago

It's strange though, cause the potential solutions proposed, especially the first, seem like they would be goals of environmental lobbyists, whoever or whatever those are.

lostdog 3y ago
This one? > But upgrading the urban wastewater-treatment facilities surrounding the bay would eliminate nutrient pollution, permitting more delta water to be directed to California’s farms and cities—a lot more water. The main reason for "flushing" fresh water into the delta is to preserve the delta ecosystem. Without putting fresh water in the river, the salt water from the Bay works its way up the delta. I tried a few searches to understand whether this wastewater issue is real or not, and the main "nutrient pollution" issue that comes up is not human waste, but instead fertilizer runoff from agriculture [1,2]. Upgrading wastewater treatment sounds great, but overall this author just doesn't seem to be honest. [1] https://ucanr.edu/sites/DRAAWP/files/358402.pdf https://ucanr.edu/sites/DRAAWP/files/358402.pdf [2] https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/10/2845 https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/10/2845
- nverno 3y ago
  I hadn't thought about the saltwater creep. But fertilizer runoff from agriculture is a big deal, and can have serious implications. If it's too concentrated, it can kill entire ecosystems after algal blooms. I actually did my undergrad thesis on looking into using mushrooms to reduce fertilizer runoff. I guess it's probably pretty complicated to decide what solution would have the least environmental impact/or the one with the most desired outcome in this case.
  - lostdog 3y ago
    Fertilizer runoff is a big deal, but I'm pretty sure only human waste goes through the "waste treatment plants" the author is talking about, and that fertilizer runoff does not. That's why I consider the article to be so deceptive.
    - zamnos 3y ago
      I am not a water engineer, so I'm curious, if you have a slurry with two types of impurities, human waste and fertilizer run-off, what are the properties used to categorize them and split them out? It all just goes down the drain to me so I've never considered the problem. I'm sure the answer is interesting!
      - anonymouskimmer 3y ago
        Storm water drains use a separate system of pipes to drain straight to rivers, lakes, etcetera.
      - anonymouskimmer 3y ago
        Apparently there is sometimes treatment of separated runoff: https://basmaa.org/urban-runoff-treatment-retrofits/ https://basmaa.org/urban-runoff-treatment-retrofits/
    - nverno 3y ago
      > only human waste goes through the "waste treatment plants" I think you're probably right about this. It does seem a bit misleading now.

by nverno 3y ago

It's strange though, cause the potential solutions proposed, especially the first, seem like they would be goals of environmental lobbyists, whoever or whatever those are.

lostdog 3y ago

This one? > But upgrading the urban wastewater-treatment facilities surrounding the bay would eliminate nutrient pollution, permitting more delta water to be directed to California’s farms and cities—a lot more water. The main reason for "flushing" fresh water into the delta is to preserve the delta ecosystem. Without putting fresh water in the river, the salt water from the Bay works its way up the delta. I tried a few searches to understand whether this wastewater issue is real or not, and the main "nutrient pollution" issue that comes up is not human waste, but instead fertilizer runoff from agriculture [1,2]. Upgrading wastewater treatment sounds great, but overall this author just doesn't seem to be honest. [1] https://ucanr.edu/sites/DRAAWP/files/358402.pdf https://ucanr.edu/sites/DRAAWP/files/358402.pdf [2] https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/10/2845 https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/10/2845

nverno 3y ago
I hadn't thought about the saltwater creep. But fertilizer runoff from agriculture is a big deal, and can have serious implications. If it's too concentrated, it can kill entire ecosystems after algal blooms. I actually did my undergrad thesis on looking into using mushrooms to reduce fertilizer runoff. I guess it's probably pretty complicated to decide what solution would have the least environmental impact/or the one with the most desired outcome in this case.
- lostdog 3y ago
  Fertilizer runoff is a big deal, but I'm pretty sure only human waste goes through the "waste treatment plants" the author is talking about, and that fertilizer runoff does not. That's why I consider the article to be so deceptive.
  - zamnos 3y ago
    I am not a water engineer, so I'm curious, if you have a slurry with two types of impurities, human waste and fertilizer run-off, what are the properties used to categorize them and split them out? It all just goes down the drain to me so I've never considered the problem. I'm sure the answer is interesting!
    - anonymouskimmer 3y ago
      Storm water drains use a separate system of pipes to drain straight to rivers, lakes, etcetera.
    - anonymouskimmer 3y ago
      Apparently there is sometimes treatment of separated runoff: https://basmaa.org/urban-runoff-treatment-retrofits/ https://basmaa.org/urban-runoff-treatment-retrofits/
  - nverno 3y ago
    > only human waste goes through the "waste treatment plants" I think you're probably right about this. It does seem a bit misleading now.