Alvarez, J. (2019, February 24). $300,000 down the drain: Grease and dollar bills clog treatment plant, cost taxpayers. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/surprise-contributor/2019/02/24/repairs-clogged-wastewater-systems-surprise-cost-residents-300-k-annually/2941207002/

In Surprise, Arizona, the wastewater management team has faced great difficulty dealing with clogs in the system from things washed down the drain. Some examples are money, toys, grease, and “flushable” items such as wipes, which regardless of common perception, still contribute to clogs. These items can also cause damage to water pipes throughout the city and machinery at the plant. Accumulations of junk called “rag balls” stick to equipment and “can actually burn out motors”. All damages are costly, and much of the repair fund comes from local taxes. In Surprise, they use $300,000 annually fixing issues caused by improper waste disposal. In January, the Be G.R.O.S.S. (Be Guardians Regarding our Sewer System) campaign was launched to educate the public about the harmful and expensive effects of improper waste in the sewer system.

As the article notes, “most people probably don’t think about what happens after they flush”, a reality that can have serious consequences. This article underscores the impact of each person just from the daily process of producing wastewater. Having clean water and wastewater treatment are necessary for humans to lead decent lives, yet these services are unavailable to many, and taken for granted where they are available. As much as clean water is essential to life, it is also a privilege, something that most Americans do not seem to realize. Wastewater treatment plants and workers also get much less appreciation for their daily work. Being aware of what is being put down drains as well as water conservation are important steps that can make their job easier and even put less strain on the planet, since fresh water reserves are not necessarily guaranteed, and treated wastewater is usually returned to the ocean. It is good that the city is making an effort to educate their residents. Hopefully this campaign is successful in Surprise, and will inspire other cities to educate their own residents as well.

Clark, J. (2019, February 15). St. Augustine considers wall to protect wastewater treatment plant from hurricanes, rising sea levels. Retrieved February 23, 2019, from https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/st-augustine-considers-wall-to-protect-wastewater-treatment-plant-from-hurricanes-rising-sea-levels/77-afdaf5aa-531b-49e3-80d0-0b95177fbd22

In St. Augustine, Florida, the city’s wastewater treatment plant is the “most exposed piece of infrastructure” in the face of hurricanes and rising sea levels. Steve Curmode, the supervisor of the plant, says that just eight inches of water inside the plant’s computer and electronics room would shut down the entire plant. This room is a sea level, the plant as a whole is only seven feet above sea level, and has already experienced some flooding from Hurricane Matthew. If the plant stops working, it would “basically flood the Intracoastal Waterway with e-Coli, bacteria and all that stuff that’s in the waste stream”. The city is weighing different options to prevent such a catastrophe. Moving the plant or building a new one would likely cost $100 million, an improbable option given that the city’s annual budget is $50 million. There is the option of using neighboring St. Johns County’s wastewater treatment system, but there has not been any discussion yet. The most probable option at this point is to build a wall around the plant. A 25 foot wall would “protect against a category 5 hurricane and sea level rise for the next 30 years”, and would cost $5 million.

Wastewater treatment is an essential service for every city. However, if a plant is not doing its job properly, there will be disgusting and disastrous results. For whatever reason, the St. Augustine wastewater treatment plant seems to have been poorly placed to begin with. This situation shows the importance of long-term city planning. In this case, the effects of climate change are the biggest threat, with rising sea levels and increasingly extreme weather. Increasing population sizes, especially in cities, is another source of pressure that wastewater treatment plants may face. Wastewater treatment plants must be difficult to renovate given that they are large structures, and must be running continuously because of how essential their service is. I wonder if there is any way to make the process more flexible, so that wastewater management can better adjust to threats such as flooding, or higher demand. Another hinderance to wastewater treatment plant renovation is the cost. The options that St. Augustine is considering cost millions of dollars, as well as time and labor. I wonder where that money may come from, and if cities have a fund specifically for wastewater management.

Morgans, K. (2019, February 22). Wiggins ‘rookie’ recognized. Retrieved February 23, 2019, from http://www.fortmorgantimes.com/fort-morgan-local-news/ci_32470825/wiggins-rookie-recognized

In the town of Wiggens, Colorado, Chrissy Danford has been recognized as the Rookie Wastewater Operator of the Year by the Colorado Rural Water Association. She has managed water and wastewater operations including wastewater collection, wastewater treatment, the reverse osmosis system, and distribution of clean water for the area for three years. She has also been working on becoming state certified in the field. Her mentor, Mark Foxworthy, who has worked in the field for 26 years, notes that as much of the older generation of wastewater operators have retired, it is important to bring “younger blood into the industry”. Danford is an unusual figure in the field as a young woman, but her work ethic and commitment to furthering her education has landed her this award.

As wastewater treatment plants themselves are often overlooked as an essential part of daily life, it is easy to forget that real people commit themselves to the wastewater treatment field. The issue that Foxworthy mentioned about struggling to fill positions with new younger workers was thought-provoking. Especially for such an essential service like wastewater treatment, it is slightly concerning that there may not be a pool of employees to hire from. There is a lot of potential in the wastewater treatment industry as it gains more attention as a solution to water-scarcity, and a source of nutrients and chemicals. Though the tech industry gets the most hype as the center of innovation, it may be worth it for young people to look into under-recognized industries such as the wastewater treatment and recovery industries.

SBWire. (2019, February 22). U.S. Wastewater Recovery Systems Market Anticipated to Expand over 7% by 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2019, from http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/us-wastewater-recovery-systems-market-anticipated-to-expand-over-7-by-2024-1139552.htm

At a time when sources of green, sustainable energy are rapidly gaining interest and attention, wastewater recovery systems are enjoying the same attention. Wastewater treatment plants are increasingly considered as “water resource recovery facilities that recover nutrients and produce clean water… (and) have the potential to lower the dependence on fossil fuels and reduce water scarcity through the production & use of renewable energy”. As a result, the wastewater recovery systems industry is seeing equally rapid economic and innovative growth. In the United States, government regulations from the EPA for example, require comprehensive wastewater treatment already, and are in turn encouraging the implementation of wastewater recovery systems. As of 2008, the country has 14,780 wastewater treatment facilities, providing many potential projects for the wastewater recovery systems industry.

I agree with the ideas in the article that wastewater recovery systems could be a large part in reducing the human impact on the environment. If chemicals and nutrients could be recovered from wastewater, it would reduce the need for extracting and creating new material, which is often energy intensive. In addition, recovering clean water from wastewater would create a more closed cycle of water consumption, reducing the need to disrupt ecosystems for fresh water, and for becoming dependent on outside sources of water. It is interesting to consider the business side of implementing sustainable practices on a national or global level. Not only will they improve the quality of life for people and the state of the planet, but there are definite economic incentives, which never hurt a cause. It would be ideal for the projected economic gains of the wastewater recovery systems industry to come to fruition, and for the economic incentive to propel new and improved innovations, and the expansion of  wastewater recovery practices in America and world wide.

The Gadsden Times. (2019, February 22). Wastewater plant-Coosa Riverkeeper reach settlement. Retrieved February 23, 2019, from https://www.gadsdentimes.com/news/20190222/wastewater-plant-coosa-riverkeeper-reach-settlement

A settlement was released resolving two lawsuits against the Tull C. Allen Wastewater Treatment Plant in Oxford, Alabama, which discharges treated wastewater into the Choccolocco Creek. The plant was accused of violating the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act and the Clean Water Act, and will be paying fines, as well as funding and conducting a formal engineering analysis to upgrade its infrastructure. Specifically, the plant will be “replacing force mains and older manholes, replacing and automating its disinfection system, installing a new mobile monitoring system and operation software, and undergoing an independent audit of plant sampling procedures”. The plant will be protected from any further legal action for the next five years as it is expected to be making changes.

This article shed some light on the state of potentially overlooked wastewater treatment plants especially in suburban and rural areas. Wastewater treatment is largely taken for granted in our country, but it is an essential part of every city’s infrastructure. However, there is a fine balance between help and hurt when it comes to wastewater treatment. As seen in Oxford, a poorly run treatment plant is simply polluting the environment, hurting the plants, animals, and people around it. This article also made me think about where funds for wastewater treatment plants come from. I imagine that they are owned by the city or state, and get money from the government or taxes. In this case, I wonder why so many upgrades and maintenance were neglected to the point of being ineffective or even harmful. Also where the money to make the necessary changes will be coming from, and if the plant has the money at the moment, why was it being held back. It seems that closer regulation of not only the day to day workings of wastewater treatment plants, but also the financial side of the processes is necessary.

Bravo, C., & Ojeda, A. (2018, November 16). Project to Turn Wastewater into Drinking Water to Begin Construction in Spring 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2018, from https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Pure-Water-San-Diego-Transform-Wastewater-Drinking-Construction-Contracts-Phase-1-500705201.html

The San Diego City Council approved the Pure Water San Diego Project, an initiative to purify wastewater into drinkable water. It plans to provide one-third of San Diego’s water by 2035. The project requires construction of pipelines to transport wastewater to the purification plant, then to the Lake Miramar Reservoir for storage, and out to citizens. The program is slated to start in 2021 in Miramar, and will produce up to 30 million gallons of potable water a day. More treatment facilities are planned to open in Central San Diego and South Bay, expected to produce an additional 53 million gallons per day. This water will replace imported water from the Colorado River and the Northern California Bay Delta, which is becoming increasingly expensive,

I think that this project is admirable, and should be followed by other major cities in California, especially in Southern California. As this article notes, San Diego and other Southern Californian cities rely on water from up north. This requires great amounts of energy and use of pipelines, and arguably takes away from citizens and farmers who need the water in Northern California. This recycled water system benefits both Northern and Southern California, as demand for imported water is alleviated. Water is a necessary component of life, but is also under strain with the persistent drought conditions throughout the state. The more cities can become self-sufficient with their water supply the better.

Anaergia Inc. (2018, November 14). Anaergia Celebrates Opening Of California CHP System. Retrieved November 17, 2018, from http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/15750/anaergia-celebrates-opening-of-california-chp-system

Anaergia Inc. officially opened its combined-heat-and-power (CHP) system at the Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility (HARRF) in Escondido, California. This system generates renewable power for the facility using the gas produced by the anaerobic digesters, which are an integral part of the wastewater treatment process. The facility is being celebrated for the implementation of the system, as its use of renewable, clean energy is beneficial to both the local community and the environment.

Given that wastewater treatment is a necessary process for any city, it is important to continuously improve wastewater treatment plants. It is great that this facility is now completely self-sufficient on clean, renewable energy. Since the facility is using the biogas and sludge that are natural byproducts of the wastewater treatment process to fuel itself, the facility could be considered zero-waste. This self-contained system is efficient, reduces costs, and is environmentally friendly, and should be applied to wastewater treatment plants everywhere.

Wilson, N. (2018, November 9). Morro Bay mayor candidates talk town unity after close race. Retrieved November 17, 2018, from https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/politics-government/election/article221367255.html

In Morro Bay, California, plans for a new wastewater treatment and water recycling plant are the most divisive issue for the local elections. The two candidates running for mayor disagree on the location of the new plant, which is expected to be built further from the coast, outside of city limits. This location will result in higher costs. The new plant will replace the old plant, located closer to the coast, built in 1953. It is expected to cost $126 million dollars, and a forty-one dollar rate increase for water and sewer surcharges has been instated to help cover the cost. Over 2,158 protest ballots were sent in opposing the rate increase, with support from Citizens for Affordable Living.

This article shows that wastewater treatment can have serious political, economic, and social impacts. Despite being a necessary part of city infrastructure, I feel like most people do not give much thought to where their wastewater goes. Updating old facilities can prove complicated, especially when relocation is in consideration as in Morro Bay. Not only is location an issue, but so is cost. There is no doubt that $126 million is a large cost, and a forty-one dollar increase in household contribution seems significant. However, in the long run, updated and well functioning wastewater treatment is crucial, and worth the initial investment. Hopefully, the new mayor can approach this issue with great care, and figure out a way to alleviate stress on lower income families while still allowing the plant to be throughly updated.

Wilhelm, M. (2018, September 25). Wasting Wastewater: New Report Identifies Water Recycling Opportunities. Retrieved November 17, 2018, from http://www.kcbx.org/post/wasting-wastewater-new-report-identifies-water-recycling-opportunities#stream/0

A report released by the nonprofit organization Heal the Ocean shows that 417 billion gallons of treated wastewater were pumped into the Pacific from 57 coastal wastewater treatment plants in California in 2015. Though there is little harm done to the ocean, the organization sees this discharged water as a wasted source of potable water, given California’s persistent drought conditions. If 85 percent of discharged wastewater was recycled, it could provide water for 8 million Californians.

Ever since the sewer science unit in freshman biology, when I was informed that wastewater treated in Redwood City is pumped into the bay, I personally found the discharge of this water to be counterintuitive. I am glad to see that my confusion is now backed by scientific research. Water is a vital and now severely limited resource in California. It seems even irresponsible to allow treated wastewater to go unused, simply out of convenience. Some plants are recycling their treated wastewater, and there is proof that this water is perfectly up to tap and drinkable standards. This recycling of wastewater should become the norm, especially in drought-ridden California.

Wood, E. (2018, July 12). California Approves $5M to Demonstrate the Value of Microgrids for Wastewater Treatment. Retrieved November 17, 2018, from https://microgridknowledge.com/value-of-microgrids-for-wastewater-treatment/

The California Energy Commission granted $5 million to Rialto Bioenergy to pilot microgrids for wastewater treatment plants using anaerobic digesters. This project is part of the commission’s plan to encourage the use of microgrids for wastewater treatment plants despite the high initial cost. Microgrids are especially important to sustain waste management through prolonged power outages. The pilot system will include a battery storage system as well as a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, that uses biogas produced at the plant. The microgrid is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emission from the plant by twenty percent, and provide renewable energy for use by the local utility company.

This article proves the importance of wastewater treatment itself, as well as the maintenance and continuous modernization of treatment plants. The article cited Hurricane Sandy and its devastating effects on New Jersey wastewater treatment, when millions of gallons of raw sewage were dumped into waterways because treatment plants were left without power. Microgrids prevent such catastrophes from ever happening, and with self-generated power form CHP units, can even provide backup power for other facilities. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is an added bonus. This article proves the worth of microgrids, which will hopefully be widely implemented.