Comments on: Water Rich, Resource Poor http://capenews.net/blogs/under_the_lens/2010/02/16/water-rich-resource-poor/ Blog focusing on science and environmental issues affecting the Upper Cape Wed, 01 Jun 2011 21:06:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Brian Braginton-Smith http://capenews.net/blogs/under_the_lens/2010/02/16/water-rich-resource-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Brian Braginton-Smith Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:21:24 +0000 http://capenews.net/blogs/under_the_lens/?p=77#comment-43 Wastewater is a waste of water. We take the water and use it to transport our waste. It works, it's been done since antiquity, ergo wastewater disposal. Wastewater re-cycling is nothing new, my organization introduced membrane based recycling of wastewater in the early 90s in Massachusetts. The Cape Cod Laundry Center in South Yarmouth has been recycling 100% of their water since 1994. It's a no brainer, the conventional thinkers view it as a mysterious technology but it is really very simple. By utilizing the membrane separation technology we can re-claim up to 90% of the wastewater stream via a process that is virtually odor free and which removes almost everything down to the molecular level including many of the pollutants now being identified as potential environmental threats like pharmaceuticals and personal care products. We are working to bring about a simplified methodology for sewering our communities by providing an integrated single step approach which includes this proven alternative water treatment resource development tool and vacuum collection systems. The other benefit of this process is that it is very flexible in its ability to accomodate variable flow volumes, something that can wreak havoc on conventional treatment plant operations. Regarding collection systems, vacuum sewers mittigate the threat of flood based infiltration because they represent a closed system. All electrical and mechanical systems are located away from the flood zone so the process still operates for the balance of the service area. Our integrated system includes vacuum collection as well. What this means is that in one simple step the community receives the best available technology for the collection and treatment of wastewater which also results in a valuable alternative water resource. This re-use water can be utilized, or it can be discharged without the serious concerns for the subsequent health of the ecosystems and future generations. Why has this proven, cost effective, simplified option not been proposed by your engineering firms? Any other solution is just a waste of precious water and a threat to the environment. Wastewater is a waste of water. We take the water and use it to transport our waste. It works, it’s been done since antiquity, ergo wastewater disposal. Wastewater re-cycling is nothing new, my organization introduced membrane based recycling of wastewater in the early 90s in Massachusetts. The Cape Cod Laundry Center in South Yarmouth has been recycling 100% of their water since 1994. It’s a no brainer, the conventional thinkers view it as a mysterious technology but it is really very simple. By utilizing the membrane separation technology we can re-claim up to 90% of the wastewater stream via a process that is virtually odor free and which removes almost everything down to the molecular level including many of the pollutants now being identified as potential environmental threats like pharmaceuticals and personal care products. We are working to bring about a simplified methodology for sewering our communities by providing an integrated single step approach which includes this proven alternative water treatment resource development tool and vacuum collection systems. The other benefit of this process is that it is very flexible in its ability to accomodate variable flow volumes, something that can wreak havoc on conventional treatment plant operations.

Regarding collection systems, vacuum sewers mittigate the threat of flood based infiltration because they represent a closed system. All electrical and mechanical systems are located away from the flood zone so the process still operates for the balance of the service area. Our integrated system includes vacuum collection as well. What this means is that in one simple step the community receives the best available technology for the collection and treatment of wastewater which also results in a valuable alternative water resource. This re-use water can be utilized, or it can be discharged without the serious concerns for the subsequent health of the ecosystems and future generations.

Why has this proven, cost effective, simplified option not been proposed by your engineering firms? Any other solution is just a waste of precious water and a threat to the environment.

]]> By: Barry http://capenews.net/blogs/under_the_lens/2010/02/16/water-rich-resource-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Barry Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:55:37 +0000 http://capenews.net/blogs/under_the_lens/?p=77#comment-36 Greetings, Do you think everyone in Falmouth needs to have a bathroom in their house? The reason I do ask is because I am building a home and my contractor says he wants to put a bathroom in. But now I think he is trying to get more money out of me. I do not want bathroom. I do not think this necessary. He is trying to milk me for all I am worth. Now I am upset. Greetings,

Do you think everyone in Falmouth needs to have a bathroom in their house? The reason I do ask is because I am building a home and my contractor says he wants to put a bathroom in. But now I think he is trying to get more money out of me. I do not want bathroom. I do not think this necessary. He is trying to milk me for all I am worth. Now I am upset.

]]> By: Gerald C Potamis http://capenews.net/blogs/under_the_lens/2010/02/16/water-rich-resource-poor/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Gerald C Potamis Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:06:29 +0000 http://capenews.net/blogs/under_the_lens/?p=77#comment-25 In reference to the need for more stormwater management systems with greater storm sewers being installed by the Town. I would offer a few concepts of stormwater management that seem simplistic but complicated or at least controversial to implement 1. Reduce runoff to the maximum extent possible or practicable . 2. Reduce nutrients and other pollutants in stormwater that are contained in the stormwater or recharged backed into the groundwater 3. Carefully evaluate municipal stormwater discharge locations and how the discharge will be managed 4. Consider a comprehensive or limited to start slowly stormwater management policies, bylaws, regulations that can be applied across multiple town regulatory boards. Jerry Potamis In reference to the need for more stormwater management systems with greater storm sewers being installed by the Town. I would offer a few concepts of stormwater management that seem simplistic but complicated or at least controversial to implement
1. Reduce runoff to the maximum extent possible or practicable .
2. Reduce nutrients and other pollutants in stormwater that are contained in the stormwater or recharged backed into the groundwater
3. Carefully evaluate municipal stormwater discharge locations and how the discharge will be managed
4. Consider a comprehensive or limited to start slowly stormwater management policies, bylaws, regulations that can be applied across multiple town regulatory boards.

Jerry Potamis

]]>