Saturday, February 28, 2009
economy in shambles
msnbc.com news services NEW YORK - Billionaire investor Warren Buffett predicted Saturday that "the nation's economy will be in shambles throughout 2009" and probably "well beyond." In his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shareholders, Buffett said the credit crisis and falling housing and stock prices have led to "paralyzing fear." Our Mayor and Council believe that THIS is a good time to go 2.5 MILLION dollars more into debt? Buffett is a pretty smart guy and "well beyond" does not suggest a rapid recovery anywhere in the near future. the evidence continues to mount, but the Mayor and Council are too focused on their legacies to care. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
honesty and good intentions paramount
I am more concerned if a candidate is honest and has the best interest of the residents of Miami Springs than anything else. I would hope that would be the acid test for the voters. All the rest, if not illegal, is probably not all that important to the residents and voters. There is plenty of gossip to talk about with the current Council if one really wants to go there, but most has little to do with their intentions, the job they are, or could be, doing or their vision for our city. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
George Lob is a Billy clone and will say and do whatever Billy tells him. Mr Suco says we have missed many oppurtunities and that he will bring new ideas to the Council- what oppurtunities have been missed and what are your new ideas? HOW would you rejuvenate our commercial areas? What is "proper planning" for annexation and the 36th street corridor? HOW would you improve our parks and recreation? HOW would you promote this city? These sound nice, but are generic, and need some fleshing out and details, no? I am for world peace and ending world hunger too - is that enough? Dr. Mel P. Johnson
Friday, February 27, 2009
hackneyed slogans that mean nothing
Has anybody else noticed that they dont even pretend NOW that the numbers presented here are not accurate. They just ignore them like they dont exist. Ignoring them doesnt make them disappear. That is just wishful thinking on their part. It is also interesting none of the incumbents discuss any of the issues, just hackneyed slogans ie simply the best, which means absolutely NOTHING; I will listen - if you are a contractor I can overpay to build my legacy project. Money is no object as we have paid outrageous sums in the past and as long as I am Mayor we will CONTINUE to do it! Costs are irrelevent to me. Immaterial! Charge whatever you want cause we will pay it. I mean, its NOT like its OUR personal money being wasted! If they would say what they really mean the people would have a clearer idea of where they stand, and could judge them accordingly. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
shared pain
There are some reductions that can be made, and some areas that CANT be done. Fire and police have to do with public safety and really cant be reduced, but there are other areas that a good accountant could find to reduce our expenses, hopefully without significant layoffs. We do appear to be top heavy at some positions and those would be logical places to start looking. Leadership starts at the top and our leaders should be setting the example of shared pain. The only pain I have seen so far is on the part of the taxpayers whose taxes and fees have increased while city administration refuses to take their share of the pain. Perhaps some guidance can be found in Obamas plan to cap executive pay at 100k, for example. In fairness, we cannot have the little guys making all the sacrifices while the executives make none. This HAS to change. I would bet that there are plenty of guys out of work who would be willing to take a job for 100k. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
carpooling
The Basics
Cut your gas costs by half -- or more
Carpools are good for a lot more than just saving on fuel. Here's how to find people to share your commute and some guidelines for a smooth ride.
[Related content: savings, cars, gas prices, budgeting, frugal]
By Diane Mapes
MSN Money
Gas prices may not be at an all-time high, but who couldn't stand to save cash now? Here's one way to chop your costs at the pump: by carpooling.
Sharing rides is easier than you might think. And by dipping your toe into the carpool now, you'll be sitting pretty no matter which way gas prices move.
"I easily save $250 to $300 a month," says Jeremy Chrysler, a 31-year-old vice president of business development in Tampa, Fla., who's been carpooling 37 miles to work and back for the past nine months. "I save twice as much by carpooling as I would by bringing my lunch to work every day."
A one-person work commute costs about $320 a month, or $3,840 a year, based on AAA's cost of car ownership and operation (54 cents a mile) and the average roundtrip commute (28 miles). Split that cost four ways in a carpool, however, and you cut your commuting cost to about $80 a month (a monthly savings of nearly $240), or $960 a year (a savings of $2,880).
And that's not even taking into consideration other benefits:
•Less time behind the wheel means less stress. The time you spend not driving can be spent doing other things: catching up on e-mail and reports, taking a power nap or jawing with fellow carpoolers.
•For areas with carpool lanes, more people in the car means a faster commute.
•The structured routine often increases productivity and creates better work-life boundaries.
•You're reducing fuel consumption, traffic congestion, and wear and tear on infrastructure.
•Fewer cars on the road cuts pollution and the nation's dependency on foreign oil.
More from MSN Money
Make your car last 250,000 miles
Which cars cost more (or less) to insure?
The real reason you're broke
Left-lane slowpokes drive you crazy?
Could you pass a driving-skills test?
.
Yes, carpools are cleaner, greener and a simple way to save real money -- money you can use on those ever-rising food costs. During World War II, similar "car clubs," as they were known, were considered patriotic for their fuel savings. But how does one get started down this sensible stretch of the highway?
Neighborhood hookups
For Chrysler, it was as simple as looking in his rearview mirror.
"One day I looked back and saw two of my co-workers driving the exact same route as me," he says. "We looked like those guys in 'Swingers' -- three guys in our three cars."
Chrysler proposed that they join forces, and a neighborhood carpool was born. The group was informal at first, sharing rides just once or twice a week, but after a few weeks, it became more organized and added a fourth carpooler. At present, each member of the pool agrees to drive five times a month, which means no money changes hands (unless someone needs to make up for a lost driving day).
Carpool etiquette is guided by a few basic rules:
•The driver dictates the music (or lack thereof).
•Anyone running late notifies other members ASAP (and drives in alone if he or she is more than 10 minutes behind).
•Calling "shotgun" doesn't apply (if you're in the front on the way there, you're in the back on the way home).
Multimedia on MSN Money
Could you get by with just one car?
Vehicles outnumber people in the US, but some see the tide turning. Public transit use is up, and families are starting to wonder whether they could downsize what's in their garages..
Other tips:
•Figure out a driving schedule, a route, pickup/drop-off points and how you'll handle gas money. Many carpools simply divvy up the driving, with no money changing hands.
•Establish policies regarding music, perfume/cologne, food and drink, smoking and errands. Some carpoolers will dovetail brief grocery runs into their commutes; others prefer to stick to the basics.
•Keep your car clean and safe, and always drive responsibly
Cut your gas costs by half -- or more
Carpools are good for a lot more than just saving on fuel. Here's how to find people to share your commute and some guidelines for a smooth ride.
[Related content: savings, cars, gas prices, budgeting, frugal]
By Diane Mapes
MSN Money
Gas prices may not be at an all-time high, but who couldn't stand to save cash now? Here's one way to chop your costs at the pump: by carpooling.
Sharing rides is easier than you might think. And by dipping your toe into the carpool now, you'll be sitting pretty no matter which way gas prices move.
"I easily save $250 to $300 a month," says Jeremy Chrysler, a 31-year-old vice president of business development in Tampa, Fla., who's been carpooling 37 miles to work and back for the past nine months. "I save twice as much by carpooling as I would by bringing my lunch to work every day."
A one-person work commute costs about $320 a month, or $3,840 a year, based on AAA's cost of car ownership and operation (54 cents a mile) and the average roundtrip commute (28 miles). Split that cost four ways in a carpool, however, and you cut your commuting cost to about $80 a month (a monthly savings of nearly $240), or $960 a year (a savings of $2,880).
And that's not even taking into consideration other benefits:
•Less time behind the wheel means less stress. The time you spend not driving can be spent doing other things: catching up on e-mail and reports, taking a power nap or jawing with fellow carpoolers.
•For areas with carpool lanes, more people in the car means a faster commute.
•The structured routine often increases productivity and creates better work-life boundaries.
•You're reducing fuel consumption, traffic congestion, and wear and tear on infrastructure.
•Fewer cars on the road cuts pollution and the nation's dependency on foreign oil.
More from MSN Money
Make your car last 250,000 miles
Which cars cost more (or less) to insure?
The real reason you're broke
Left-lane slowpokes drive you crazy?
Could you pass a driving-skills test?
.
Yes, carpools are cleaner, greener and a simple way to save real money -- money you can use on those ever-rising food costs. During World War II, similar "car clubs," as they were known, were considered patriotic for their fuel savings. But how does one get started down this sensible stretch of the highway?
Neighborhood hookups
For Chrysler, it was as simple as looking in his rearview mirror.
"One day I looked back and saw two of my co-workers driving the exact same route as me," he says. "We looked like those guys in 'Swingers' -- three guys in our three cars."
Chrysler proposed that they join forces, and a neighborhood carpool was born. The group was informal at first, sharing rides just once or twice a week, but after a few weeks, it became more organized and added a fourth carpooler. At present, each member of the pool agrees to drive five times a month, which means no money changes hands (unless someone needs to make up for a lost driving day).
Carpool etiquette is guided by a few basic rules:
•The driver dictates the music (or lack thereof).
•Anyone running late notifies other members ASAP (and drives in alone if he or she is more than 10 minutes behind).
•Calling "shotgun" doesn't apply (if you're in the front on the way there, you're in the back on the way home).
Multimedia on MSN Money
Could you get by with just one car?
Vehicles outnumber people in the US, but some see the tide turning. Public transit use is up, and families are starting to wonder whether they could downsize what's in their garages..
Other tips:
•Figure out a driving schedule, a route, pickup/drop-off points and how you'll handle gas money. Many carpools simply divvy up the driving, with no money changing hands.
•Establish policies regarding music, perfume/cologne, food and drink, smoking and errands. Some carpoolers will dovetail brief grocery runs into their commutes; others prefer to stick to the basics.
•Keep your car clean and safe, and always drive responsibly
commentary
Reductions in spending involves some very tough decisions. Has anybody hear anything about possible consolidations of departments, sharing of equipment and/or staff? reduction in hours worked to 35 maybe to avoid layoffs? Tough choices are ahead of us if we are to get thru this situation. Does anybody see ANY signs city officials are even aware of this? Can it be that they dont want to make these tough decisions and are willing to let the new Council do it so they will look like the good guys? And the new Council the bad guys? Cant find any other possible reason why no action is being taken. Can anybody else explain this? Dr. Mel P. Johnson
Rainwater harvesting benefits
What is Rainwater Harvesting?
It is an ancient technique of capturing and storing of rainwater, so that it can be used as the water is needed.
Advantages
The water is free; the only cost is for collection and use.
You can water your lawn with no watering restrictions.
The end use of harvested water is located close to the source, eliminating the need for complex and costly distribution systems.
Rainwater provides a water source when groundwater is unacceptable or unavailable, or it can augment limited groundwater supplies.
The zero hardness of rainwater helps prevent scale or rust stains on surrounding items.
Rainwater is superior for landscape irrigation.
Rainwater harvesting reduces flow to stormwater drains and also reduces non-point source pollution
It is an ancient technique of capturing and storing of rainwater, so that it can be used as the water is needed.
Advantages
The water is free; the only cost is for collection and use.
You can water your lawn with no watering restrictions.
The end use of harvested water is located close to the source, eliminating the need for complex and costly distribution systems.
Rainwater provides a water source when groundwater is unacceptable or unavailable, or it can augment limited groundwater supplies.
The zero hardness of rainwater helps prevent scale or rust stains on surrounding items.
Rainwater is superior for landscape irrigation.
Rainwater harvesting reduces flow to stormwater drains and also reduces non-point source pollution
Aqus Water Recycler
The Aqus(TM) is the epitomy of American ingenuity. Bothered from a young age by the tragic waste of water flowing down the sink drain, Mark Sanders repeatedly dreamed of a system to collect that water and reuse it. Dreams led to sketches, which led to the hot-glue gun of home remodeler Matt Ridge, who created a prototype to store the greywater from the sink for reuse when toilet flushing. The idea caught the attention of investors, and won the Vogt Invention and Innovation Fund Award, on its way to its public debut at the American Water Works Association’s 2006 Water Sources Conference and Exposition. Nice to see that the device passed the introduction to professionals before appearing at West Coast Green, presumably to a less technically critical audience. Our own Nick Aster met the WaterSaver folks at West Coast Green, where the brochures for this interesting, potentially D-I-Y, product were walking out faster than they could keep reprinting them.
The Aqua catches the water flowing down your sink drain, filters and disinfects it, and stores it ready for the next toilet flush. It is designed to be easily retrofit into existing fixtures and boasts low maintenance. Gravity and a small electric pump transport the water from the 5.5 gallon (21 L) holding tank installed under the sink. A device in the toilet tank prevents fresh water inflow as long as sufficient water is available in the Aqus to do the job; in case the Aqus runs low, the normal toilet valve for incoming water will serve the demand. Unfortunately, this mechanism is not yet developed to the point where it can work with two-flush systems designed to reduce water use at the toilet. Most TreeHuggers will wrestle with another demon in this system: the disinfection system is chlorine based, relying on three tablets that must be replaced during the annual maintenance and filter cleaning. The disinfection is essential to protect pets drinking the toilet water and probably benefits human health as well. Since most public water systems are chlorinated in the process of ensuring safe drinking water, this is probably a small price to pay to reduce household water discharge to the sewer by 25 - 40%. If you discharge to a septic field or potentially sensitive environments, you should talk to the WaterSaver Technologies experts when making your decision about an Aqus.
The system retails for about $200, and has a lifespan of 10-12 years, with a payback of about 4 years, depending on local water and sewage costs. The Aqus system is patented; the UPC product listing of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the UL seal of approval are pending. The system has been tested in households in Colorado, Kentucky and New Mexico and proven itself market ready. If used by every household, this could represent a savings of 4.8 billion gallons of water flushed down U.S. toilets each day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water. Sanders said WaterSavers also plans to design systems for shower and tub, complete in-home systems, and systems to serve multi-family and other commercial structures. The primary market will be home building professionals, but the company will also sell the units over their website WaterSaver Technologies.
Product Specifications:
•Reservoir Size: 13 1⁄2 x 15 1⁄2 x 8 inches
•Volume: 5 1⁄2 gallons
•Electrical Low voltage 12V DC
•Fill control unit patent #6,276,005
•Requires minimum 1.6 gallon toilet tank with ball cock
•Tubing 3/8 inch
•Pump 12V DC centrifugal submersible
•Average flow rate: 1.6 gallon per 72 seconds
•Suggested Retail $195.00
The Aqua catches the water flowing down your sink drain, filters and disinfects it, and stores it ready for the next toilet flush. It is designed to be easily retrofit into existing fixtures and boasts low maintenance. Gravity and a small electric pump transport the water from the 5.5 gallon (21 L) holding tank installed under the sink. A device in the toilet tank prevents fresh water inflow as long as sufficient water is available in the Aqus to do the job; in case the Aqus runs low, the normal toilet valve for incoming water will serve the demand. Unfortunately, this mechanism is not yet developed to the point where it can work with two-flush systems designed to reduce water use at the toilet. Most TreeHuggers will wrestle with another demon in this system: the disinfection system is chlorine based, relying on three tablets that must be replaced during the annual maintenance and filter cleaning. The disinfection is essential to protect pets drinking the toilet water and probably benefits human health as well. Since most public water systems are chlorinated in the process of ensuring safe drinking water, this is probably a small price to pay to reduce household water discharge to the sewer by 25 - 40%. If you discharge to a septic field or potentially sensitive environments, you should talk to the WaterSaver Technologies experts when making your decision about an Aqus.
The system retails for about $200, and has a lifespan of 10-12 years, with a payback of about 4 years, depending on local water and sewage costs. The Aqus system is patented; the UPC product listing of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the UL seal of approval are pending. The system has been tested in households in Colorado, Kentucky and New Mexico and proven itself market ready. If used by every household, this could represent a savings of 4.8 billion gallons of water flushed down U.S. toilets each day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water. Sanders said WaterSavers also plans to design systems for shower and tub, complete in-home systems, and systems to serve multi-family and other commercial structures. The primary market will be home building professionals, but the company will also sell the units over their website WaterSaver Technologies.
Product Specifications:
•Reservoir Size: 13 1⁄2 x 15 1⁄2 x 8 inches
•Volume: 5 1⁄2 gallons
•Electrical Low voltage 12V DC
•Fill control unit patent #6,276,005
•Requires minimum 1.6 gallon toilet tank with ball cock
•Tubing 3/8 inch
•Pump 12V DC centrifugal submersible
•Average flow rate: 1.6 gallon per 72 seconds
•Suggested Retail $195.00
Tuscon Water Reclamation
Reclaimed Water
Tucson Water has been delivering reclaimed water to customers for more than 20 years. We deliver reclaimed water to about 900 sites, including: 14 golf courses; 35 parks; 47 schools (the University of Arizona and Pima Community College included); and more than 700 single family homes. Our reclaimed water production facilities at Roger Road near I-10 have been filtering and disinfecting treated wastewater for 23 years.
Using reclaimed water for irrigation saves groundwater for drinking. In 2005, reclaimed customers saved 4.2 billion gallons of drinking water; enough for 39,000 families for a year.
To learn more about Tucson’s reclaimed water program and how to become a reclaimed water customer, check out the information below.
Si usted desea información en Español, por favor, llame (520) 791-4331.
General Information
•Reclaimed Water System Status Report - 2007 (3.03 Mb pdf; 35 pages)
The Reclaimed Water System Status Report - 2007 was developed to provide the Mayor and Council with an overview of the City’s Reclaimed Water System and effluent reuse issues. The report includes information on reclaimed water customers and system demand, effluent entitlement, reclaimed water supply, and issues that will affect the future direction of Tucson Water’s use of effluent.
Tucson Water has been delivering reclaimed water to customers for more than 20 years. We deliver reclaimed water to about 900 sites, including: 14 golf courses; 35 parks; 47 schools (the University of Arizona and Pima Community College included); and more than 700 single family homes. Our reclaimed water production facilities at Roger Road near I-10 have been filtering and disinfecting treated wastewater for 23 years.
Using reclaimed water for irrigation saves groundwater for drinking. In 2005, reclaimed customers saved 4.2 billion gallons of drinking water; enough for 39,000 families for a year.
To learn more about Tucson’s reclaimed water program and how to become a reclaimed water customer, check out the information below.
Si usted desea información en Español, por favor, llame (520) 791-4331.
General Information
•Reclaimed Water System Status Report - 2007 (3.03 Mb pdf; 35 pages)
The Reclaimed Water System Status Report - 2007 was developed to provide the Mayor and Council with an overview of the City’s Reclaimed Water System and effluent reuse issues. The report includes information on reclaimed water customers and system demand, effluent entitlement, reclaimed water supply, and issues that will affect the future direction of Tucson Water’s use of effluent.
Drought proof ?
Recycling plant brings region closer to being drought proof
Hunter Water says its proposed $20 million effluent recycling plant on Kooragang Island in New South Wales is part of an overall plan to drought-proof the region.
The water corporation says the plant has the potential to cut the region's water use by 4 per cent - industrial stakeholders will be consulted on the plan over the next fortnight.
Earlier this week Prime Minister John Howard called for more water recycling across the nation.
Hunter Water's managing director Kevin Young agrees it is the key to curbing water use.
"We've finished the first stage of our $700,000 recycling plan for the Hunter and it shows that one of our best prospects is a major recycling project on Kooragang Island and Islington-Mayfield precinct," he said.
"Recycling effluent is certainly something that's always available even when it doesn't rain so it does fit into everyone's plans for drought-proofing a region."
Hunter Water says its proposed $20 million effluent recycling plant on Kooragang Island in New South Wales is part of an overall plan to drought-proof the region.
The water corporation says the plant has the potential to cut the region's water use by 4 per cent - industrial stakeholders will be consulted on the plan over the next fortnight.
Earlier this week Prime Minister John Howard called for more water recycling across the nation.
Hunter Water's managing director Kevin Young agrees it is the key to curbing water use.
"We've finished the first stage of our $700,000 recycling plan for the Hunter and it shows that one of our best prospects is a major recycling project on Kooragang Island and Islington-Mayfield precinct," he said.
"Recycling effluent is certainly something that's always available even when it doesn't rain so it does fit into everyone's plans for drought-proofing a region."
Potable and Non-potable water
Some municipalities are now investigating Planned Indirect Potable Use (IPU) of reclaimed water. For example, reclaimed water may be pumped into reservoirs where it will mix with (and be diluted by) rainwater. This mixture of rainwater and reclaimed water could then be treated again, and finally used as drinking water. This technique may also be referred to as groundwater recharging or reservoir augmentation. Singapore plans to increase the amount of reclaimed water in their reservoirs from 1% to 2.5% by 2011.[21]
Unplanned Indirect Potable Use[22] has existed even before the introduction of reclaimed water. Many cities already use water from rivers that contain effluent discharged from upstream sewage treatment plants. There are many large towns on the River Thames upstream of London (Oxford, Reading, Swindon, Bracknell) that discharge their treated sewage into the river, which is used to supply London with water downstream. This phenomenon is also observed in the United States, where the Mississippi River serves as both the destination of sewage treatment plant effluent and the source of potable water. Research conducted in the 1960s by the London Metropolitan Water Board demonstrated that the maximum extent of recycling water is about 11 times before the taste of water induces nausea in sensitive individuals. This is caused by the build up of inorganic ions such as Cl-, SO42-, K+ and Na+, which are not removed by conventional sewage treatment.
[edit] Possible Improvements in treatment
As world populations require both more clean water and better ways to dispose of wastewater, the demand for water reclamation will increase. Future success in water reuse will depend on whether this can be done without adverse effects on human health and the environment.
In the United States, reclaimed waste water is generally treated to secondary level when used for irrigation, but there are questions about the adequacy of that treatment. Some leading scientists in the main water society, AWWA, have long believed that secondary treatment is insufficient to protect people against pathogens, and recommend adding at least membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, ozonation, or other advanced treatments for irrigation water.[23]
Seepage of nitrogen and phosphorus into ground and surface water is also becoming a serious problem, and will probably lead to at least tertiary treatment of reclaimed to remove nutrients in future.[24] Even using secondary treatment, water quality can be improved. Testing for pathogens using Polymer Chain Reaction (PCR) instead of older culturing techniques, and changing the discredited fecal coloform "indicator organism" standard would be improvements. In a large study [25] treatment plants showed that they could significantly reduce the numbers of parasites in effluent, just by making adjustments to the currently used process. But, even using the best of current technology, risk of spreading drug resistance in the environment through wastewater effluent, would remain. Some scientists have suggested that there need to be basic changes in treatment, such as using bacteria to degrade waste based on nitrogen (urine) and not just carbonaceous (fecal) waste, saying that this would greatly enhance effectiveness of treatment.[26] Currently designed plants do not deal well with contaminants in solution (e.g. pharmaceuticals). "Dewatering" solids is a major problem. Some wastes could be disposed of without mixing them with water to begin with. In an interesting innovation, solids (sludge) could be removed before entering digesters and burned into a gas that could be used to run engines.[27] Emerging disinfection technologies include ultrasound, pulse arc electrohydrolic discharge, and bank filtration.[28] Another issue is concern about weakened mandates for pretreatment of industrial wastes before they are made part of the municipal waste stream.[5] Some also believe that hospitals should treat their own wastes. The safety of drinking reclaimed water which has been given advanced treatment and blended with other waters, remains controversial.
[edit] Distribution and demand
Reclaimed water is often distributed with a dual piping network that keeps reclaimed water pipes completely separate from potable water pipes. In the United States, reclaimed water is always distributed in lavender (light purple) pipes to distinguish it from potable water. [29] [30]
In many cities using reclaimed water, it is now in such demand that consumers are only allowed to use it on assigned days. Some cities that previously offered unlimited reclaimed water at a flat rate are now beginning to charge citizens by the amount they use.[citation needed]
[edit] Worldwide acceptance
The leaders in use of reclaimed water in the U.S. are Florida and California,[31] with Irvine Ranch Water District as one of the leading developers. They were the first district to approve the use of reclaimed water for in-building piping and use in flushing toilets.
As Australia continues to battle the 7-10 year drought, nationwide, reclaimed effluent is becoming a popular option. Two major capital cities in Australia, Adelaide and Brisbane, have already committed to adding reclaimed effluent to their dwindling dams. Brisbane has been seen as a leader in this trend, and other cities and towns will review the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project once completed. Goulbourn, Canberra, Newcastle, and Regional Victoria, Australia are already considering building a reclaimed effluent process.
According to a EU-funded study, "Europe and the Mediterranean countries are lagging behind" California, Japan, and Australia "in the extent to which reuse is being taken up." According to the study "the concept (of reuse) is difficult for the regulators and wider public to understand and accept."[32]
[edit] Other alternatives
In urban areas where climate change has threatened long-term water security and reduced rainfall over catchment areas, using reclaimed water for indirect potable use may be superior to other water supply augmentation methods. One other commonly-used option is seawater desalination. Recycling wastewater and desalinating seawater may have many of the same disadvantages, including high costs of water treatment, infrastructure construction, transportation, and waste disposal problems. Although the best option varies from region to region, desalination is often superior economically, as reclaimed water usually requires a dual piping network, often with additional storage tanks, when used for nonpotable use.
A less elaborate alternative to reclaimed water is a greywater system. Greywater is wastewater that has been used in sinks, baths, showers, or washing machines, but does not contain sewage (see blackwater). In a home system, treated or untreated greywater may be used to flush toilets or for irrigation. [33] Some systems now exist which directly use greywater from a sink to flush a toilet[34] or even combine the two into one piece of furniture[35].
Perhaps the simplest option is a rainwater harvesting system. Although there are concerns about the quality of rainwater in urban areas, due to air pollution and acid rain, many systems exist now to use untreated rainwater for nonpotable uses or treated rainwater for direct potable use. There are also concerns about rainwater harvesting systems reducing the amount of run-off entering natural bodies of water.
[edit] Some locations using reclaimed water
[edit] Indirect potable use
London,United Kingdom
Singapore (where it is branded as NEWater)
Payson, AZ[36]
The Torreele project in the Veurne coastal region of Belgium, which began operating in 2002 [32]
Virginia Occoquan Reservoir - The Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority plant discharges its highly treated output to supply roughly 20% of the inflow into the Occoquan Reservoir, which provides drinking water used by the Fairfax County Water Authority - one of the three major water providers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
[edit] Non-potable use
Sydney, Australia[37]
Tucson, Arizona[38]
Clark County, Nevada[39]
Clearwater, Florida[40]
St. Petersburg, Florida[41]
San Diego, California (San Diego County)[42]
Contra Costa County, California[43]
Austin, TX[44]
Caboolture and Maroochy (South East Queensland, Australia) LGA's currently provide Reclaimed water for industrial use (primarily capital works). Users must apply for a key to be able to access the compounds in which the outlets are located.[45][citation needed]
[edit] Proposed
In some places, reclaimed water has been proposed for either potable or non-potable use:
South East Queensland, Australia (planned for potable use as of late 2008) [46][47]
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (proposed for non-potable use).[48]
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (proposed in January 2007 as a backup source of potable water)[49]
Los Angeles, California - By 2019, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will build a plant to replenish their groundwater aquifer with purified water[50] in order to deal with the shortage of rain and snow fall, restricted water imports and local groundwater contamination [51].
[edit] Enterprises
Brac Systems - Canada
[edit] Maximum Water Recovery
There are various techniques that have been developed by researchers for maximum water reuse/reclamation/recovery strategies such as water pinch analysis. The techniques helps a user to target the minimum freshwater consumption and wastewater target. It also helps in designing the network that achieves the target. This provides a benchmark to be used by users in improving their water systems.
[edit] See also
Water portal
Dual piping
Greywater
NEWater
Sewage treatment
Water conservation
Water filtration
Water Pinch
Water management hierarchy
Cost effective minimum water network
[edit] References
1.^ NEWater FAQ, accessed 8 Jan 2007.
2.^ P.F.Cooper,2001, Decentralized Sanitation and Reuse, Chapt.2, IWA Publishing, London,UK.
3.^ 33 Usc 1251 seq., 1972, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Enacted by Congress.
4.^ John Stauber, Sheldon Rampton, Toxic Sludge is Good for You..., Common courage Press.
5.^ a b Sierra Club Fact Sheet
6.^ Gennaccaro, McLaughlin, Betancourt, Huffman and Rose, Infectious Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts in Final Reclaimed Effluent, Dept Marine Science, U of South Florida, St Petersburg, Florida.
7.^ EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse, (1996)
8.^ GE Murray, RS Tobin, B Junkins,DJ Kushner,(1984) Effect of Chlorination on antibiotic resistance profiles of sewage-related bacteria, Appl Environ Microbiol. July 1998:48(1): 73-74
9.^ Matthew Wook Chang, Freshteh Toghrol, William Bentley, Toxicogenomic Response to Chlorination Includes Induction of Major Virulence Genes in Staphylococcus aureus,Environ. Sci. Technol., 41(21)7570-7575.
10.^ Timothy Lapara, Sara Firl,(2006) The Importance of Municipal Sewage Treatment in the Spread of Antibiotic resistance,100th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, May 21-25, 2006. Orlando Fl.
11.^ Amy Pruden, 2006, Antibiotic Resistance genes as emerging contaminants, Studies in Northern Colorado, Environmental Science Technology 40, 7445-7450
12.^ Edo Mcgowan, (2008) The Watchers.US/edo_politics-reclaimed-water.html-74k
13.^ Maria Burke (2004),UK to tackle Endocrine Disruptors in Wastewater, Technology News, Sept 1,2004.
14.^ US Dept of Agriculture, 2005 Report
15.^ From the Toilet to the Tap, Australian Broadcasting Corporation 9 November 2006
16.^ Committee on the Viablility of Augmenting Drinking Water Supplies with Reclaimed water, 1998, Issues in Potable Reuse, National Research Council
17.^ Timothy LaPara, Sara Firl, 2006, The Importance of Municipal Sewage Treatment in the spread of Antibiotic resistance, 106th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
18.^ James D. Oliver, 2005, The Viable but Nonculturable State in Bacteria, J. of Microbiology p.93-100.
19.^ Valerie J. Harwood, Audry D. Levine, Troy M. Scott, Joan G. Rose, 2005,Validity of the Indicator Organism Paradign for Pathogen Reduction in Reclaimed Water and Public Health Protection, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol.71.
20.^ Tsai, Kan-Jen (2008). "Bacterial Heavy Metal Resistance". Osaka Biology. http://www.bio.sci.Osaka-u.ac.jp/initiative2006pdf/TsaiLectSum.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
21.^ Public Utilities Board, NEWater FAQ, accessed 8 Jan 2007.
22.^ Public Utilities Board, Overseas Experiences, accessed 24 April 2007.
23.^ Fred Lee PhD, President American Water Works Association, Reuse Conference, 1996
24.^ Harvey H. Harper PhD., 2008, Good intentions gone awry?, 27th International Symposium of North American Lake Management Society, Orlando Florida
25.^ Joan Rose, et al, 2004 Reduction of pathogens, indicator bacteria, alternative indicators by wastewater treatment and reclamation process, WERF
26.^ Peter Maier PhD, Is Sewage Properly Treated?, Peter Maier.Net
27.^ Ken Stedman, 2007, Micromedia Filtration Inc helps Gold Village Come Clean, Press Release
28.^ Jess C. Brown and Andrew Salveson, 2007, Emerging Disinfection Technologies Florida Resources Journal, July 6.
29.^ Rules and Regulations for Reclaimed Water. City of San Diego. 31 January 2007.
30.^ Purple Rain Education Program. Pasco County, Florida. 31 January 2007.
31.^ UF Professor: Drought Highlights Value Of Reused Water. University of Florida News. May 24, 2000.
32.^ a b "Reuse of water in the EU and the Mediterranean", by Bill McCann, Water 21, Journal of the International Water Association, April 2008, p. 42-44, quoting the Aquarec project
33.^ Grey Water SydneyWater.com.au 31 January 2007.
34.^ WaterSaver Technologies Aqus Uses Sink Greywater for Toilet. Treehugger.com. October 7, 2006. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
35.^ Toilet Lid Sink. Gaiam. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
36.^ Green Valley Park Lakes Groundwater Recharge Project.
37.^ Sydney Water Recycling Projects
38.^ Reclaimed Water
39.^ Water Reclamation
40.^ Making the Connections: Reclaimed and Drinking Water Supplies
41.^ Water Systems Maintenance Mission Statement
42.^ Recycled Water
43.^ Delta Diablo Sanitation District, Eastern Contra Costa County
44.^ Austin Water Utility
45.^ Application form for access to Recycled Water (Caboolture)
46.^ Beattie scraps water poll amid 'Armageddon situation'. ABC News Online 28 January 2007.
47.^ Beattie defends recycled water against "scare mongers". ABC News Online 26 January 2007.
48.^ Recycling plant brings region closer to being drought proof. ABC News 19 July 2006.
49.^ Recycled water a step closer for Canberrans. ABC News Online 31 January 2007.
50.^ [1]
51.^ [2]
[edit] External links
Waterwise A not-for-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the wise use of water
WateReuse A nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources using reclamation, recycling, reuse and desalination
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reclaimed_water"
Categories: Water supply | Sewerage
Unplanned Indirect Potable Use[22] has existed even before the introduction of reclaimed water. Many cities already use water from rivers that contain effluent discharged from upstream sewage treatment plants. There are many large towns on the River Thames upstream of London (Oxford, Reading, Swindon, Bracknell) that discharge their treated sewage into the river, which is used to supply London with water downstream. This phenomenon is also observed in the United States, where the Mississippi River serves as both the destination of sewage treatment plant effluent and the source of potable water. Research conducted in the 1960s by the London Metropolitan Water Board demonstrated that the maximum extent of recycling water is about 11 times before the taste of water induces nausea in sensitive individuals. This is caused by the build up of inorganic ions such as Cl-, SO42-, K+ and Na+, which are not removed by conventional sewage treatment.
[edit] Possible Improvements in treatment
As world populations require both more clean water and better ways to dispose of wastewater, the demand for water reclamation will increase. Future success in water reuse will depend on whether this can be done without adverse effects on human health and the environment.
In the United States, reclaimed waste water is generally treated to secondary level when used for irrigation, but there are questions about the adequacy of that treatment. Some leading scientists in the main water society, AWWA, have long believed that secondary treatment is insufficient to protect people against pathogens, and recommend adding at least membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, ozonation, or other advanced treatments for irrigation water.[23]
Seepage of nitrogen and phosphorus into ground and surface water is also becoming a serious problem, and will probably lead to at least tertiary treatment of reclaimed to remove nutrients in future.[24] Even using secondary treatment, water quality can be improved. Testing for pathogens using Polymer Chain Reaction (PCR) instead of older culturing techniques, and changing the discredited fecal coloform "indicator organism" standard would be improvements. In a large study [25] treatment plants showed that they could significantly reduce the numbers of parasites in effluent, just by making adjustments to the currently used process. But, even using the best of current technology, risk of spreading drug resistance in the environment through wastewater effluent, would remain. Some scientists have suggested that there need to be basic changes in treatment, such as using bacteria to degrade waste based on nitrogen (urine) and not just carbonaceous (fecal) waste, saying that this would greatly enhance effectiveness of treatment.[26] Currently designed plants do not deal well with contaminants in solution (e.g. pharmaceuticals). "Dewatering" solids is a major problem. Some wastes could be disposed of without mixing them with water to begin with. In an interesting innovation, solids (sludge) could be removed before entering digesters and burned into a gas that could be used to run engines.[27] Emerging disinfection technologies include ultrasound, pulse arc electrohydrolic discharge, and bank filtration.[28] Another issue is concern about weakened mandates for pretreatment of industrial wastes before they are made part of the municipal waste stream.[5] Some also believe that hospitals should treat their own wastes. The safety of drinking reclaimed water which has been given advanced treatment and blended with other waters, remains controversial.
[edit] Distribution and demand
Reclaimed water is often distributed with a dual piping network that keeps reclaimed water pipes completely separate from potable water pipes. In the United States, reclaimed water is always distributed in lavender (light purple) pipes to distinguish it from potable water. [29] [30]
In many cities using reclaimed water, it is now in such demand that consumers are only allowed to use it on assigned days. Some cities that previously offered unlimited reclaimed water at a flat rate are now beginning to charge citizens by the amount they use.[citation needed]
[edit] Worldwide acceptance
The leaders in use of reclaimed water in the U.S. are Florida and California,[31] with Irvine Ranch Water District as one of the leading developers. They were the first district to approve the use of reclaimed water for in-building piping and use in flushing toilets.
As Australia continues to battle the 7-10 year drought, nationwide, reclaimed effluent is becoming a popular option. Two major capital cities in Australia, Adelaide and Brisbane, have already committed to adding reclaimed effluent to their dwindling dams. Brisbane has been seen as a leader in this trend, and other cities and towns will review the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project once completed. Goulbourn, Canberra, Newcastle, and Regional Victoria, Australia are already considering building a reclaimed effluent process.
According to a EU-funded study, "Europe and the Mediterranean countries are lagging behind" California, Japan, and Australia "in the extent to which reuse is being taken up." According to the study "the concept (of reuse) is difficult for the regulators and wider public to understand and accept."[32]
[edit] Other alternatives
In urban areas where climate change has threatened long-term water security and reduced rainfall over catchment areas, using reclaimed water for indirect potable use may be superior to other water supply augmentation methods. One other commonly-used option is seawater desalination. Recycling wastewater and desalinating seawater may have many of the same disadvantages, including high costs of water treatment, infrastructure construction, transportation, and waste disposal problems. Although the best option varies from region to region, desalination is often superior economically, as reclaimed water usually requires a dual piping network, often with additional storage tanks, when used for nonpotable use.
A less elaborate alternative to reclaimed water is a greywater system. Greywater is wastewater that has been used in sinks, baths, showers, or washing machines, but does not contain sewage (see blackwater). In a home system, treated or untreated greywater may be used to flush toilets or for irrigation. [33] Some systems now exist which directly use greywater from a sink to flush a toilet[34] or even combine the two into one piece of furniture[35].
Perhaps the simplest option is a rainwater harvesting system. Although there are concerns about the quality of rainwater in urban areas, due to air pollution and acid rain, many systems exist now to use untreated rainwater for nonpotable uses or treated rainwater for direct potable use. There are also concerns about rainwater harvesting systems reducing the amount of run-off entering natural bodies of water.
[edit] Some locations using reclaimed water
[edit] Indirect potable use
London,United Kingdom
Singapore (where it is branded as NEWater)
Payson, AZ[36]
The Torreele project in the Veurne coastal region of Belgium, which began operating in 2002 [32]
Virginia Occoquan Reservoir - The Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority plant discharges its highly treated output to supply roughly 20% of the inflow into the Occoquan Reservoir, which provides drinking water used by the Fairfax County Water Authority - one of the three major water providers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
[edit] Non-potable use
Sydney, Australia[37]
Tucson, Arizona[38]
Clark County, Nevada[39]
Clearwater, Florida[40]
St. Petersburg, Florida[41]
San Diego, California (San Diego County)[42]
Contra Costa County, California[43]
Austin, TX[44]
Caboolture and Maroochy (South East Queensland, Australia) LGA's currently provide Reclaimed water for industrial use (primarily capital works). Users must apply for a key to be able to access the compounds in which the outlets are located.[45][citation needed]
[edit] Proposed
In some places, reclaimed water has been proposed for either potable or non-potable use:
South East Queensland, Australia (planned for potable use as of late 2008) [46][47]
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (proposed for non-potable use).[48]
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia (proposed in January 2007 as a backup source of potable water)[49]
Los Angeles, California - By 2019, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will build a plant to replenish their groundwater aquifer with purified water[50] in order to deal with the shortage of rain and snow fall, restricted water imports and local groundwater contamination [51].
[edit] Enterprises
Brac Systems - Canada
[edit] Maximum Water Recovery
There are various techniques that have been developed by researchers for maximum water reuse/reclamation/recovery strategies such as water pinch analysis. The techniques helps a user to target the minimum freshwater consumption and wastewater target. It also helps in designing the network that achieves the target. This provides a benchmark to be used by users in improving their water systems.
[edit] See also
Water portal
Dual piping
Greywater
NEWater
Sewage treatment
Water conservation
Water filtration
Water Pinch
Water management hierarchy
Cost effective minimum water network
[edit] References
1.^ NEWater FAQ, accessed 8 Jan 2007.
2.^ P.F.Cooper,2001, Decentralized Sanitation and Reuse, Chapt.2, IWA Publishing, London,UK.
3.^ 33 Usc 1251 seq., 1972, Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Enacted by Congress.
4.^ John Stauber, Sheldon Rampton, Toxic Sludge is Good for You..., Common courage Press.
5.^ a b Sierra Club Fact Sheet
6.^ Gennaccaro, McLaughlin, Betancourt, Huffman and Rose, Infectious Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts in Final Reclaimed Effluent, Dept Marine Science, U of South Florida, St Petersburg, Florida.
7.^ EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse, (1996)
8.^ GE Murray, RS Tobin, B Junkins,DJ Kushner,(1984) Effect of Chlorination on antibiotic resistance profiles of sewage-related bacteria, Appl Environ Microbiol. July 1998:48(1): 73-74
9.^ Matthew Wook Chang, Freshteh Toghrol, William Bentley, Toxicogenomic Response to Chlorination Includes Induction of Major Virulence Genes in Staphylococcus aureus,Environ. Sci. Technol., 41(21)7570-7575.
10.^ Timothy Lapara, Sara Firl,(2006) The Importance of Municipal Sewage Treatment in the Spread of Antibiotic resistance,100th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, May 21-25, 2006. Orlando Fl.
11.^ Amy Pruden, 2006, Antibiotic Resistance genes as emerging contaminants, Studies in Northern Colorado, Environmental Science Technology 40, 7445-7450
12.^ Edo Mcgowan, (2008) The Watchers.US/edo_politics-reclaimed-water.html-74k
13.^ Maria Burke (2004),UK to tackle Endocrine Disruptors in Wastewater, Technology News, Sept 1,2004.
14.^ US Dept of Agriculture, 2005 Report
15.^ From the Toilet to the Tap, Australian Broadcasting Corporation 9 November 2006
16.^ Committee on the Viablility of Augmenting Drinking Water Supplies with Reclaimed water, 1998, Issues in Potable Reuse, National Research Council
17.^ Timothy LaPara, Sara Firl, 2006, The Importance of Municipal Sewage Treatment in the spread of Antibiotic resistance, 106th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
18.^ James D. Oliver, 2005, The Viable but Nonculturable State in Bacteria, J. of Microbiology p.93-100.
19.^ Valerie J. Harwood, Audry D. Levine, Troy M. Scott, Joan G. Rose, 2005,Validity of the Indicator Organism Paradign for Pathogen Reduction in Reclaimed Water and Public Health Protection, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol.71.
20.^ Tsai, Kan-Jen (2008). "Bacterial Heavy Metal Resistance". Osaka Biology. http://www.bio.sci.Osaka-u.ac.jp/initiative2006pdf/TsaiLectSum.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
21.^ Public Utilities Board, NEWater FAQ, accessed 8 Jan 2007.
22.^ Public Utilities Board, Overseas Experiences, accessed 24 April 2007.
23.^ Fred Lee PhD, President American Water Works Association, Reuse Conference, 1996
24.^ Harvey H. Harper PhD., 2008, Good intentions gone awry?, 27th International Symposium of North American Lake Management Society, Orlando Florida
25.^ Joan Rose, et al, 2004 Reduction of pathogens, indicator bacteria, alternative indicators by wastewater treatment and reclamation process, WERF
26.^ Peter Maier PhD, Is Sewage Properly Treated?, Peter Maier.Net
27.^ Ken Stedman, 2007, Micromedia Filtration Inc helps Gold Village Come Clean, Press Release
28.^ Jess C. Brown and Andrew Salveson, 2007, Emerging Disinfection Technologies Florida Resources Journal, July 6.
29.^ Rules and Regulations for Reclaimed Water. City of San Diego. 31 January 2007.
30.^ Purple Rain Education Program. Pasco County, Florida. 31 January 2007.
31.^ UF Professor: Drought Highlights Value Of Reused Water. University of Florida News. May 24, 2000.
32.^ a b "Reuse of water in the EU and the Mediterranean", by Bill McCann, Water 21, Journal of the International Water Association, April 2008, p. 42-44, quoting the Aquarec project
33.^ Grey Water SydneyWater.com.au 31 January 2007.
34.^ WaterSaver Technologies Aqus Uses Sink Greywater for Toilet. Treehugger.com. October 7, 2006. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
35.^ Toilet Lid Sink. Gaiam. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
36.^ Green Valley Park Lakes Groundwater Recharge Project.
37.^ Sydney Water Recycling Projects
38.^ Reclaimed Water
39.^ Water Reclamation
40.^ Making the Connections: Reclaimed and Drinking Water Supplies
41.^ Water Systems Maintenance Mission Statement
42.^ Recycled Water
43.^ Delta Diablo Sanitation District, Eastern Contra Costa County
44.^ Austin Water Utility
45.^ Application form for access to Recycled Water (Caboolture)
46.^ Beattie scraps water poll amid 'Armageddon situation'. ABC News Online 28 January 2007.
47.^ Beattie defends recycled water against "scare mongers". ABC News Online 26 January 2007.
48.^ Recycling plant brings region closer to being drought proof. ABC News 19 July 2006.
49.^ Recycled water a step closer for Canberrans. ABC News Online 31 January 2007.
50.^ [1]
51.^ [2]
[edit] External links
Waterwise A not-for-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the wise use of water
WateReuse A nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources using reclamation, recycling, reuse and desalination
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reclaimed_water"
Categories: Water supply | Sewerage
Thursday, February 26, 2009
History of Recycled Water
History
Storm and sanitary sewers were necessarily developed along with the growth of cities. By the 1840's the luxury of indoor plumbing, which mixes human waste with water and flushes it away, eliminated the need for cesspools. Odor was considered the big problem in waste disposal and to address it, sewage could be drained to a lagoon, or "settled" and the solids removed, to be disposed of separately. This process is now called "primary treatment" and the settled solids are called "sludge." At the end of the 19th century, since primary treatment still left odor problems, it was discovered that bad odors could be prevented by introducing oxygen into the decomposing sewage. This was the beginning of the biological aerobic and anaerobic treatments which are fundamental to waste water processes. By the 1920's, it became necessary to further control the pollution caused by the large quantities of human and industrial liquid wastes which were being piped into rivers and oceans, and modern treatment plants were being built in the US and other industrialized nations by the 1930's.[2] Designed to make water safe for fishing and recreation, the Clean Water Act of 1972 mandated elimination of the discharge of untreated waste from municipal and industrial sources, and the US federal government provided billions of dollars in grants for building sewage treatment plants around the country. Modern treatment plants, usually using sand filtration and chlorination in addition to primary and secondary treatment, were required to meet certain standards.[3] Current treatment improves the quality of separated wastewater solids or sludge. It is known to still contain toxic chemicals and pathogens, but is now being spread on farm fields. [4] The separated water is given further treatment considered adequate for non potable use by local agencies, and discharged into bodies of water, or reused as reclaimed water. In places like Florida, where it is necessary to avoid nutrient overload of sensitive receiving water, reuse of treated or reclaimed water can be more economically feasible than meeting the higher standards for surface water disposal mandated by the Clean Water Act [5]
Los Angeles County's sanitation districts have provided treated wastewater for landscape irrigation in parks and golf courses since 1929. The first reclaimed water facility in California was built at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in 1932. In Southern California, Irvine Ranch Water District and Orange County Water District are becoming the leaders in reclaimed water through their Green Acres Project.
[edit] Benefits
The cost of reclaimed water exceed those of standard water potable water in many regions of the world, where a fresh water supply is plentiful. However, reclaimed water is usually sold to citizens at a cheaper rate to encourage its use.
Using reclaimed water for non-potable use saves potable water for drinking, since less potable water will be used for non-potable uses.
It sometimes contains higher levels of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and oxygen which may somewhat help fertilize plants when used for irrigation.[citation needed]
[edit] Potential problems in use for irrigation
Recent studies support long standing concerns about possible public health effects of reclaimed water. It has been known for some time that treated waste water effluent, or reclaimed water, contains pathogens that could be transferred to people through contact, including aerosols from sprinklers. Particularly worrisome are high levels of parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium which are not killed by chlorination. [6] In 1997, the EPA warned, "(Viable) bacteria from reclaimed water in sprinklers can travel more than 1000 feet in the air." [7] As far back as 1984, researchers concluded that disinfection by chlorination, an important part of wastewater treatment, initially lowers the total number of sewage related bacteria, but may substantially increase the proportions of antibiotic resistant, potentially pathogenic organisms. [8]
More recently, Chang (2007) reported that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (responsible for MRSA) become more virulent and drug resistant after chlorination.[9] A large study in 2006 confirms that microbes, inactivated but not killed by treatment, can regrow in retention ponds and pipes, becoming a major source of the spread of multi drug resistant pathogens in the environment.[10] During the processing of reclaimed water, fragments can be released from microbes when their cell walls are disrupted. These fragments are not alive and not affected by disinfectants like chlorine. This intact genetic material can transfer both virulence and drug resistance to living microorganisms in water or soil. Amy Pruden (2006) demonstrates that such genetic fragments pass through sewer water reclamation plants into rivers and into drinking water sources. [11] Since the number and types of bacteria in a treatment plant are large, a positive environment exists for transfer of drug resistance. Independent scientists found that Santa Barbara's reclaimed water contained chlorine resistant bacteria that were also resistant to eleven of the twelve antibiotics tested.[12]
There is also concern in the industry about organic chemicals, including endocrine disruptors in wastewater. [13] In 2005,US Dept of Agriculture reported: "Overall, the environmental and public health impacts of irrigation with reclaimed sewage effluent and the potential degradation of underlying groundwater are largely unknown." [14]
[edit] Suitable for drinking?
In most locations, reclaimed water is not directly mixed with potable (drinking) water for several reasons:
Utilities providing reclaimed water for nonpotable uses do not treat the water to drinking water standards.
Varying amounts of pathogens, pharmaceutical chemicals (e.g., hormones from female hormonal contraception) and other trace chemicals are able to pass through the treatment and filtering process, potentially causing danger to humans. Modern technologies such as reverse osmosis may help to somewhat overcome this problem. An experiment by the University of New South Wales reportedly showed a reverse osmosis system removed ethinylestradiol and paracetamol from the wastewater, even at 1000 times the expected ppm.[15]
Drinking water standards were developed for natural ground water, and are not appropriate for identifying contaminants in reclaimed water. In addition to pathogens, and organic and endocrine disrupting chemicals, a large number of compounds may be present in reclaimed water. They cannot all be tested for, and there is a paucity of toxicity information on many of the compounds. [16]
Because of this, state regulatory agencies do not allow reclaimed water to be used for drinking, bathing, or filling swimming pools. They also warn those who use reclaimed water for irrigation to place a sign on their property warning people not to drink from the irrigation system, and to not use it directly on fruits or vegetables.
Storm and sanitary sewers were necessarily developed along with the growth of cities. By the 1840's the luxury of indoor plumbing, which mixes human waste with water and flushes it away, eliminated the need for cesspools. Odor was considered the big problem in waste disposal and to address it, sewage could be drained to a lagoon, or "settled" and the solids removed, to be disposed of separately. This process is now called "primary treatment" and the settled solids are called "sludge." At the end of the 19th century, since primary treatment still left odor problems, it was discovered that bad odors could be prevented by introducing oxygen into the decomposing sewage. This was the beginning of the biological aerobic and anaerobic treatments which are fundamental to waste water processes. By the 1920's, it became necessary to further control the pollution caused by the large quantities of human and industrial liquid wastes which were being piped into rivers and oceans, and modern treatment plants were being built in the US and other industrialized nations by the 1930's.[2] Designed to make water safe for fishing and recreation, the Clean Water Act of 1972 mandated elimination of the discharge of untreated waste from municipal and industrial sources, and the US federal government provided billions of dollars in grants for building sewage treatment plants around the country. Modern treatment plants, usually using sand filtration and chlorination in addition to primary and secondary treatment, were required to meet certain standards.[3] Current treatment improves the quality of separated wastewater solids or sludge. It is known to still contain toxic chemicals and pathogens, but is now being spread on farm fields. [4] The separated water is given further treatment considered adequate for non potable use by local agencies, and discharged into bodies of water, or reused as reclaimed water. In places like Florida, where it is necessary to avoid nutrient overload of sensitive receiving water, reuse of treated or reclaimed water can be more economically feasible than meeting the higher standards for surface water disposal mandated by the Clean Water Act [5]
Los Angeles County's sanitation districts have provided treated wastewater for landscape irrigation in parks and golf courses since 1929. The first reclaimed water facility in California was built at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in 1932. In Southern California, Irvine Ranch Water District and Orange County Water District are becoming the leaders in reclaimed water through their Green Acres Project.
[edit] Benefits
The cost of reclaimed water exceed those of standard water potable water in many regions of the world, where a fresh water supply is plentiful. However, reclaimed water is usually sold to citizens at a cheaper rate to encourage its use.
Using reclaimed water for non-potable use saves potable water for drinking, since less potable water will be used for non-potable uses.
It sometimes contains higher levels of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and oxygen which may somewhat help fertilize plants when used for irrigation.[citation needed]
[edit] Potential problems in use for irrigation
Recent studies support long standing concerns about possible public health effects of reclaimed water. It has been known for some time that treated waste water effluent, or reclaimed water, contains pathogens that could be transferred to people through contact, including aerosols from sprinklers. Particularly worrisome are high levels of parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium which are not killed by chlorination. [6] In 1997, the EPA warned, "(Viable) bacteria from reclaimed water in sprinklers can travel more than 1000 feet in the air." [7] As far back as 1984, researchers concluded that disinfection by chlorination, an important part of wastewater treatment, initially lowers the total number of sewage related bacteria, but may substantially increase the proportions of antibiotic resistant, potentially pathogenic organisms. [8]
More recently, Chang (2007) reported that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (responsible for MRSA) become more virulent and drug resistant after chlorination.[9] A large study in 2006 confirms that microbes, inactivated but not killed by treatment, can regrow in retention ponds and pipes, becoming a major source of the spread of multi drug resistant pathogens in the environment.[10] During the processing of reclaimed water, fragments can be released from microbes when their cell walls are disrupted. These fragments are not alive and not affected by disinfectants like chlorine. This intact genetic material can transfer both virulence and drug resistance to living microorganisms in water or soil. Amy Pruden (2006) demonstrates that such genetic fragments pass through sewer water reclamation plants into rivers and into drinking water sources. [11] Since the number and types of bacteria in a treatment plant are large, a positive environment exists for transfer of drug resistance. Independent scientists found that Santa Barbara's reclaimed water contained chlorine resistant bacteria that were also resistant to eleven of the twelve antibiotics tested.[12]
There is also concern in the industry about organic chemicals, including endocrine disruptors in wastewater. [13] In 2005,US Dept of Agriculture reported: "Overall, the environmental and public health impacts of irrigation with reclaimed sewage effluent and the potential degradation of underlying groundwater are largely unknown." [14]
[edit] Suitable for drinking?
In most locations, reclaimed water is not directly mixed with potable (drinking) water for several reasons:
Utilities providing reclaimed water for nonpotable uses do not treat the water to drinking water standards.
Varying amounts of pathogens, pharmaceutical chemicals (e.g., hormones from female hormonal contraception) and other trace chemicals are able to pass through the treatment and filtering process, potentially causing danger to humans. Modern technologies such as reverse osmosis may help to somewhat overcome this problem. An experiment by the University of New South Wales reportedly showed a reverse osmosis system removed ethinylestradiol and paracetamol from the wastewater, even at 1000 times the expected ppm.[15]
Drinking water standards were developed for natural ground water, and are not appropriate for identifying contaminants in reclaimed water. In addition to pathogens, and organic and endocrine disrupting chemicals, a large number of compounds may be present in reclaimed water. They cannot all be tested for, and there is a paucity of toxicity information on many of the compounds. [16]
Because of this, state regulatory agencies do not allow reclaimed water to be used for drinking, bathing, or filling swimming pools. They also warn those who use reclaimed water for irrigation to place a sign on their property warning people not to drink from the irrigation system, and to not use it directly on fruits or vegetables.
Wikipedia Definition of Reclaimed Water
Reclaimed water
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Recycled water)
Warning sign in Santa Monica, California, where reclaimed water is used to irrigate plants in public parks.Reclaimed water, sometimes called recycled water, is former wastewater (sewage) that has been treated to remove solids and certain impurities, and then allowed to recharge the aquifer rather than being discharged to surface water. This recharging is often done by using the treated wastewater for irrigation. In most locations, it is only intended to be used for nonpotable uses, such as irrigation, dust control, and fire suppression, and there is controversy about possible health and environmental effects for those uses. In some locations (not in the United States), it is given more advanced treatment [1] and is used indirectly for drinking.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Recycled water)
Warning sign in Santa Monica, California, where reclaimed water is used to irrigate plants in public parks.Reclaimed water, sometimes called recycled water, is former wastewater (sewage) that has been treated to remove solids and certain impurities, and then allowed to recharge the aquifer rather than being discharged to surface water. This recharging is often done by using the treated wastewater for irrigation. In most locations, it is only intended to be used for nonpotable uses, such as irrigation, dust control, and fire suppression, and there is controversy about possible health and environmental effects for those uses. In some locations (not in the United States), it is given more advanced treatment [1] and is used indirectly for drinking.
Recycled water uses, california
Recycled Water Use Allowed In California1
Treatment Level
Irrigation
Disinfected
Tertiary
Recycled
Water
Disinfected
Secondary-2.2
Recycled Water
Disinfected
Secondary-23
Recycled Water
Undisinfected
Secondary Recycled
Water
Food crops where recycled water contacts the
edible portion of the crop, including all root
crops
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Parks and playgrounds Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
School yards Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Residential landscaping Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Unrestricted access golf courses Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Any other irrigation uses not prohibited by
other provisions of the California Code of
Regulations
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Food crops where edible portion is produced
above ground and not contacted by recycled
water
Allowed Allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Cemeteries Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Freeway landscaping Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Restricted access golf courses Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Ornamental nursery stock and sod farms Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Pasture for milk animals Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Nonedible vegetation with access control to
prevent use as a park, playground or school
yard
Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Orchards with no contact between edible
portion and recycled water
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Vineyards with no contact between edible
portion and recycled water
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Non food-bearing trees, including Christmas
trees not irrigated less than 14 days before
harvest
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Fodder crops (e.g. alfalfa) and fiber crops (e.g.
cotton)
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Seed crops not eaten by humans Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Food crops that undergo commercial pathogendestroying
processing before consumption by
humans
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Ornamental nursery stock, sod farms not
irrigated less than 14 days before harvest
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Supply for Impoundment
Disinfected
Tertiary
Recycled
Water
Disinfected
Secondary-2.2
Recycled Water
Disinfected
Secondary-23
Recycled Water
Undisinfected
Secondary Recycled
Water
Non-restricted recreational impoundments, with
supplemental monitoring for pathogenic
organisms
Allowed2 Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Restricted recreational impoundments and
publicly accessible fish hatcheries
Allowed Allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Landscape impoundments without decorative
fountains
Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Supply for cooling or air
conditioning
Disinfected
Tertiary
Recycled
Water
Disinfected
Secondary-2.2
Recycled Water
Disinfected
Secondary-23
Recycled Water
Undisinfected
Secondary Recycled
Water
Industrial or commercial cooling or air
conditioning involving cooling tower,
evaporative condenser, or spraying that creates
a mist
Allowed3 Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Industrial or commercial cooling or air
conditioning not involving cooling tower,
evaporative condenser, or spraying that creates
a mist
Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Other Uses
Disinfected
Tertiary
Recycled
Water
Disinfected
Secondary-2.2
Recycled Water
Disinfected
Secondary-23
Recycled Water
Undisinfected
Secondary Recycled
Water
Groundwater recharge Allowed under special case by case permits by RWQCBs4
Flushing toilets and urinals Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Priming drain traps Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Industrial process water that may contact
workers
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Structural fire fighting Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Decorative fountains Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Commercial laundries Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Consolidation of backfill material around
potable water pipelines
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Artificial snow making for commercial outdoor
uses
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Commercial car washes not done by hand &
excluding the general public from washing
process
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Industrial process water that will not come into
contact with workers
Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Industrial boiler feed Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Nonstructural fire fighting Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Backfill consolidation around nonpotable piping Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Soil compaction Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Mixing concrete Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Dust control on roads and streets Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Cleaning roads, sidewalks and outdoor work
areas
Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Flushing sanitary sewers Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Note:
1) Source: This chart is an informal summary of the uses allowed based on the California Department of Health Services Title 22, Article 4 Code of Regulations’ June
2001 version.
2) With “conventional tertiary treatment.” Additional monitoring for two years or more is necessary with direct filtration
3) Drift eliminators and/or biocides are required if public or employees can be exposed to mist.
4) Refer to Groundwater Recharge Guidelines
Treatment Level
Irrigation
Disinfected
Tertiary
Recycled
Water
Disinfected
Secondary-2.2
Recycled Water
Disinfected
Secondary-23
Recycled Water
Undisinfected
Secondary Recycled
Water
Food crops where recycled water contacts the
edible portion of the crop, including all root
crops
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Parks and playgrounds Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
School yards Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Residential landscaping Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Unrestricted access golf courses Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Any other irrigation uses not prohibited by
other provisions of the California Code of
Regulations
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Food crops where edible portion is produced
above ground and not contacted by recycled
water
Allowed Allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Cemeteries Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Freeway landscaping Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Restricted access golf courses Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Ornamental nursery stock and sod farms Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Pasture for milk animals Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Nonedible vegetation with access control to
prevent use as a park, playground or school
yard
Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Orchards with no contact between edible
portion and recycled water
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Vineyards with no contact between edible
portion and recycled water
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Non food-bearing trees, including Christmas
trees not irrigated less than 14 days before
harvest
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Fodder crops (e.g. alfalfa) and fiber crops (e.g.
cotton)
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Seed crops not eaten by humans Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Food crops that undergo commercial pathogendestroying
processing before consumption by
humans
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Ornamental nursery stock, sod farms not
irrigated less than 14 days before harvest
Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Supply for Impoundment
Disinfected
Tertiary
Recycled
Water
Disinfected
Secondary-2.2
Recycled Water
Disinfected
Secondary-23
Recycled Water
Undisinfected
Secondary Recycled
Water
Non-restricted recreational impoundments, with
supplemental monitoring for pathogenic
organisms
Allowed2 Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Restricted recreational impoundments and
publicly accessible fish hatcheries
Allowed Allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Landscape impoundments without decorative
fountains
Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Supply for cooling or air
conditioning
Disinfected
Tertiary
Recycled
Water
Disinfected
Secondary-2.2
Recycled Water
Disinfected
Secondary-23
Recycled Water
Undisinfected
Secondary Recycled
Water
Industrial or commercial cooling or air
conditioning involving cooling tower,
evaporative condenser, or spraying that creates
a mist
Allowed3 Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Industrial or commercial cooling or air
conditioning not involving cooling tower,
evaporative condenser, or spraying that creates
a mist
Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Other Uses
Disinfected
Tertiary
Recycled
Water
Disinfected
Secondary-2.2
Recycled Water
Disinfected
Secondary-23
Recycled Water
Undisinfected
Secondary Recycled
Water
Groundwater recharge Allowed under special case by case permits by RWQCBs4
Flushing toilets and urinals Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Priming drain traps Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Industrial process water that may contact
workers
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Structural fire fighting Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Decorative fountains Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Commercial laundries Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Consolidation of backfill material around
potable water pipelines
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Artificial snow making for commercial outdoor
uses
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Commercial car washes not done by hand &
excluding the general public from washing
process
Allowed Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed
Industrial process water that will not come into
contact with workers
Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Industrial boiler feed Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Nonstructural fire fighting Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Backfill consolidation around nonpotable piping Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Soil compaction Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Mixing concrete Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Dust control on roads and streets Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Cleaning roads, sidewalks and outdoor work
areas
Allowed Allowed Allowed Not allowed
Flushing sanitary sewers Allowed Allowed Allowed Allowed
Note:
1) Source: This chart is an informal summary of the uses allowed based on the California Department of Health Services Title 22, Article 4 Code of Regulations’ June
2001 version.
2) With “conventional tertiary treatment.” Additional monitoring for two years or more is necessary with direct filtration
3) Drift eliminators and/or biocides are required if public or employees can be exposed to mist.
4) Refer to Groundwater Recharge Guidelines
Recycled Water benefits, California
THE BENEFITS OF USING RECYCLED WATER:
It conserves drinking water,
It may benefit fish and other wildlife when less treated wastewater is discharged into—and less fresh water is diverted from rivers and other water bodies, and
It provides water for wetlands restoration.
In 1996, the Agency began to evaluate the potential for using recycled water in irrigation. The Agency has worked closely with agricultural and environmental groups, cities, towns, and districts to evaluate the potential for a recycled water distribution system that would link the reclamation systems operated by four municipalities and two sanitation districts. These facilities currently produce between 30,000 and 40,000 acre-feet of recycled water per year, a significant source for agricultural and municipal use. Of this, approximately 15,000 acre-feet are currently reused for urban and agricultural irrigation, with the remainder discharged during the winter into the Petaluma River, San Pablo Bay, or the Russian River and its tributaries. With the proposed construction of additional reservoirs, recycled water could instead be stored and used for agricultural and municipal irrigation, thereby reducing demand on the overall water supply system, enhancing the quality of surface waters, and contributing to the recovery of threatened fish and wildlife.
The Agency is currently studying water reuse systems that could be constructed in its service area to irrigate large landscaped areas with recycled water. The Agency's study will consist of (1) reviewing existing water reuse studies prepared by the water contractors, (2) identifying water reuse sites in areas where no previous water reuse studies have been performed, (3) estimating the reduction in peak water demands that are possible through water reuse, and (4) assessing construction costs associated with potential water reuse systems.
It conserves drinking water,
It may benefit fish and other wildlife when less treated wastewater is discharged into—and less fresh water is diverted from rivers and other water bodies, and
It provides water for wetlands restoration.
In 1996, the Agency began to evaluate the potential for using recycled water in irrigation. The Agency has worked closely with agricultural and environmental groups, cities, towns, and districts to evaluate the potential for a recycled water distribution system that would link the reclamation systems operated by four municipalities and two sanitation districts. These facilities currently produce between 30,000 and 40,000 acre-feet of recycled water per year, a significant source for agricultural and municipal use. Of this, approximately 15,000 acre-feet are currently reused for urban and agricultural irrigation, with the remainder discharged during the winter into the Petaluma River, San Pablo Bay, or the Russian River and its tributaries. With the proposed construction of additional reservoirs, recycled water could instead be stored and used for agricultural and municipal irrigation, thereby reducing demand on the overall water supply system, enhancing the quality of surface waters, and contributing to the recovery of threatened fish and wildlife.
The Agency is currently studying water reuse systems that could be constructed in its service area to irrigate large landscaped areas with recycled water. The Agency's study will consist of (1) reviewing existing water reuse studies prepared by the water contractors, (2) identifying water reuse sites in areas where no previous water reuse studies have been performed, (3) estimating the reduction in peak water demands that are possible through water reuse, and (4) assessing construction costs associated with potential water reuse systems.
Recycled water
HOW CAN WE USE RECYCLED WATER?
The main use of recycled water is irrigation of crops and large landscaped areas such as golf courses, athletic fields, commercial and industrial parks, and cemeteries. More recently, its uses include process water for industry, wildlife habitat enhancement, residential landscapes, fountains and more. Recycled water is transported in your community through a system of purple pipes, completely separate from your drinking water and wastewater systems. Learn more about how recycled water may be used.
The main use of recycled water is irrigation of crops and large landscaped areas such as golf courses, athletic fields, commercial and industrial parks, and cemeteries. More recently, its uses include process water for industry, wildlife habitat enhancement, residential landscapes, fountains and more. Recycled water is transported in your community through a system of purple pipes, completely separate from your drinking water and wastewater systems. Learn more about how recycled water may be used.
universal broadband
Broadband Expansion Is Popular in Stimulus Plans
By ERIC PFANNER
Published: February 25, 2009
PARIS — The broadband race is on.
As policy makers haggle over how to revive ailing economies, one strategy has found widespread support in places as varied as Washington, Berlin, Sydney and Seoul: investing in high-speed Internet access.
In recent weeks, Britain, Canada, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the United States have included measures to expand broadband access and to bolster connection speeds in their stimulus packages.
Other countries, including Australia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Japan and South Korea, have announced separate broadband plans, according to a compilation by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, based in Paris.
While some plans have been in the works for a while, analysts say it is no coincidence that so many are being rushed out now.
“The crisis is making countries push forward with their digital agendas much more aggressively,” said Charlie Davies, a senior analyst at Ovum, a telecommunications consultancy. “There’s this competition internationally to want to be there at the top and say, ‘We’re the most digitally advanced country, a great place to do business and all that.’ ”
Most plans seek to expand connections to rural areas. Another common goal is to speed up existing links through incentives to build faster fixed-line and wireless telecommunications networks.
The plans highlight a range of economic benefits, from the small scale and specific to the sweeping.
Ireland, for example, said in January that its “national broadband scheme” would directly create 170 jobs. Germany said last week, as the cabinet approved its broadband strategy, that efficient connections and the construction of next-generation networks were “a prerequisite for a return to growth and increased prosperity.”
While analysts agree that investing in communications technologies makes economies more competitive, they are skeptical about whether the promised gains will materialize quickly enough to make the spending packages — ranging from 11 million euros, or $14 million, in Hungary to $7 billion in the United States — effective recession-busters. Allocating money so that cables can be laid could take many months; completion of the networks might take years.
“So there would only really be a sizable stimulus if we are in a very long recession,” said Ian Fogg, an analyst at Forrester Research.
The international scramble to improve broadband connections has accelerated since the election of Barack Obama, who made information technology a campaign issue.
With household broadband use of about 60 percent, the United States — along with most other countries — is playing catch-up with South Korea. Eighty-five percent of the South Korean population has a fixed-line broadband connection, according to Ovum, and many other people have high-speed Web access through their cellphones.
Universal coverage is a common goal of many of the broadband plans — by the end of this year in France, by the end of next year in Germany and by 2012 in Britain, for example.
Some analysts say the economic case for such expansions may be limited. In the United States and many Western European countries, broadband already has the potential for reaching more than 90 percent of the population. Reaching the last remote areas could require significant investments, with no guarantee that the people who live there will even want to pay for connections.
Governments might be able to increase broadband penetration more substantially by simply changing some regulations. In South Korea and many European countries, for example, owners of telecommunications networks are required to provide rival broadband providers access to their networks. That requirement does not exist in the United States, a move that has limited competition.
Analysts say that economies might also benefit more from speeding up broadband links in areas that are already served, rather than making connections available everywhere. To do this would require investment in a new generation of fixed and mobile networks capable of downloading an entire movie in a matter of minutes, for example.
Governments have generally been reluctant to provide financial incentives for the construction of these networks, in part because of regulatory objections. But policy makers are looking at other measures aimed at persuading telecommunications companies to build them.
France, for example, has promised to give mobile providers a portion of the radio spectrum freed by switching off analog television signals for a new generation of faster wireless connections.
But some telecommunications companies have balked at investing the billions of dollars required for the faster connections until regulators tell them how they will be allowed to run the networks.
Others are reluctant to commit to extending fiber optic links, which provide ultrafast fixed connections, for fear of how they might be used.
“Today, fiber serves no purpose,” Philippe Capron, chief financial officer of Vivendi, told a French business paper, La Tribune. “There is no new revenue stream and no supplemental service to offset the considerable investment. All that it does is to encourage the illegal downloading of films.”
By ERIC PFANNER
Published: February 25, 2009
PARIS — The broadband race is on.
As policy makers haggle over how to revive ailing economies, one strategy has found widespread support in places as varied as Washington, Berlin, Sydney and Seoul: investing in high-speed Internet access.
In recent weeks, Britain, Canada, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the United States have included measures to expand broadband access and to bolster connection speeds in their stimulus packages.
Other countries, including Australia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Japan and South Korea, have announced separate broadband plans, according to a compilation by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, based in Paris.
While some plans have been in the works for a while, analysts say it is no coincidence that so many are being rushed out now.
“The crisis is making countries push forward with their digital agendas much more aggressively,” said Charlie Davies, a senior analyst at Ovum, a telecommunications consultancy. “There’s this competition internationally to want to be there at the top and say, ‘We’re the most digitally advanced country, a great place to do business and all that.’ ”
Most plans seek to expand connections to rural areas. Another common goal is to speed up existing links through incentives to build faster fixed-line and wireless telecommunications networks.
The plans highlight a range of economic benefits, from the small scale and specific to the sweeping.
Ireland, for example, said in January that its “national broadband scheme” would directly create 170 jobs. Germany said last week, as the cabinet approved its broadband strategy, that efficient connections and the construction of next-generation networks were “a prerequisite for a return to growth and increased prosperity.”
While analysts agree that investing in communications technologies makes economies more competitive, they are skeptical about whether the promised gains will materialize quickly enough to make the spending packages — ranging from 11 million euros, or $14 million, in Hungary to $7 billion in the United States — effective recession-busters. Allocating money so that cables can be laid could take many months; completion of the networks might take years.
“So there would only really be a sizable stimulus if we are in a very long recession,” said Ian Fogg, an analyst at Forrester Research.
The international scramble to improve broadband connections has accelerated since the election of Barack Obama, who made information technology a campaign issue.
With household broadband use of about 60 percent, the United States — along with most other countries — is playing catch-up with South Korea. Eighty-five percent of the South Korean population has a fixed-line broadband connection, according to Ovum, and many other people have high-speed Web access through their cellphones.
Universal coverage is a common goal of many of the broadband plans — by the end of this year in France, by the end of next year in Germany and by 2012 in Britain, for example.
Some analysts say the economic case for such expansions may be limited. In the United States and many Western European countries, broadband already has the potential for reaching more than 90 percent of the population. Reaching the last remote areas could require significant investments, with no guarantee that the people who live there will even want to pay for connections.
Governments might be able to increase broadband penetration more substantially by simply changing some regulations. In South Korea and many European countries, for example, owners of telecommunications networks are required to provide rival broadband providers access to their networks. That requirement does not exist in the United States, a move that has limited competition.
Analysts say that economies might also benefit more from speeding up broadband links in areas that are already served, rather than making connections available everywhere. To do this would require investment in a new generation of fixed and mobile networks capable of downloading an entire movie in a matter of minutes, for example.
Governments have generally been reluctant to provide financial incentives for the construction of these networks, in part because of regulatory objections. But policy makers are looking at other measures aimed at persuading telecommunications companies to build them.
France, for example, has promised to give mobile providers a portion of the radio spectrum freed by switching off analog television signals for a new generation of faster wireless connections.
But some telecommunications companies have balked at investing the billions of dollars required for the faster connections until regulators tell them how they will be allowed to run the networks.
Others are reluctant to commit to extending fiber optic links, which provide ultrafast fixed connections, for fear of how they might be used.
“Today, fiber serves no purpose,” Philippe Capron, chief financial officer of Vivendi, told a French business paper, La Tribune. “There is no new revenue stream and no supplemental service to offset the considerable investment. All that it does is to encourage the illegal downloading of films.”
.
Search All NYTimes.com
Friday, February 27, 2009
TechnologyWorld
February 25, 2009, 4:00 pm
A New Place for Clean, Green Tech News
By Vindu Goel
For a while now, Bits readers may have noticed links to posts from our sister blog, Green Inc., which covers the business of energy and the environment, including many stories of interest to technology readers.
On Wednesday, The New York Times began a new section of the Web site, called Energy & Environment, devoted entirely to news about those topics.
As Tom Zeller Jr., the editor of Green Inc., put it in a blog post introducing the new section: “With the recent passage of a $787 billion economic stimulus package — one loaded with incentives for things as diverse as alternative energy and building efficiency upgrades, electric vehicles and biofuels — creating a centralized location from which to monitor the front lines of ‘green’ seems more important than ever.”
We will continue to cross-post the energy-related stories and blog posts of the greatest interest to technology readers on the Technology page and here in Bits. But for those of you who want to dive more deeply into those topics, we encourage you to check out the new page.
Search All NYTimes.com
Friday, February 27, 2009
TechnologyWorld
February 25, 2009, 4:00 pm
A New Place for Clean, Green Tech News
By Vindu Goel
For a while now, Bits readers may have noticed links to posts from our sister blog, Green Inc., which covers the business of energy and the environment, including many stories of interest to technology readers.
On Wednesday, The New York Times began a new section of the Web site, called Energy & Environment, devoted entirely to news about those topics.
As Tom Zeller Jr., the editor of Green Inc., put it in a blog post introducing the new section: “With the recent passage of a $787 billion economic stimulus package — one loaded with incentives for things as diverse as alternative energy and building efficiency upgrades, electric vehicles and biofuels — creating a centralized location from which to monitor the front lines of ‘green’ seems more important than ever.”
We will continue to cross-post the energy-related stories and blog posts of the greatest interest to technology readers on the Technology page and here in Bits. But for those of you who want to dive more deeply into those topics, we encourage you to check out the new page.
more bad news
msnbc.com news services
updated 2 hours, 23 minutes ago
The vicious cycle between unemployment and the crumbling housing market has become downright savage.
New home sales are at an all-time low, home resales are at the lowest in 12 years, home prices are falling at a record rate and more than 5 million Americans are receiving jobless benefits on a regular basis.
The more people who are out of work for an extended time, the higher the chance they will be forced to foreclose on their homes. That's especially true if the value of their largest investment, their home, has dropped below what they have borrowed to live in it.
Story continues below ↓
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
advertisement | your ad here
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the rising pain has spread to the banks that make the loans. The nation's banks lost $26.2 billion in the last three months of 2008, the first quarterly deficit in 18 years, as the housing and credit crises escalated.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Thursday U.S. banks and thrifts also more than doubled the amount they set aside to cover potential loan losses, to $69.3 billion in the fourth quarter from $32.1 billion a year earlier.
Regulators say there were 252 banks in trouble at the end of 2008, up from 171 in the third quarter
"We have been looking for signs that the economy's rate of decline might be slowing, but can't find any," said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist at the IHS Global Insight consulting firm.
The Labor Department said Thursday that first-time requests for unemployment benefits jumped to 667,000 from the previous week's figure of 631,000. Analysts had expected a slight drop in claims.
The 667,000 new claims are the most since October 1982, though the labor force has grown by about half since then. The four-week average of initial claims, which smooths out fluctuations, rose to 639,000, the highest in more than 26 years.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. added to the bad news Thursday, saying that it would eliminate about 12,000 jobs as it folds in the operations of failed savings and loan Washington Mutual Inc. In December, the bank said it would cut a total of 9,200 jobs related to the WaMu deal. The 12,000 figure includes 2,800 jobs expected to be lost through attrition.
Separately, U.S. manufacturers saw orders for big-ticket goods plunge by a larger-than-expected 5.2 percent in January as global economic troubles cut demand from customers at home and abroad.
The latest report on U.S. factory activity, released by the Commerce Department, showed orders falling for a record sixth straight month. The previous record of four months came in 1992.
And new home sales tumbled 10.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 309,000 last month, the worst showing on government records going back to 1963.
The median sales price fell to $201,100 in January, a record 9.9 percent drop from the previous month. The median price is the midpoint, where half sell for more and half for less. But even lower prices and low mortgage rates haven't ended the housing market slump.
Sales of existing homes unexpectedly plunged in January to the lowest level in nearly 12 years as pessimism about the economy grew and buyers waited for President Barack Obama's plan to help revive the U.S. housing market.
All told, it points to more dismal news for an economy stuck in a negative cycle, where consumers scale back purchases as jobs vanish, home prices drop and stock portfolios shrink. Those factors fuel more job cuts by profit-starved businesses.
CONTINUED : Cautious companies
updated 2 hours, 23 minutes ago
The vicious cycle between unemployment and the crumbling housing market has become downright savage.
New home sales are at an all-time low, home resales are at the lowest in 12 years, home prices are falling at a record rate and more than 5 million Americans are receiving jobless benefits on a regular basis.
The more people who are out of work for an extended time, the higher the chance they will be forced to foreclose on their homes. That's especially true if the value of their largest investment, their home, has dropped below what they have borrowed to live in it.
Story continues below ↓
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
advertisement | your ad here
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the rising pain has spread to the banks that make the loans. The nation's banks lost $26.2 billion in the last three months of 2008, the first quarterly deficit in 18 years, as the housing and credit crises escalated.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Thursday U.S. banks and thrifts also more than doubled the amount they set aside to cover potential loan losses, to $69.3 billion in the fourth quarter from $32.1 billion a year earlier.
Regulators say there were 252 banks in trouble at the end of 2008, up from 171 in the third quarter
"We have been looking for signs that the economy's rate of decline might be slowing, but can't find any," said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist at the IHS Global Insight consulting firm.
The Labor Department said Thursday that first-time requests for unemployment benefits jumped to 667,000 from the previous week's figure of 631,000. Analysts had expected a slight drop in claims.
The 667,000 new claims are the most since October 1982, though the labor force has grown by about half since then. The four-week average of initial claims, which smooths out fluctuations, rose to 639,000, the highest in more than 26 years.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. added to the bad news Thursday, saying that it would eliminate about 12,000 jobs as it folds in the operations of failed savings and loan Washington Mutual Inc. In December, the bank said it would cut a total of 9,200 jobs related to the WaMu deal. The 12,000 figure includes 2,800 jobs expected to be lost through attrition.
Separately, U.S. manufacturers saw orders for big-ticket goods plunge by a larger-than-expected 5.2 percent in January as global economic troubles cut demand from customers at home and abroad.
The latest report on U.S. factory activity, released by the Commerce Department, showed orders falling for a record sixth straight month. The previous record of four months came in 1992.
And new home sales tumbled 10.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 309,000 last month, the worst showing on government records going back to 1963.
The median sales price fell to $201,100 in January, a record 9.9 percent drop from the previous month. The median price is the midpoint, where half sell for more and half for less. But even lower prices and low mortgage rates haven't ended the housing market slump.
Sales of existing homes unexpectedly plunged in January to the lowest level in nearly 12 years as pessimism about the economy grew and buyers waited for President Barack Obama's plan to help revive the U.S. housing market.
All told, it points to more dismal news for an economy stuck in a negative cycle, where consumers scale back purchases as jobs vanish, home prices drop and stock portfolios shrink. Those factors fuel more job cuts by profit-starved businesses.
CONTINUED : Cautious companies
Miami Banker Gives Away Millions
Miami banker lavishes $60M on his employeesFebruary 25, 2009 5:48 PM ET advertisement
Article tools E-mail this article Print-friendly version Discuss this articleRelated topicsEconomic IndicatorsPersonnel AnnouncementsRecent investing newsPepsiAmericas Declares First Quarter DividendMadoff case spawns cottage industry of expertsUPDATE 1-Obama budget realistic on climate revenue-analysts/ CORRECTION - Willbros Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2008 ResultsMexico stocks sink as US economy worries weigh
All Associated Press newsMIAMI (AP) - At a time when bankers are being pilloried on Capitol Hill as heartless and greedy, Leonard Abess Jr. stands apart.
After selling his bank for a fortune last fall, he quietly handed out $60 million in bonuses from his own pocket — and not just to top executives. In all, 471 employees and retirees, including tellers, clerks and secretaries, were rewarded, receiving an average of about $127,000 each.
"I think everybody was surprised. But knowing Leonard, the type of person he is, I can believe him giving it away," said retiree William Perry, who spent 43 years at City National Bank of Florida, rising from janitor to vice president. Perry, 78, got $50,000, which he is using to help his son pay for law school.
For his generosity and humility, Abess was singled out for praise by President Barack Obama in his congressional address Tuesday. Abess attended as Obama's guest.
"He's a brilliant banker, which I think is obvious because of how well the bank has done all these years. And, obviously, a very generous man," said Ginger Nunn, a managing senior vice president. "He can not only set an example for other bankers but for any businessperson."
Abess, 60, did not return several calls for comment Wednesday. He never wanted to make a big deal out of his largesse; he didn't even show up at the bank when the envelopes were distributed in November. It wasn't until he mentioned the bonuses in a recent interview with The Miami Herald that they became publicly known.
Abess' father founded the bank in 1946 and he began his career in the print shop, working his way up the corporate ladder. His family sold the bank in the early 1980s to an investment group, which in turn sold it to a Colombian coffee magnate. When the magnate was convicted of fraud, Abess bought a majority stake out of bankruptcy in 1985 for $21 million, all of it borrowed, and then acquired the rest for $6 million.
The bank, under his ownership, grew from $400 million in assets and seven offices to $2.75 billion in assets and 18 offices.
While other bank CEOs passed out million-dollar bonuses to their cronies as their institutions failed, Abess kept City National profitable and received no money from the federal bank bailout. When he sold an 83 percent stake to a Spanish bank for $927 million, he decided to share the bounty with his 399 employees and 72 retirees.
"Those people who joined me and stayed with me at the bank with no promise of equity, I always thought someday I'm going to surprise them," he told the Herald. "I sure as heck don't need" the money.
But others persuaded him that dropping such large checks on the employees without warning wasn't a good idea.
Abess, who remains the bank's chairman and chief executive, made a video telling the employees a bonus would be coming with the sale and assuring them it wasn't severance. A vice president, Linda Naughton, contacted some retirees and told them they would be getting a letter from Abess and should "sit down before they opened it."
Joyce Andrews, who has spent 57 years at City National, including a stint working as a secretary for Abess' father, has known Abess since he was a toddler. On Tuesday night, the 75-year-old woman said, she was so proud she felt like his mother.
Andrews would not say how big her bonus was, but she said she invested it for her retirement.
"It's so unbelievable. I think it has to be the best feel-good story of the year. Don't you? When a man shares that much, $60 million. The fact that he could even do it or thought about it," she said. "There are people that get money that don't do a thing. It's theirs, you know? I think it was a wonderful thing."
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All Associated Press newsMIAMI (AP) - At a time when bankers are being pilloried on Capitol Hill as heartless and greedy, Leonard Abess Jr. stands apart.
After selling his bank for a fortune last fall, he quietly handed out $60 million in bonuses from his own pocket — and not just to top executives. In all, 471 employees and retirees, including tellers, clerks and secretaries, were rewarded, receiving an average of about $127,000 each.
"I think everybody was surprised. But knowing Leonard, the type of person he is, I can believe him giving it away," said retiree William Perry, who spent 43 years at City National Bank of Florida, rising from janitor to vice president. Perry, 78, got $50,000, which he is using to help his son pay for law school.
For his generosity and humility, Abess was singled out for praise by President Barack Obama in his congressional address Tuesday. Abess attended as Obama's guest.
"He's a brilliant banker, which I think is obvious because of how well the bank has done all these years. And, obviously, a very generous man," said Ginger Nunn, a managing senior vice president. "He can not only set an example for other bankers but for any businessperson."
Abess, 60, did not return several calls for comment Wednesday. He never wanted to make a big deal out of his largesse; he didn't even show up at the bank when the envelopes were distributed in November. It wasn't until he mentioned the bonuses in a recent interview with The Miami Herald that they became publicly known.
Abess' father founded the bank in 1946 and he began his career in the print shop, working his way up the corporate ladder. His family sold the bank in the early 1980s to an investment group, which in turn sold it to a Colombian coffee magnate. When the magnate was convicted of fraud, Abess bought a majority stake out of bankruptcy in 1985 for $21 million, all of it borrowed, and then acquired the rest for $6 million.
The bank, under his ownership, grew from $400 million in assets and seven offices to $2.75 billion in assets and 18 offices.
While other bank CEOs passed out million-dollar bonuses to their cronies as their institutions failed, Abess kept City National profitable and received no money from the federal bank bailout. When he sold an 83 percent stake to a Spanish bank for $927 million, he decided to share the bounty with his 399 employees and 72 retirees.
"Those people who joined me and stayed with me at the bank with no promise of equity, I always thought someday I'm going to surprise them," he told the Herald. "I sure as heck don't need" the money.
But others persuaded him that dropping such large checks on the employees without warning wasn't a good idea.
Abess, who remains the bank's chairman and chief executive, made a video telling the employees a bonus would be coming with the sale and assuring them it wasn't severance. A vice president, Linda Naughton, contacted some retirees and told them they would be getting a letter from Abess and should "sit down before they opened it."
Joyce Andrews, who has spent 57 years at City National, including a stint working as a secretary for Abess' father, has known Abess since he was a toddler. On Tuesday night, the 75-year-old woman said, she was so proud she felt like his mother.
Andrews would not say how big her bonus was, but she said she invested it for her retirement.
"It's so unbelievable. I think it has to be the best feel-good story of the year. Don't you? When a man shares that much, $60 million. The fact that he could even do it or thought about it," she said. "There are people that get money that don't do a thing. It's theirs, you know? I think it was a wonderful thing."
another city screwup
IF your revenues are down, and you make little or NO effort to cut your expenses, then YES their solution will be to raise our taxes and fees AGAIN! Another colossal blunder by the Mayor, Council, and City Manager. A complete and total lack of insight, vision, and understanding of the economic crisis we are are in, and what has led up to it. They saw only their agendas being realized in their tunnel-vision and didnt see, or care apparently, about the impact it would have on the taxpaying residents. This ADA situation wasnt prepared for or even addressed, altho it should have been, as sidewalks are pretty basic to pedestrian traffic. These are the things that would normally come out of our reserves, if necessary, and we should have been preparing for unforeseen events by increasing the reserves for the past several years, instead of taking monies out for a new gym. When our reserves get low all we need then is a hurricane to hit and we are in SERIOUS trouble. It will NOT present a problem for the Mayor and Council however, as they will simply RAISE OUR TAXES AND FEES AGAIN, to raise the necessary funds. It matters little to them, but it WILL to the taxpayers, who are struggling already with job layoffs and forclosures. The retired folks on a fixed income will be particularly hard hit because of this, yet another HUGE City screwup. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
High-efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate
High Efficiency Clothes Washer Rebate
A high-efficiency clothes washer uses 15 to 25 gallons of water per load, compared to 40 to 45 gallons used by older, non-efficient washers. A high-efficiency washing machine reduces energy use by up to 70% and water use by up to 50%. This means lower water and energy bills. Rebates are now being offered to Miami-Dade County single family homeowners when they purchase and install a High-Efficiency clothes washer.
Residential Rebate
1.Receive a $150 rebate for purchasing a new High-Efficiency Clothes Washer (HEW) that replaces an old water wasting clothes washer. Rebates are available on a first-come first served basis, while funding is still available.
2.Machines must be installed in a single family residence within Miami Dade County, Florida. Participants must be willing to allow an inspection of the installed machine for verification of program compliance.
3.Choose from the current list of approved models * for your purchase. The Energy Star label must indicate a Modified Energy label of 2.2 or higher (the higher the number, the greater the energy savings) and a water factor of 4.5 or less.
4.Fill out an application (English Spanish Creole )
and mail it, along with your original receipt, within 60 days of purchase to:
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department
Water-Use Efficiency Program
3071 SW 38 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33146
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Note:
Key to colors used on the approved washer list:
Red italics = product is inactive
Blue italics = US-only model
Green italics = Canada-only model
Grey shade = models use Silver Ion technology
A high-efficiency clothes washer uses 15 to 25 gallons of water per load, compared to 40 to 45 gallons used by older, non-efficient washers. A high-efficiency washing machine reduces energy use by up to 70% and water use by up to 50%. This means lower water and energy bills. Rebates are now being offered to Miami-Dade County single family homeowners when they purchase and install a High-Efficiency clothes washer.
Residential Rebate
1.Receive a $150 rebate for purchasing a new High-Efficiency Clothes Washer (HEW) that replaces an old water wasting clothes washer. Rebates are available on a first-come first served basis, while funding is still available.
2.Machines must be installed in a single family residence within Miami Dade County, Florida. Participants must be willing to allow an inspection of the installed machine for verification of program compliance.
3.Choose from the current list of approved models * for your purchase. The Energy Star label must indicate a Modified Energy label of 2.2 or higher (the higher the number, the greater the energy savings) and a water factor of 4.5 or less.
4.Fill out an application (English Spanish Creole )
and mail it, along with your original receipt, within 60 days of purchase to:
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department
Water-Use Efficiency Program
3071 SW 38 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33146
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Note:
Key to colors used on the approved washer list:
Red italics = product is inactive
Blue italics = US-only model
Green italics = Canada-only model
Grey shade = models use Silver Ion technology
showerhead exchange
Showerhead Exchange & Retrofit Kit
After the toilet, the shower is the second heaviest water user in the home, using up to 30 percent of total household water.
Having a high efficiency showerhead is a very practical way to reduce water consumption during bathing. It not only reduces your water bill, it reduces your sewer and energy bills as well. This method of water conservation has a very short payback period, often as short as a few months.
Typical non-conserving showerheads have flow rates of 5 to 8 gallons per minute, meaning that a typical 5-minute shower would send about 25 - 40 gallons of fresh water down the drain and into the sewer.
By contrast, the high efficiency showerheads being exchanged by WASD use only 1.5 gallons per minute, or 7½ gallons for a 5-minute shower, reducing water demand by at least 50%. (courtesy of SAHRA - Arizona Board of Regents website)
WASD’s high efficiency showerheads are a fashionable white and include built-in massage, on/off valve and a swivel head for user comfort and convenience.
Find out how to get a FREE Showerhead and home water conservation kit.
After the toilet, the shower is the second heaviest water user in the home, using up to 30 percent of total household water.
Having a high efficiency showerhead is a very practical way to reduce water consumption during bathing. It not only reduces your water bill, it reduces your sewer and energy bills as well. This method of water conservation has a very short payback period, often as short as a few months.
Typical non-conserving showerheads have flow rates of 5 to 8 gallons per minute, meaning that a typical 5-minute shower would send about 25 - 40 gallons of fresh water down the drain and into the sewer.
By contrast, the high efficiency showerheads being exchanged by WASD use only 1.5 gallons per minute, or 7½ gallons for a 5-minute shower, reducing water demand by at least 50%. (courtesy of SAHRA - Arizona Board of Regents website)
WASD’s high efficiency showerheads are a fashionable white and include built-in massage, on/off valve and a swivel head for user comfort and convenience.
Find out how to get a FREE Showerhead and home water conservation kit.
High efficiency Toilet rebate
High Efficiency Toilet (HET) Rebate Program
The High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) rebate program offers residents of single family homes and duplexes, or a multifamily dwelling that pays an individual water bill, up to $100 for each HET they purchase and install.
Getting your rebate is as easy as 1,2,3...
1. Purchase and install a qualified High-Efficiency Toilet from the EPA list:
EPA Water Sense Labeled Toilets
2. Complete the application form:
English
Spanish
Creole
3. Mail the application and your original purchase receipt within 60 days of purchase to:
Miami Dade Water and Sewer Department
Water-Use Efficiency Program
3071 SW 38 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33146.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Water-Use Efficiency Program at 786-552-8974 or via e-mail at waterconservation@miamidade.gov.
Only completed applications with original receipts will be processed.
The High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) rebate program offers residents of single family homes and duplexes, or a multifamily dwelling that pays an individual water bill, up to $100 for each HET they purchase and install.
Getting your rebate is as easy as 1,2,3...
1. Purchase and install a qualified High-Efficiency Toilet from the EPA list:
EPA Water Sense Labeled Toilets
2. Complete the application form:
English
Spanish
Creole
3. Mail the application and your original purchase receipt within 60 days of purchase to:
Miami Dade Water and Sewer Department
Water-Use Efficiency Program
3071 SW 38 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33146.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Water-Use Efficiency Program at 786-552-8974 or via e-mail at waterconservation@miamidade.gov.
Only completed applications with original receipts will be processed.
Rain Barrels
Rain Barrels
Florida receives an average of 52 inches of rainfall per year. Most of this water washes over lawns and pavement carrying fertilizers and other chemicals into local waterways.
An inch of rainfall over a one thousand square-foot area yields in excess of 600 gallons of water. A rain barrel is an inexpensive means of capturing and storing some of this water for later use. By installing a rain barrel you'll not only help reduce pollution, but you'll also have a supply of free non-chlorinated soft water for irrigating your landscape!
The Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Service offers a series of Rain Barrel Workshops. These workshops give the residents of Miami-Dade County an opportunity to learn about important water conservation issues and teaches how to construct and install rain barrels. We also work with schools, homeowners associations, and garden clubs.
For more information on rain barrels and attending a Rain Barrel Workshop, visit the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department website.
Saturday, February 21, from 10 a.m. - noon
Rain Barrel Lecture & Workshop
Miami Lakes Community Center
15151 Montrose Road, Miami Lakes
$45 for rain barrel and materials. Free Lecture. Deadline to register and pay for barrels is: February 18, 2009. Contact Lize Luna to register 305-248-3311 ext. 242.
View flyer
View the upcoming Rain Barrel Workshops
Learn more about the Rain Barrel workshops
Florida receives an average of 52 inches of rainfall per year. Most of this water washes over lawns and pavement carrying fertilizers and other chemicals into local waterways.
An inch of rainfall over a one thousand square-foot area yields in excess of 600 gallons of water. A rain barrel is an inexpensive means of capturing and storing some of this water for later use. By installing a rain barrel you'll not only help reduce pollution, but you'll also have a supply of free non-chlorinated soft water for irrigating your landscape!
The Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension Service offers a series of Rain Barrel Workshops. These workshops give the residents of Miami-Dade County an opportunity to learn about important water conservation issues and teaches how to construct and install rain barrels. We also work with schools, homeowners associations, and garden clubs.
For more information on rain barrels and attending a Rain Barrel Workshop, visit the Miami-Dade Consumer Services Department website.
Saturday, February 21, from 10 a.m. - noon
Rain Barrel Lecture & Workshop
Miami Lakes Community Center
15151 Montrose Road, Miami Lakes
$45 for rain barrel and materials. Free Lecture. Deadline to register and pay for barrels is: February 18, 2009. Contact Lize Luna to register 305-248-3311 ext. 242.
View flyer
View the upcoming Rain Barrel Workshops
Learn more about the Rain Barrel workshops
Miami-Dade.gov Recycling
Commercial establishments in Miami-Dade County produce an estimated 1.7 million tons of solid waste annually -- more than 50% of the total waste generated countywide. Managing this waste stream through recycling and waste reduction is good for South Florida's environment, but it also makes good business sense. Evaluating how your company is producing waste can uncover organizational inefficiencies -- some of which may be costly. Further, an environmentally responsive approach to managing solid waste can enhance your company's image. But, if these reasons aren't convincing enough, you should know that commercial recycling is also required by law.
Commercial Recycling Ordinance Requirements
Commercial recycling became mandatory countywide in July of 1992. The County Ordinance requires the following:
To view Chapter 15, Section 2 of the Code of Miami-Dade, click here
Owners/Property owners of commercial establishments in Miami-Dade County must provide a recycling program for their employees and tenants, using the services of an authorized waste hauler or private recycling hauler.
The program must recycle three items from the following list of ten: high grade office paper, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, aluminum, steel, other scrap production metals, plastics, textiles, wood.
Modified Recycling Programs -- those which incorporate modifications, substitutions or reductions to the requirements stated above -- may be submitted to the Department of Solid Waste Management for review and approval.
How do I start a recycling program?
Contact your current waste hauler. If you have a contract, check the renewal date and the renewal clause for terms and conditions. Many local waste haulers and private recycling vendors offer commercial recycling collection, so you may want to shop around to compare rates and services. If you choose your existing waste hauler, check to see if you can reduce your level of waste service (either the size of your current waste container or frequency of pick-up) to help offset the cost of implementing a recycling program.
How are the recyclables collected?
Most recycling and waste haulers provide portable, 96-gallon containers ("toters") that must be placed outside on the day of collection. If you have significant amounts of corrugated cardboard, "cardboard-only" containers are also readily available. Additionally, many businesses have found that employee participation increases when deskside recycling containers are located within individual offices or workstations.
What If I have nothing to recycle?
Most businesses have something to recycle, even if it is only a small amount of material. If your business generates very limited amounts of recyclables, consider applying for a Modified Recycling Program.
What happens to commercial establishments that don't recycle?
Rather than penalize businesses that do not conform to the law, Miami-Dade County prefers to assist those uncertain about how to comply by providing specific information and suggestions on how to get started. However, the County does randomly notify, and if necessary, inspect commercial establishments reported to be out of compliance by haulers and concerned citizens. Those who do not comply with recycling may be subject to fines ranging from $300 to $950, based on the size (in square feet) of the commercial establishment.
To learn more about setting up a successful recycling program that complies with the County's recycling law, visit the Business Waste Minimization and Pollution Prevention page or the Greening Your Office page on the Environmental Tips site.
Commercial Recycling Ordinance Requirements
Commercial recycling became mandatory countywide in July of 1992. The County Ordinance requires the following:
To view Chapter 15, Section 2 of the Code of Miami-Dade, click here
Owners/Property owners of commercial establishments in Miami-Dade County must provide a recycling program for their employees and tenants, using the services of an authorized waste hauler or private recycling hauler.
The program must recycle three items from the following list of ten: high grade office paper, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, aluminum, steel, other scrap production metals, plastics, textiles, wood.
Modified Recycling Programs -- those which incorporate modifications, substitutions or reductions to the requirements stated above -- may be submitted to the Department of Solid Waste Management for review and approval.
How do I start a recycling program?
Contact your current waste hauler. If you have a contract, check the renewal date and the renewal clause for terms and conditions. Many local waste haulers and private recycling vendors offer commercial recycling collection, so you may want to shop around to compare rates and services. If you choose your existing waste hauler, check to see if you can reduce your level of waste service (either the size of your current waste container or frequency of pick-up) to help offset the cost of implementing a recycling program.
How are the recyclables collected?
Most recycling and waste haulers provide portable, 96-gallon containers ("toters") that must be placed outside on the day of collection. If you have significant amounts of corrugated cardboard, "cardboard-only" containers are also readily available. Additionally, many businesses have found that employee participation increases when deskside recycling containers are located within individual offices or workstations.
What If I have nothing to recycle?
Most businesses have something to recycle, even if it is only a small amount of material. If your business generates very limited amounts of recyclables, consider applying for a Modified Recycling Program.
What happens to commercial establishments that don't recycle?
Rather than penalize businesses that do not conform to the law, Miami-Dade County prefers to assist those uncertain about how to comply by providing specific information and suggestions on how to get started. However, the County does randomly notify, and if necessary, inspect commercial establishments reported to be out of compliance by haulers and concerned citizens. Those who do not comply with recycling may be subject to fines ranging from $300 to $950, based on the size (in square feet) of the commercial establishment.
To learn more about setting up a successful recycling program that complies with the County's recycling law, visit the Business Waste Minimization and Pollution Prevention page or the Greening Your Office page on the Environmental Tips site.
a response
While I agree that greed and corruption by the bankers and the buyers were a major factor in inflating property values to unrealistic levels, it does not alter the fact that property values have taken a MAJOR hit. Also, the spending by the Mayor and Council for the past five years or so were based on those artificially inflated values and there were little and NO moves made to prepare for these hard times. To me this shows a lack of vision and fiscal responsibility by the Mayor and the Council, that has resulted in tax increases, along with fee increases, that would probably NOT be necessary had proper planning and preparations been done. We are in a global economic crisis and you are saying some realization and acknowledgement of that fact is not in order? NOT recognizing that fact or doing anything to prepare for it by the Mayor or Council is what has caused the local crisis, and has to change. We cannot continue to take the " Everybody ELSE is affected, but not US" approach, as it has NO basis in reality. Only NOW they are starting to see a "falloff in revenues"? 14 months after the recession started ? They had NO CLUE before that? What planet are the Council and Mayor living on? (cue the Twilight Zone music..). Dr. Mel P. Johnson
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
property values fall off cliff, Counmcil unconscious
The government's index, considered the broadest, shows prices falling last year in 44 states and Washington, D.C. In eight states, they fell more than 10%. Losses were worst in the disastrous housing markets of California, Florida and Nevada. In Merced, Calif., prices fell 16.29% in the fourth quarter alone and nearly 50% in all of last year, the worst decline in the country. The other bottom 10 cities included Stockton, Calif. (down 40.2% in 2008); Modesto, Calif. (-37.8%); Vallejo-Fairfield, Calif. (-34.4%); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. (-34.3%); Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla. (-32.9%); Naples-Marco Island, Fla. (-32.9%); Las Vegas-Paradise, Nev. (-32.6%); Salinas, Calif. (-32.2%); and Punta Gorda, Fla. (-29.7%). Miami Springs ONLY fell 28.6%. This is NO TIME to be taking on more debt and further burdening the struggling taxpayers. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
HIV mutations
“What was previously clear is the virus could evolve within each infected person but that doesn’t really matter from a vaccine perspective if the virus at the population level is staying the same,” said Philip Goulder, an immunologist at Oxford University who led the study.
“The implication is that once we have found an effective vaccine, it would likely need to be changed to keep pace with the rapidly evolving virus.”
There is no cure for AIDS and 33 million people globally are infected with HIV. Cocktails of drugs can control the virus and keep patients healthy. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since the early 1980s, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers are trying to find vaccines that either prevent infection or would control the virus so that patients are less likely to transmit it — a so-called therapeutic vaccine.
“The process of the virus adapting is happening before our eyes at quite a speed, and it is something we need to take into account when making our vaccines,” Goulder said.
HIV attacks the immune system, the body’s natural defenses. Like other viruses, it cannot replicate on its own but must hijack a cell and turn it into a virus factory.
HIV must evade several genes to do this, including an immunity gene called HLA.
The team, which included researchers from Australia and Japan, analyzed the genetic sequences of HIV and versions of HLA genes known to control the virus in 2,800 people.
Click for related content
Report: U.S. AIDS cases clustered in cities
AIDS becomes top infectious disease in China
South Africa to step up its AIDS fight
Some people have a version of the gene that is more protective. In the study, the researchers found that mutations that allow HIV to evade immune responses directed by HLA were more common in people with the protective variant of the gene.
This was strong evidence for HIV adaptation to the human immune system among the wider population, Goulder added in a telephone interview.
This means the so-called escape mutation is circulating in more and more people and accumulating in the wider population of those infected with HIV, he said.
“We saw similar effects in every mutation that we looked at,” Goulder said. “This shows that HIV is extremely adept at adapting to the immune responses in human populations that are most effective at containing the virus.”
“The implication is that once we have found an effective vaccine, it would likely need to be changed to keep pace with the rapidly evolving virus.”
There is no cure for AIDS and 33 million people globally are infected with HIV. Cocktails of drugs can control the virus and keep patients healthy. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since the early 1980s, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers are trying to find vaccines that either prevent infection or would control the virus so that patients are less likely to transmit it — a so-called therapeutic vaccine.
“The process of the virus adapting is happening before our eyes at quite a speed, and it is something we need to take into account when making our vaccines,” Goulder said.
HIV attacks the immune system, the body’s natural defenses. Like other viruses, it cannot replicate on its own but must hijack a cell and turn it into a virus factory.
HIV must evade several genes to do this, including an immunity gene called HLA.
The team, which included researchers from Australia and Japan, analyzed the genetic sequences of HIV and versions of HLA genes known to control the virus in 2,800 people.
Click for related content
Report: U.S. AIDS cases clustered in cities
AIDS becomes top infectious disease in China
South Africa to step up its AIDS fight
Some people have a version of the gene that is more protective. In the study, the researchers found that mutations that allow HIV to evade immune responses directed by HLA were more common in people with the protective variant of the gene.
This was strong evidence for HIV adaptation to the human immune system among the wider population, Goulder added in a telephone interview.
This means the so-called escape mutation is circulating in more and more people and accumulating in the wider population of those infected with HIV, he said.
“We saw similar effects in every mutation that we looked at,” Goulder said. “This shows that HIV is extremely adept at adapting to the immune responses in human populations that are most effective at containing the virus.”
Let The Sunshine In
Providing FOI information in a timely fashion is built into the job description of the City Clerk. It is part of the Government in the Sunshine law that was passed years ago. the actual statute is very interesting and makes few allowances for NOT providing the information in a timely fashion. Some municipal governments prefer to work in the shadows and the darkness so that they can make their shady backroom deals without any public scrutiny. Sound familiar? Dr. Mel P. Johnson
campaign comments
While its true that Mr. Suco has not been to many Council meeting either, he has run for office in the past and, altho he lost, it does show some interest in the city and how its operated. He has indicated some interest in a wider range of issues than Mr Lob, who has only ONE (whatever Billy wants). It is also interesting that he would mention an interest in renovating the gym, which shows an awareness that there IS a viable and considerably less costly alternative to a new gym. And while he hasnt been very active in the community for the past several years, Mr Suco does have the possibility of being an independent thinker, a trait which Mr Lob seems to lack. Except for Mr. Dotson, nobody on the current Council has shown much common sense or fiscal responsibility for the past FOUR YEARS. THAT has to change, as the average resident believes that costs ARE important, to them, and SHOULD BE to their elected representatives. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
meet FOI
An FOI was filed last week requesting a full rundown of all revenues and expenses for that meet. We shall see how long it takes to come up with that information. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
public service?
( have NO intention of responding to ridiculous, childish, and disrespectful personal postings that have no basis in fact, or giving them any credence or time. I do believe that Mr. Stiff and Mr. Suco MAY have performed something of a public service by running and opening up a rational debate about how the City is being run. I have seen nothing that would indicate that Mr. Lob has any idea or concept of what is going on in the City and will just be another Billy YES man and sycophant. He hasnt attended FIVE Council meetings in the past TWO YEARS. He seems to be a ONE_ISSUE candidate - the new Gym, and offers little rationale regarding the basis of his support, other than Billy wants it too. He offers no positions on any other issues and there is significant doubt if he even knows what the other issues are, and why they are important. He seems to think, like Billy, that " costs are immaterial" and "irrelevent", like Garcia. We cant afford any more of these " Money is NO object" guys. Money IS VERY IMPORTANT to most of us! Especially in these very difficult times! Will they EVER learn? Dr. Mel P. Johnson
Bain, Best, garcia think alike
Garcia is campaigning hard for Best and Billy because they are like minded and voted together on 98% of the votes in front of the Council. They voted together and approved the $375 a square foot bathrooms that nobody uses AND the $600 a square foot CC enclosure. "Costs are immaterial" and "irrelevent" to them because its OUR money being wasted, not theirs. They never met a cost overrun or change order they couldnt approve. We cannot afford any more fiscally irresponsible Councils as over 650k has disappeared on those two projects ALONE. We could use that money now, and maybe if we had it they wouldnt raise our taxes and fees AGAIN. Money is of no concern ONLY TO THEM, because its OUR money they are disappearing, not theirs. How can they justify this poor stewardship of our tax dollars? They CANT. There can be NO justification of those outrageous costs and lack of oversight and common sense by them. "Money is no object" is surely a mindset that will lead us to bankruptcy. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
rebuttal
I do NOT believe that Dotson EVER said he appreciates the City Managers honesty and forthrightness. I also find it VERY hard to believe that he EVER said he appreciates Gyn not taking a pay raise this year because he knows, as well as anybody, that no raise was in order because 20% of Gym responsibility was given to the County with the Water and Sewer Dept. A 20% pay cut was more appropriate in that case, but the Council let him slide, AGAIN. I have had MANY conversations with Mr Dotson regarding those particular issues and DO NOT BELIEVE that has EVER been his beliefs. Didnt each and every Council member and the Mayor ALSO give the City Manager a thumbs up? Dotson has had several differences in opinion over the past couple years, that is true. I will check the records for the verbatim account of that vote tomorrow. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
P.S. I do NOT intend to take credit for others posts, as I intend to sign each and every post I make. If I dont sign, its not me.
P.S. I do NOT intend to take credit for others posts, as I intend to sign each and every post I make. If I dont sign, its not me.
property tax projections for next year
The housing collapse led the stock market and the economy into the cellar. And this crucial sector is headed deeper still, along with the value of your home. How low? One measure suggests a further 14.5% drop.(MSN Money) If those numbers are accurate, are they included in the property value projections for the proposed annexation properties? 28.6 % drop this past year, and a further 14.5 % drop is almost a 43 % drop in two years- are those figures included in the Corradino projections? What are THEIR projections, and what are they based on? many questions.. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
annexation meeting
There will be an annexation workshop Teusday, March 3rd to hear a DERM presentation regarding annexation and look at the final numbers from Corradino. Gym has admitted that Corradinos numbers were much lower than the numbers Gym had, but somehow, shows the same 2.3 million in surplus taxes we could collect. if the taxable values of the proposed annexation areas are down considerably, how is THAT possible? What about the zoning problem? Mitigation fees? The FEC property? If the County agrees in writing that THEY will be responsible for ANY needed cleanups, I would be okay with that part of the annexation question. The rest needs to be negotiated with the County to show a definite benefit to MS before it would be palatable to me. I see NO reason to rush into these discussions and make ANY agreements before debating the issues thoroughly. This is a part of doing ones DUE DILIGENCE, another alien term to this Mayor and Council. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
Council comments
Apparently child care cost was reduced from $100 to $75 per week, which is $25 less than before. However, a $10 per week bus charge was added to pick the kids up at their schools and drop them at the rec center. So, if you have a child at one of the schools that needs to be picked up and brought to the Rec center after school you will be paying $15 a month MORE than before. While its good to see we may finally be getting some beneficial use from the shuttle, it IS an additional cost to the residents. Gym did acknowledge that "revenues are falling off", but then proposed that the City spend an additional 500k to make the bike paths concrete. Where would THAT money come from? the decreases in sales taxes, gas taxes, or the decreased property tax monies? Dr. Mel P. Johnson
Council comments
Gorland did say that the Sunday mens soccer league is hard on the field, and it was tabled until next week for further consideration. The good news is that they may actually be charging for use of City facilities. The bad news is, as noted previously, that the pool fees charged for the private swim team are ridiculously low and dont reflect the going rate for such a facility. Gym did note that he DOES have the leeway to charge whatever he wants for the pool facilties "to encourage use" of such facilities, and the Council agreed without a discussion or debate. Gymbos artificially low rates benefit only the private teams owners at the expense of the taxpayers. The owners are "encouraged" to use our pool because he charges less than HALF the going rate for pool practices. The 60% discount is a good deal for the owners, but a BAD deal for the taxpayers. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
comments
Youngs, to his credit, did ask the tennis guy for SOME form of records, etc. to justify the 20k they are giving him every year. The tennis guy does seem to be doing a good job revitalizing the tennis programs and offered a few numbers to that effect. The idea was to subsidize him for a year to help him get started, and that year is up. If hes doing as well as he says he is, perhaps he doesnt need the subsidy any more. Youngs was right in that he should offer SOME justification for receiving the subsidy, some form of official accounting to show that the subsidy is still needed. He balked at offering that on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, saying he would have to think about it. He seems to be, by all accounts, a good guy and is doing a good job, but STILL needs to be accountable. Its a new concept, accountablility, for this Council and Mayor to wrap their minds around, but much needed. Having anybody who works for the City be accountable to anyone but Gymbo is a totally alien concept and has never been tried before, so perhaps Youngs can make this small step toward real transparency and accountability his final contribution as a Councilman. Garcia was very unhappy with the idea of actual accountability happening, maybe, and headed it off before it could occur. He is perfectly willing to give away our 20k without ANY evidence that it is necessary AGAIN, because "Costs are irrelevent" and "immaterial" still seems to be his motto. That attitude, coupled with his effusively praising the City Manager for his hires after the Giglio fiasco, suggests that its a good thing hes not running this time because he seems to be losing his grip on reality. The idea of any actual accountability happening seems to be an alien and threatening concept to him and he resists those possibilities at every oppurtunity. Come on April. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
Monday, February 23, 2009
political posturing
Tonight you missed an old-fashioned love-in. Everybody was praising each other, hugging, and blowing air kisses at each other. First was Chet Fields, falling over himself heaping bouquets of compliments and praise for the great job the Council has been doing. It was about then that I began to get dyspeptic. It was embarrassing to have another cheerleader take the podium. Then they agreed to extend Gorlands contract and shoveled many more loads of... well.. manure in his direction. Gym was effusive in his unqualified support and praise of Gorland. Nobody mentioned the monies we lost from late withdrawals in our pension funds, the pool taping incident, or his lack of controls and procedures to document the pool admissions. Garcia made a special effort to compliment Gymbo for hiring Gorland, saying Gymbo has a "wonderful track record in the hiring of city employees, etc". Nobody even mentioned the BIG TIME screwup in the hiring of our most recent Rec Director. They reviewed the hiring process with NO discussion and, after congratulating themselves on doing a wonderful job AGAIN, made no changes or adjustments, or indications that ANY lessons had been learned from THAT experience! All is well. We are wonderful. We have NOTHING to learn from that unfortunate experience because we are so wonderful. It COULDNT have been anything WE did! There could have been more after that, but my dyspepsia had turned into regurgitation by then and I felt a need to excuse myself to the bathroom. Dotson wasnt there so NO serious questions were asked, or answered. A contrived farce to bolster each others standing, without a shred of evidence or balance to back up those accolades. No debate, no discussion, no serious inquiry, without Dotson. Political gladhanding in its most flagrant, obvious, and embarrassing form. Dr. Mel Johnson
comments
When we pay $600 a square foot to enclose TWO walls at the CC, and $375 a square foot to build a bathroom and the usual and customary costs should be $125 a square foot, a reasonable person has to ask- where did the EXTRA $350k for the CC and the $280k for the bathrooms go? We KNOW that both bathrooms can be bulit for 140k, and that includes a nice 25% profit for the builder- why did we pay over 414k? We know the actual costs for the Cc should have been around 65k, why did we pay HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of dollars more? Is there anyone disputing the numbers? If so, present the numbers and rationale behind those numbers you believe to be correct! Dotson knows numbers, but doesnt know construction costs, and was sold a bill of goods by the City Manager (who SHOULD have known better, as he was in charge of the projects). That both projects took over TWO years to complete is a testimony to the lack of planning, poor management, and nonexistent legal resident safeguards and precautions associated with those projects. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
comments
Name ONCE that I said I was a great person, here or on my blog. I have stated my beliefs, my values, the facts and figures I have found along the way, and my opinions. Never have I said anything here, or on my blog, about me being a great person because, in a lot of ways, I am just an average retired guy. This is the second, and last, time I plan to waste my time and energy answering this question, as there are considerably more important and pressing City issues to be addressed, discussed and debated. Dr. Mel Johnson
commentary
When the City decides to bury something, they bury it DEEP! Case in point, the Pistorino report- It was never heard of again after the initial findings were NOT to the liking of city officials. The devil is in the details! Due to some diligent digging by our citizens some of the details of tonights meeting have come to light! This is what I am talking about when I say we need transparency in City operations, and in a timely fashion. I am less concerned with the high schools and middle schools paying at the pool than the private businesses. The HS have been billed for $1500 a season in the past and that seems to be the going rate. I AM concerned that some of those schools were TWO YEARS behind in their payments in the past! If I recall correctly, the schools were going to make their payments on an annual basis, instead of a monthly or quarterly basis. I assume they are caught up to date now. It continues to be disconcerting that standard rates are not being charged, or even proposed, for the use of our pool for practices. Admission numbers and documentation continue to be questionable and will only be resolved with a forensic audit. The City IS currently conducting a nationwide search for a Rec Director, right? Has ANYBODY, EVER bought ANYTHING from the concession stands at the new bathrooms? The bathrooms themselves are rarely open and virtually useless to those using the fields. Just another white elphant we are saddled with, like the shuttle, and the proposed new theater. WHEN will it end? Dr. Mel P. Johnson
California Crops
California crops
More than half of the country's vegetables, fruits and nuts are grown in the Golden State.
Only in California
Products exclusively grown in the state include almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, kiwifruit, olives, persimmons, pistachios, prunes, raisins, clovers and walnuts.
Land of dairy
Milk and cream are the top commodities, bringing in at least $3.7 billion a year.
Nation's salad bowl
While California leads the nation in strawberry production, it also grows a large percentage of other crops. Among them:
•Artichokes: 19 percent
•Asparagus: 55 percent
•Broccoli: 93 percent
•Cabbage: 22 percent
•Carrots: 89 percent
•Celery: 94 percent
•Garlic: 86 percent
•Lettuce: 78 percent
•Cantaloupe: 54 percent
•Honeydew: 73 percent
•Onions: 27 percent
•Bell Peppers: 47 percent
•Spinach: 18 percent
•Tomatoes: 94 percent
•Almond: 99 percent
•Apricots: 95 percent
•Avocados: 84 percent
•Strawberries: 90 percent
•Dates: 82 percent
•Figs: 98 percent
•Grapes: 88 percent
•Kiwi: 97 percent
•Lemons: 89 percent
•Nectarines: 93 percent
•Olives: 100 percent
•Peaches: 76 percent
•Pistachios: 96 percent
•Plums: 93 percent
•Walnuts: 99 percent
•Honey: 18 percent
•Milk and cream: 21 percent
More than half of the country's vegetables, fruits and nuts are grown in the Golden State.
Only in California
Products exclusively grown in the state include almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, kiwifruit, olives, persimmons, pistachios, prunes, raisins, clovers and walnuts.
Land of dairy
Milk and cream are the top commodities, bringing in at least $3.7 billion a year.
Nation's salad bowl
While California leads the nation in strawberry production, it also grows a large percentage of other crops. Among them:
•Artichokes: 19 percent
•Asparagus: 55 percent
•Broccoli: 93 percent
•Cabbage: 22 percent
•Carrots: 89 percent
•Celery: 94 percent
•Garlic: 86 percent
•Lettuce: 78 percent
•Cantaloupe: 54 percent
•Honeydew: 73 percent
•Onions: 27 percent
•Bell Peppers: 47 percent
•Spinach: 18 percent
•Tomatoes: 94 percent
•Almond: 99 percent
•Apricots: 95 percent
•Avocados: 84 percent
•Strawberries: 90 percent
•Dates: 82 percent
•Figs: 98 percent
•Grapes: 88 percent
•Kiwi: 97 percent
•Lemons: 89 percent
•Nectarines: 93 percent
•Olives: 100 percent
•Peaches: 76 percent
•Pistachios: 96 percent
•Plums: 93 percent
•Walnuts: 99 percent
•Honey: 18 percent
•Milk and cream: 21 percent
Feds May Cut Water to California Farms
SACRAMENTO - Federal water managers said Friday that they plan to cut off water, at least temporarily, to thousands of California farms as a result of the deepening drought gripping the state.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials said parched reservoirs and patchy rainfall this year were forcing them to completely stop surface water deliveries for at least a two-week period beginning March 1. Authorities said they haven’t had to take such a drastic move for more than 15 years.
The situation could improve slightly if more rain falls over the next few weeks, and officials will know by mid-March if they can release more irrigation supplies to growers.
Story continues below ↓
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advertisement | your ad here
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Farmers in the nation’s No. 1 agriculture state predicted it would cause consumers to pay more for their fruits and vegetables, which would have to be grown using expensive well water.
“Water is our life — it’s our jobs and it’s our food,” said Ryan Jacobsen, executive director of the farm bureau in Fresno County. “Without a reliable water supply, Fresno County’s No. 1 employer — agriculture — is at great risk.”
The drought would cause an estimated $1.15 billion dollar loss in agriculture-related wages and eliminate as many as 40,000 jobs in farm-related industries in the San Joaquin Valley alone, where most of the nation’s produce and nut crops are grown.
'We're talking about a huge band of area that will be affected," Richard Howitt, professor of resource economics at UC Davis, told msnbc.com in an interview Friday. "I heard these predictions coming down the line, the $1 billion loss in revenue and 40,000 jobs, so I ran the numbers again. "
He delivered the grim statistics to the state Board of Good and Agriculture last week. He said new figures to be released later Friday showed even more trouble head for the state.
"As far as job losses? The answer is the majority of losses will be related to farms and farm work, the processing done for all farm commodities, and all those secondary jobs that roll through the valley economy," Howitt said.
California's sweeping Central Valley grows most of the country's fruits and vegetables in normal years, but this winter thousands of acres turned to dust as the state hurtles into the worst drought in nearly two decades.
The state's agricultural industry typically receives 80 percent of all the water supplies managed by the federal government — everything from far-off mountain streams and suburban reservoirs. The state supplies drinking water to 23 million residents and 755,000 acres of irrigated farmland.
Farms supplied by flows from the state’s system of pumps and canals would also see cutbacks but still get 15 percent of their normal deliveries, said Lester Snow, director of the Department of Water Resources.
This year, both the state and federal reservoirs have reached their lowest level since 1992.
Dwindling supplies would have to be routed to cities to ensure residents, hospitals and fire crews have enough to meet minimum health and safety needs, said Don Glaser, the federal reclamation bureau’s Mid-Pacific Region director.
The water shortages are so severe most cities will have to start mandatory ration programs by summertime, and residents will be asked to reduce their usage by 20 percent, Snow said.
“You’ve got to think about water as a precious resource,” he said. “It may seem a stretch to conserve 20 percent of your water, but that’s nothing in comparison to the consequences of the drought and job loss in agriculture.”
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials said parched reservoirs and patchy rainfall this year were forcing them to completely stop surface water deliveries for at least a two-week period beginning March 1. Authorities said they haven’t had to take such a drastic move for more than 15 years.
The situation could improve slightly if more rain falls over the next few weeks, and officials will know by mid-March if they can release more irrigation supplies to growers.
Story continues below ↓
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
advertisement | your ad here
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farmers in the nation’s No. 1 agriculture state predicted it would cause consumers to pay more for their fruits and vegetables, which would have to be grown using expensive well water.
“Water is our life — it’s our jobs and it’s our food,” said Ryan Jacobsen, executive director of the farm bureau in Fresno County. “Without a reliable water supply, Fresno County’s No. 1 employer — agriculture — is at great risk.”
The drought would cause an estimated $1.15 billion dollar loss in agriculture-related wages and eliminate as many as 40,000 jobs in farm-related industries in the San Joaquin Valley alone, where most of the nation’s produce and nut crops are grown.
'We're talking about a huge band of area that will be affected," Richard Howitt, professor of resource economics at UC Davis, told msnbc.com in an interview Friday. "I heard these predictions coming down the line, the $1 billion loss in revenue and 40,000 jobs, so I ran the numbers again. "
He delivered the grim statistics to the state Board of Good and Agriculture last week. He said new figures to be released later Friday showed even more trouble head for the state.
"As far as job losses? The answer is the majority of losses will be related to farms and farm work, the processing done for all farm commodities, and all those secondary jobs that roll through the valley economy," Howitt said.
California's sweeping Central Valley grows most of the country's fruits and vegetables in normal years, but this winter thousands of acres turned to dust as the state hurtles into the worst drought in nearly two decades.
The state's agricultural industry typically receives 80 percent of all the water supplies managed by the federal government — everything from far-off mountain streams and suburban reservoirs. The state supplies drinking water to 23 million residents and 755,000 acres of irrigated farmland.
Farms supplied by flows from the state’s system of pumps and canals would also see cutbacks but still get 15 percent of their normal deliveries, said Lester Snow, director of the Department of Water Resources.
This year, both the state and federal reservoirs have reached their lowest level since 1992.
Dwindling supplies would have to be routed to cities to ensure residents, hospitals and fire crews have enough to meet minimum health and safety needs, said Don Glaser, the federal reclamation bureau’s Mid-Pacific Region director.
The water shortages are so severe most cities will have to start mandatory ration programs by summertime, and residents will be asked to reduce their usage by 20 percent, Snow said.
“You’ve got to think about water as a precious resource,” he said. “It may seem a stretch to conserve 20 percent of your water, but that’s nothing in comparison to the consequences of the drought and job loss in agriculture.”
Green facts
Did you know?
Over 14 million metric tons of Styrofoam is produced annually, most of which ends up in landfills due to the lack of an efficient system for recycling it.
254 million tons: The amount of municipal solid waste Americans generated in 2007. Containers and packaging made up —30.9 percent, or 78.4 million tons.
20 Million: The amount of trees consumed each year for books, 4 million of those for textbooks.
Over 14 million metric tons of Styrofoam is produced annually, most of which ends up in landfills due to the lack of an efficient system for recycling it.
254 million tons: The amount of municipal solid waste Americans generated in 2007. Containers and packaging made up —30.9 percent, or 78.4 million tons.
20 Million: The amount of trees consumed each year for books, 4 million of those for textbooks.
new Council is the CURE, not the cause
Liers????? Please. Spelling is a basic building block to good communication. Some would say its even necessary. Is this, by any chance the same person who last August assured us that we were NOT in a recession, just a little inflation and a minor stock market correction? How did THAT prediction turn out? We are in an economic crisis that is worldwide, national, state, county, AND local- due to greed, corruption, and a lack of oversight by our government officials at every level. A new Council hasnt even been seated, yet it is somehow THEIR fault that we are in this situation? It isnt the cluelesss idiots who preceeded them? A new Council could be the CURE for our city, not the CAUSE of our ills - if their predecessors havent done too much damage by the time they get in. Change is needed, because look where these clueless, if not corrupt, clowns have gotten us! The only stealing that has been shown clearly at this point is yard signs, but it is still early. Time will tell. Dr. Mel P. Johnson
Sunday, February 22, 2009
recession to get worse
WASHINGTON - Brace yourself: The recession is projected to worsen this year. The country stands to lose a sizable chunk of economic activity in 2009 as consumers at home and abroad retrench in the face of persistent economic troubles. And the U.S. unemployment rate — now at 7.6 percent, the highest in more than 16 years — is expected hit a peak of 9 percent this year. That gloomy outlook came from leading forecasters in the latest survey by the National Association for Business Economics to be released Monday. The new estimates are roughly in line with other recent projections, including those released last week by the Federal Reserve.AP Earth to Council...........
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