I read the article and have some comments. While I agree that wastewater treatment systems ashore are in many cases inadequate, I thought the article quite "Oh My God" and lacking in detailed source references to back up all the claims. The title itself, "The Gulf of Mexico Floridas Toilet", itself shows the prejudiced point of view as obviously Florida is not the only state whose effluent finds it's way into the Gulf of Mexico, nor does all of Florida's effulent go into the Gulf of Mexico, some going into the Atlantic and a large portion that stays inland.
I would also like to see some balance such as examples of systems that work very well to show the way forward instead of simply dangling up the worst cases that can be found. I would also like to see addressed the tolerable level of "pollution". Nature is not sterile. Fish breathe the same water they poop in. Even if there were no people around, waterways will still have lots of animal feces and other substances produced by life forms not only "natural" but required by life to flourish. For example in Lee county, where I am right now in Fort Myers taking care of my Mom, I recently read a report sent to her from the Water Department publishing analysis of the various deep wells supplying drinking water in the City of Ft Myers showing contaminant levels were low and consistent with natural forces unrelated to human populations. Of course that report was put out by the Water Department and may be prejudiced in their favor. Getting to true facts, unbiased by the investigators point of view, is very difficult. The claim that I see often, that something "may" do something, is BS. At one time, before actual first-hand inspection, it was popular to say the moon "may" be made of green cheese. The report's statement that cholera "may" be found in wastewater discharge is just such BS. Anything you can care to mention "may" be found in wastewater treatment plant discharge. Such obvious puffery dilutes the report's veracity. I disagreed completely with their recommendations that "Monetary penalties must be high" which contradicts their recommendation of "More funding for wastewater treatment". It seems counterproductive to take from people the very means they need to comply with demands. It is much like debtor's prison. If someone cannot pay his debts put him in prison where he cannot earn income and costs the state money to keep him there. Go figure. Just like fining big companies for various violations, the money doesn't come from the people responsible, it comes from their customers, and that is us. If the big company does something illegal, put the person(s) responsible in the slammer for a while, don't fine the customers for something completely out of their knowledge and control. I think that withholding some benefit works better, like making sure state funds are used only on improvements the state demands. Recall when the Feds wanted everyone to "drive 55" to save fuel back in the "gas shortage crisis" some years ago they threatened to withhold federal highway funding to states that did not lower the speed limits to 55. BTW, I have found that my Mom's Ford Windstar mini-van gets 23 MPG if I go no faster than 65 MPH (indicated, actual GPS MPH is 62.5) verses 19 MPG with my much smaller RX-7 keeping up with normal Interstate speeds of 75-80 MPH. I also recall the Rum Ration the Brits used in their navy. I was told/read somewhere that the major advantage of this policy was to have something to withhold as a way of encouraging compliance of the crew with the Captain's desires. Personally, aboard my vessel, to address the "poopie problem" I am in the process of installing an Air Head. I did spend the past week aboard and managed to change out all seven of my Kyocera 120 Watt PV panels, a two day task (1/2 day to unfasten, one day to switch, 1/2 day to refasten, total shipping weight 215 lbs) with hired help on the major day. When I left the boat yesterday they were putting a net 30 Amps into the house bank at around 11am. I don't know if the freezer or reefer, the major overhead loads, (two amps each) were on at the time. I also applied styrofoam insulation around the Engine Room Vent (discussed at length recently on the List) in prepration to putting up a plywood bulkhead there, in addition to many minor jobs. Norm S/V Bandersnatch Lying Julington Creek 30 07.695N 081 38.484W > [Original Message] > From: Bob Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Date: 10/9/2008 5:30:46 PM > Subject: Re: [Liveaboard] Anchoring vs. Motor Homes Parking / cool tools site > > I don't know if anyone followed this link > http://www.southwindsmagazine.com/0627-sewage-final-report.pdf but it sure > should shift the blame from boaters to where it really belongs. > Bob > PDQ 36 > Peace >
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