Posted on 03/26/2018 6:44:42 AM PDT by Red Badger
Two weeks ago, Joe Ferretti, a Philadelphia Water Department supervisor, pried open a manhole cover next to a scenic Schuylkill River bank, flicked on a flashlight, and peered down.
Ferretti saw evidence that sewage was flowing freely into the river at a stone outfall known as S050204.
In some Philadelphia homes, human waste, shower water, dirty dish grease, and other stuff that belongs in the sanitary sewer system is going down the wrong pipe, sending it to waterways that feed the Delaware River — the city’s primary source of drinking water. The city does filter and treat the water it draws from the river, so drinking water would not be contaminated. However, sewage in the river could pose a threat to people who swim in it.
For years, water department workers such as Ferretti have been on a painstaking hunt for “cross-connections,” a mild-sounding name that means mixed-up pipes that can reroute sewage into sources of drinking water. Between showers, toilet flushes, and sink use, a typical Philadelphia resident uses up to 85 gallons of water a day. That equates to about 272 gallons a day for a typical Philadelphia home — and if there’s a cross-connection, that could mean 100,000 gallons going into the river each year.
The stone outfall Ferretti examined — outfall S050204 — is at Kelly Drive in the city’s East Falls section. Water department crews had methodically worked their way up to a block on Ainslie Street, about half a mile from the river, looking for the home, or homes, that were producing the sewage. On a bitterly cold day last week, the crew spent hours outside on their detective work, literally following their noses.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
Philthydelphia lives up to its’ name.
Democrat salute!
Whats the difference? Many sewage plants dump into drinking water reservoirs.
During dry spells, that’s the only makeup water.
This is BEFORE it gets to the sewage treatment plant.....................
I’ve always seen Philadelphia as an UNflushed toilet. Looks like I was wrong.
It ain’t much better after. They catch the turds, that’s about it.
Sorry for my earthy plumber talk. (grin)
The stone outfall Ferretti examined — outfall S050204 — is at Kelly Drive in the city’s East Falls sectioN
Grace Kelly’s and my old neighborhood.
I lived across from a reservoir
They catch the turds,........and then the courts let them go......................
They had a higher class of sewage back in those days.................
Plenty of sewer outlets dump into major drinking sources.
85 gallons a day is a lot....almost double the real avg.
WE NEED MORE GOVERNMENT!
(To fix the screwups of the government)
Sorry for my earthy plumber talk. (grin)
= = = = = =
MR PLUMBER:::I do realize my $hiite is your bread & butter...<: <: ><: <^
Yeah, AFTER it’s treated!...................
I dunno. We had a family of 7 growing up. 85 gallons sounds about right.................
Most Philadephia Cheese Steak aficionado’s believe the Philly water is what makes the rolls taste the way they do.
Hmmmmmmm.
Nearly every city more than 100 years old, was built with combination sewers.... IE the black and grey water, just went with storm water right into the local river or lake.
I find it a bit amusing they claim “cross connected” lines... when in fact, the most likely culprit is the home was always dumping its in the main sewer/runoff because that’s all there was when the house/building was built.
This is hardly a uniquely Philadelphia problem.
Liberal run cities.
The fun (and incompetence) never ends.
But there, women and minorities are never ever most affected.
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