WiserEarth Newsfeed for group at http://www.wiserearth.org/group/Graywater

What the frack? Poisoning our water in the name of energy profits

2009-11-24T15:59:13Z

Here is your word for the day: Fracking or fraccing. [No, fellow Battlestar Galactica fans, this is a different use of the word "frack," although for some, the sentiment is the same.] Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technique that releases natural gas trapped in underground shale...

Frying a Turkey for Thanksgiving? SFPUC's SFGreasecycle wants your grease!

2009-11-24T10:01:00Z

Fried turkey is good, but you definitely don't want to pour the oil down the drain. Do you want to see what happens if you do that? Clogged sewers like this!

Thanksgiving is all about being with family, eating and having a good time. Come the next day, drop your used cooking oil at one of the following sites in San Francisco:

COSTCO WAREHOUSE - 450 10th St (at Bryant)
Friday: 9am-8:30pm / Saturday: 9:30am-7pm / Sunday: 10am-6pm
Select WHOLE FOODS STORES
* FRANKLIN –1765 California St (at Franklin)
* POTRERO HILL: 450 Rhode Island St. (at 17th St.).
* SOMA – 399 4th Street (at Harrison)
DOGPATCH BIOFUELS – 765 Pennsylvania Ave (between 22nd & 23rd St)
Friday: 11am-7pm / Saturday: 11am-4pm / closed on Sunday
HAIGHT ASHBURY NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL RECYCLING CENTER (HANC) – 755 Frederick St (at Arguello.)
Friday-Saturday: 9am-4pm / Sunday: 12pm- 4pm.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP OFF CENTER –Recycle Rd (at 401 & 501 Tunnel)
Saturday: 8am-4pm / closed on Friday and Sunday
WALDEN HOUSE – Entrance for drop off on 330 Newhall St (at Evans)
ONLY on Friday, November 27: 11am-3pm

If you need more information, visit www.SFGreasecycle.org.

THANKS for GIVING your grease!

How fun is that?

2009-11-18T16:09:00Z

Scores hydrologists, landscape architects, urban planners and stormwater activists converged at San Francisco State University last Friday (November 13)… to play games.

“Games?” you may ask, “When there’s so much stormwater management-related work to do in San Francisco? For shame!”

Don’t hate.

These were serious games undertaken during a five hour Urban Watershed Planning Charrette – the City’s second such event!

Charrette-goers broke into groups and poured over maps of the City’s western watersheds, placing “game pieces” on the best places to implement Low Impact Design technologies like bioretention, filtration, permeable paving, and rainwater harvesting. Wildly fun!

Top solutions from this green infrastructure “jam session” will be presented to SF communities and may be folded into San Francisco’s sewer system overhaul.

For more information on Low Impact Design (LID) technologies or previous urban watershed planning events visit: http://stormwater.sfwater.org/ (details from Friday’s charrette will be posted online in March, 2010).

Live to play. Play to live. Excelsior!

Increased Water Rates is a growing trend

2009-11-18T13:43:44Z

The Denver Water Board is raising the rate you pay for water by 13%. Additionally, water users should expect to see increases continually for next couple of years. This information is noted in the Denver Post’s editorial page on November 15th , 2009. www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_13776994?source=pophome

Water Legacy asks: Should we be concerned?

Our mission is conservation through reusing greywater to flush your toilets. Reusing greywater causes less water (up to 30%) therefore reducing your consumption of fresh residential water. In Denver, the water rates have already gone up 81% since 2001. The biggest challenge facing water conservation is that people expect the price of water to be cheap and the supply abundant. As prices increase, one will look at reduction of cost and that is through conservation.

We ask that Denverites and citizens of the west become more fully aware of methods of water consumption reduction and take time to evaluate the use of greywater to flush your toilets.

Water on the Moon

2009-11-13T16:53:10Z

In a good indication of just how important water is to us, some of the most exciting news from the Moon since the initial 1969 landing has revolved around research to determine whether or not it has water. Tantalizing hints have been accruing in recent years, and today NASA released the...

Don’t Let This Winter’s Rain Go to Waste! The SFPUC Continues its Popular Discounted Rain Barrel Program

2009-11-13T10:53:00Z

Starting this coming Saturday, November 14, while supplies last, San Francisco residents can purchase up to ten fully outfitted 60-gallon rain barrels at steep discounts, compliments of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC’s) Wastewater Enterprise.

Purchase your first barrel for $89 and each additional barrel for only $69 – that’s more than 40% off the regular retail price of $119!*

The re-purposed rain barrels, originally used for food storage, are available at The Urban Farmer Store (San Francisco location only): 2833 Vicente Street, at 40th Avenue. Please note that The Urban Farmer Store is closed on Sundays.

For details please visit: http://stormwater.sfwater.org/ (select “Rainwater Harvesting”), or write to: kbriggs@sfwater.org.

Giving Desalination another black eye: Poseidon's financial shell game

2009-11-11T13:14:30Z

Last week, I wrote about the demand by the Poseidon Group to receive two major public subsidies to build a private desalination plant at Carlsbad near San Diego. After years of claiming that they needed no public support to build this plant, this claim has finally been proven false. The private...

Old Creeks in S.F.

2009-11-10T09:14:00Z

Check out this informative page with pictures about former creeks in the Mission on Burrito Justice. It has maps dating back to 1859 and is followed by a great discussion by some pretty smart people. Click on the title or HERE!

The SFPUC and nifty engineers at the Dept. of Public Works also worked with the Oakland Museum of California to develop a cool map for download that highlights all the old San Francisco creeks and watersheds! It is called the Creek and Watershed Map of San Francisco.

"Rain drops keep falling on my head"

2009-11-05T15:36:00Z

...says the catch basin, and, "please, keep me litter-free."

The weather forecast is predicting rain in San Francisco tonight (Thursday, November 5) and Friday, November 6. Cleaning catch basins (storm drains) prior to a rain event is especially important. Leaves and street litter can clog the catch basins and may cause street flooding. We have already had two major rain events in mid-October in San Francisco where catch basins were clogged with debris, and rainwater couldn't flow through.

Put on your gloves, use a rake to remove debris above surface and place leaves in your green cart and the rest in garbage bins. Never attempt to remove debris below surface. To report sewer emergencies, clogged catch basins after you remove debris from above surface, call San Francisco’s 3-1-1 or visit the online self service portal at www.sfgov.org/311.

Your efforts for cleaning the catch basins will benefit your neighborhood and our City.

Wait! Read here to learn more about the do's and dont's before/during/after a storm.

California water bills. Is the new water legislation better than nothing?

2009-11-05T11:24:24Z

A lot of people have asked me my opinion about the new water legislation just passed in Sacramento. Here is a longer version of my piece in the New York Times Bay Area blog page . After months of negotiations, wrangling, lobbying, and deal-making, much of it behind closed doors and out of...

Water Legacy’s Greywater Reuse System integral in top two in Colorado Sustainable Design Awards

2009-11-05T07:41:54Z

The Colorado Sustainable Design Awards sets a high standard for new construction in both commercial and residential green building. The most recent awards, judged on standards set by the Colorado chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute Colorado and the U.S. Green Building Council Colorado in partnership with ColoradoBiz magazine, gave the first and second place residential award to homes with the Water Legacy WL55 Greywater Recycling System.

This statewide program seeks to recognize the builders who construct both commercial and residential units that meet a set of established guidelines for saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint. Our greywater reuse system was cited prominently in both homes located in Boulder county as one of the leading edge clean technology advancements that set the winners apart. “Case in point: The winning entry in the residential category – which required lobbying the city of Boulder to allow recycling of gray water – was commissioned by a homeowner who scoffed at the city’s new “green build” guidelines. The sustainable features he had in mind for his home, he told his architect, would trump anything the city required. And he was willing to spend a lot of money to include them.” ColoradoBIZ Magazine, November 2, 2009.

The WL55 was noted by the judges as one of the features in the homes that is marked for future expansion and usage in all building. To see more about the awards and the winners visit ColoradoBiz Magazine at http://www.cobizmag.com/articles/csda-beyond-the-call-of-green/

Doing desalination wrong: Poseidon on the public dole

2009-11-03T17:06:42Z

Many people believe that desalination of seawater is the ultimate solution to California (and the planet's) water problems. I've written about desalination in previous posts (see here and here ), and have made it clear that I love the idea. In theory. And in select locations. In practice,...

SF Bay Oil Spill

2009-10-30T17:17:00Z

If you are in the Bay Area you must have heard about the oil spill today. Well a lot of us in the SFPUC have been on standby just in case the oil made it's way to the S.F. shoreline. What does wastewater have to do with beach/shoreline cleanups? Well, it turns out that most of our wastewater personnel are HAZWOPER certified.(no it is not a Burger King burger!) Fortunately this spill is A LOT smaller in size. Still, bunker fuel can cause tar balls to form on the land so we want to be prepared just in case.

Remember back in 2007 when the Cosco Busan spilled more than 53,000 gallons of oil into the Bay? Guess who lead the clean-up effort at Ocean Beach! That's right... SFPUC Wastewater Enterprise.

Check out some pics from our cleanup efforts at the Ocean Beach. We helped over 1000 San Franciscans get trained and prepped for the beach cleaning. And you thought we only dealt with crap!

Who is stealing California's water?

2009-10-30T17:12:21Z

Someone is stealing our water. Many someones. But who and how much? No one knows today, mostly because the agency responsible for keeping an eye on water rights and use--the State Water Resources Control Board--is blind, deaf, and dumb. Blind, because they don't look. Deaf, because they...

Water use in the United States has leveled off: New remarkable numbers released

2009-10-29T11:30:51Z

New numbers on total water use in the United States in 2005 have just been released by the U.S. Geological Survey , which does an assessment of water use every five years. We have been tracking these numbers for many years. The new numbers are the latest evidence for a remarkable change in U.S....

Pride and Petsjustcute

2009-10-26T10:47:00Z

Pet lovers joined in early to celebrate their pets and the coming Halloween eve at 20th Annual Pet Pride Day held in Golden Gate Park’s Sharon Meadow on Sunday, October 25. The incredible weather was just the treat that both pets and humans to enjoy while visiting informational booths that included adoptable pets of all species, animal rescue groups; pet product vendors free goodies and raffle prizes!

The day’s events included a Halloween pet costume contest, pet trick competition, incredible Frisbee dog tricks and the ever popular SFPUC sponsored Super Dooper Pooper Scooper Kiddie Goodie Scramble, all hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Doug McConnell of ‘Bay Area Backroads’ and ‘Mac and Mutley’ fame.

The Super Dooper Pooper Scooper Kiddies’ Goodie Scramble helped to instruct children and adults alike to pick up their pet’s waste and dispose of it properly.

SFPUC staff distributed pet waste bags throughout the day to ensure everyone picked up and disposed of their pet's waste in a proper manner.

Water and population. 2

2009-10-22T12:22:55Z

In a previous post here , I raised the population and water issue in a general way. My point was that ignoring the population component of our resource challenges was a mistake, certainly in the long term and in some places, in the short term. I think this is indisputable -- resource constraints...

Crazy Monday Storm

2009-10-22T09:43:00Z

Oct. 19 was such a crazy day for many people due to the storms. Mother Nature decided to not play nice and surprised everyone by unloading a lot of water from the sky in a short period of time. Manholes and side sewer vents overflowed, intersections flooded, and unfortunately some people's homes were damaged in the process.

The good thing is that in most instances City departments came together to help those areas in need. This came in the form of pumping out water, cleaning debris, or sanitizing homes and businesses so people weren't displaced. Still, there was a lot of damage done.

What happened? Well, San Francisco's combined sewer system is designed to carry around 0.8 inches/hour of flow. This is based on historical weather models... and most of the time it's enough. For example, during the Oct 13 storm or any of the rainstorms over the past two years (albeit there weren't enough) you didn't hear reports of whole neighborhoods flooding.

Clogged catch basins and intersections yes, but not rivers of water and manhole geysers.

On Monday, some of our gauges showed that nature dropped a whopping 0.71 inches of rain in 20 MINUTES in many areas. Even in areas previously prone to flooding (where we subsequently upgraded our system), the storm intensity thrown our way was too much, too fast. Of course, the upgrades helped, and some areas could have fared far worse, but that's understandably little consolation to those who had their homes, businesses, and lives affected.

Rather than blab on about the system... I'll direct you to a a very informative web post written by San Franciscan Jeff Diehl (WARNING: some expletives are used in the page).

More to come about our combined sewer system in coming weeks. We'll be reevaluating where our system goes from here as we move forward with plans to rebuild it -- and we'll be incorporating a lot of different strategies, like Low Impact Design (which is mentioned in Jeff's post).

JEFF DIEHL'S WEB POSTING

Were you affected on Monday? Post your story in the comments section.

The First Flush: It is not what you think!

2009-10-20T10:04:00Z

Last week was our first big rainstorm of the season in San Francisco. In the wastewater business the "first flush" refers to the initial rainwater that runs off the street into a storm drain (or San Francisco's case a catch basin!). While the rainwater itself is clean, the stuff it picks up off the street is not. Think of the motor oil, brake dust, garden chemicals, paint, etc., that end up washing into the system.

That's where the beauty of San Francisco's combined sewer system comes into play. Since we have one sewer pipe for both our sewage and stormwater that connects to our treatment plants. Our system provides full treatment for "first flush" pollutants.

Fancy that! So why do you think San Francisco is the one of only two places in California that has a combined sewer system? Can you guess where the other combined sewer system is located. (HINT: It is Old......)

Stay tuned for the answer.

SIR Follows the Flow

2009-10-19T12:53:00Z

So what does one do when retired? For members of the Northern California Chapter of Sons in Retirement (SIR) http://sirinc.org/ retirement is an opportunity to come together to take pleasure in a good meal, enjoy good company, and tour interesting and new places. And just what is interesting and new? For members of SIR, interesting and new meant touring the SFPUC Oceanside Wastewater Treatment Plant on Saturday, October 17. SIR members enjoyed a beautiful balmy day while touring the SFPUC Oceanside Wastewater Treatment Plant located on the Great Highway.

SIR members listened intently to the water conservation, water pollution prevention and wastewater treatment process discussion that helped them to understand just what it takes to get San Francisco’s wastewater stream clean enough to discharge into the Pacific Ocean. In addition, they were able to listen to one of the SFPUC Biologist, Laura Targgart tell them just how the biology department gives the wastewater treatment plant a report card on just how well they are doing in protecting the water environment that surrounds San Francisco. Many commented that after seeing what happens after it goes down the drain, gave them a new perspective on the fees they pay, and just where that money goes.

Want to “Follow-the-Flow” to find out more about wastewater treatment and just what does happen when it goes down the drain; join us for one of the regularly scheduled Saturday tours of the SFPUC Wastewater Treatment Plant. For more information visit http://sfwater.org/tour or call 415-695-7341.

Hot discussion Why Flush Fresh Water???

2009-10-16T19:26:42Z

Linked In, a professional social networking site is having a discussion today that asks the question that we have been asking for years. Why FLUSH FRESH WATER????

http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestions=&gid=67451&forumID=3&sik=1255743268281

Water Legacy has spent the past two years working on developing a product that is easily installed in new residential construction. The need for other applications of the design is becoming apparent as we have designed a unit for a dormitory at the University of Colorado (http://www.newsinfo.colostate.edu/index.asp?url=news_item_display&news_item_id=307579497)

Water legacy has also recently been featured on a YouTube video in conjunction with Service Master to explain the systems function and capability. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbschsK_tNk. Help promote greywater re-use in your area and if you need expert advice on a system installation call Michael Vail at 303-587-9147 or email him at mvail@waterlegacy.com

Good Question! A penny down the toliet?

2009-10-16T16:27:00Z

11 year old Chloe of San Leandro asked Channel 5 KPIX reporter Ken Bastida "What happens if I flush an object down the toliet?" Check out what a fun time one SF Sewer Guru had responding to this question at the Oceanside Treatment Plant near the SF Zoo.

Take a guess before you view and see if you get the answer right. The answer may surprise you... or maybe not since you are all such educated sewer fans!

LINK TO VIDEO

Destroying our libraries: A water story

2009-10-16T12:52:24Z

In 49 BC, parts of the priceless Library of Alexandria burned, when Julius Caesar set a fire to the Egyptian fleet in the harbor and the fire spread. Portions more burned or were destroyed by barbarians over the next few centuries as Alexandria fell from grace as the world's leading center of...

Water Legacy, LLC and Picacho Moutain partner in Greywater Re-use System

2009-10-13T15:15:54Z

· October 2, 2009 Las Cruces, NM and Boulder , CO - Bob Pofahl, developer of Picacho Mountain and Michael Vail, President of Water Legacy, LLC have made Water Legacy’s Greywater Reuse system, the WL55, available to all home buyers in the Picacho Mountain. Picacho Mountain is Southern New Mexico’s and El Paso region’s only certified build green community and Water Legacy is the only US built and IAPMO fully listed and certified greywater reuse system. The two companies are natural partners for the promotion of greywater reuse.

· Building Green and promotion of conservation in a new home development is not new, but the commitment to lead in cutting edge technology, incorporation of greywater systems and supporting green building techniques through a show room of available technology is new.

· Water Legacy’s WL55 can save a home up to 40% of its water usage by simply recycling the shower water to use in toilet flushing. Homes Picacho Mountain development homes will be initially plumbed for this type of reuse system and homeowners can gain additional points toward LEED and Build Green NM in a simple installation.

Visit www.picachomoutain.com for more info on this beautiful resort community.

Population and water. 1

2009-10-13T11:21:00Z

Population discussions raise lots of hackles. And they bring the crazies out of the woodwork like termites when the Orkin Man appears. But I hope to post a series of pieces on population and water because we must stop ignoring the role of population in our environmental and water problems. The...

Water Legacy is featured in Logan Wiggins House 3, Boulder, CO

2009-10-08T15:11:46Z

In the Fall/Winter 2009 issue of Conservation Magazine they featured 14 homes making a difference through the use of sustainable products and solar energy. Only one home, the Logan-Wiggins House 3 was able to claim water saving technology through greywater reuse in toilet flushing. Jim Logan, a renown Boulder Architect chose the Water Legacy WL55 to recycle his shower and washing machine water for toilet flushing. PLease visit the website of Conservation Magazine at www.ConservationCenter.org/e-solarweek.htm for more information.

SFPUC Announces Whole Foods SOMA and Franklin Stores in SF as the Two New Permanent “Waste Cooking Oil to Biofuel” Residential Collection Sites

2009-10-08T15:00:00Z

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) today announced Whole Foods South of Market (SOMA) and Franklin stores as the two new additions to the list of year-round, permanent locations in San Francisco for residents to drop off their used cooking oil for conversion into biofuel. Residents will be able to drop off their used cooking oil at the San Francisco Whole Foods SOMA and Franklin stores during store hours.

The Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council Recycling Center (HANC) and Dogpatch Biofuels in the Potrero Hill neighborhood, as well as the Household Drop-off Waste Center are also collecting residential waste cooking oil year-round.

Launched in 2007, SFGreasecycle is a citywide effort by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to divert fats, oil and grease away from the sewers and recycle them into biodiesel. Used cooking oils are a serious problem for San Francisco’s wastewater system, clogging the sewers and costing more than $3.5 million each year to unclog the pipes.

Recycled oil from restaurants is estimated to generate 1.5 million gallons of low-emission biofuel each year. SFPUC has been collecting cooked oil from restaurants and food service establishments at no cost. So far, close to 800 restaurants signed up with the program, with more than 280,000 gallons of used cooking oil collected.

The past two years, the SFPUC has also organized two Thanksgiving and Christmas residential collection events and a used cooking oil drop off opportunity at the Big Blue Bucket Eco-Fair, where more than 3,000 gallons of used cooking oil were collected.

The success of the collection events prompted the SFPUC to secure permanent locations for residents to drop off their used oil.

Residents who want to participate should start saving up their used cooking oil now. Here are some easy tips to avoid spilling oil:
1. Cool down used cooking oil in the pan
2. Pour used oil into a clean, non-breakable, leak-proof container with a tight lid. Consider using old containers, such as mayonnaise jars or the original container.
3. Make sure oil is free of water, soapsuds, and food scraps.
4. Drop-off your leak-proof container at HANC, Dogpatch Biofuels or one of the Whole Foods markets in San Francisco.

Here is where residents can drop off their used cooking oil in San Francisco:
* Whole Foods SOMA – every day during store hours, 8am to 10pm: 399 4th Street (at Harrison Street).
Phone: 415-618-0050
* Whole Foods Franklin – every day during store hours, 8am to 10pm: 1765 California Street (at Franklin Street).
Phone: 415-674-0500.
* Whole Foods Potrero Hill – only on the 4th Friday of the month, from 11am to 3pm: 450 Rhode Island Street (at 17th Street).
Phone: 415-552-1155
* Dogpatch Biofuels: 765 Pennsylvania Avenue (between 22nd & 23rd Streets), Tuesday to Friday 11am to 7pm, Saturday 11am to 4pm, closed on Sunday and Monday.
Phone: 415-643-3435.
* Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council Recycling Center (HANC): 755 Frederick Street (at Arguello Boulevard), Monday to Saturday 9am to 4pm, Sunday 12pm (Noon) to 4pm. Phone: 415-753-2971
* Household Drop-off Waste Center: Recycle Road (between 401 and 501 Tunnel Avenue), Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 8am to 4pm.
Phone: 415-330-1400

For more information or to sign up for the SFPUC’s SFGreasecycle’s free restaurant used oil collection service, visit www.SFGreasecycle.org or call 415-695-7366.

P2 Weekly Tip: Gardening With Children

2009-10-08T10:00:00Z

Do you have a child or know of one who is interested in gardening?

Gardening is fun and helps children as young as three and four years of age to appreciate the natural world by learning the principles of environmental stewardship and understanding where their food comes from. To get your child or family involved, visit http://www.kidsgardening.org/ or http://www.sfgreenschools.org/ for more information.

Safe water during disasters: Preparing better for the inevitable

2009-10-05T21:56:27Z

Disasters happen. Earthquakes, cyclones, hurricanes, tsunamis, and more. And as we see at each disaster, and saw last week with the terrible earthquakes and tsunamis in the Pacific region, the first and most urgent need after rescue operations are finished is usually clean, adequate water. What...

The kids are right: Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth

2009-10-02T16:30:00Z

One of the key solutions to our water problems is to use the water we have more efficiently. Research we've done at the Pacific Institute has shown this over and over again in every sector of society. But in all the work we've done, we've stayed away from recommending that people reduce water...