Dear EarthTalk: what's better for the local ecology, sewers or septic tanks?

Dear EarthTalk: What's better for the local ecology, sewers or septic tanks?--T.H., Darien, CT

When homeowners don't take care of their septic systems properly, though, they can become a nuisance for the surrounding ecosystem. Wastewater that is not properly treated can contaminate surface and groundwater and threaten public health. According to UMNE, improperly treated sewage can be the culprit behind the spread of hepatitis, dysentery and other diseases resulting from pathogens in drinking water, while also compromising the purity of lakes and streams. Additionally, flies and mosquitoes that are attracted to and breed in wet areas where sewage reaches the surface can also spread disease.CONTACT: Septic System Owner's Guide, www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/dd6583.html.>There are pros and cons to each in regard to the environment. Both types of systems are designed to handle and treat so-called "blackwater" (wastewater from toilets) and "graywater" coming from our sinks, showers, dishwashers and laundry machines. On-site septic and community-wide sewer systems work in similar ways, utilizing micro-organisms to filter out bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing pathogens before releasing the cleansed water back into the environment.Septic systems have their proponents, though, who say that a professionally designed, installed and maintained system should hold up in even the biggest of storms. The University of Minnesota Extension (UMNE), which publishes the useful online "Septic System Owner's Guide," says vigilance is key: "The only way to guarantee effective treatment is to have a trained professional ensure adequate unsaturated and suitable soil exists below the soil treatment area to allow for complete wastewater treatment."You probably won't have much choice as to whether that home you're thinking of buying is on sewer or septic. Most likely it's a done deal, unless the neighborhood is presently all on septic but is considering a petition to the town to switch to sewers (in which case you can usually agree to hook up or stay put).In general, most people prefer to be on a shared sewer system if they have a choice, as the burden of keeping the system running smoothly falls on the local government, which presumably has the money and expertise to ensure that wastewater is properly treated across the region. Also, in a shared sewer system, wastewater is whisked away to a centralized treatment facility; anyone who has ever experienced a septic system backup on their property can appreciate what a benefit off-site wastewater treatment can be.Improperly treated sewage can also lead to increased nitrates in local water supplies, which is dangerous for infants, pregnant women and those with already compromised immune systems. In and around lakes and streams, this influx in nitrates can lead to plant growth out of whack with the local ecosystem's ability to handle it, resulting in oxygen-free "dead zones" devoid of marine and riparian life altogether.

CONTACT: Septic System Owner's Guide, www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/dd6583.html.

Give Solitude land permit

I read in the Deseret News regarding Solitude Mountain Resort's request to open Solitude Canyon (Jan. 21). I had to laugh when "Save the Canyons" executive director, Carl Fisher, cited watershed issues as the most important reason to keep the canyon closed. As a more than 15-year resident of the canyon, I felt amused because a few skiers are unlikely to have an impact on the already most-polluted area of the canyon. Silver Fork, at the bottom of the Silver Fork Canyon drainage, has been polluted for decades. I personally know of two septic tanks that haven't been pumped for at least a decade. There are dozens of cabins with no indoor plumbing and outhouses with no concrete liners. No wonder there is a fly epidemic every summer.

Let's give Solitude a land-use permit and let them help clean up the environment. Someone with deeper pockets than mine needs to get the ball rolling.Brighton

Brighton

Meadow Springs Corporation Introduces a Safe and Natural Way to Maintain Septic Tanks

Meadow Springs Corporation, the scientific pioneer of "Green" septic tank maintenance, today announced the launch of its flagship product, Meadow Springs. Meadow Springs is the first non-toxic, easy-to-use and effective septic tank maintenance product on the market. The product is made with natural active dry yeast, which Meadow Springs Corporation named Eco-Yeast™. This is opposed to many popular sector products which utilize bacteria. Eco-Yeast™ naturally energizes the existing bacteria in septic tanks, leading to the breakdown of solid waste, which helps septic tanks run smoothly.

"Meadow Springs is a simple, safe and cost-effective way for septic tank owners to guard against potentially thousands of dollars of repair bills," said Bill Hanes, Director of Consumer Sales for Meadow Springs Corporation. "As well as being an effective product, it's also all-natural, so there is no additional bacteria that can affect children in the home, or the environment around the home."In 2008, Meadow Springs Corporation executives commissioned Iowa State University scientists to test Meadow Springs' effectiveness. The study, performed at the University's Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering Agriculture Waste Management Laboratory, determined that septic tanks treated with Meadow Springs incurred a volatile solids decrease of almost 70 percent when compared to untreated septic tanks. This decrease in volatile solids allowed the septic tanks to run more smoothly and effectively. Now, after two years of testing, Meadow Springs is available for consumers.Meadow Springs is available in three sizes -- 10 ounce, 20 ounce and 60 ounce; the latter two being re-sealable for additional treatments. Meadow Springs is available at retailers including Ace Hardware, True Value and Ingles as well as online at www.meadowspringscorp.com .Media Contact: Joshua Levitt PR for Meadow Springs (949) 852-8604 jlevitt@mckinleyreserve.com

Media Contact: Joshua Levitt PR for Meadow Springs (949) 852-8604 jlevitt@mckinleyreserve.com

Bode's Precast moves to new plant

Bode's Precast Inc. moved recently to a new, eight-acre facility at 1861 E. Pole Road, where they installed a new batch plant and other equipment used to manufacture concrete products.

The plant will produce environmentally-friendly concrete by using recycled products, reclaimed water and either fly ash or slag. These factors will help Bode's Precast earn LEED points from the United States Green Building Council.In 1970, Bode's Precast started up as a ready-mix facility on River Road in Lynden. Bode's Precast is managed by Ron Heeringa and his two sons, Rick and Ray Heeringa.The new mixing facility will provide professional-grade concrete, which can be used in all of the plant's products. Products manufactured by Bode's Precast include: Redi-Rock retaining wall blocks, septic tanks, water storage tanks, bunker silos, wall panels, benches, planters and stepping stones. Bode's also has boom trucks to haul its own products, and the trucks can be rented by the hour to move or lift equipment.

For more information, call Bode's Precast at (360) 354-3912 or visit www. bodesprecast.com.

Groups win round in fight over Magothy River island in Md. Court of

In a victory for environmental groups, an appeals court has revived the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Inc.'s challenge to a variance permitting pier and septic-tank construction on a privately owned Magothy River island.

The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court agreed, prompting the groups to seek review by the Court of Special Appeals.The appeals court cited the "substantial amounts of time, as well as money" the groups have spent protecting the river's vegetation and oyster reefs. It also noted that the state Department of Natural Resources has issued permits to the groups allowing them to inspect and retrieve oysters and reefs in the river.The Magothy River Association's attorney, Ann Fligsten, hailed Friday's decision as giving standing to the many environmental groups that do not own property but have spent time and money in pursuing their cause."On remand the board must determine whether these investments of time and money and the permits the appellants hold are sufficient to satisfy ... the test for aggrievement," Judge Christopher B. Kehoe wrote for the court. "[O]wnership is not required to establish aggrievement."MRA President Paul Spadaro testified that his group had spent more than $126,000 and expended more than 31,000 volunteer hours in protecting the river's water quality between 1992 and the 2007 board hearing. CBF staff similarly testified to the money and time that group had spent on environmental protection.The Anne Arundel County Board of Appeals had rejected the challenge, which the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is mounting with the Magothy River Association Inc. The board said the groups lacked standing to challenge because they owned no land near Big Dobbins Island and thus would not be "aggrieved" by the planned construction.The Clickners' attorneys did not return telephone messages Friday seeking comment on whether they plan to seek review by the Court of Appeals. The Clickners were represented by Harry C. Blumenthal and Eileen E. Powers of Blumenthal, Delavan & Williams PA in Annapolis.CBF staff attorney Amy McDonnell said the appellate decision "clearly shows the board that they were misinterpreting the law" on standing.But the board, in a 4-3 vote, said property ownership, not just active involvement, was necessary for standing.The Clickners' counsel told the board that that the groups lacked standing because neither one owned property within a half-mile of the island.The island sits within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, a state designation for parts of the bay where development is restricted for environmental reasons.The 3-0 decision is a setback for David and Diana Clickner, who own the island and hope to build a home there. As part of the construction, the Clickners requested the variance to build a pier, septic tank, driveway, well and stormwater drain."The grassroots local people who have an investment in the water quality ... have an interest that's just as important as someone who has a property interest in the river," said Fligsten, a solo practitioner in Arnold. "This is a great day."The groups are seeking "to preserve the most endangered part of the shoreline," she added. "The law [on standing] is there for a reason and it needs to be followed."Issue: Did the county board of appeals err in denying standing to environmental groups because they did not own property near the Magothy River?An administrative hearing officer conditionally granted the Clickners' variance request on Dec. 18, 2006. CBF and MRA appealed to the board.WHAT THE COURT HELDCBF and MRA countered that a member of both groups, Mark McInnes, owned property closer in. The board rejected McInnes' testimony because he was not a party to the case.Critical areaHolding: Yes; on remand, the board should consider the substantial time and expense the groups have devoted to protecting the river, with licenses from the state, in deciding the standing issue.But the Court of Special Appeals said a group's standing does not depend on being an aggrieved property owner. Rather, a group can have standing based on the extent of its efforts to prevent environmental harm, the intermediate appellate court said in remanding the case to the board.Case: Chesapeake Bay Foundation Inc. et al. v. David Clickner et ux., CSA No. 01525, Sept. Term 2008. Reported. Opinion by Kehoe, J. Filed April 30, 2010.CBF claims the approved pier would kill about 1,600 square feet of flourishing bay grasses. The other construction would produce harmful runoff, further damaging bay grasses and oyster reefs, according to CBF.

The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court agreed, prompting the groups to seek review by the Court of Special Appeals.

Meadow Springs Corporation Showcases Flagship Product at 2010 National Hardware Show

Meadow Springs Corporation, the scientific pioneer of "Green" septic tank maintenance, today announced it would showcase its flagship product, Meadow Springs, at the 2010 National Hardware show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, May 4-6. Meadow Springs can be found at booth number 1917 in the Central Hall. In addition to having a presence at the National Hardware Show, the company has announced that two of the country's largest hardware retailers, Ace Hardware and True Value, have authorized Meadow Springs for a national rollout.

Meadow Springs is a non-toxic, easy-to-use and effective septic tank maintenance product that is powerful yet eco-friendly. The product is made with natural active dry yeast, which Meadow Springs Corporation named Eco-Yeast™. In addition to a warning-label-free package, retailers will also appreciate the eco-friendly themed eye-catching packaging, which is showcased in Meadow Springs Corporations easy-to-merchandise six-pack tray.While Meadow Springs is a completely safe product, requiring no warning labels, the product is equally as effective as traditional sector products. To validate that claim, Meadow Springs Corporation executives turned to Iowa State University scientists to test the products' effectiveness. The study, performed in 2008 at the University's Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering Agriculture Waste Management Laboratory, determined that septic tanks treated with Meadow Springs incurred a volatile solids decrease of almost 70 percent when compared to untreated septic tanks. This decrease in volatile solids allowed the septic tanks to run more smoothly and effectively.Meadow Springs is a safe, effective and easy-to-use alternative for consumers looking to maintain their septic tanks without additional bacteria. Meadow Springs combines the company's Eco-Yeast™ with other natural enzymes to safely and effectively energize existing septic tank bacteria and break down solid waste. The result is a smooth-running septic tank with no harsh chemicals. For more information on Meadow Springs, visit www.meadowspringscorp.com .Media Contact: Joshua Levitt PR for Meadow Springs McKinley Reserve Media Group (949) 852-8604 joshua.levitt@mkrmg.comMeadow Springs is available in three sizes -- 10 ounce, 20 ounce and 60 ounce; the latter two being re-sealable for additional treatments. Meadow Springs is available at retailers including Ace Hardware and True Value, as well as online at www.meadowspringscorp.com .About Meadow Springs

Media Contact: Joshua Levitt PR for Meadow Springs McKinley Reserve Media Group (949) 852-8604 joshua.levitt@mkrmg.com

County awards $4 million in sewer line installations

Spokane County has awarded contracts totaling about $4 million for two sewer-line projects in the Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake areas intended to eliminate septic tanks.

The project entails installing sewer line and 167 sewer hookup stubs in an area bounded on the west by Barker Road, on the north by Mission Avenue, and on the south by Boone Avenue and a railroad right of way. The project extends east into Liberty Lake, and its eastern boundary is roughly Glenbrook Road, but includes lengths of Baldwin Avenue, Nora Avenue, and Augusta Court there. It also includes portions of Grady, Hodges, and Aladdin roads, as well as Maxwell Avenue and Cavalier, Caulfield, Colonial, and Myers courts, Schwab says. The cities of Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake are paying for repaving the streets there once the sewer lines are installed, he says.Owens Construction soon will begin work on a similar project in Spokane Valley, just northwest of the Knife River project. That project will entail installing 218 new sewer stubs and associated sewer pipe. The project includes portions of Indiana Avenue west of Flora Road to the Spokane River; Indiana between Greenacres and Barker Road; Long Road between Mission and Indiana avenues; Riverway Avenue between Barker Road and Montgomery Avenue; Montgomery between Flora and Long; Greenacres Road between Indiana and Mission; and portions of McKee Road and Baldwin Avenue west of Barker Road.Work on the project awarded to Knife River likely will begin today, May 20, says Tim Schwab, a plans and contracts engineer for the county.The county has awarded the Post Falls office of Bismarck, N.D.-based Knife River Corp. a $2.4 million contract to install sewer lines and individual stubs for lots in an area that encompasses parts of the cities of Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake. Separately, the county has awarded a $1.7 million contract for similar work in Spokane Valley near Evergreen Road to Owens Construction Inc., of Coeur d'Alene.

Schwab says Spokane County has just a few more projects remaining to complete its long-term effort to connect county residences to its sewer system, including one just south of the Owens Construction work.