Schuykill River, polluted water from sewage system
Map
Map
Story & Experience
Type of wounded place (e.g. landfill, coral reef, clear cut forest, oil refinery, etc.)
A spot on the Schuykill River where the outflow from the Lower Perkiomen Valley Regional Sewer Authority enters the river, just before the confluence of the Perkiomen Creek.
What is the importance of this place to your local community?
The Sewer Authority facility is a brand new sewage treatmentfacility (completed in late 2008). Its website is http://www.lpvrsa.org/index.htm. I do not know the details of the sewage treatment process, but to my knowledge municipal sewage treatment facilities involve settlement of solid wate, microbial treatment and some chlorination. It is well known that pharmaceuticals, and other chemicals dumped into toilets or that enter the system through storm sewers tend to pass through such systems unharmed and are released into the outflow albeit diluted. It is also well known that aquatic and amphibian species downstream from such outflow do demonstrate negative effects.
Why is it necessary to bring attention and beauty to this place?
People in the area are using the Schuykill river increasingly for recreational purposes, such as canoeing and kayaking, as well as swimming and fishing. My wife and I canoe or kayak on the river at least three times a year. The environmental state of the river is a focus of attention and care, but as with most rivers the impact of pharmaceuticals on aquatic and amphibian species that inhabit the river and that serve as food for other species in the vicinity is largely under studied. Few people consider that the drugs they flush down the toilet either through urination or disposal of unwanted pills in the medicine chest end up in such scenic places, creating a hidden and largely unknown challenge to the environment.
Approximately many people will participate in your Earth Exchange? 2-3 (family)
Do you have an idea for an Act of Beauty, healing, or creativity (offering, song, dance, art work, prayers) that you might give back to the place?
I will lead a canoe/kayak ride to the outflow spot on the Schuykill River and perform a ceremony highlighting the difference between spring water and sewage plant outflow, and leaving a subtle reminder to passersby that what is coming out of the sewage treatment plant may not be as potable as they might imagine.
Type of wounded place (e.g. landfill, coral reef, clear cut forest, oil refinery, etc.)
A spot on the Schuykill River where the outflow from the Lower Perkiomen Valley Regional Sewer Authority enters the river, just before the confluence of the Perkiomen Creek.
What is the importance of this place to your local community?
The Sewer Authority facility is a brand new sewage treatmentfacility (completed in late 2008). Its website is http://www.lpvrsa.org/index.htm. I do not know the details of the sewage treatment process, but to my knowledge municipal sewage treatment facilities involve settlement of solid wate, microbial treatment and some chlorination. It is well known that pharmaceuticals, and other chemicals dumped into toilets or that enter the system through storm sewers tend to pass through such systems unharmed and are released into the outflow albeit diluted. It is also well known that aquatic and amphibian species downstream from such outflow do demonstrate negative effects.
Why is it necessary to bring attention and beauty to this place?
People in the area are using the Schuykill river increasingly for recreational purposes, such as canoeing and kayaking, as well as swimming and fishing. My wife and I canoe or kayak on the river at least three times a year. The environmental state of the river is a focus of attention and care, but as with most rivers the impact of pharmaceuticals on aquatic and amphibian species that inhabit the river and that serve as food for other species in the vicinity is largely under studied. Few people consider that the drugs they flush down the toilet either through urination or disposal of unwanted pills in the medicine chest end up in such scenic places, creating a hidden and largely unknown challenge to the environment.
Approximately many people will participate in your Earth Exchange? 2-3 (family)
Do you have an idea for an Act of Beauty, healing, or creativity (offering, song, dance, art work, prayers) that you might give back to the place?
I will lead a canoe/kayak ride to the outflow spot on the Schuykill River and perform a ceremony highlighting the difference between spring water and sewage plant outflow, and leaving a subtle reminder to passersby that what is coming out of the sewage treatment plant may not be as potable as they might imagine.
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