PUBLIC FORUM `TOILET-TO-TAP' PLAN IS ALL WET, SAY THOSE WHO'LL BE AFFECTED.I have a wonderful idea that will put the Valley on equal footing with the mayor and City Council. I propose that all the residents affected by the ``toilet-to-tap'' project give one dollar a month to a fund that will be used to hire the top lobbyist firm in the city. I strongly suggest we hire the same firm that was used to open the Sunshine Canyon Landfill, only this time, they would be on our side lobbying against feeding San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. residents recycled toilet water. I am sure that if every Valley resident affected gave a buck, we would soon have our way in this situation. In fact, our new paid allies would be willing to lobby sending the ``state-certified potty water'' to Mayor Riordan and his cronies to drink. - Maxine Flam North Hollywood I have lived in the San Fernando Valley for 31 years and have been witness to debacle after debacle: raw sewage flowing into the ocean; the Metrolink disaster; our subway system that collapsed Hollywood Boulevard For uses other than the original street, see Hollywood Boulevard (disambiguation). Hollywood Boulevard is a boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States, beginning at Sunset Boulevard in the east and running northwest to Vermont Avenue, where it straightens out ; Belmont; and the list goes on. Do you actually think I will trust our city, county or state representatives to to drink from my toilet? Of all the ridiculous measures, this one was so outrageous. We were not even informed of this, just forced, as the city always does, to accept it. What we need are City Council members, a mayor, and state senators that have a clue on how to run this city, not just continue to waste our money on someone's irrational decisions, that have been proven time and time again, to be fantasy. - Vonnie Harper Van Nuys The proposal to use the reclaimed water Reclaimed water, sometimes called recycled water, is former wastewater (sewage) that has been treated and purified for reuse, rather than discharged into a body of water. is a good proposal. People moan about using ``toilet water.'' I have news for them, they have been doing this for years. Have they forgotten about septic tanks and leach lines? At least this water will be treated, and the natural filtering system will take care of the rest. Water is too precious a commodity to waste. If the public does not want to use reclaimed water, then think of the consequences. Desalination desalination or desalting Removal of dissolved salts from seawater and from the salty waters of inland seas, highly mineralized groundwaters, and municipal wastewaters. and the expense that comes with that. Water is crucial to life, and the ever-growing population demands changes. Other counties and states use treated water for many useful purposes: crop irrigation irrigation, in agriculture, artificial watering of the land. Although used chiefly in regions with annual rainfall of less than 20 in. (51 cm), it is also used in wetter areas to grow certain crops, e.g., rice. , golf courses, etc. That water eventually seeps into the ground. No hue and cry hue and cry, formerly, in English law, pursuit of a criminal immediately after he had committed a felony. Whoever witnessed or discovered the crime was required to raise the hue and cry against the perpetrator (e.g. there. Face up to reality, for it is already looking us in the face. - John Adams Camarillo The very thought of drinking and showering with wastewater makes me gag. I definitely do not trust the agencies who say this recycled wastewater is safe and I believe the public should have been notified of their intention to move ahead with this project. Indeed, there are viable ways to solve Southern California's water problems. Perhaps we can save rainwater in large barrels for plants and trees, monitor showering time, install new low-flow toilets (1.5 gallons). Let's get out of the problem, Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, , and into the solution. - Madeline Nielsen Encino The idea of drinking sewage water is aesthetically offensive. I don't like it at all, although I believe it'll be safe. And we have to proceed with it until another way, just as economically feasible, is developed. We're about to have a water crisis, people, and we have to go with what we know until we find a less offensive-seeming way. Many letters from nonexperts end with, ``There are better ways.'' They don't mention what those ways are. When we gotta go (with something), we gotta go. - Mike Varady Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. Why don't we have in place, right now, a fully functioning system for salvaging the huge amounts of rainwater we receive each year during the rainy season? We already have the conduits through which thousands upon thousands of gallons of fresh, pure water is rushed out to the ocean each year. What a total, complete waste. And this water is already recycled. We should have a series of reservoirs into which our conduits could empty this fresh rainwater. With a minimum of treatment, this salvaged rainwater could be added to our usable water supply. And this rainwater is absolutely free. We wouldn't have to pay Colorado or anybody else. But most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , we wouldn't have to get involved in a multimillion dollar toilet-to-tap project. - Jack Kennedy Canoga Park Re S. David Freeman's article in the Daily News ``Recycled water will be cleanest in aquifer'' (April 26), in which he justified the recycling of toilet water: It is not surprising that a lot of people misunderstood your project. It's probably because in your series of public meetings, notices, etc., you never mentioned the word ``toilet'' water. Instead you used the words ``ground'' and ``recycled'' domestic water which certain layman, like me, would not fully understand the meaning of. To me groundwater may mean the water coming from the rain or river; recycled domestic water may mean coming from the kitchen or bath/tap water. Had you used the word toilet water to be recycled as drinking water drinking water supply of water available to animals for drinking supplied via nipples, in troughs, dams, ponds and larger natural water sources; an insufficient supply leads to dehydration; it can be the source of infection, e.g. leptospirosis, salmonellosis, or of poisoning, e.g. , I presume a lot of people would object to your proposal, as happened when the Daily News used the more understandable word ``toilet'' water. I appreciate the Daily News for being direct and vigilant. As a resident of one of the affected areas, I was astounded a·stound tr.v. a·stound·ed, a·stound·ing, a·stounds To astonish and bewilder. See Synonyms at surprise. [From Middle English astoned, past participle of astonen, and feel repugnance re·pug·nance n. 1. Extreme dislike or aversion. 2. Logic The relationship of contradictory terms; inconsistency. Noun 1. at the very thought of drinking something previously mixed with human excrement excrement /ex·cre·ment/ (eks´kri-mint) 1. feces. 2. excretion (2). ex·cre·ment n. Waste matter or any excretion cast out of the body, especially feces. ; I know many residents were outraged! A lot of poor people and minorities are concentrated in Panorama City and Van Nuys - is that why we are the ``chosen'' ones in the Valley/L.A.? - Nilda Nartates Panorama City A Public Forum letter writer is fearful of using treated sewer water for drinking because of possible contamination by the AIDS virus AIDS virus n. See HIV. , tuberculosis, and a host of other diseases which could be passed on using such recycled water. As far as diverting storm water runoff into the sewer system Noun 1. sewer system - facility consisting of a system of sewers for carrying off liquid and solid sewage sewage system, sewage works facility, installation - a building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry; "the and ``treating'' it too, consider this: animal feces, drips of oil, little green puddles of antifreeze antifreeze, substance added to a solvent to lower its freezing point. The solution formed is called an antifreeze mixture. Antifreeze is typically added to water in the cooling system of an internal-combustion engine so that it may be cooled below the freezing point , toxic brake-lining dust, millions of cigarette butts with their filters loaded with tar and nicotine, dead squirrels in the street, all over the Valley. All ``flushed'' away with the rains. - Loyal Bruno West Hills Recycling water definitely is possible today, but in reality is not an answer to our long-term water needs, with our expanding population and the need for agricultural water. Some years ago Kenny Hahn, during one of our water crises, suggested importing water from Alaska or Canada through canals and piping to supply water to not only L.A., but also to portions of the Southwest. He even made contact with the governor of Alaska who was more than willing to consider selling water to this type of project. Canada, as I understand it, was interested in considering the proposition. An ocean-submerged pipe system could be used to bring water from the mouths of the Columbia and other rivers now dumping fresh water into our oceans. A study would indicate the best method of importing water in large quantities from Alaska and possibly Canada. The entire Southwest requires new water supplies to supply growing population, agriculture and manufacturing. The Department of Water and Power alone developed the canal systems to bring water from Owens Valley This article has multiple issues: * It needs to be expanded. * It may need copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. , which still supplies much of L.A. water. The states of the Southwest should have the federal government plan and build canal systems to supply the Southwest. - Pat Geraughty Sherman Oaks Who decided who would get the potty water first? Thanks, Department of Water and Power, but we don't want to be your petri dish pe·tri dish n. A shallow circular dish with a loose-fitting cover, used to culture bacteria or other microorganisms. Petri dish a shallow, circular, glass or disposable plastic dish used to grow bacteria on solid media such as agar. . - Joyce Jellison Arleta In reading all of the articles in the Daily News, some by the DWP DWP Department of Work and Pensions (UK) DWP Drinking Water Program DWP Dynamic Weapon Pricing (gamin, Counter-Strike: Source) DWP Department of Water & Power DWP Drinking Water Protection , about the toilet-to-tap project, the one area that has not been addressed is the effect of an earthquake on the system. Since the first pump for pumping water out of the aquifer is just one mile away from the place where the wastewater is injected, and supposedly it takes five years for the water to migrate from the place it is injected to the first pump, an earthquake could cause an underground fissure fissure /fis·sure/ (fish´er) 1. any cleft or groove, normal or otherwise, especially a deep fold in the cerebral cortex involving its entire thickness. 2. a fault in the enamel surface of a tooth. that might allow the water to run the five miles in one day. This could disturb the underground water system so that it would not be usable for years. Let's work on making more water available and save this until we're sure. - Gordon L. Knopp West Hills I am a hydrographer hy·drog·ra·phy n. pl. hy·drog·ra·phies 1. The scientific description and analysis of the physical conditions, boundaries, flow, and related characteristics of the earth's surface waters. 2. at the Department of Water and Power and I took a basic course in water treatment at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. . I have no fear of water properly treated and filtered. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence should not fear so-called ``toilet-to-tap'' water. The people at DWP and their children also drink and play in the same water we all do. - Craig Wilson
Craig Allan Wilson (born November 30, 1976) is a baseball player who currently is a first baseman on the Chicago White Sox. As of the end of the 2006 season, Wilson had a career . Los Angeles ``Is recycled water safe?'' I would have to say emphatically, no - not if AIDS, HIV-positive is in it for any drinker or bather. Experts and doctors aren't sure ``that unknown substances could lurk in supply'' or never tell us because it would definitely cause the public to vote against this measure at the ballot box. There is no guarantee that this treated water will ever be free of all fatal viruses. - Don E. Widoff Lancaster It amazes me how people think water cannot be recycled. Living anywhere away from costal areas, the water from sewage systems must be filtered and returned to the ground. The vast majority of the country lives on water that is pumped from and then returned to the ground. Just about every community around Los Angeles and the rest of the country has septic systems which leach water back into the ground. Water seeping back into the ground is cleaned naturally over years and is possibly cleaner than rain water runoff that fills our reservoirs. We already are recycling water on freeway landscaping and golf courses and many other areas. That water is eventually soaking into the ground and into our water table. If anyone thinks that aqueduct water is clean, consider all the debris, dead animals and autos pulled out on a regular basis. - James A. and Linda J. Murad Acton There's absolutely no way that I'm going to put up with this toilet-to-tap proposal. I'm selling my house and getting out of this state. My dog doesn't drink out of a toilet and why should I. That's gross. - Jay D. Myerly Chatsworth I suggest a pilot program in which this ``toilet-to-tap'' water program is piped to a control group for a period of five years. In this control group we would include the governor, the mayor, the City Council and the executive branch of the DWP. What's next? Toilet to table? They have been feeding it to us for years. - Daniel F. Taylor Tujunga A few decades ago, Rachel Carson Noun 1. Rachel Carson - United States biologist remembered for her opposition to the use of pesticides that were hazardous to wildlife (1907-1964) Carson, Rachel Louise Carson wrote ``The Silent Spring.'' In it she warned about the contamination of groundwater. She said that pesticides, among other things, have seeped into this underground water supply. Steps have been taken to eliminate this problem, but it is far from solved. Is this contamination being taken into account, or is it just assumed that all is fine with the groundwater supply? Instead of looking to the ocean as a possible water source, this vast body of water is generally ignored. Every time there is a drought, people are told to conserve water. Conservation is important, but why have we not started desalination, so that rain or shine, there will be potable potable /pot·a·ble/ (po´tah-b'l) fit to drink. po·ta·ble adj. Fit to drink; drinkable. potable fit to drink. water? Desalination is expensive. However, since when have government officials been horrified hor·ri·fy tr.v. hor·ri·fied, hor·ri·fy·ing, hor·ri·fies 1. To cause to feel horror. See Synonyms at dismay. 2. To cause unpleasant surprise to; shock. at spending taxpayer's money? If taxpayers benefited from the desalination, few would balk balk the action of a horse when it refuses to obey a command to which it usually responds. See also jibbing. at the added expense. They could see a direct use of their taxes and would be able to water their lawns without being fined. - Sylvia Hertel Los Angeles Regarding the treatment and recycling of wastewater here in the Valley, I personally want no part of their ``crappy crap·py adj. crap·pi·er, crap·pi·est Vulgar Slang 1. Inferior; worthless. 2. Miserable; poorly. 3. Mean; contemptible. tap.'' Why, I wouldn't even bathe my two doggies in it. When we're all forced to protect our health by buying bottled water, I am inclined to wonder who is going to share in the profits from the increased distribution of same? - Margaret Michaels Margaret Michaels is an American actress best known for appearing as the characters of Pam Ewing no. 3 and Jeanne O'Brien on the TV Show Dallas, as a tennis player in the Dallas imitator series Dynasty and on the television serial Santa Barbara. Reseda According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. reports, Mayor Richard Riordan Richard J. Riordan (born May 1, 1930) is a Republican politician from California, U.S. who served as the California Secretary of Education from 2003–2005 and as Mayor of Los Angeles from 1993–2001. Riordan ran for Governor of California unsuccessfully in 2002. stated last week he knew little about the ``toilet-to-tap'' water recycling program which had gone in and out of his head and also joked about Granada Hills not protesting enough about Sunshine Canyon Landfill expansion. We have news for you, Mr. Mayor, this is no joke. This is an issue involving all of Los Angeles, not just Granada Hills. It is an area with the aqueduct feeding water to the whole city. David Freeman stated that the DWP recycling project had been well publicized. But wasn't that reclaimed water to be used for agricultural purposes and not drinking water? I'll say the public should be outraged. - Vivian Griffin Chatsworth In regard to tapping the toilet water and letting it sit to filter for the next five years for the Valley to use for drinking, showering, watering lawns and gardens and feeding to our pets, I feel this is a very disgusting way to conserve water. And why are they only doing it in the Valley? Are we guinea pigs for this test? Would it cause disease and make all of us sick and ruin our water tanks? Then what would we do? Then they're going to have one big lawsuit on their hands that's going to be more costly than tapping the toilet water. Then what do we do for a cleaner source of water when all the water is diseased? Instead of tapping the dirty toilet water that has feces, urine, blood, cleaning products and whatever else people throw into the toilet, why don't we start collecting the rainwater that we get every year? They should have started collecting water 30 years ago when they knew that California's population would be growing and that California usually has a period of droughts. Instead of letting the rainwater go into the wash and into the ocean, why don't we redirect that water so that it goes into a tank of some sort to be filtered and used for drinking and showering? I think this would be a cleaner source of water for us, with less chance of disease. - Suzanne Boyle Tarzana We go to great lengths to protect our groundwater, making gas stations replace suspected leaking tanks because it will contaminate con·tam·i·nate v. 1. To make impure or unclean by contact or mixture. 2. To expose to or permeate with radioactivity. con·tam·i·nant n. the groundwater. We haul away Verb 1. haul away - take away by means of a vehicle; "They carted off the old furniture" cart away, cart off, haul off take away, take out - take out or remove; "take out the chicken after adding the vegetables" much contaminated contaminated, v 1. made radioactive by the addition of small quantities of radioactive material. 2. made contaminated by adding infective or radiographic materials. 3. an infective surface or object. soil at great expense to place it somewhere else, where it must still contaminate the groundwater somewhere else. They claim that sewer water will be cleaned by going through all that ground, to the water table, and it will take five years. Let's see: If they are wrong we won't know for five years. Then if they are wrong, it will take more time for them to decide what to do about the contamination, and another five years before the contamination stops leaking into the groundwater. If everything else makes it through the soil to the water table, how can they want us to believe their process is different and safe, and won't contaminate? I'm not worried about toilet water as much as I am industrial wastewater. - Don Cordell Lancaster This has been going on for years, along every river in the nation, including our own supply from the California Aqueduct and the Colorado River. The so-called ``toilet to tap'' would simply do it in a safer manner. - Steve Ott Sylmar |
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