Yes, that is a word. I heard it for the first time tonight on the TV news.
I signed up for daily emailings of sewer news of course ages ago, and get them to learn of various technologies and case studies. Testing sewage to get an idea of the COVID-19 it might contain tosses around the words "prevalence testing," and "biomarkers," but the word "sewershed" is new! But only to me. Apparently it is a real word, but the way it is applied in big cities is different than how it was used by the researcher on TV tonight. So the word expanded a bit to not mean just the storm sewer piping, where it is, what it holds, and where it goes, but also sewer water fed into a plant through home flushing.
Just how much of THE virus is floating around in the murky waters at a sewer plant? Scientists in England and in California are attempting to find out. How interesting I'd say, could it actually even BE here? But we'd be a lousy town to test for two reasons. 17% of our town is on septic tanks, and we have so few cases or maybe none officially (although I doubt that), we get nothing but silence from the County daily briefs because they only post information on towns with five or more cases.
Anyway, back to the story. The idea is to catch virus spread. How much virus is in the sewage, and is the amount going up or down. Plenty of sewer workers in the US are freaked out by virus being in the sewage and have gone on strike or demand better protections from possible airborne virus bits, etc..
On another, happier note, a wastewater treatment plant in Portland Oregon had between 15,000 and 20,000 gallons of expired beer dumped into their plant. One would hope sewer workers might have grabbed a draught or two on the way in if it wasn't too stale.
Tuesday, May 05, 2020
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Places To Poop Before You Die
Thanks BuzzFeed for making this awesome list (which I will probably never use). But there are brave readers out there I know, all two of you, who might just travel and enjoy!
https://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/i-want-to-poop-there
https://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/i-want-to-poop-there
Testing The Poop For Corona....
I don't mean the beer, I mean the virus, COVID-19.
Well, as of this writing, Los Osos has four or less Corona virus cases, so let's hope it stays that way. However, a much larger sewage plant, the East Bay Municipal Utility District to our north a couple hundred miles, is coordinating the effort of 10 counties to test their sewage for the virus.
Read about it here and do notice how cool the plant is laid out in the stellar aerial photo.
https://www.kqed.org/science/1963120/one-way-to-monitor-a-communitys-coronavirus-infections-raw-sewage
You might want to check out this tweet with a video, too:
https://twitter.com/Revkin/status/1253352981086351360
Well, as of this writing, Los Osos has four or less Corona virus cases, so let's hope it stays that way. However, a much larger sewage plant, the East Bay Municipal Utility District to our north a couple hundred miles, is coordinating the effort of 10 counties to test their sewage for the virus.
Read about it here and do notice how cool the plant is laid out in the stellar aerial photo.
https://www.kqed.org/science/1963120/one-way-to-monitor-a-communitys-coronavirus-infections-raw-sewage
You might want to check out this tweet with a video, too:
https://twitter.com/Revkin/status/1253352981086351360
Sunday, April 26, 2020
The Los Osos Syndrome
Okay, I just made that up. There isn't one. I watched The CHINA Syndrome...well, I guess at this hour it was LAST night right now. Great film from 1979 that holds up amazingly well. Jane Fonda, Jack Lemon, Michael Douglas. You probably know the story. A female TV news reporter given fluff stories stumbles onto a horrifying mishap at a nuclear power plant (the fictional Ventana nuclear power plant). Her videographer captures the accident when he should not have been filming, and the story unfolds from there. You can read more here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_China_Syndrome
The gist of the mishap was a welding flaw, a small part was not maintained, a pool of leaking radioactive water, a cover-up. There were a couple of glitches with gages, and without fast work, the mighty plant nearly explodes, which would have left a glowing, ticking ember of a large swath of California. The film was released 12 days before the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster.
We in Los Osos have just concluded the fight over a rate increase this past Tuesday, and comments about that are still bubbling along on Nextdoor. Yes, there is anger, defeat, panic, all that. In that frame of emotional intensity on a rate increase to maintain our sewer plant, I ran across this article on a shuttered nuclear power plant, San Onofre, that had a sewage spill due to a worn part and a lack of maintenance. I guess that is what we are trying to avoid in raising the rates to have enough money to do maintenance and replace worn out parts or machinery.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/energy-green/story/2020-04-13/san-onofre-sewage-spill-linked-to-blocked-line-worn-out-pump-switch
Fortunately the only blow-ups around here were not radioactive. Nor, with the rate increase, are they likely to be a sewage spill either.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_China_Syndrome
The gist of the mishap was a welding flaw, a small part was not maintained, a pool of leaking radioactive water, a cover-up. There were a couple of glitches with gages, and without fast work, the mighty plant nearly explodes, which would have left a glowing, ticking ember of a large swath of California. The film was released 12 days before the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster.
We in Los Osos have just concluded the fight over a rate increase this past Tuesday, and comments about that are still bubbling along on Nextdoor. Yes, there is anger, defeat, panic, all that. In that frame of emotional intensity on a rate increase to maintain our sewer plant, I ran across this article on a shuttered nuclear power plant, San Onofre, that had a sewage spill due to a worn part and a lack of maintenance. I guess that is what we are trying to avoid in raising the rates to have enough money to do maintenance and replace worn out parts or machinery.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/energy-green/story/2020-04-13/san-onofre-sewage-spill-linked-to-blocked-line-worn-out-pump-switch
Fortunately the only blow-ups around here were not radioactive. Nor, with the rate increase, are they likely to be a sewage spill either.
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Sewer Rate Increase Passes!
It was an odd Board of Supes meeting. Three Los Osos Sewer items on the agenda for a meeting with no live audience. COVID-19 had conquered the in-person sewer angst audience displays. And it would take something of that magnitude to do so.
There were only letters read and phone calls, both recorded and live. Not one in support of raising the rates of course. Those voices made the silent, really silent, majority, so the rate hike passed.
There was quite a lot of tension. The vote was read and there was not enough votes to stop the rate increase. First, John Waddell had to give a report on the rate increase's necessity. (Silence from the online audience—now that was a first. Well, two firsts for a sewer meeting—online, and most especially the silence!) Then Supervisor Bruce Gibson laid out how he was approaching this. A similar rate increase had passed in Shandon, so he was going against the Staff Report, and insisting that Los Osos get the same time delay benefit to pay. There would be NO Board vote postponing the results of voting until the virus had vanished however, as the rate protestors had wanted. (Similar delay attempts had occurred on other sewer items in the past.) Gibson made a motion.
Supervisor Arnold was adamant that this "Shandon Delay" NOT be applied for Los Osos. The board had voted that way when they had no idea what these COVID-19 delays could mean. The board should NOT be so generous to Los Osos, the rest of the County should NOT be required to pick up the tab waiting for Los Osos to recover financially to PAY the new rates.
Supervisors Compton and Peschong asked questions. Arnold reiterated her points as if a word hammer would move Gibson. It did not. County Counsel volunteered possible compromise positions. NOPE, both from Gibson and Arnold. This scene repeated too many times to make sense in a movie. Arnold attempted her own motion, and it failed to get a second.
Finally Gibson got Supervisor Hill's second. He had to restate the motion.
"I move we find there is not a majority protest of the sewer service charge; that we adopt the ordinance and waive its reading; that we direct staff not to impose the increase until 30 days after the proclamation of local emergency has been lifted. We authorize the Clerk of the Board to get the certified copy of the approved ordinance and this other action to the Auditor/Controller/Tax Collector/Public Administrator no later than August 10th of 2020. We find the project exempt from CEQA."
All but Arnold voted YES!
And there is more I could write, but I am too lazy to look at my notes.
There were only letters read and phone calls, both recorded and live. Not one in support of raising the rates of course. Those voices made the silent, really silent, majority, so the rate hike passed.
There was quite a lot of tension. The vote was read and there was not enough votes to stop the rate increase. First, John Waddell had to give a report on the rate increase's necessity. (Silence from the online audience—now that was a first. Well, two firsts for a sewer meeting—online, and most especially the silence!) Then Supervisor Bruce Gibson laid out how he was approaching this. A similar rate increase had passed in Shandon, so he was going against the Staff Report, and insisting that Los Osos get the same time delay benefit to pay. There would be NO Board vote postponing the results of voting until the virus had vanished however, as the rate protestors had wanted. (Similar delay attempts had occurred on other sewer items in the past.) Gibson made a motion.
Supervisor Arnold was adamant that this "Shandon Delay" NOT be applied for Los Osos. The board had voted that way when they had no idea what these COVID-19 delays could mean. The board should NOT be so generous to Los Osos, the rest of the County should NOT be required to pick up the tab waiting for Los Osos to recover financially to PAY the new rates.
Supervisors Compton and Peschong asked questions. Arnold reiterated her points as if a word hammer would move Gibson. It did not. County Counsel volunteered possible compromise positions. NOPE, both from Gibson and Arnold. This scene repeated too many times to make sense in a movie. Arnold attempted her own motion, and it failed to get a second.
Finally Gibson got Supervisor Hill's second. He had to restate the motion.
"I move we find there is not a majority protest of the sewer service charge; that we adopt the ordinance and waive its reading; that we direct staff not to impose the increase until 30 days after the proclamation of local emergency has been lifted. We authorize the Clerk of the Board to get the certified copy of the approved ordinance and this other action to the Auditor/Controller/Tax Collector/Public Administrator no later than August 10th of 2020. We find the project exempt from CEQA."
All but Arnold voted YES!
And there is more I could write, but I am too lazy to look at my notes.
Monday, April 20, 2020
The Trib On Tomorrows Sewer Travail!
Have a look; things are really heating up for a chilly online meeting between the County and Los Osos sewer rate hike protestors!
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article242091706.html?
I hope I can accurately describe all the action!
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article242091706.html?
I hope I can accurately describe all the action!
Sunday, April 19, 2020
More On Toilet Paper Cakes!
Yes, our local Tribune has a stellar article on the Arroyo Grande Bakery with a video and pix! Have a look:
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/living/food-drink/article242073426.html?
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/living/food-drink/article242073426.html?
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Board of Supes and Our Sewer
UPDATE! Here is a link to the page with details on the three items below:
https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/iip/sanluisobispo/meeting/Details/1256
The April 21st agenda of the SLO County Board of Supervisors holds a bounty of sewer items! Naturally, while the County is practically closed, the meeting will be online. Public comment will go on unimpeded - see below.*
1. Remote Viewing/Listening - Members of the public who wish to watch or listen to the meeting can find links for livestreaming the meeting at: https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Board-of-Supervisors/Board-Meetings,-Agendas-and-Minutes.aspx
So here are the three sewer items on the agenda!
2. Request to set a public hearing to consider collecting delinquent charges on the FY 2020-21 County property tax bills for County Service Area Nos. 1 (Nipomo), 7-A (Oak Shores), 10 (Cayucos) and the San Luis Obispo County Wastewater Assessment District Nos. 1 (Los Osos). Hearing date set for July 7, 2020. Districts 1, 2, and 4.
29. Submittal of a resolution confirming the FY 2020-21 annual installments of the Monarch Grove Sewer Capacity Charges and authorizing collection of the charges on property tax bills, Los Osos. District 2.
36. Hearing to consider protests to a proposed sewer service charges increase for the Los Osos Sewer Service Area and if there is not majority protest, adopt the attached ordinance, which establishes the sewer service charges and requirements for the Los Osos Sewer Service Area; and find that the project is exempt from Section 21000 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code (CEQA). District 2.
Item 36 is the biggie. I lost count on the number of posts on this topic of the sewer rate increase on our local Nextdoor— I got tired of counting at 48, there were more, plus one poll!
The staff reports have not been posted, so I'll have to add that link later.
I plan to tune in.
* 2. Public Comment - The Board of Supervisors will still be accepting general public comment for items not on the agenda, as well as public comment on specific agenda items. Public comment can be submitted in the following ways:
Persons who require accommodations for any audio, visual or other disability in order to review an agenda, or to participate in a meeting of the Board of Supervisors per the American Disabilities Act (ADA), may obtain assistance by requesting such accommodation 72 hour in advance of the meeting to the Clerk of the Board at (805) 781-5011. County of San Luis Obispo Government Center 1055 Monterey St.| San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 | (P) 805 -781-5000 | 7-1-1 TTY/TDD Relay slocounty.ca.gov
Live Verbal Public Comment – At the start of the meeting or when the item you would like to speak about is called, please call (805) 321-0555. While you wait for your call to be screened, you will be hearing the meeting live on the other end of the phone. Staff will get on the line with you to screen your call, please be prepared with the agenda item number you would like to speak about and your name. Staff will then place you in a queue for the Clerk of the Board. When it is your turn to speak, the Clerk of the Board will announce your name and then you can speak for 3 minutes. If you are getting a busy signal, that means our queue is full, please continue to call until you get through.
Voice Mail -Pre Recorded Verbal Public Comment - Call (805) 788-6638;
state and spell your name, mention the agenda item number you are calling about and leave your comment. Verbal comments are limited to 3 minutes including stating your name. Please limit your comment to one (1) agenda item per message. If you would like to comment on multiple agenda items, you are requested to leave a separate message for each item. Verbal comments (voicemails) must be received by the Clerk of the Board no later than 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the noticed meeting and will be limited to 3 minutes per item. Every effort will be made to play your comment aloud at the meeting. However, some comments may not be included due to the time limitations. All comments will be entered into the administrative record and provided each board member.
Email or Mail Public Comment - Public Comment can be submitted any time via email or U.S. Mail. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the Monday prior to the Board meeting. Please submit your comment to the Clerk of the Board at ad_Board_clerk@co.slo.ca.us or send comment. Your comment will be placed into the administrative record of the meeting and forwarded to each board member. Comments will not be read aloud or presented visually at the meeting. Mailing Address:
https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/iip/sanluisobispo/meeting/Details/1256
The April 21st agenda of the SLO County Board of Supervisors holds a bounty of sewer items! Naturally, while the County is practically closed, the meeting will be online. Public comment will go on unimpeded - see below.*
1. Remote Viewing/Listening - Members of the public who wish to watch or listen to the meeting can find links for livestreaming the meeting at: https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Board-of-Supervisors/Board-Meetings,-Agendas-and-Minutes.aspx
So here are the three sewer items on the agenda!
Items Set for Hearing:
2. Request to set a public hearing to consider collecting delinquent charges on the FY 2020-21 County property tax bills for County Service Area Nos. 1 (Nipomo), 7-A (Oak Shores), 10 (Cayucos) and the San Luis Obispo County Wastewater Assessment District Nos. 1 (Los Osos). Hearing date set for July 7, 2020. Districts 1, 2, and 4.
Consent Agenda - Public Works Items:
29. Submittal of a resolution confirming the FY 2020-21 annual installments of the Monarch Grove Sewer Capacity Charges and authorizing collection of the charges on property tax bills, Los Osos. District 2.
Hearings:
36. Hearing to consider protests to a proposed sewer service charges increase for the Los Osos Sewer Service Area and if there is not majority protest, adopt the attached ordinance, which establishes the sewer service charges and requirements for the Los Osos Sewer Service Area; and find that the project is exempt from Section 21000 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code (CEQA). District 2.
Item 36 is the biggie. I lost count on the number of posts on this topic of the sewer rate increase on our local Nextdoor— I got tired of counting at 48, there were more, plus one poll!
The staff reports have not been posted, so I'll have to add that link later.
I plan to tune in.
* 2. Public Comment - The Board of Supervisors will still be accepting general public comment for items not on the agenda, as well as public comment on specific agenda items. Public comment can be submitted in the following ways:
Persons who require accommodations for any audio, visual or other disability in order to review an agenda, or to participate in a meeting of the Board of Supervisors per the American Disabilities Act (ADA), may obtain assistance by requesting such accommodation 72 hour in advance of the meeting to the Clerk of the Board at (805) 781-5011. County of San Luis Obispo Government Center 1055 Monterey St.| San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 | (P) 805 -781-5000 | 7-1-1 TTY/TDD Relay slocounty.ca.gov
Live Verbal Public Comment – At the start of the meeting or when the item you would like to speak about is called, please call (805) 321-0555. While you wait for your call to be screened, you will be hearing the meeting live on the other end of the phone. Staff will get on the line with you to screen your call, please be prepared with the agenda item number you would like to speak about and your name. Staff will then place you in a queue for the Clerk of the Board. When it is your turn to speak, the Clerk of the Board will announce your name and then you can speak for 3 minutes. If you are getting a busy signal, that means our queue is full, please continue to call until you get through.
Voice Mail -Pre Recorded Verbal Public Comment - Call (805) 788-6638;
state and spell your name, mention the agenda item number you are calling about and leave your comment. Verbal comments are limited to 3 minutes including stating your name. Please limit your comment to one (1) agenda item per message. If you would like to comment on multiple agenda items, you are requested to leave a separate message for each item. Verbal comments (voicemails) must be received by the Clerk of the Board no later than 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the noticed meeting and will be limited to 3 minutes per item. Every effort will be made to play your comment aloud at the meeting. However, some comments may not be included due to the time limitations. All comments will be entered into the administrative record and provided each board member.
Email or Mail Public Comment - Public Comment can be submitted any time via email or U.S. Mail. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the Monday prior to the Board meeting. Please submit your comment to the Clerk of the Board at ad_Board_clerk@co.slo.ca.us or send comment. Your comment will be placed into the administrative record of the meeting and forwarded to each board member. Comments will not be read aloud or presented visually at the meeting. Mailing Address:
Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
1055 Monterey St. D430
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408.
Friday, April 03, 2020
COVID-19 Cruise Ship Sewer Woes
This story came across some news feed or other March 30,
https://www.kqed.org/news/11808915/coronavirus-cruise-ship-is-still-anchored-on-the-bay-handling-its-sewage-is-a-chore
Last December I was boarding a cruise ship myself (a prettier one than the one in the story I'd have to say). I was on a dock in Sydney, Australia. Lucky for me, the sewer blog writer, as I was going up the gangway—slowly—there were a lot of us—what would I see, but sewage being sucked out of the ship! I got these photos with my phone (and a lot more, but I won't tire you with too many). This process is a lot easier than that described in the article above!
I took a video too. Wish I had let it record a bit longer. The guy looks kind of tired after a while.....
Coronavirus Cruise Ship Is Still Anchored on the Bay. Handling Its Sewage Is a Chore
https://www.kqed.org/news/11808915/coronavirus-cruise-ship-is-still-anchored-on-the-bay-handling-its-sewage-is-a-chore
YIKES!
Last December I was boarding a cruise ship myself (a prettier one than the one in the story I'd have to say). I was on a dock in Sydney, Australia. Lucky for me, the sewer blog writer, as I was going up the gangway—slowly—there were a lot of us—what would I see, but sewage being sucked out of the ship! I got these photos with my phone (and a lot more, but I won't tire you with too many). This process is a lot easier than that described in the article above!
(Click image to enlarge.)
I took a video too. Wish I had let it record a bit longer. The guy looks kind of tired after a while.....
Thursday, April 02, 2020
Tunnel Toilet
I found this by accident. Using this facility would be an accident waiting to happen.... Adding the tile though—very practical!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B26Dv5IA8ye/?utm_source=ig_embed
https://www.instagram.com/p/B26Dv5IA8ye/?utm_source=ig_embed
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Quarantine Cakes - Roll Of TP And Poop Cupcakes!
Wish I'd thought of this, but then, I only microwave stuff from the freezer.....
Have an uplift, goodness knows we need it!
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/coronavirus/article241553476.html?
If you are on Facebook, look for Loft22 Cakes!
With our ghastly and grim virus isolation, this is sorta like making lemons into lemonade I think.
Have an uplift, goodness knows we need it!
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/coronavirus/article241553476.html?
If you are on Facebook, look for Loft22 Cakes!
With our ghastly and grim virus isolation, this is sorta like making lemons into lemonade I think.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Yes Virginia, There Is A Sewerfest!
Okay, I am ripping off the phrase which belongs to that famous quote from the New York Sun, September 1, 1897, "Yes Virginia, there is a S_____ C_____." I hope all three readers here are old enough to fill in the blanks.....well, not 1897 old, but old enough anyway. If not click here. Actually, click there anyway, to read a very touching story that involves a coroner's assistant, an eight year old girl and a a former Civil War newspaper correspondent.
Now, to fill you in on another great story—Sewerfest! This is a real thing! During the last week of April (since 1998), hundreds of people gather at the wastewater treatment plant in Wilkesboro, North Carolina for a four-day music event! Sounds like such fun! Too bad we don't have the space to run something like this at our plant! We could sell tickets and souvenirs! We could make money....to help lessen the proposed, and likely to happen rate change that sprouted—FOURTEEN protest posts (as of tonight anyway, up from seven on March 11) on Nextdoor.
A quote from the article below,
Well, have a look for yourself on the shindig—which may or may not happen this year I suppose, COVID-19 and all:
https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2020/04/once-a-year-swarms-of-music-fans-converge-on-this-clean-water-plant-site?utm_source=campaigner&utm_campaign=TPO200325&utm_content=newsletter&cmp=1&utm_medium=email
Check out the Sewerfest Facebook page too: https://www.facebook.com/SewerFest
Now, to fill you in on another great story—Sewerfest! This is a real thing! During the last week of April (since 1998), hundreds of people gather at the wastewater treatment plant in Wilkesboro, North Carolina for a four-day music event! Sounds like such fun! Too bad we don't have the space to run something like this at our plant! We could sell tickets and souvenirs! We could make money....to help lessen the proposed, and likely to happen rate change that sprouted—FOURTEEN protest posts (as of tonight anyway, up from seven on March 11) on Nextdoor.
A quote from the article below,
We sell T-shirts, coffee cups and other merchandise with the SewerFest logo to raise funds for different causes.We dropped the ball on this one Los Osos. This was one philanthropic enterprise that we did not think to rag on the County to add to the plans! I did come up with a blog post mentioning Poo Pets which we could have sold, but I did not go far enough with that idea either. (I think they are no longer manufactured, the QVC page was missing.)
Well, have a look for yourself on the shindig—which may or may not happen this year I suppose, COVID-19 and all:
https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2020/04/once-a-year-swarms-of-music-fans-converge-on-this-clean-water-plant-site?utm_source=campaigner&utm_campaign=TPO200325&utm_content=newsletter&cmp=1&utm_medium=email
Check out the Sewerfest Facebook page too: https://www.facebook.com/SewerFest
Friday, March 13, 2020
Goleta Sanitary District's Open House!
I subscribe to a great sewer news feed, and a couple of days ago, an article popped up on an event that seemed like a lot of fun
https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2020/03/creatures-from-prehistoric-times-visit-a-california-clean-water-facility?utm_source=campaigner&utm_campaign=TPO200311&utm_content=newsletter&cmp=1&utm_medium=email
Guests received, "....plunger pencil, a squishable stress toy in the shape of a toilet, and a dinosaur notepad." (Now I have to go online shopping for that toilet stress toy!)
I don't think that this is something that we can do here, they have a customer base of 80,000, but the idea of a well publicized open house might be a good PR move sometime in the future, past COVID-19 of course!
"The (Goleta Sanitary) district held its second Jurassic Plant Tour to educate guests from neighboring communities about wastewater treatment facility operations. The highlight was a 30-foot-tall, inflatable Tyrannosaurus rex."—have a read on the rest of it:
https://www.tpomag.com/editorial/2020/03/creatures-from-prehistoric-times-visit-a-california-clean-water-facility?utm_source=campaigner&utm_campaign=TPO200311&utm_content=newsletter&cmp=1&utm_medium=email
Guests received, "....plunger pencil, a squishable stress toy in the shape of a toilet, and a dinosaur notepad." (Now I have to go online shopping for that toilet stress toy!)
I don't think that this is something that we can do here, they have a customer base of 80,000, but the idea of a well publicized open house might be a good PR move sometime in the future, past COVID-19 of course!
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Sewer Rate Increase Protests On Nextdoor!
Nextdoor, the online over-the-backyard-fence news for neighborhoods in Los Osos (and thousands of other places), has SEVEN DIFFERENT current posts on protesting the rate increase for our water recycling facility! That must be a record on any single issue,even the Morro Bay sewer, at least from the posts that I was able to see! But people have learned that posts sink below the waves if not commented on frequently, so this feels like a new way to beat the game for exposure, keep posting new posts!
Alas, this pales mightily as compared to what went on during the Los Osos sewer war! Table sitting, flyers, blogs, comments below newspaper articles, TV - but then, that went on for years and people had time to organize. It will be interesting to see how this goes, if people do walk their neighborhoods with protest reprints and envelopes, and they do get this on the LOVR/South Bay Boulevard readerboard, and they do protest on that street corner. Stay tuned!
Alas, this pales mightily as compared to what went on during the Los Osos sewer war! Table sitting, flyers, blogs, comments below newspaper articles, TV - but then, that went on for years and people had time to organize. It will be interesting to see how this goes, if people do walk their neighborhoods with protest reprints and envelopes, and they do get this on the LOVR/South Bay Boulevard readerboard, and they do protest on that street corner. Stay tuned!
Where Does Your Poop Go In Idaho?
Hey, that could be a song lyric!
This is a fascinating video by Katherine Jones about the West Boise Water Renewal Facility that I found on the Trib website above an article on a sad, sewage spill in South County......
Enjoy!
https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/environment/article233684387.html
This is a fascinating video by Katherine Jones about the West Boise Water Renewal Facility that I found on the Trib website above an article on a sad, sewage spill in South County......
Enjoy!
https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/environment/article233684387.html
Monday, March 09, 2020
Sewage Corrodes Maritime Paint!
"By the end of the 1930s, San Diego Bay was a polluted mess that was corroding the paint off Navy ships."
This intriguing sentence can be found in this sewer article from the San Diego Uptown News!
https://sduptownnews.com/unsung-and-unseen-san-diegos-sewer-system/
This intriguing sentence can be found in this sewer article from the San Diego Uptown News!
https://sduptownnews.com/unsung-and-unseen-san-diegos-sewer-system/
Saturday, March 07, 2020
Sewer Rate Increase Proposed
Well, it's here. The sewer rate increase vote is upon us. I'd say it's about time. The rate was a guesstimate back in 2010. For those who can't count, that is 10 years ago. There are some fun facts in the pages provided—did you know there are 5,663 connections? I'm just very, very glad to be able to flush and forget. The burden of septic tank care and feeding is more than this household wanted to contemplate. We felt lucky that nothing failed while we waited from 2005 to 2016 to dump the tank. Others were not so lucky.
We will not be sending in a protest vote, although we do have much sympathy for those who will be negatively impacted. The plant must have the funds to remain optimally functional. I hope some money can be found to help the people in need should this rate increase come to pass.I disagree with those who claim the County has wasted money.
Guess we'll see how this goes on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at the Board of Supes when the protest votes are counted!
We will not be sending in a protest vote, although we do have much sympathy for those who will be negatively impacted. The plant must have the funds to remain optimally functional. I hope some money can be found to help the people in need should this rate increase come to pass.I disagree with those who claim the County has wasted money.
Guess we'll see how this goes on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at the Board of Supes when the protest votes are counted!
Click image for a larger size.
Thursday, March 05, 2020
Chamber Pots!
How we used to "do" it, and how some still do! I am quite aware of how lucky I am to be able to flush and forget.
These items are a lot fancier than my dinnerware....
https://www.pinterest.com/judithgacek/chamber-pot/
https://www.pinterest.com/jlistre/chamber-pots-bourdaloues-toilet-spittoons/
Recent accounts of use:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/chamber-pot-identification.46916/page-2
Etiquette:
https://mytimshel.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/chamber-pot-etiquette/
Dollhouse version:
https://www.thelittledollhousecompany.com/dollhouses-miniatures-furniture-kits/miniature-bathrooms-c-12_122/miniature-chamber-pot-set-for-dollhouses-p-14056
These items are a lot fancier than my dinnerware....
https://www.pinterest.com/judithgacek/chamber-pot/
https://www.pinterest.com/jlistre/chamber-pots-bourdaloues-toilet-spittoons/
Recent accounts of use:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/chamber-pot-identification.46916/page-2
Etiquette:
https://mytimshel.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/chamber-pot-etiquette/
Dollhouse version:
https://www.thelittledollhousecompany.com/dollhouses-miniatures-furniture-kits/miniature-bathrooms-c-12_122/miniature-chamber-pot-set-for-dollhouses-p-14056
Sunday, March 01, 2020
Tubeless Toilet Paper Vanishes!
This article, "My Tireless Quest for a Tubeless Wipe" by Emily Flitter appeared today in the New York Times no less. Well, it is a good read, and had I know this stuff existed, I would have done my part to keep it on the market. Consumer choices reported in the article are humbling though. And apparently these tubeless rolls were made from 600 year old trees. Recycled TP is the eco way to go! Now if I could only find that stuff at Costco.....
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Aerial Sewer Tour - Chorro Valley
I'm going to the annual meeting of SLOCAS, the San Luis Obispo Archeological Society, on Saturday, February 22 - today, actually. So it is always tricky to get there because their building is on the property of Camp San Luis, and I can never recall how I got there the last time. So I employ Google Earth to figure out how to drive my way there. Once when I was smart about this, I stuck a pin in the location.
While I was hovering around the location, I spotted something else, a wastewater treatment plant!!! I may have been thinking wastewater treatment plants in connection with SLOCAS anyway. The County's Environmental Division Manager, Kate Ballantyne, who worked on our Los Osos WWTF, happens to be the Vice Chairperson of SLOCAS. She has turned up in this blog before. Plus, writing a blog like this for—horrors—EXACTLY eight years now to the day, that topic is never far from mind anyway.
Click image for larger size.
While I was hovering around the location, I spotted something else, a wastewater treatment plant!!! I may have been thinking wastewater treatment plants in connection with SLOCAS anyway. The County's Environmental Division Manager, Kate Ballantyne, who worked on our Los Osos WWTF, happens to be the Vice Chairperson of SLOCAS. She has turned up in this blog before. Plus, writing a blog like this for—horrors—EXACTLY eight years now to the day, that topic is never far from mind anyway.
Now, I can only imagine that this services Camp San Luis. The colors in the aeration basins look rather....funky. Actually, it looks abandoned. Where does the sewage go now?
Then I recalled the infamous California Men's Colony sewer in the Chorro Valley, that had multi-dumps of sewage into Chorro Creek over the years, which is fairly nearby to the Camp. So I looked around.
Click image for larger size.
And I found the image below near railroad tracks - I saw this in person while on the train going to Portland, Oregon a few years back. Is this the CMC plant? It was south east of the CMC.
Click image for larger size.
Anyway, it was a fun waste use of time time to try to ID these plants. Google does a lovely job on these aerials. I did look up the terms of service and it seems as I am non-commercial and display the logo, I won't get sued for using them!
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Sewer Rate Increase Before The Board Of Supes!
The Board of Supes agenda for Tuesday, February 25 just got posted today. On that agenda:
When the support document (s) are posted, I'll link them.
Wednesday, February 19, the links appeared - here they are:
https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/iip/sanluisobispo/file/getfile/119971
https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/iip/sanluisobispo/file/getfile/119955
https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/iip/sanluisobispo/file/getfile/120095
https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/iip/sanluisobispo/file/getfile/119976
There WILL be protests, so tune in Tuesday for an interesting Los Ososian revisit of sewer angst. This is the first item on the agenda, so be viewing at 9:00 a.m. It is on the Consent Agenda, which in itself is a hot button.
(Click the image to enlarge it.)
Wednesday, February 19, the links appeared - here they are:
https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/iip/sanluisobispo/file/getfile/119971
https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/iip/sanluisobispo/file/getfile/119955
https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/iip/sanluisobispo/file/getfile/120095
https://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/iip/sanluisobispo/file/getfile/119976
There WILL be protests, so tune in Tuesday for an interesting Los Ososian revisit of sewer angst. This is the first item on the agenda, so be viewing at 9:00 a.m. It is on the Consent Agenda, which in itself is a hot button.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Local Wastewater Discharge-To-Land Followers Take Note!
The Regional Water Quality Control Board is meeting in SLO January 30 and 31! Not everyone will be riveted by a topic being heard on Friday, the 31st, but for those who are, here is a link to the staff report - "General Order Development and Program Strategy for the Regulation of Large Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharges to Land
[Thea Tryon, 805/542-4776, Thea.Tryon@waterboards.ca.gov]"
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/board_info/agendas/2020/01_jan/attachments/Item15_stfrpt.pdf
Here is a quote:
The link to the agenda in toto is here:
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/board_info/agendas/2020/01_jan/index.html
Happy reading!
[Thea Tryon, 805/542-4776, Thea.Tryon@waterboards.ca.gov]"
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/board_info/agendas/2020/01_jan/attachments/Item15_stfrpt.pdf
Here is a quote:
Facilities that Require Permits to Discharge Waste to Land In the Central Coast region, there are currently approximately 780 different facilities regulated by staff of the WDR program. Of the 780 facilities, there are approximately 185 facilities regulated by individual permits. Three quarters of these permits are over 10 years old and some are over 20 years old.Our wastewater treatment facility permit is not ancient of course, but some in our area are.
The link to the agenda in toto is here:
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/board_info/agendas/2020/01_jan/index.html
Happy reading!
Friday, December 20, 2019
47 Remain—
—unconnected!! No laterals yet, sewage still stored septically—is that a word?
This was information divulged by the retiring Executive Director Rob Miller at the Basin Management Committee meeting on Wednesday December 18.
This was information divulged by the retiring Executive Director Rob Miller at the Basin Management Committee meeting on Wednesday December 18.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Sewer Rate Increase Meeting In January 2020
Hi blog readers! If you are in the Los Osos Prohibition Zone, or otherwise hooked up to our sewer, you may be interested in attending a County-led meeting on the proposed rate increase. The date is January 16, Thursday, at Monarch Grove Elementary School, 348 Los Osos Valley Road, in the multi-purpose room.
Have a look here:
https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Committees-Programs/Los-Osos-Water-Recycling-Facility.aspx
Have a look here:
https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Committees-Programs/Los-Osos-Water-Recycling-Facility.aspx
Sunday, December 15, 2019
💩 Trump On The Topic Of Toilets 💩
Trump's potty talk highlights flushing fight
💩 To quote Trump, "people are flushing toilets 10 times, 15 times, as opposed to once." 💩
Really?
A personal observation perhaps? Does he get verbal presidential briefings on this topic (reading apparently not being a presidential activity). It's more than we want to speculate on further ..........
I found I could not ignore the above posting I found off of a
water news source that I follow daily:
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Los Osos Christmas Parade Poop Picked Up
Today, Saturday December 14, Los Osos held it's quirky, venerated, a little wild and crazy, Christmas Parade. Maybe you have to live here to understand the vibe. This is not your over-hyped, commercial-centric, big city Christmas Parade. It is hard to describe in words or pictures, it is a feeling. (One year there was a snail float, and that needs it's own post to explain what that was about.) Despite cold weather and the wind, the attendance was good and the mood was jolly from observers, at least from where I was standing. Newspaper publisher and photographer Dean Sullivan was there, so there will be a fun spread of excellent photos in the Estero Bay News.
However, he has better manners than I, so I don't think I will be scooping this photo away from him:
Yes, there were horses in the parade, and yes, they did what one expects nervous horses to do - doo-doo! So smartly, shortly after things fell from equine backsides, a courtesy custodian scraped up these articles! Very festive—the Santa hat and other red apparel and accoutrements!
I confess, I am rarely a pedestrian in front of Los Osos' largest shopping center, I always drive into there. So on my walk on that sidewalk post-parade, I spotted this:
Yes! Recycled water (under the manhole cover of course). This is one result from our awesome wastewater treatment facility (the brown stuff gets trucked elsewhere.) So most of this liquid product is pumped up to the leach fields up at at Broderson, but the County is contemplating its domestic use for us citizens. It would be good for the aquifers to not use drinking water to water our drought tolerant, but not water independent, landscapes.
This came up at a recent LOCSD meeting. General Manager Ron Munds presented word from the County that they were looking for a way to distribute this recycled water from a County purple-pipe fire hydrant manned by a theoretical citizen's group. The discussion had already concluded that neither the County, not the Los Osos CSD (and probably not the other two water companies either, Golden State and S&T Mutual), had the budget to pay workers to dispense water into gallon jugs or paint buckets, nor are there citizen groups to do this. (And how many of us have a pick-up/van/SUV with an on-board water tank?)
A suggestion was made to Ron (by me!) to convey to the County for the County to contract with companies that haul water anyway - because with a local water supply available for local customers, they might start a subscription business for delivery, as many citizens have saved their septic tanks to hold water that was to possibly be available at some future date. Their further discussion was not uplifting, but there is more interaction to be had in the future. Finger's crossed.
However, he has better manners than I, so I don't think I will be scooping this photo away from him:
I confess, I am rarely a pedestrian in front of Los Osos' largest shopping center, I always drive into there. So on my walk on that sidewalk post-parade, I spotted this:
This came up at a recent LOCSD meeting. General Manager Ron Munds presented word from the County that they were looking for a way to distribute this recycled water from a County purple-pipe fire hydrant manned by a theoretical citizen's group. The discussion had already concluded that neither the County, not the Los Osos CSD (and probably not the other two water companies either, Golden State and S&T Mutual), had the budget to pay workers to dispense water into gallon jugs or paint buckets, nor are there citizen groups to do this. (And how many of us have a pick-up/van/SUV with an on-board water tank?)
A suggestion was made to Ron (by me!) to convey to the County for the County to contract with companies that haul water anyway - because with a local water supply available for local customers, they might start a subscription business for delivery, as many citizens have saved their septic tanks to hold water that was to possibly be available at some future date. Their further discussion was not uplifting, but there is more interaction to be had in the future. Finger's crossed.
Happy Holidays from us..well, me...at the
Los Osos Sewer Saga blog!!
Monday, December 09, 2019
Sewer War Author Barbara Wolcott Dies
Condolences to the Wolcott family. Matriach Barbara Millen Wolcott died at the age of 87 on December 2, 2019. I saw a tiny death notice in the Friday, December 6 Tribune, and the obituary published in the paper December 8 can also be read off of this link:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sanluisobispo/obituary.aspx?n=barbara-millen-wolcott&pid=194659445
She wrote the textbook for our tragic sewer story that was published in 2009, Small Town, Perfect Storm. And she wrote many, many other things as well, and was nominated twice for a Pulitzer.
I don't know if this is still available at our local Volumes of Pleasure Bookshoppe, but it can be found on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Perfect-Storm-Sewer/dp/1930401752/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=barbara+wolcott&qid=1575880437&s=books&sr=1-1
I can't count the number of copies of this book that I have bought and given away to try to explain to people what the emotional and financial explosion was all about over sewage in Los Osos. She told the story in a very readable and concise way (I was interviewed back when). I really wish I had interviewed her for this blog as her viewpoint would have again helped to distill the jumble of events that put poor Los Osos on the national sewage map. My copy of her book is much worn, it is highlighted and pages tabbed in a rainbow of hues. I could not have written here without her help on hundreds of occasions.
So dear Barbara, rest in peace. The war ended, you saw the last battle end with the completion of the wastewater treatment plant and its operation. I hope that gave you a mental final chapter on the story that you brought to life in your wonderful book. My gratitude is with you always for helping me so much.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sanluisobispo/obituary.aspx?n=barbara-millen-wolcott&pid=194659445
She wrote the textbook for our tragic sewer story that was published in 2009, Small Town, Perfect Storm. And she wrote many, many other things as well, and was nominated twice for a Pulitzer.
I don't know if this is still available at our local Volumes of Pleasure Bookshoppe, but it can be found on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Perfect-Storm-Sewer/dp/1930401752/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=barbara+wolcott&qid=1575880437&s=books&sr=1-1
I can't count the number of copies of this book that I have bought and given away to try to explain to people what the emotional and financial explosion was all about over sewage in Los Osos. She told the story in a very readable and concise way (I was interviewed back when). I really wish I had interviewed her for this blog as her viewpoint would have again helped to distill the jumble of events that put poor Los Osos on the national sewage map. My copy of her book is much worn, it is highlighted and pages tabbed in a rainbow of hues. I could not have written here without her help on hundreds of occasions.
So dear Barbara, rest in peace. The war ended, you saw the last battle end with the completion of the wastewater treatment plant and its operation. I hope that gave you a mental final chapter on the story that you brought to life in your wonderful book. My gratitude is with you always for helping me so much.
Perhaps the book can still be ordered here, but I don't know.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Los Osos Sewer Rate 218 Vote Upcoming
John Diodati, Interim County Public Works Director,* made a surprise visit to LOCAC (Los Osos Community Advisory Council**) Thursday night, November 21. He said that the County revisits the unincorporated areas' wastewater system rates every five years, but that Los Osos' rates have not been evaluated for 10 years. There is going to be an upcoming workshop in January (not sure where), then the County will come back to the community in February to discuss everything, and then in March, the 218 process will start with a Board of Supervisors item for them to give the go-ahead, and the "vote" will end in 45 days with our vote results at the Board of Supervisors.
The rates were established back in 2010 and as there was no plant then, the rates were guestimates. We have actual costs now that the plant has been running for a few years. Apparently a "cost of living" percentage was never put on our rates, so we are spending more now as the rates issued 10 years have failed to keep up with expenses of paying off the loan and running the plant.The new rates will phase in over two years with a 5-6% increase plus a cost of living percentage of 3%. Our rates are not going to be worse than Cayucos, Morro Bay and Black Lake. The rate consists of the debt repayment and O&M (operating and maintenence costs).
I know I have been remiss of late in writing here, but I will post everything I find out on this important topic!
* During the "sewer days" he was the Grants Coordinator—the guy who helped get us the low interest USDA loan. He was the "spearhead" guy. Congresspeople (is that a word?) Lois Capps and Kevin McCarthy (a Democrat and a Republican working together - imagine that!) did the House side of the bill and Senator Dianne Feinstein worked the Senate side to get a variance for that money— our population was really too big to qualify for that USDA loan which normally is granted for a population of 10,000 (we are 14,276 as of the 2010 census).
** I'm on the Council.
The rates were established back in 2010 and as there was no plant then, the rates were guestimates. We have actual costs now that the plant has been running for a few years. Apparently a "cost of living" percentage was never put on our rates, so we are spending more now as the rates issued 10 years have failed to keep up with expenses of paying off the loan and running the plant.The new rates will phase in over two years with a 5-6% increase plus a cost of living percentage of 3%. Our rates are not going to be worse than Cayucos, Morro Bay and Black Lake. The rate consists of the debt repayment and O&M (operating and maintenence costs).
I know I have been remiss of late in writing here, but I will post everything I find out on this important topic!
* During the "sewer days" he was the Grants Coordinator—the guy who helped get us the low interest USDA loan. He was the "spearhead" guy. Congresspeople (is that a word?) Lois Capps and Kevin McCarthy (a Democrat and a Republican working together - imagine that!) did the House side of the bill and Senator Dianne Feinstein worked the Senate side to get a variance for that money— our population was really too big to qualify for that USDA loan which normally is granted for a population of 10,000 (we are 14,276 as of the 2010 census).
** I'm on the Council.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
FYI - 98.9% Connected!
Off the Basin Management Committee Agenda, September 19, 2019:
"Enforcement: As of 9/3/2019, the sewer service area has a 98.9% connection status leaving 57 properties not yet connected to the sewer system. A Notice of Violation letter was sent to properties not connected to the Los Osos sewer system earlier this year in March."
https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Forms-Documents/Committees-Programs/Los-Osos-Basin-Management-Committee-(BMC)/Agendas/2019-Agendas/2019-09-18-LOBMC-Agenda-Packet.aspx
See page 16 of 39. We are almost there!!
"Enforcement: As of 9/3/2019, the sewer service area has a 98.9% connection status leaving 57 properties not yet connected to the sewer system. A Notice of Violation letter was sent to properties not connected to the Los Osos sewer system earlier this year in March."
https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Forms-Documents/Committees-Programs/Los-Osos-Basin-Management-Committee-(BMC)/Agendas/2019-Agendas/2019-09-18-LOBMC-Agenda-Packet.aspx
See page 16 of 39. We are almost there!!
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Valve Turning Ceremony - Today!!
Sea Pines today 10:00 A.M.-ish!! The street was even blocked off!!
Purple pipe in action for the very first time!! The Golf Course will be watered with RECYCLED WATER from our nifty sewer plant!!
The County's Kate Ballantyne was the Master of Ceremonies, dignitaries included: Bruce Gibson with Legislative Aid Blake Fixler; former LOWWP super big-wigs John Waddell and John Diodati; a representative from State Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham's office; BMC Executive Director, and LOCSD Engineer, Rob Miller; Lexie Bell - Morro Bay National Estuary Program; our new LOCSD GM Ron Munds who has held so many important positions I can't count them; Golden State Water's Rep Tony Lindstrom; and of course Rocky and Gary Setting, the owners of the Golf Course and Resort! There were many others whose names I did not know - from the County and...I'm not sure where exactly, but they looked like engineer/techno types. The press was there taking better photos than me of course.
I do have photos, but thought videos were the quickest look to see what went on. (You will later see a photo of really superb donuts with purple icing in honor of the event. I wish I had one right now.... )
Monday, August 26, 2019
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Nuggets From the Los Osos Sewer Story In La Vista!
The article that I wrote for the History Center of San Luis Obispo County's journal, La Vista, is out!! Yes, it is on our infamous, tragic, and, sometimes inadvertently hilarious Los Osos sewer story. I was shocked that they accepted my proposal, and I hope that they do not have any regrets!
At a modest 7,554 words, the story covers only the tippy top highlights of course. This story deserves an Encyclopedia Britannica version. I was only supposed to give them 5,000 words but they did not make me cut anything much to my surprise and much more to my relief.
They had quite a sense of humor about this. The cover is an aerial view of Hearst Castle, the back cover is an aerial of the Los Osos sewer.
My article is at the end, Chapter 8. There are seven prior chapters that will likely interest you a whole lot more, so please don't be scared away by the sewage!
Naturally, anyone purchasing this will be supporting the work of our County's History Center, so I urge you to help them out as generously as you can. This journal, and the prior ones too, are very full with great stories about where we live!
My story would not have been possible without the History Center, and I have spend countless hours in the library basement with the super helpful researchers Alan and Bill, who dug up all sorts of interesting stuff for me. (I also wrote the Arcadia book for Los Osos/Baywood Park which has a small, very small, chapter on the sewer.)
You might want to visit the History Center to look around and buy a copy or two, or 27. Here is the address and the hours:
Or you can make your purchase off of this link:
At a modest 7,554 words, the story covers only the tippy top highlights of course. This story deserves an Encyclopedia Britannica version. I was only supposed to give them 5,000 words but they did not make me cut anything much to my surprise and much more to my relief.
They had quite a sense of humor about this. The cover is an aerial view of Hearst Castle, the back cover is an aerial of the Los Osos sewer.
My article is at the end, Chapter 8. There are seven prior chapters that will likely interest you a whole lot more, so please don't be scared away by the sewage!
Naturally, anyone purchasing this will be supporting the work of our County's History Center, so I urge you to help them out as generously as you can. This journal, and the prior ones too, are very full with great stories about where we live!
My story would not have been possible without the History Center, and I have spend countless hours in the library basement with the super helpful researchers Alan and Bill, who dug up all sorts of interesting stuff for me. (I also wrote the Arcadia book for Los Osos/Baywood Park which has a small, very small, chapter on the sewer.)
You might want to visit the History Center to look around and buy a copy or two, or 27. Here is the address and the hours:
History Center Museum
Carnegie Library Building
696 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed Tuesdays
Or you can make your purchase off of this link:
For those of you bold enough to venture into the fraught bowels of Sewerville, I thank you, and I hope that you enjoy the read!
Monday, April 22, 2019
Poop Emoji Magnets!
Yes, you too can have a set of poop emoji magnets for your refrigerator just like I have!
Family was visiting from out of state (to honor their privacy as most do not want their name appearing online on a sewer blog, I will not name who). We went to a favorite gallery we often visit because they carry both great jewelry and art, plus hilarious stuff. I think I screamed quietly when I saw these magnets!
Anyway, if youneed WANT these as much as I did - here is the card from the gallery!
(Click image to see it larger.)
Family was visiting from out of state (to honor their privacy as most do not want their name appearing online on a sewer blog, I will not name who). We went to a favorite gallery we often visit because they carry both great jewelry and art, plus hilarious stuff. I think I screamed quietly when I saw these magnets!
Anyway, if you
Monday, April 15, 2019
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Awesome Poop Shirt!
Helloooo from LA dear readers! Saturday, April13, I had the great luck to be in LA to attend the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books! https://www.latimes.com/books/la-et-jc-fob-festival-of-books-schedule-map-info-20190411-story.html Took an Uber to the Metro Rail at Bergamot Station, and got off right at USC. Was wandering in the huge venue for hours.
I did not find any sewer books - not that there weren't any at a venue this huge, but one has only so much time to look. But what I did find was a handsome young man in a sewer T-shirt, who was kind enough to let me photograph his incredible shirt! (I was kind enough to not ask his name as maybe he would not want to be featured on a sewer blog.) Thank you anonymous young person for letting me capture your amazing shirt!
I did not find any sewer books - not that there weren't any at a venue this huge, but one has only so much time to look. But what I did find was a handsome young man in a sewer T-shirt, who was kind enough to let me photograph his incredible shirt! (I was kind enough to not ask his name as maybe he would not want to be featured on a sewer blog.) Thank you anonymous young person for letting me capture your amazing shirt!
USC is a pretty old campus. It was founded in 1880. But at that time there were no streets, so I don't think this sewer manhole cover was from that era. But it looks quite old.
If you get the chance to do the book festival Sunday, April 14, lucky you - if not, it is super, super fun, so I hope you can go next year!
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Monday, April 08, 2019
Student Teams Tackling Water Issues Using EPA Grant Funding
Something for Cal Poly students to think about next year:
https://www.tpomag.com/online_exclusives/2019/04/student-teams-tackling-water-issues-using-epa-grant-funding?utm_source=campaigner&utm_campaign=TPO190408&utm_content=newsletter&cmp=1&utm_medium=email
https://www.tpomag.com/online_exclusives/2019/04/student-teams-tackling-water-issues-using-epa-grant-funding?utm_source=campaigner&utm_campaign=TPO190408&utm_content=newsletter&cmp=1&utm_medium=email
Saturday, April 06, 2019
C-Span Book Tour!
Check out some Los Osos Sewer history on
C-SPAN! Saturday, April 6, 2:00 p.m. West Coast time - Spectrum channels 91 and 882.
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