Trenching in Cuesta-by-the-Sea!

Facebook peeps, take a look at great photos of lateral trench work being done!

https://www.facebook.com/pandora.nashkarner?fref=ts

First Flush!

Blast off day for our sewer! Yayyyyy!! It is up and running!!!!!

KSBY - check it out:
http://www.ksby.com/story/31584244/sewer-hookups-begin-in-los-osos

The Tribune features Rob Shipe!:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article68660387.html

Amended:
Later, the Trib posted this:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article68735622.html

Powerpoint For Phase I Properties

Heads up for what's coming down the line for Phases II and III:

http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PW/LOWWP/20160322+Sewer+Lateral+Meeting+LOMS.pdf

Barf Bags Reworked For Other End

I know, I could not believe it when I saw this - but it really is an actual product that you can buy...and once filled, carry it around with you as you make your dog do with its doo-doo. (Did a dog secretly invent this product?)

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/these-magic-bags-turn-pee-to-goo-and-make-poop-portable?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura&utm_campaign=71529a08ea-Newsletter_3_21_20163_18_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_62ba9246c0-71529a08ea-60312793&ct=t(Newsletter_3_21_20163_18_2016)&mc_cid=71529a08ea&mc_eid=c215331918

I now feel very bad about the items I left buried in cat-like pockets dug into the Sierra soil - like Mt. Whitney, Palisade Glacier, and along the beautiful Bishop Pass trail, etc.. Especially bad was the time I thought that I was off of the trail far enough... Oh well, maybe these lumps will wind up like a coprolite in some distant millennia.... or maybe after 50 caveman years, it has vanished. One can only hope.

 (My fingers were puffed up like sausages at that altitude and I goofed advancing the film.)

(Note the misspelling of "Palisade." I was about to attend Palisades High in the fall and no doubt was thinking of that when I unrolled that gold transfer tape to press the letters onto the page.)

A Little Off Topic - But Poop Related Anyway!

Watch this video with the clever journey involving - yes - poop! The music is pretty catchy too! Enjoy, and don't think of escargot!

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-mind-control-of-the-lancet-liver-fluke?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura&utm_campaign=71529a08ea-Newsletter_3_21_20163_18_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_62ba9246c0-71529a08ea-60312793&ct=t(Newsletter_3_21_20163_18_2016)&mc_cid=71529a08ea&mc_eid=c215331918

LO Sewer Start-Up News!

Yeeee-haaaaaaaaa!!!!

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article66988712.html

Los Osos On Board Of Supes Agenda

From the March 22 Agenda:
(3-18-2016 I have added links to the relevant documents on these items.)

0. Consent Agenda - Public Works Items:
   
   
   11. Request to amend the FY 2015-16 Fixed Asset List for Fund Center (FC) 430 – Los OsosWastewater System Fund to add the following Water Quality Laboratory equipment: oneUV-Visible Spectrophotometer, one autoclave, one Type 1 water purification system at atotal estimated cost of $32,000 within the existing Los Osos Wastewater project budget.District 2.
1. Hearings:
   
   
   22. Hearing to consider protests to proposed solid waste disposal rate increase within areassurrounding the Los Osos Community Services District (LOCSD), to consider adoptionof the resolution if no majority protest exists and to find that the project is exempt fromSection 21000 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code (CEQA). District 2.
   23. Hearing to consider protests to proposed solid waste disposal rate increase within theboundaries of the Los Osos Community Services District (LOCSD), to consider adoptionof the resolution if no majority protest exists and to find that the project is exempt fromSection 21000 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code (CEQA). District 2. 
   
   Board Business: 
   
   
   24. Submittal of a resolution formally initiating the Los Osos Groundwater Basin boundarymodification request with the California Department of Water Resources, and find theproject exempt from Section 21000 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code(CEQA). District 2.
   
   Board Business - Public Works - Board Sitting as Flood Control District:
   
   
   25. Submittal of a resolution of support for the County of San Luis Obispo’s pursuit of boundary modifications for the Los Osos Valley Groundwater Basin. District 2. 

New Brochure!

Mine came in the mail, but you can also see it at this link:
http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PW/LOWWP/20160322+Sewer+Lateral+Brochure.pdf

You can find your phase for lateral connection inside! There is general info on septic tank re-use, water conservation, project costs and the contact information for financial assistance.

Phase 1 Lateral Group Take Heed!

Hot off of the County's sewer website!

March 22, 2016: A sewer lateral connection workshop will be held for property owners in the Phase 1 connection area on March 22, 2016 at the Los Osos Middle School. There will be 3 workshop sessions at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:30. Additional workshops for Phase 2 and 3 properties will be held as those phases begin. 

March 11, 2016: An informational project brochure focused on the upcoming sewer lateral connection process has been mailed to all property owners in the wastewater service area.

http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/PW/LOWWP.htm

No Hands Flush Toilet!

I shamelessly fell for the ad on TV. I scribbled down the brand on a scrap of paper. I looked it up. I want one of these kits!

http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Touchless-Toilets/content/TouchlessToilets.htm

Then I came to the sad realization, I don't have Kohler toilets.

Here is what else I found:

http://www.americanstandard-us.com/toilets/Clean-ActiVate-Germ-free-Touchless-Flush-Right-Height-Elongated-High-Efficiency-1-28gpf-Toilet-6337/

http://www.deltafaucet.com/smart-solutions/flushiq.html?filter=all

http://www.wirquin.co.uk/images/products/flushing/thumb-download/Jollytronic_No_Touch_Toilet_Flush.pdf
(Does this work on American Toilets?)

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/02/convert-your-toilet-to-touchless-for-just-50/index.htm

Then, there is this reasoned opinion:
http://www.dailyrepublic.com/news/locallifestylecolumns/new-no-touch-toilets-dont-make-sense/

Hmmm. I still want one! But I guess I'll be waiting a while until Toto catches up, both toilets in this house are that brand.

UV Light To Sanitize Airline Bathrooms!

Boeing has come up with an amazing idea to sanitize airplane bathrooms, which if you are like me, make you cringe to go in there, especiallly toward the end of an 11-hour flight. Question: How fast can these things be installed (and when can I buy one for my house)?!! Check out this video if you like the idea of exploding viruses and bacteria!

http://www.boeing.com/features/2016/03/self-clean-lavatory-03-16.page

Flushable Wipe Video - HILARIOUS!

Then follow this link to more fascinating news:
http://foresternetwork.com/daily/water/water-treatment/wet-wipes-gone-wild-case-studies/?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=Forester%20Full+Forester%20Daily%20Newsletter+Forester%20Daily%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=FDN-02262016-Water

New Times, New Sewer!

Read the New Times very comprehensive article here as to money available to help out with laterals: as hooking up begins next month!

http://www.newtimesslo.com/news/13476/hooking-up-slo-county-and-department-of-agriculture-offer-sewer-subsidies-to-los-osos-property-owners/

The New Times has announced a County informational meeting about the financial programs set for March 22 at the Los Osos Middle School. Time not yet available, but do mark the date!

Make Your Own Sewer Slime!

You don't need a sewer to make this stuff! And you can totally make it at home, but you might need to go to the store for the ingredients unless you happen to have borax sitting around and a half a cup of white glue. Anyway, check this out, and just remember, there are some cautions to using borax.*

http://www.nickelodeonparents.com/donnys-sewer-slime/

*

• Pregnant women must stay away from borax.
• Borax is not safe to be used around cats and is known to cause severe breathing problems in them.
• Borax effectively treats adult fleas and flea larvae; however, it is not known to eliminate flea eggs. Thus, re-infestation is likely and one needs to reapply the product again after a few weeks.
• Borax powders should be kept away from moisture as it can render the product ineffective. Wet carpets can also get permanently discolored or damaged if borax is used on them.
• Borax powder must never be used directly on the pets’ body for killing fleas.
• Borax should not be used near household plants as it can cause toxicity.
• Pet owners with young children and babies should use borax powder with extreme caution as ingestion in large quantities** has been known to cause severe health complications, skin allergies etc

** Has anyone defined what a "large quantity" is?

Sewer News From Maine Beach Town

Every now and then it is fun to cruise around the US and see what other sandy towns are doing (or have NOT been doing) with their sewage! Here is a peek at a small beach town where the septics have run amok, although not nearly to our elephantine scale. They will likely not need special legislation to secure their USDA loan like we did.

I think that the idea of new business and expanding population kept Los Osos from addressing the growing water problems that started in the 1970s. If we follow this along, let's see if that "threat" wrecks havoc in this small berg.

http://bangordailynews.com/2016/02/21/news/midcoast/lincolnville-seeks-grant-for-beach-sewer-system/

Minnesota Map Monitors Infrastructure

This is pretty amazing. Wish California did this...........check it out!

http://www.auditor.state.mn.us/maps/

Addendum to BOS Agenda February 23

4. Addendum to Item #20 - Request to amend the Fiscal Year 2015-16 Fixed Asset List for Fund Center 430 – Los Osos Wastewater System Fund to add one forklift, one welder, one copier, one all-terrain vehicle, one portable pump and one portable generator at a total estimated cost of $147,000. Staff is amending the item to correct the total estimated cost within the existing project budget from $147,000 to be $154,000 due to a typographical error. District 2. 
   

http://agenda.slocounty.ca.gov/agenda/sanluisobispo/Proposal.html?select=5699

BOS Agenda February 23 - Sewer Fixed Asset List!

Updated with links to relevant documents, Thursday, 2-18-16, and a correction to the item number for 25 (it was incorrectly listed as 24, sorry!).

That has to be a title that will garner this posting a negative number of readers if that is even possible. However, it is what is on the agenda for next Tuesday. That and another interesting item......

Consent Agenda - Public Works Items:

20. Request to amend the Fiscal Year 2015-16 Fixed Asset List for Fund Center 430 – Los Osos Wastewater System Fund to add one forklift, one welder, one copier, one all terrain vehicle, one portable pump and one portable generator at a total estimated cost of $147,000 within the existing project budget. District 2. 

Presentations: 

25.  Submittal of a resolution proclaiming February 29, 2016 as "Rare Disease Day" in San Luis Obispo County. All Districts.

Will we on some future agenda see "Mental Disease Day" in Los Osos perhaps? I just saw the video of the BOS meeting on Tuesday, February 16 with the usual suspects. Sigh and groan.....

LOCSD Channels Nostradamus

A friend was clearing out a spot at her house and ran across some papers that she no longer wanted. Of course, knowing how much I love this stuff, she passed this 4-page letter on to me. I had never seen it before, and when I read it, I was amazed how accurately predictions made by the LOCSD board came true. This was written in November of 2003, twelve-plus years ago.

Read it and weep. It should be crystal clear why delaying, then stopping the Tri-W project was a costly idea, not just in the $29 million that we pay for the sewer to be out of town, but in delaying remediation to a horribly damaged water supply. Very little was done to save water until 2012, when water saving measures began with the County's project. We won't be putting clean water back into the basin until mid-2016 at the earliest, if then.

As for what is going on besides the sewer project to protect our water, you might also want to check out what the Basin Management Committee is up to in their efforts to save it too:

http://www.slocountywater.org/site/Water%20Resources/LosOsos/pdf/2016-02-17%20Los%20Osos%20BMC%20Agenda.pdf

December Sewer Update! Paso Water Basin!

Just posted yesterday! The latest on our project! See the cool aerial shot of the facility! And....the ARB lawsuit simmers along.....oh well.

http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PW/LOWWP/PM+Monthly+Update+Dec2015.pdf

On a very interesting note, our District 2 Supervisor, Bruce Gibson has an opinion piece in today's Tribune, likening the water controversy in Paso Robles to our years-long contentious sewer project. He did a great job writing and breaking down the stages of emotion around this contentious issue. I do hope people in Paso will be smart enough to NOT do what we have done - fight and deny and postpone. (Folks, it ONLY gets MORE EXPENSIVE. We know of what we speak - what was $34.6 million in 1984, is now $183 million in 2016, an INCREASE if $148 million, PLUS our water basin is in dire straits!)

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article58857173.html