A defining moment for the future of wastewater?.
A defining moment for the future of wastewater?
IWA Source, June 2017.
By Pritha Hariram* As we mark the international year of Wastewater, I’m taken back to my childhood crossing the Adayar Bridge in Chennai, India, in an air-conditioned “Ambassador” (the iconic Indian car that served as high-end taxis in the 80s).
The airtight car windows and cool air-conditioning provided little protection from the stench coming from the river, reduced to trickle passing under the bridge on its way to making a very undramatic entrance into the Bay of Bengal.
On that hot summer day as I sat in my “protected” Ambassador with my family, the Adayar river, once the economic and cultural backbone of Chennai, was reduced to nothing but an active landfill and untreated wastewater discharge zone.
To complement the stench, the sight was unbearable, resembling a large septic tank of sludgy consistency filled with debris.
Thankfully, the story of Adayar and its estuarine extension, the Coum river, does not end there.
Fast-forward to 2012, and a large, citizen-driven petition led by local NGO, the Consumer Action Group, successfully persuaded the Tamil Nadu government to take action.
The programme is now in its third phase with continued eco-restoration and de-silting of the riverbeds.

Conservation tips.
Fortunately for me I have air conditioning at home and where I work.
And, fortunate for anyone that has to be in close proximity to me as high heat and humidity make me crabby.
OK, I admit it — crabbier!
And knowing that the mining/drilling of said fuels causes some significant amounts of air and water pollution and land degradation drives home the conservation point.
It’ll be like a quarter of a drop in the bucket.” Just remember this, our efforts, however small we may think they are in the “big picture,” when combined with other people’s efforts definitely do add up.
*To reduce air leaks, whether in summer or winter, check around doors/windows for spaces that need caulking/weather-stripping.
Of course, keep windows and doors closed in the winter to keep the heat in but take advantage of the sun’s heat and open the curtains/shades.
Water heater doesn’t have to work as hard that way.
Also available is info about disposal of appliances, electronics and tires and about the mattress/box frame and child car seat recycling program now available.

Decay In Infrastructure Affects Baha Mar And All Our Islands.
EDITOR, The Tribune.
My ongoing experiences with inadequate drinking water here on Eleuthera dovetails with new criticisms about the air conditioning at Baha Mar, and the potential effects of smoke from the nearby smouldering New Providence landfill on tourists.
Tourists who enjoy their first visits to our islands, and tourists who will return, year after year.
But as too many are just learning, repairs and upgrades must be planned and executed on a carefully laid out 5, 10, 20, and 40 year plan.
My experience with inadequate water supply on Eleuthera can be used as an analog for all the Family islands, and New Providence itself.
I found the roughly 36 mile-long water pipe supplying middle Eleuthera was built years, decades ago.
One week a break here, a week later another break there.
(With each breech comes contaminated water causing serious diarrhea, and possibly worse).
Finally the leaking becomes so serious all the Corporation’s capital is used fighting old problems, and they simply cannot supply 40psi, the pressure target for all developed municipalities.

Extreme heat: Tips to stay cool during warm weather.
Older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions During peak heat hours stay in an air-conditioned area.
Older adults and those on certain medications may not exhibit signs of dehydration until several hours after dehydration sets in.
Stay hydrated by frequently drinking cool water.
Stay out of the sun if you do not need to be in it.
•Outdoor animals should be given plenty of shade and clean drinking water.
Do not leave pets outside in the sun.
Ensure that cool drinking water is available.
Avoid drinking extremely cold water as this is more likely to cause cramps.
Coaches, teachers, and employers should seek immediate medical attention for those exhibiting signs of heat-related illness.