This article was published March 21st, 2011, in the Marin Independent Journal. Last December there were sewage spills in Ross Valley along the Corte Madera Creek in which 2.6 million gallons of raw sewage were spilled into the surrounding neighborhoods. Much of the spillage found its way to the creek. People were advised to not use the creek for a few weeks. Personally, I felt the effects of the spill, as my rowing team was unable to practice on the water for over a week. Beyond that, the spill increased eutrophication on the creek, which is detrimental to fish and plant life under the water. The visible increase in this effect was obvious in the months following the pollution. Human feces contains nitrogen (amongst other nutrients), and too much nitrogen causes an excess growth of fungus-like plants on the surface of the water. These plants suck up all the oxygen in the water, creating a dead zone below them where nothing else can live. The article says that the spill was a result of 'human negligence', which makes me wonder how someone in charge of such a serious thing can be so careless. Vandalism is also being investigated as a cause for the spill. I also am curious as to why anyone would vandalize a sewage line. This spill, along with the PG&E natural gas blast were both a result of poor piping. I think that companies that posses serious pipe lines like sewage and natural gas should be forced to do more routine checkups and maintenence by the government, as the results of a bad pipe are huge. They effect the environment very negatively, and they can even take human lives.
Works Cited
Richard, Halstead. "Ross Valley Sanitary District Renews Call for Criminal Investigation of Sewage Spills." Marin Independent Journal. 3 Mar. 2011. Web. 29 Apr. 2011. <http://www.marinij.com/rosskentfieldgreenbrae/ci_17668387?IADID=Search-www.marinij.com-
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