Hazardous Debris After Hurricanes

Hurricane

Hurricanes bring out the worst in hazardous waste. Flooding takes out power lines and other electrical equipment, overloads sewage and storm drains, brakes buildings, releases dangerous animals, causes gas leaks (storage tanks, etc.), releases/picks up harmful chemicals and substances like lead, batteries, or e-coli, and more. Anything in and around town is up for grabs by the tempestuous waves of water collecting every bit of garbage, every leak or spill, and making the water absolutely unsafe to swim in or drink.

Can you imagine a day without water? 

No water for drinking, washing hands, taking a shower, flushing the toilet, cooking, etc. Is your neighborhood prepared for a day+ without water? 

We all know water is essential to life, human health, and our economy. Natural disasters like tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes, along with old infrastructure among other things can really destroy a communities chances for getting back on its feet. Being prepared as a community and having an action plan will provide better chances for rapid recovery.

http://images.sciencedaily.com/2013/04/130409095410-large.jpg

Is it safe?

How do I know whether my water is drinkable or not?

If it is contaminated, it should not be used for drinking, washing, making ice, brushing teeth, washing or preparing food, etc. Many boil water until they are certain that harmful microorganisms are removed. How do contaminants (germs and chemicals) get into my drinking water? Since there are many, I will only list the most common sources of contaminants (pollutants):

• Naturally occurring chemicals and minerals (e.g. arsenic, radon, uranium, excessive sediments)
• Local land use practices (fertilizers, pesticides, livestock, etc.)
• Manufacturing processes
• Sewer overflows
• Malfunctioning wastewater treatment systems (e.g. nearby septic systems)

Many contaminants that are harmful to human health are regulated by the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). They pretty much put a limit on what can be polluted, but it is always higher than the actual amount or concentration that could harm us.

Dealing with debris and broken buildings is almost anyone's job, but along with the National Guard, the Red Cross, and amazing people all over the United States, the EPA is also heavily involved as there is an environmental degradation issue. We as citizens also have a responsibility. We may not be able to control mother nature, but we can prevent the majority of contamination issues as a result of precipitation and hurricanes.

For example, Hurricane Sandy stirred up pollution and debris that not only threatened human health, but also the coastal waters, which is another ecosystem in and of itself. Many of these sites turn into Superfund sites, where the government comes in and cleans up this "toxic soup" of a mess. Surprisingly, sediments are one of the top pollutants. Have you ever thought or heard of that? Well it is easy to understand when you think about how much we have altered the land's surface. With deforestation, farming practices, urbanization, etc. more soil erosion is occurring and more sediments get dumped into our streams and rivers and eventually the ocean. Sediment particles are very good at adsorbing chemicals on their surfaces and carrying them down to be dumped into the Gulf of Mexico or the Chesapeake Bay (for example).

Further Reading:

Hurricane Disaster Info Example

http://www.leegov.com/gov/dept/SolidWaste/Residents/Pages/HurricaneDisasterDebrisManagement.aspx

Disaster Debris Removal After Hurricane Katrina

http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33477_20080402.pdf
Operation Shut Down
http://www.epa.gov/region4/r4_hurricanereleases.html
Waves4Water: Relief Initiative
http://www.wavesforwater.org/project/hurricane-sandy-relief-initiative
Contaminated Drinking Water Feared in Hurricane's Wake
http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/09/contaminated-drinking-water-feared-in-hurricane%E2%80%99s-wake/

Storm Drain Project

Purpose of a storm drain (drainage system): to remove excess rainwater from paved streets, parking lots, etc., to decrease the chance of flooding. 

Hopefully we all know the basics of surface runoff. Urban sprawl includes more buildings and roads, yes, but this includes more impervious surfaces (surface runoff can also occur in super-saturated soils). Here in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois most of the streams in and around the "twin cities" are lined. Having cement lined streams like Sugar Creek is nice in the sense that the nasty stuff we find dumped on the roadside and sidewalks that act as waste and potential water contaminants will less likely enter the groundwater...

The problem with this is that with impervious surfaces in town, eventually downstream will no longer have cement to act as a barrier. On its trip through town, the creek has collected nasty cigarette butts, oil leaks, discarded milk and other harmful trash. This waste water is then dumped out on the south end of town full of high loads of fertilizers, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, etc.

What prevents all of this concentrated nasty storm water from entering the unsaturated zone and therefore groundwater aquifers? 

This project is focusing on a relatively small study area around the Bone Student Center and Milner Library, the majority of the project is boxed in from the four streets surrounding the campus buildings (minus the church property). There are more than 100 storm drains located in this ~14 acre area and all of it ends up in Sugar Creek.

Bing Map of Bloomington/Normal, IL with the study site within the red box and the outsource of stormwater into Sugar Creek.

Tasks: Find the direction of stormwater flow into each storm drain and go out during or after a storm event to see which drains gain the majority of the surface runoff and take photos of any potentially hazardous sites where there is garbage or spills entering the drains.

September 4 2014 - Gasoline Leak

9.4.14 08:14 In Bone Parking Lot facing south toward the Bone Student Center - gasoline spill/leak

9.4.14 08:14 In Bone Parking Lot facing south toward the Bone Student Center - gasoline spill

9.4.14 08:15 In Bone Parking Lot facing south toward the Bone Student Center - gasoline leak

September 4, 2014 - Oil & Trash Leak

9.4.14 09.21 N of BONE Student Center facing west - Spill into drain (container is open at the top, precipitation will enter and wash through, picking up all nastiness inside)

9.4.14 09.22 N of BONE Student Center facing west - Source of spill

9.4.14 09.22 N of BONE Student Center facing west - Source of spill

9.4.14 09.22 N of BONE Student Center facing west - Source of spill

 September 4, 2014 - Spill & Trash

9.4.14 09.33 N Milner Library Loading Dock facing east - Spill and garbage 

9.4.14 09.33 N Milner Library Loading Dock facing north - Spill and garbage 

9.4.14 09.33 N Milner Library Loading Dock facing northeast - Covered containers, no evidence of spills 

9.4.14 09.33 N Milner Library Loading Dock facing north - Corrosive materials, what are these used for? 

Sugar Creek has minor water quality issues, but as you saw in the map, it goes right through town and collects all of our solid and liquid wastes. Eventually it will end up in our soil and percolate through the subsurface. Soils, as well as water bodies, can get contaminated and are actually harder to remediate. 

Further Research:

Combined Sewer Overflows
Many counties still have these older sewer drainage systems that no longer work because of increasing population, housing, and businesses all sharing a system meant for a much smaller dependence. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/cso.html 

Difference between Sanitary and Storm Sewers
http://www.grand-ledge.com/pdf/GLRC.Storm%20vs.%20sanitary%20sewer%20article.pdf