Sludge Watch ==> Other Counties Shouldn't Dump their Human Waste in Hinkley (Calif)

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

July 12, 2005

Letter to the Editor
Desert Dispatch
Barstow California


*Other counties shouldn’t dump their human waste in Hinkley *



When John Crapper invented the toilet, I do not think he knew land
developers were going to overdevelop certain high priced areas for lots
of money, so they could spread “poo-poo” on others.
I am calling this letter “Illegal Dumping of Human Waste” from Orange
and Los Angeles Counties to Hinkley, in San Bernardino County. Since
when do Orange and L.A. Counties get to do what they want in San
Bernardino County? I do not remember voting on anything this important.
I have lived here since 1962 and I do remember an article in the paper
some time ago about a company in L.A. that wanted to spread human waste
on the High Desert and they were told a big “NO!” What has happened
since then? It should still be “NO!” How can it be cheaper to truck
human waste to us? These questions raise major concerns.
First of all, Orange and L.A. counties are very over-crowded and do have
a waste problem. Have they tried sending engineers to Europe to study
their problems? Germany had a plant built for some sort of waste that
produces energy. One of the Arab countries recycles waste water through
a system that works well. We can learn from others now. We cannot afford
to wait until a disaster strikes like Katrina.

Second, San Bernardino County is growing, especially in the High Desert,
where you can still purchase a home at a reasonable price. However, the
High Desert is fragile and water is scarce. We also are known for our
endangered species in the desert. For example, the Desert Tortoise has
survived centuries, but I do not think human waste is in their best
interest. Also, the Mojave River, the river that does not run to the
sea, runs backwards through our area. According to the Golden State
Water Co., water delivered to the Barstow system is groundwater pumped
from the Mojave River Basin Center: “It is in the center of the Mojave
basin extending northwesterly and southwesterly from the Mojave River.”
Third, if Lenwood, Grandview, Barstow, Daggett, Yermo, et cetera, think
this is only Hinkley’s problem, you are wrong! The High Desert is famous
for winds and it never blows just one way. If there is a low pressure
system, it is west and or south. If there is a high pressure system, it
is north and or east. So, the pollution from the waste and trucks, is in
the air you breath, the water you drink and the earth you live on. Also,
most important, human waste does cause disease. Just ask third world
countries.

Orange and L.A. Counties must find another way. They can send a man to
the moon, so why can this problem not be solved? I do not think the
Pacific Ocean needs any more additional sewage either.
If you watch or listen to the news, the town of Gorman was shut down
recently due to human waste in their water supply. Do you want to be in
the news? Does anyone have Erin Brockovich’s number?

Maria Gregg
Barstow