Treated sewage to restore New Orleans swamps (AFP)

[Eugene]

Treated sewage to restore New Orleans swamps

by Russell McCulley Sun Oct 22, 2:42 PM ET

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) - Louisiana is planning to use
millions of gallons of treated sewage to restore swamps surrounding
New Orleans to help protect the city from disasters like last year's
Hurricane Katrina.

Ecologists say the treated waste will help stimulate the growth of the
region's vanishing cypress swamps, which provide a natural buffer
for deadly Gulf of Mexico hurricanes.

-snip-

"It's not a new idea, but it hasn't been done on this scale before."

The 40 million dollar project will divert treated wastewater from New
Orleans and St. Bernard Parish to an area east of New Orleans, where
saltwater intrusion has destroyed what was once an expansive cypress
forest. The project targets restoring 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares)
of eroding wetlands in the area.

The treated sewage will help push out the salt water that was swept
into the swamps and ensure the right balance of nutrients and fresh
water, said John Day, professor of oceanography and coastal sciences
at Louisiana State University.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061022/ts_alt_afp/usenvir...

[uppityperson]

1. interesting idea, use this treated water to push out/ dilute saltwater

Every little bit would help. Thanks for the article.

[kestrel91316]

2. Well, SOMEBODY'S got their thinking cap on. 'Bout time.

[FREEWILL56]

3. Are they thinking?

As everybody knows human beings consume salt and that it is not condusive to plants and animals. this is one of the reasons why human waste is not used in fertilizers as we excrete the excess salts in our bodies. they must get rid of the salt in the sewage before they can think of dumping it in the swamplands surrounding the city.

[XemaSab]

4. Human urine in wastewater

is diluted with pure water in the treatment process.

Wastewater still has a greater salt content than pure water does, but wastewater is much less salty than seawater is.

Welcome to DU!

[FREEWILL56]

5. Thank You

as it's good to be here.

[kestrel91316]

7. They are capable of treating wastewater SO thoroughly it can be used

as tapwater. Besides, the water that flows in all our rivers, including the Mississippi is NOT DISTILLED WATER. It contains LOTS of stuff, including many salts.

The waste treatment plants would amaze most people. They rival nature for their cleansing abilities in some places - Arcata, CA comes to mind.

Besides, where else would you have them PUT millions of gallons of treated sewage and the water in it????? Somebody else's back yard???? Perhaps yours?

[poopfuel]

6. Thanks for posting this

Hope they're using cattails.
google Arcata California sewage plan