Sewage and Urban Run-Offs Essay ‘of Contents tng nesses Montoring and Managing Beach waters orks ores Introduction ‘Sewage contamination of beach waters is not a new phenomenon. Ithas always been a growing threat especially with the ‘expansion of urban cities towards coastal beaches. Sewage and urban run-ofs especialy after a heavy downpour have been Identified as the major contaminants, While urban run-offs can be minimized with proper sanitation in the respective towns and 3, sewage contamination is attributed to downright negligence in the construction and maintenance process or just sheer Ignorance of the guity parties. Sewage is usually carried by a network of pipes to the sewage treatment plants. Occasionally these pipes do leak or just burst either due to overcapacity or damage by storms, The leaking effluent can flow directly into the ‘ocean waters or may be carried by underground streams and other surface run-offs. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007) Points of Contamination This effluent s highly hazardous and contains bacteria and pathogens. These pathogens are ingested by humans and animals, ina variety of ways when they come into contact with sewage-contaminated water. Ingestion can occur orally when 2 swimmer or surfer unintentionally gulps the ocean water. Also, eating contaminated seafood thet wasn't properly cooked can expose one. to these pathogens. Dermal contamination occurs when one has some open wounds on his skin and the contaminated water seeps through. In aerosol, “one inhales water droplets such as those from breaking waves."(Amibient Student, 2009) Resulting Illnesses ‘The most common type of inass due to contaminated acean water is gestroenteriis infections, The mode of exposure is usualy oral but isolated cases of aerosol have been reported. Gastroenteritis diseases affect the gastrointestinal tract. The patient suers from bouts of vomiting, stomachaches, and diarrhea. In extreme cases, there isa fever and the patient is massively dehydrated. Cases of hepatitis d'sease have also been reported whereby the patient has the symptoms mentioned above plus yellowish or jaundiced skin, Looking at dermal contamination, the patient suffers from an itchy rash and as the situation worsens, he can develop swollen red patches that secrete a thick yellowish discharge."{Ambient Student, 2008) Other people do devel {eye and ear irritations but they usvally ignore them hoping that the irritations wil simply disappear. (Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services, 2007) Monitoring and Managing Beach waters The safety of beach waters can only be confirmed by taking regular water samples and analyzing them for pathogens. Through strict regulations in the handling of sewage waste and other urban sanitary requirements, the amount of discharge reachin beach waters can be massively reduced. Furthermore, beachgoers can be warned when the ocean is highly contaminated to ‘minimize the risk of infection, Quite @ several beaches around the country have been able to implement these strategies and we will use the Health Care Agency in Orange County as an example. Inthe last 40 years, they have been sampling the ocean waters of Orange County for bacteria and other disease-causing organisms. The results are analyzed and ifthe contamination levels are too high, signs are placed where the samples were taken to warn the swimmers and surfers. They collect close to 150samples in the ocean, surrounding rivers and storm drains that border the beaches. “The time, date, weather conditions and location of the collection are also recorded.(Ocbeachinto.com, 2008) The samples are taken atleast weekly to five times per week along the Orange County coastline. (Ocbeachinfo.com, 2009). If contamination is detected at a specific location, the frequency of sampling increases at that particular area untl the source of Contamination is identified, After analysis ofthe bacterial levels inthe samples which are done dally, the County has come up with a scale to classify the status ofthe ocean waters. This scale is writen in simple language so thatthe public can understand it. “Open means the bacterial levels are below the safety standards. “Closed” means the ocean water has been polluted by sewage discharge and beachgoers should not at any moment come into contact with the ocean water. "Warning ‘means bacterial contamination is above the authorized levels and beachgoers should avoid coming nto contact withthe water 150 feat on either side ofthe sign. “Advisory” means “stormwater run-off after a rainstorm makes the coastal waters unsuitable for swimming for at least 72 hours"(Ocbeachinfo.com, 2008) Works Cited 1. Ambient Student, (2008) “Effects of Sewage-Contaminated Water on Human Health 2. Ocbeachinfo.com, (2009)'0cean water Protection Program’ 3, Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services (2007). Ocean Monitoring Program: FAQ, 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007) Healthy Swimming, Frecuently Asked Questions, Web. ‘5. Department of Consumer Affairs, State of California (2007). California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants & Landlords, Rights & Responsibilities.