Thursday, March 24, 2011

It is always in a creek

I was slaving in front of my computer entering data on my whereabouts and activities of the prior day (the government tracks everything). When I got an email from the EPA about a possible straight pipe (think raw sewage) running into a creek in my area. "Why is it always a creek" I lamented while I loaded the truck and started the 45 minute drive out to the area. As soon as I turned into the Trailer Park which was the suspected violator I was taken back by the combination of the size of the development and just how rough it was. It still amazes me as to the staggering number of people willing to live in filth. There is a difference between poor and dirty and this place was dirty.  I put on my nifty reflective vest that identifies me as a government agent, pulled on my Muck boots and headed for the creek.  It was edged by a thick mesh of briers, weeds, and small trees which made my approach difficult to say the least. I could already smell the sweet odor of sewage before I could see the water and I heard running water, but not like a babbling brook.......more like  a bath tub faucet running full bore.  I was stunned to see the 4 inch black pipe sticking out of the creek bank, not because I haven't seen this before since I do several times a year, but because sewer water was pouring out of it at alarming pace. I would guess about 15 gallons per minute which is the largest point source flow I have ever seen. My stomach turned a little when I imagined the kids from this hell hole of a trailer park down here swimming and fishing in this creek.  I straightened myself and headed back to the truck. It would take me another hour to enter the findings of the investigation into our customer service tracking system, a field activity report, my Daily activity report, and fill out the notice of violation letter that would be sent to the violator making him aware of the problem, (as if he didn't know) and giving him a deadline to fix it.  I am frustrated by the bureaucracy I am in at times. But it is times like this I see a need for a mediator. It is just a matter of figuring out how government can fill this role best. Your pal the Envirocapitalist.

2 comments:

  1. Disgustingly amazing!

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  2. I understand why poor people try to by-pass the system, but there are alternatives to flushing everything into the creek. Unfortunately, those alternatives require effort and responsibility, two things that too many poor people want nothing to do with.

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