The “speculation” by the Brown County Regional Sewer District (BCRSD) and other proponents of Development through the expansion of sewers, has been on the allegations that we have a large number of failed septic systems in the Bean Blossom area that may be adding to the E-Coli level in our streams. The motive is to help justify a $30 million dollar expansion of sewers using federal and state taxpayer money. No other options to address the possibility of a large number of “failing systems” have been identified.
In a recent report, “the major cause” of E-coli IS NOT due to the possibility of failed septic system – it’s agricultural runoff from industries that are in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. “IDEM said combined sewer overflows, untreated stormwater and wastewater that discharges to nearby streams, rivers and other water bodies were the largest sources of E. coli bacteria, one of the impairments cited to the EPA.”
Mar 24, 2022. Report: Nearly Three Quarters of Indiana’s Waterways are Too Polluted for Safe Recreation, Enrique Saenz March 24, 202
Mar 31, 2022. Indiana ranks highest in nation for miles of polluted waterways, report finds
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- “According to the report, a major contributor to water pollution is manure and fertilizer runoff from farms. This causes the concentration of E. coli and nutrients that promote bacterial growth in waterways. “
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- Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan, who works at the nonprofit Friends of Lake Monroe, said Lake Monroe suffers from nutrient contamination. Lake Monroe also has streams that feed into the lake which have elevated levels of E. coli, but levels in the lake are well below state standards. “Our biggest concern right now is harmful algal blooms,” Sullivan said.
May 3, 2022. GUEST OPINION: Learn how you can protect Salt Creek, Lake Monroe at community forums
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- May 5, 2022. BCM Facebook Post of the article. Stay tuned. Water Quality is one of the justifications being used to support an expansion of sewers in the county. Waivers for hook-ups are temporary. Per the article: “The top three threats to water quality in Lake Monroe are sediment, nutrients and bacteria.” Bacteria includes E-coli – animal or human-caused. Inadequate maintenance and failing septic systems can contribute to human-caused E-Coli. If so, what percent of the E-coli is human-caused? How many systems could be contributing to the problem and what is the most cost-effective solution?
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