#Water Utilities

[themirokai]

now I wanna know- why isn't drinking water free in the US?

Hi there friend! Thanks very much for taking the bait from this post. Buckle up, this is a long one.

If you want to put out a cistern and collect rainwater and use that, congratulations! Your water is free! Plus the cost of maintaining your cistern and keeping it clean. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with a high enough water table to have a well, then your water is also free + the cost of the well and well maintenance.

But if you want water to come out of your tap on demand and you can’t or don’t want to maintain a cistern and you can’t or don’t want to have a well… you need public water!

How do we get public water? Well, a government entity (usually. there are some private utilities, but that’s a different post. I have strong feelings) has rights to take water out of a river or a lake, or they have a reservoir, or they have access to an aquifer. Then they have to transport the water out of the source. This generally requires aqueducts or massive pipes, which are expensive and need to be maintained, which is also expensive. The pipe leading out of one of my utility’s reservoirs is 12 feet in diameter.

Does the water go directly from the source to your home? Nope! It gets piped to a water filtration plant! The process of modern water filtration is complicated but it involves both physical and chemical treatment to make sure the water isn’t carrying any parasites, harmful bacteria, or pollutants and it has the right pH. Not only are these filtration plants extremely expensive to build and maintain but the process of operating them is extremely expensive, both in terms of hiring skilled staff and having appropriate materials for the filters and chemical treatment.

After the treated water (called “finished water” in the biz) is ready it does get piped to your house.

If you use public water, do you know where your local water filtration plant is? No? That probably means it’s not in your immediate neighborhood, which probably means it’s several miles or more away. To get to your house, the water needs to travel through an extensive pipe network. These pipes are smaller but they have to remain pressurized so that no contaminants can get into the water on its way to your house. But pipes break! Especially if you live somewhere with a freeze/thaw cycle. Maintaining this pipe network is, you guessed it, expensive! It requires materials and extremely skilled workers who perform in very very difficult conditions. Plus lots of engineering to keep the whole system pressurized even when one part of it breaks. Oh, and you know what lots of pipes were made out of in the early 20th century? Lead! So all around the country utilities need to make extensive and costly infrastructure upgrades because now we know lead pipes are really freaking bad.

Okay, so you get the basic picture. And I haven’t even gotten into Safe Drinking Water Act compliance, but most of that happens at the filtration plant. Oo! Or desalinization because some utilities pull their water from the sea and need to take the salt out. I know basically nothing about this except that it is likely complicated and expensive to do at scale.

This is essentially why I get frustrated by people who argue “why should we pay for something that falls out of the sky?” Because finished water doesn’t fall from the sky and it sure as hell doesn’t fall from the sky into your faucet. (Side note: as a public utility official I have been screamed at by the “it falls from the sky” people. A thing I like about the private sector is that people scream at me a lot less.)

Now, there is a very strong argument to be made that because water is necessary for human life, it should be provided by the government for free to everyone. And just like the costs of roads or public education, this should be part of the public budget and paid for by taxes and no one should have a water bill. I don’t disagree with this. I’m sure that’s how it’s done in some countries.

I don’t have a well-researched answer on the history of water utilities but I do have some facts and some (very) educated conjectures. Water rights in the US are complicated (another separate post!) but they’re based on private ownership. Ever since white people came to this country people have been claiming ownership over water and charging each other money for taking water out of rivers or lakes or the ground. You can measure how much of it someone uses and charge them for it. Water is treated like a commodity because unlike other public goods, it *can* be treated like a commodity and then, you know, capitalism. Again, I’m not saying that’s right.

But as a society, if we believe that no one should have a water bill, then we need to figure out how to pay for all the very expensive steps in the process I outlined at the top. Could that just be taxes? Sure, if you have a system that supports taxes at that level. Do I believe that public funding of water infrastructure would be a fuckton better than a lot of things we use taxes for now? Absolutely! But that requires massive institutional change and this isn’t generally an issue that people know enough about to demand change.

If you read this far, congratulations! You now know more stuff about drinking water!

[eaglesnick]

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

Yesterday I highlighted the national scandal that encompasses the debt ridden, privately owned, companies that own and run  Britain's water utilities.

2023 saw 10,000 hours per day of untreated raw sewage being pumped into our waterways and onto our beaches because not enough money has been invested in modernizing the largely Victorian system. Instead, these companies, many of them foreign owned, chose to pay out billions to their shareholders rather than protect the environment they are responsible for.

Today the news broke that Thames Water, Britain’s largest water utility, may go bankrupt because it of its burden of debt. In many ways the history and behaviour of Thames Water epitomises the problem with UK  water companies as a whole.

Just over thirty years ago Thames water was a debt-free public utility. Mrs Thatcher, firm in her belief that private enterprise was infinitely more efficient than publicly run companies, sold shares in our water utilities to the public at large. Shares in the newly created private companies initially sold at bargain basement prices.

Selling water utility shares at well below their market value was a deliberate policy. It was part of Thatcher's strategy to create a "shareholding democracy". Unfortunately, it went disastrously wrong as “few small shareholders could resist the temptation to cash out their large profits.” (Guardian: 16/08/22)

Having undersold shares in water companies to the tune of £6bn in today’s money, the small investors resold their holdings to “private equity, institutional investors and large infrastructure firms from abroad." (ibid)

The certainty of good returns and a weak regulatory system practically guaranteed that privately owned water companies were a cash cow, and this has proved to be the case.

“…regulators have allowed returns that have been high or higher than average risky private companies, yet investors have been exposed to no more risk than government bonds. As the Financial Times puts it, 30 years on, “water privatisation looks like little more than an organised rip-off.” (Ibid)

Taking Thames Water as an example of this "organised rip-off" we find that in 2006 the German utility firm RWE, that owned Thames at the time, sold it to the Australian infrastructure asset management firm Macquarie for £4.8bn

Macquarie had a business model of borrowing against its assets (our water network)) to increase dividend payments to its shareholders. By 2017 when Macquarie sold its final shareholding, it had racked up a debt of £10bn.

In short, the blind adherence to free-market economic philosophy, (when was a water monopoly ever a free market?), the selling of essential infrastructure utilities to foreign entities,  the creation of a weak regulator and the turning of a blind eye by successive governments to the year-on-year increasing debt  within water companies, was bound to end in disaster.

Unfortunately, just as the public had to bail out the bankers and financiers when their greed brought down the economy, so we will be expected to pay for the greed of foreign investors in our waterways.

[univellpvc]

Study Examines Corrosive Soil Conditions Behind Water Main Breaks

A recent academic study on water main failures in the United States and Canada reveals a 27% increase in water main break rates between 2012 and 2018, with corrosive soils identified as a significant contributor. The research was led by Steven Folkman, a professor at Utah State University (USU) in Logan, Utah, USA, who previously authored a similar report in 2012. USU hosts the Buried Structures Laboratory, which has a large-scale testing facility for pipes and underground structures, as well as the Utah Water Research Laboratory—the oldest university-based water research facility in the United States.

Survey Respondents

The 2018 survey gathered responses from over 300 utilities, representing approximately 200,000 miles (321,869 kilometers) of installed water mains. Respondent input was collected from 48 U.S. states and seven out of 10 Canadian provinces, resulting in a 49% increase in survey responses and a 45% increase in miles of pipe compared to the 2012 study. The survey documented 23,803 pipe failures requiring repairs, providing a substantial sample size for the study.

"This is one of the largest surveys conducted on water main breaks, and the results give an accurate representation of water pipe condition and operation in North America," says Folkman, a registered Professional Engineer and member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) in Denver, Colorado, USA. "The report can assist in revising pipe service life assumptions used in the past."

Key Findings

Among respondents who reported failures, the three most commonly cited modes were:

Circular cracks at 56%

Corrosion at 28%

Longitudinal cracks at 8%

Water main break rates are critical for assessing pipe performance and durability and are vital metrics used in water infrastructure asset management, as well as in pipe repair and replacement decision-making. According to Folkman, "This report provides greater insight into the drivers of the aging water infrastructure crisis and offers data which utilities can use to benchmark pipe material performance. It will be a valuable asset management planning tool for water utilities."

Implications for Water Utilities

The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding and addressing the corrosive soil conditions that contribute significantly to water main breaks. With data from a large and diverse sample, the report offers utilities valuable insights into the factors affecting pipe longevity and performance, aiding in more accurate service life predictions and better resource allocation for repairs and replacements.

Survey respondents specified the leading failure modes involved in reported water main breaks, emphasizing the role of corrosion and other structural issues in the degradation of water infrastructure. By leveraging these insights, utilities can improve their maintenance strategies, ultimately enhancing the reliability and safety of water distribution systems across North America. https://www.uni-bell.org/Portals/0/E-NEWS/MediaFiles/study-examines-corrosive-soil-conditions-behind-water-main-breaks.pdf

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"ABANDON JAIL FARM IDEA FOR THE PRESENT," Hamilton Spectator. May 14, 1912. Page 1 & 16. --- Old Building Will Be Enlarged Instead ---- City Hard Up and Must Proceed Slowly ---- The jail farm idea get a severe setback this morning when the board of control practically decided that the city could do without such an institution for some years to come, and that the present jail, if properly renovated, would serve all necessary purposes. The controllers were unanimous that very little repairing would put the building in good condition, and it was decided to go and inspect it and see what repairs were necessary.

Controller Bailey stated that not much was necessary to put the building in good condition, and if that was done the jail would be good for many years to come.

"Yes, if we spend a few thousand dollars now in repairs we will have a Jail that will be practically good for all time," said Controller Allan.

Controller Gardner said the trouble was the taking into the jail of old men who should be sent to the house of refuge, and he would sooner see an addition built to the refuge if necessary, than the city go to the expense of putting up a new jail.

Controller Allan said that if the worst came to the worst, the city could build another separate building in front of the governors house, to relieve the congestion.

"I think it would be good thing for us to go and look over the jail and then we can see what amount of money will be needed to fix it up." said the mayor.

The suggestion agreed to and the inspection will be made tomorrow afternoon. $5,000 MORE REQUIRED It was the intention of the mayor and board of control to bring before the council last night the question of securing an extra $5,000 to be used in the construction of the public conveniences.

Through an oversight the matter was out brought up, and this morning it was discussed at the meeting of the board. It is the intention to consult the city treasurer and see if the extra cost can be financed by the city, but Controller Allan wanted to know what would become of the board of works this year, if the money was taken from its appropriation. He said would be necessary to go very slow, as large inroads had been made in the appropriation, owing to the increases to the lab laborers and teamsters.

The mayor said the contingent fund had not yet been touched, but there were other matters, such as the sick children's hospital, etc., which had to be considered.

Controller Jutten said there were some things which could be left over, the sick children's hospital, for in stance, until the people passed on it.

The mayor - The sick children's hospital proposition is a growing one: it has gone from an ordinary building to a fireproof one, and it is also increasing in accommodation.

"It will take several thousands of dollars to finance the children's shelter," said Controller Allan; "there, in sure to be a lot of repairs to do."

The mayor - We do no repairs at that price; the property is supposed to be in good condition.

CHILDREN'S SHELTER In connection with the Mcliwraith site for the children's shelter, Controller Allan said he and Controller Gardner and Ald. Morris met Mr. Mellwraith again yesterday and renewed the city's offer for the property. "He refused to accept it," sald the controller.

Cntroler Bailey - That means that if we will have to If we want it now that we will have to pay $9,500

The mayor - He won't get it with my vote. We have several from different places, and I think we should look at them all.

It was finally decided to devote a half day to go and inspect the various places.

COLLECTING WATER RATES That it would be good business the part of the city to make arrangements to have the branch banks accept payments of water rates, was the opinion of Controller Juten, who brought the matter before the board of control.

"The present central system is very inconvenient to people living in the eastern sections of the city and it is a great inconvenience to many to come up to to the city hall during working hours," he said.

Controller Allan agreed that it would be a good move, and said it would cost very little.

The other members of the board were also favorable that the matter be taken up, and a committee, including the mayor and Controller Bailey was appointed to go into the matter and see if a satisfactory arrangement can be made with the banks.

WANT TO COME HERE The board received a letter from Toronto, asking if there were any sports being held in Hamilton on Victoria day, to which the Britannia Naval brigade of that city could attend. The letter stated that the detachment was from 16 to 20 strong; would bring its field gun along, and wear the uniform of the British navy.

As there is no special attraction being held in the city on that date. Controller Bailey was instructed to take the matter up with the Societies' day committee, to see if the brigade could not be persuaded come up on July 1, instead. to

MAKE BOUNDARIES LIMIT The board looked over the map submitted by W. H. Burr, chairman of the Express Traffic association, in Toronto, in which the new boundaries within which express toll applies was shown. It showed the outside limits to be the bay on the north. Dundurn street on the west, the mountain on the south and Trolley street on the east. The former boundaries did not go any further west than Locke nor east of Sherman avenue.

The mayor said that if the map was not satisfactory the board could write to Mr. Burr and inform him so Controller Jutten said he thought the eastern boundary should be extended as far as Ottawa street, as there were quite a number of residents in that section who should be included.

The mayor said the companies claimed there was no business there to warrant the extension.

"If there is no business there they don't have to go." said Controller Bailey, but the boundary should be extended."

Controller Allan thought that all the city limits should be taken in. After further discussion the secretary was instructed to notify the chairman of the association that the eastern limit must be extended to Ottawa street, also recommending that a branch collection depot be established in the east end, where parcels could be left for delivery.

A GOOD SUGGESTION Controller Allan made a suggestion to the board that there were three or four spare wagons at the board of works yard which might be put to good use if horses were secured for them. He said they would be valuable to use in patching up the streets, and he asked the board to authorize the board of works to purchase three or four horses for that purpose.

The request was granted, and the mayor also suggested to Controller Allan that the department would do. well in securing a portable asphalting plant to use on the city streets. The controller will consider the proposition.

TENDER ACCEPTED The board considered the tenders for the two stores, 35 and 37 John street north, on the site for the new fire station, and accepted the offer of Benjamin Sutton for $210.

[t4t4t]

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[betempl]

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[blackhholes]

teen wolf meme: [3/5] motifs -> resurrection

It's different now. I think dying did something to him. It did something to me, too. But none of it was good.

[carsthatnevermadeitetc]

Subaru Domingo "Sport Utility", 1984. A micro van with a rear mounted 1.2 litre engine, this concept version swapped the normal high roof of a small dingy

[sinful-karateka]

I'll bite and talk about something that doesn't get enough spotlight in general, which are Demetri's and Eli's family life. So obviously several fic authors have their own twists and flavors to this, but if I may sell you something for a sec.

So far into the series, what we've got are these facts:

Demetri's Mom is the only family member to be mentioned in the show.

Eli's parents were mentioned a couple of times.

That should be enough context to deduce two things:

Demetri could be an only child to a single mother, and;

Eli's parents involve themselves in the stuff that he does — including karate, who knows — though they tend to be tone deaf with his actual needs.

There's strong evidence to why the boys act the way they act (brain functions notwithstanding, but this isn't the post for that), which is why I think these deductions make sense. How their hypothetical upbringing is part and parcel to how characters behave in this series. Of course societal influence comes in second because obviously you've got a show that encourages learning karate as defense against bullies, but this show is also about generational chains and traumas! So why wouldn't their home life inform the way it informs the LaRusso's, Lawrence's, and Nichols'? But I digress.

In the span of the entire series, I've held onto this headcanon that Demetri's neuroticism and ability to anticipate his actions carefully stem from a household that needs these systems in place, much more for someone who likes to be on top of things. Since he's just a student, the only authoritative figure who can make executive decisions... is his mom. Add to the fact that she may be a working mom, so when Demetri tells Daniel about certain restrictions in learning karate, what could have made her decide to just write a letter instead vs. taking the time out to go with his son herself? I know I know it's narrative writing but like do you seeeee where I'm at here

Eli's family life is by far gave us early indications of his dynamic with his mother — but not so a father — in earlier seasons. It's possible that his mom is a stay-at-home one, but if I were to push the bounds of this box even further, I'd even speculate that she's retired early if it meant that Eli's dad is the one making most of the living. Like of course they'd get mad at Hawk for getting a tattoo at his age, I think any parent would! But the way he tells Aisha to exclude him from her stories tells us that there's not a lot that his parents know about the life he lives as Hawk. At this point we all know the kind of effort it takes to successfully carry it out because he has to go home every night. It's either he a) puts in a lot of effort into concealing this identity once he gets home, or b) his parents are rarely ever home, which again, feeds into another assumption that maybe Mrs. Moskowitz works certain hours.

All we know is they're never around a whole lot for these boys, which is sad! and also again, very Indicative of their classification as awkward nerds pre- and early karate. When I read along certain fics that consider and include how the rest of their characters besides the found families they've formed, it gives much more depth and potency to writing them, their flaws, and how they think.

For all we know, Mrs. Alexopoulos could be a lesbian making fun of her son for not slinging pussy like she does being rizzless unlike her, but don't let me explain that when we have @demetriandelibinaryboyfriends!

[songsofwaterandnight]

Does Adachitoka know how much of a menace she was for this????

[treeprince]

man it sure fucking sucks to go without power and water and cell service for days w no end in sight

[anna-honey]

Would have been funny had Gale (the wind spirit) straight up kidnap Anna and brought her back to the northuldra village.

Well, more like, accidentally drag Anna with them when the tornado was rampaging the city.

So Elsa end up have to be the one who embrace on a journey to look for her sister, with quirky sidekicks.

[eywaseclipse]

Why I’ll never accept any sort of chance Quaritch might have for a redemption arc when we had this scene..

Those were babies! And young children and families!! I’m willing to bet that entire bloodlines were completely eradicated that day💔