A Wastewater Treatment Plant has a very decent treatment system and produces an effluent that has low bacterial numbers usually ranging from 10-100 fecal coliforms/mL. There has been a request to allow the treated effluent to be used to fill a nearby pond as the pond leaks a lot and would require consistent filling. With the treatment plant close by it would be simple to pump the treated effluent into the pond on that continual basis. There has been promise that no swimming will be allowed and signs will be posted. Should I have concerns with this idea and whether or not the park should be allowed to do this.
Of course I don't agree with this idea.
1. If the pond is leaking I believe the concentration of the fecal coliforms will increase.
2. Even with signs up I don't believe everyone will follow them.. kids, and animals.
3. Even if the treatment process cuts out fecal coliforms it may not get rid of all other pathogens such as Cryptosporidium parvum or Giardia lamblia or even other types of bacteria