sewage
A portrait of pollution around Canada’s busiest port
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation is pushing for stricter regulations to protect Burrard Inlet from industrial pollution, as a leaked video highlights the challenges of enforcement.
In short:
- Toxic waste, sewage, and industrial chemicals pollute Burrard Inlet, making shellfish unsafe to eat and limiting recreational use.
- The Tsleil-Waututh Nation has co-developed new water quality standards with the B.C. government to restore the inlet and allow safe seafood harvesting.
- A leaked video of a coal spill at Neptune Terminals raises concerns about unreported spills and ongoing contamination.
Key quote:
“The establishment of these water quality objectives, using this more risk-based approach that recognizes coastal Indigenous lifeways, I think that’s already a really exciting and important step.”
— Amanda Giang, assistant professor in the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia
Why this matters:
Addressing the severe pollution in Burrard Inlet is important for public health and the environment, reflecting the conflicting industrial pollution and Indigenous rights. The successful implementation of new water quality standards could serve as a model for other polluted waterways. Read more: “Stop hurting us:” Protestors plead for their health outside a Pittsburgh gathering of coal and steel execs.
Charleston's battle with wastewater woes
In Charleston, S.C., environmental advocates are gearing up for legal action against Charleston Water for failing to curb frequent sewage overflows, raising health and environmental concerns.
In short:
- Frequent storms in Charleston, S.C., lead to sewage overflows, contaminating local ponds and streets with wastewater, and triggering public health concerns.
- Charleston Water has reported numerous sewage spills since 2015, with legal action threatened by environmental groups for non-compliance with federal environmental laws.
- The city’s aging infrastructure, compounded by climate change, struggles to manage the increased frequency and intensity of rainfall and sea-level rise.
Key quote:
“These are basic infrastructure things: how you handle sewage waste. Not only is it a water quality issue, it’s a plain old public health issue. That’s untreated sewage and all the bacteria and pathogens that come with it.”
— Andrew Wunderley, director of Charleston Waterkeeper
Why this matters:
Many cities and towns rely on outdated sewage systems that were designed for a different era—one with less intense rainfall and smaller populations. These systems, often a century old, struggle to handle the volume of water from heavy rainfalls, leading to the discharge of untreated sewage into rivers, lakes, and even streets, posing significant risks to public health and local ecosystems.
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