Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by Davison Collins on April 17, 2015, 9:20 pm
I would like to take a moment to provide those interested with a brief update on what´s been happening with the "Playa Limpia Initiative", or the wastewater problem in La Manzanilla. A meeting was held on April 11 whereby concerned community members (local and foreign) and local authorities convened to discuss how to tackle the problem of the dysfunctional sewer system in La Manzanilla. Here a community committee was put together. Shortly thereafter the municipal president visited La Manzanilla and saw for himself the gravity of the problem of wastewater flowing into the mangrove lagoon. He called a meeting which took place yesterday on April 16. He was present along with his staff and a head engineer from the State Water Commission of Jalisco. Most of the newly-formed committee was also present. The community committee was formalized during this second meeting and officers were nominated and elected. During the meeting the following action plan was laid out: Phase I: Immediate Solution to avoid the continuing flow of grey and black water into the mangrove lagoon which should be completed within the next month: 1. A study of the capacity that the pump station can handle so that all the grey and black water that is now flowing into the mangrove lagoon can be pumped up to the sewage treatment plant. 2. Buy a new pump with sufficient capacity to pump grey and black water up to the sewage treatment plant. 3. Cleaning and maintenance of treatment plant and training of local authorities to keep it clean and maintained. 4. Planting of water lilies to absorb the treated water that is flowing out of the treatment plant. Phase II: Medium to long-term plan to fix the problems associated with the entire sewer system. The details of this plan have not yet been lined out, but everyone in the meeting was in accordance with the idea of bringing Engineers Without Borders to help analyze and solve the existing problems associated with the sewer system. Also, take note: only 30-35% of the community residents are hooked up to the sewer system. There is a significant pre-existing problem with the “fosas sépticas” that the majority of the community (60-65%) uses to dispose of their grey and black water, which are not actual sealed septic systems. Thus the majority of grey and black water being generated in the community is seeping into the aquifer(s). This is the elephant in the room in my opinion, and definitely one of the associated problems. We have received results from water tests done by the University of Guadalajara´s Center for the Sustainable Development of Coastal Zones taken on the 16th of February of this year. I am not disposed to release those results on this forum as it is the decision of the community committee not to do so, and I am respecting that decision. Suffice it to say that the mangrove lagoons of La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas are significantly contaminated with fecal coliforms, and when they open up and flow into the Tenactatita Bay, it´s not a good time to go swimming. The freshwater river flowing past Martin´s restaurant had significant enough levels of contamination that it´s not recommended for swimming or wading. The bay itself (samples taken from in front of the freshwater river and in front of the mangrove lagoon) had “normal” levels of contamination at the time of testing—still safe for swimming and eating fish, etc,… for now. That´s a great sign because it means that we are still in time to be pro-active and avoid dangerous contamination levels in the bay. Note, one test, or even a few different tests do not give us enough information. We need many test over different periods of time in order to understand the bigger picture. Finally, following is a list of the community committee members belonging to the “Playa Limpia Initiative.” Tierralegre, A.C. is taking an active part in supporting this initiative and any funds donated to help with this initiative will be used for that purpose. Thank you to those of you who have already donated to this cause—your generosity and support is greatly appreciated! A previous post was made on this forum to explain how to donate to this cause for those interested. I don´t have the link in front of me, but just let me know if you have any questions. Periodic updates on this initiative will be provided on this forum and on Tierralegre´s website at http://tierralegre.org. Playa Limpia Initiative Community Committee President: Arianna Elizabeth Urrutia Lozano--Tierralegre, nonprofit organization Secretary: Leopoldo Loza Montaño (“Morgan”)--Local Community Rep. Treasurer: Mary Jo Oberg--Foreign Community Rep. Security: Fermin Martínez Rodríguez--“Delegado” of La Manzanilla Committee Member Perla Marisa Díaz Committee Member José Eliazar Martínez Rodríguez Committee Member Gerardo Martínez Rodriguez Committee Member Adalberto Verde Díaz Committee Member Dennis Kalson In sum, I feel very positive about the direction that the solution to this problem is taking. This is a prime example of a community organizing itself to take charge of its destiny while there is still ample time to do so… Thank you to everyone who is participating in this committee and, once again, to all you who have shown your support in various ways. Together, we can nip this problem in the bud and secure a clean, healthy, sustainable and prosperous La Manzanilla and Tenacatita Bay for years to come. And here´s a photo from yesterday´s meeting:
| ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by Daniel H on April 17, 2015, 9:25 pm, in reply to "Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update" 189.164.217.49
Maximum excellent report! Thank you | ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by Davison Collins on April 17, 2015, 9:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update"
You´re welcome, Daniel, thanks for having created and for monitoring, etc., this forum to get the word out! | ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by Mod D on April 17, 2015, 9:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update" 189.164.217.49
We do our best eh? It may not meet some expectations but it is what it is. Your welcome | ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by mark on April 17, 2015, 9:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update" 71.202.213.59
Thank you Dave for your thorough report. | ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by David Dagoli on April 17, 2015, 11:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update" 189.164.217.248
We were at the meeting and glad to see that that Municipality of La Huerta is finally stepping in to offer some help in solving the contamination issues with the sewer system. The first meeting a few days ago obviously spurred more immediate action from La Huerta. Great job Davison and Ariana, and everyone on the committee ... Your perseverance and excellent planning paid off, and it looks like improvements are on the way soon! Gracias! | ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by Vicki and Robin on April 18, 2015, 2:29 am, in reply to "Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update" 24.69.216.70
Thank you so much for this excellent report, for the hope it provides and the hard work of everyone connected with finding a solution. Vicki and Robin | ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by valerie :)* on April 18, 2015, 9:27 am, in reply to "Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update"
Thank you very much for this report Davison - I am sincerely relieved to hear of the results that Ari and you have accomplished so far and am more than willing to participate in any way I can. | ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by Dean & Judy on April 18, 2015, 12:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update" 67.169.203.5
David...thank you and yours for all your effort and time to make LM a clean and friendly environment. | ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by Neal on April 18, 2015, 2:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update" 71.89.234.247
I would like to add my thanks to Davison for the update and Danial for giving us this fine forum to exchange ideas and information. | ------------------------How to Donate to the "Playa Limpia Initiative"
Posted by Davison Collins on April 22, 2015, 2:26 pm, in reply to "Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update"
I´ve received some queries regarding options on how to donate to the Playa Limpia Initiative. Here´s the info: If you are interested in donating specifically to the "Playa Limpia Initiative" which will be used first for the priority of implementing constant water testing and to bring Engineers Without Borders to La Manzanilla this summer to help solve our sewage system problem; and after that for all things that need to be done in order to achieve the international Blue Flag Certification (these items can be found at: Blue Flag Certification Page at: http://www.blueflag.org/menu/criteria/beaches); you have a couple easy options listed below. NOTE: Make sure to earmark all donations for the “Playa Limpia Initiative.” 1. If you´d like to simply make a donation to this cause and are not worried about receiving a tax-deductible donation, then you can personally drop your donation by the Tierralegre office at María Asunción 49-A in front of Lidia´s Mini Market. Please get in touch with me first by e-mail or on my cell: (315) 104-5442, to make arrangements. 2. If you´d like to make a donation within Mexico and receive a Mexico tax-deductible receipt which is honored in Mexico and many other countries, then you can either drop it by the office following the instructions above or you can make a deposit directly to the Tierralegre Banamex account which is set up exclusively for this fund. In this case, the account number is: 8433582; the sucursal is: 7002; and the Clabe Interbancario is: 002385700684335826. Note that in kind donations are also accepted—e.g., water testing equipment, etc. (but check with us first to see if the in kind donation is something we can actually use for the cause). 3. If you'd like to make a US tax-deductible donation please visit our “Friends of Fund” page on the International Community Foundation website—where you will find various options, including paying with a credit card online, for donating—at: [url=http://donate.icfdn.org/#npo/tierralegre-a-c ]Tierralegre Friends of Fund Page Thank you in advance to all interested in donating for your support with this cause, and special thanks to Guillermo Garcia-Cabrero for his recent generous donation! Any questions, please get in touch with me by e-mail or on my cell: (315) 104-5442. ¡Muchísimas gracias!
| ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by Rick (Lyle's Dad) on April 23, 2015, 4:35 am, in reply to "Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update" 201.133.154.238
Dave, One MAJOR item that was missed on your Phase 1 topic is the electrical service. That can not be understated. The existing pump is not able to do the job. Not only is it underpowered in terms of HP, it can't even go past about 65% of the underpowered level because of the insufficient wiring that serves it. Wires overheat and that can cause a fire. So, extrapolating here. Newer pump can not work for a while until total re-wiring. The Amperage that they have there now, maximum, won't suffice. We're not talking 110 V or 220 V but likely 480 V. So, feeding that, along with the pump and the like, per my recollection is certainly going to take longer than the time frame you recalled. You might want to ask about this. | ------------------------Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update
Posted by Davison Collins on April 23, 2015, 4:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Playa Limpia Initiative (Wastewater Problem) Update"
OK, Rick, I will pass this on to the committee and to the Engineers Without Borders engineers that will be coming here assuming that we are able to pull this all together. We are in the process of filling out official EWB applications right now in order for this project to become a reality. | ------------------------
[ La Manzanilla Message Board ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|