Since last year, California’s beautiful river streams, beaches, lakes, and rivers have been increasingly contaminated with fecal matter. These contaminations are generally attributed to problems with sewer systems and septic tanks. Yet, water quality officials like those at the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board have concluded the rising issue of water contamination may be due to the state’s growing homeless population. It was agreed that the homeless population may not have reliable access to toilets which exacerbates the problem.
Californians living in Sacramento have easy access to the American River, which stretches across the Sacramento Valley. Along the riverbanks, homeless camp lines may be found. An investigation by the Sacramento Bee found indications of fecal contamination such as high levels of E. coli in water along these banks, beaches, and lakes in the city. The investigation showed that readings at a beach were six times higher than the safety threshold in August of last year. Swimmers that come in contact with these feces-contaminated waters may suffer ailments such as diarrhea and nausea.
Image Source: PhilAugustavo
Last September, Andrew Wheeler, administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), demanded a detailed solution to fixing California’s water contamination crisis and outlined multiple failures in the state’s compliance with federal clean water laws. He stated that “if California does not step up to its delegated responsibilities, then the EPA will be forced to take action.” In an EPA review of California’s clean water limits, the EPA discovered that over 200 community water systems had levels of contaminants like lead that surpassed federal standards.
Possible solutions discussed so far include building more free public restrooms for the homeless to use, or implementing warning signs to swimmers about contamination in these water bodies. Yet, some of these solutions may not be that simple. The City of Los Angeles estimated last year that operating mobile bathrooms may cost more than $300,000 while the allocation of hygienic resources such as toilets and showers for homeless encampments may cost more than $57 million annually. The hunt for an answer to California’s water crisis still continues.
Feature Image Source: © aamiraimer / Pixabay.
