Anybody know where this CSO came from? It was declared at 1:30 p.m., June 30 but according to wunderground.com, there had only been .25 inches of rain in the previous 24 hours (and not even all at once), and none in the days before that. The fact that that created a 4 day CSO advisory doesn't mesh with my understanding of how all that works.
I didn't even realize their was a CSO until the last day because I generally only check for it after significant rain. Any ideas?
does this mean we can start drinking the water again?
No. There is a simple formula for calculating the CSO based upon the amount of rainfall per hour in a given area. In Allegheny County, a CSO alert is issued whenever there is more than 1/4" of rainfall in an hour because, in Alcosan's experience, that is when the influx from the combined sewers exceeds their processing capacity resulting in the discharge of untreated waste.
Currently, there is no true realtime monitoring of the river water for biological contaminants. So the absence of the CSO alert does not mean that the river water is free of contaminants. It only means that Alcosan does not expect its capacity to be exceeded.
The other issue is turbulence. By and large, the rivers are cleaner (during most times), than they have been in a century. But there are many contaminants which have setted on the river bottom and remain there unless stirred up. This can happen when river levels are low due to low rainfall such that boat turbulence actually disturbs the river bed.
Does anyone know if the CSO affects the river up around Cheswick? If it does, is there anywhere on the river that isn't affected?
This is a good question. Does this effect Harmarville and points North?
Also wondering if the CSO would be lifted by this PM. Kids really want to get out and ski and wakeboard this PM but I don't like them in the water with a CSO warning.
I bet the warning is not over till Sunday or Monday, if you follow the link http://www.achd.net/alerts/advisory.html you'll find more info, you will also see a river full of boats tubing and skiiing today. If your kids have weakened immune systems or open cuts I would not go as they warn you about that.
Most warnings last 3-6 days on average.
Chuck
Originally Posted by Quag
This is a good question. Does this effect Harmarville and points North?
Also wondering if the CSO would be lifted by this PM. Kids really want to get out and ski and wakeboard this PM but I don't like them in the water with a CSO warning.
ACHD site still showed a CSO, but this site didn't. I called the hot line and they indicated river quality was back to normal. Good, taking the kids sking and wakeboarding tonight, think we will try down by Beaver, anyone spend time down there?
CSO is over
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by hurlboat
