Photo: [mementosis]

Without proper treatment, human sewage – poo, pee, toilet paper, etc. – is serious water pollution. The germs make people and animals sick. The nutrients cause algae blooms that choke the life out of rivers and streams. The sewer pipes that connect your home to the local sewage treatment facility or water pollution control plant are a very important part of America’s pollution prevention plan.

And until recently, this part of society’s pollution control program worked great! Between the early 1970s to mid 1990s, American cities built or expanded thousands of sewage treatment plants all across the country – and scientists recorded steady drops in the amount of pollution they found in streams, lakes, and rivers.

Today, the trend is moving in the wrong direction and one of the reasons is that the sewage treatment systems we built many decades ago are not up to the job anymore and they are falling apart, too. Today, reports of sewage spills from ruptured pipes or overloaded treatment plants are all too common. In many cases, the population has grown faster than the maintenance budget, and the repairs for pipes and treatment plants has fallen further and further behind with each passing year.

Failing sewage systems are one of the leading reasons that the Natural Resource Defense Council reported that there were 20,341 days of closed beaches in the United States in 2008. The closures ruin family vacations, but at least families have the option to stay out of the water.

Photo: The Pug Father

For the dolphins, crabs, and fish, it’s a health menace they can’t avoid. In the Washington, DC metro area, sewage spills contribute to the water pollution that has decimated the seafood industry in the Chesapeake Bay.

What would it take to turn this around? A lot. The Associated General Contractors of America reports that it would take between $400 and $600 billion dollars over the next 20 years. That’s billion with a «b.» That’s the cost to ensure that future generations enjoy the same access to clean water in their homes and in their waterways that we take for granted today.

Experts debate who should foot the bill – do water utilities charge the rate payers, does Uncle Sam charge the taxpayer, or do private businesses take over the system and charge their customers? And while the experts debate, the repair bills mount and the systems become ever more decrepit.

However we look at it, it comes down to this: When it comes to sewage treatment and clean, safe water, we are all in this together. Most Americans flush their toilets upstream of somebody’s water supply and turn on their kitchen faucet downstream of somebody else’s sewage treatment plant. By putting off the day when we get serious about our water pollution investment needs, we run an ever greater risk of handing our children a world of polluted, dangerous water, rare and unsafe seafood, and scarce wildlife.

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About the Author
Are you involved or interested in public utilities in the Washington DC metro area? Are you a civil engineer, elected official, water company insider? If so, check out the Metro DC Utilities Blog. This article was placed in this directory by the Water Words That Work, LLC, an environmental communication and marketing company.

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Are you wondering what wind turbines are and what they can do? They are devices use to generate energy from the wind. Depending on how the energy is converted, these rotating devices could be use as a wind generator or windmill.

The importance of energy coming from the wind had been recognized since its discovery. But, as environmental issues, such as global warming has hit our awareness, the need for alternative energy sources had became more prominent.

Energy created by turbines is considered to be one of our best alternatives in term of power resource. Like solar panels, they gather energy from our natural elements without harming the source.

With wind turbines, they can manipulate wind energies and use them to extract water from the deeper part of the ground. With these turning tools, we too can use air energy to run power plant or provide electricity for domestic consumption.

The use of wind generator even for homes is becoming apparent. Although for a long time, this technology has benefited the society in the form of windmills.

Photo: eastpole

The soaring prices of electric consumptions not only in US but the world, has prompt people to rely on alternative power sources. This situation has increased the demand for solar panels and all types of energy generators.

Of course, some skeptics still raise their questions on the effectiveness these power sources. But, people who have been using and relying on alternative power know the secret of their efficiency.

The wind turbine typically only creates enough energy for household use and not for industrial use. There are different kinds of wind generators and knowing about them will help you choose the most efficient one. Here are the major types that you can choose from:

Horizontal Axis is the widely use air rotary device. With this type, the shaft and motor are located at the uppermost part of the tower. To generate energy, it should be located where the wind is passing.

Photo: eastpole

To create a better picture of this type, just imagine traveling along farm roads and seeing tall, towers with rotating blades on them.

The cost of this type is cheaper than any other kind. Moreover, this type doesn’t need too much wind to operate though it can produce annoying sounds as it operates.

Vertical Axis, as suggested by the name, has a shaft rotating vertically. In the past years, this type of turbine was not really used as much as the former type. But due to its further development, more and more people are becoming attracted to its advantages.

Vertical turbines are considered to be best used in suburban areas because of its height. Moreover, it doesn’t produce as much noise as the previous type. Both horizontal and vertical windmills can produce energy without having to place it in front of the air.

Photo: eastpole

Having an alternative energy source is important nowadays. Luckily, we have various choices to choose from such as wind turbines. If you want to take advantage of their benefits, choose the best type for your needs.

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About the Author
For your Talon and PowerMax wind turbines go to http://www.magnet4sale.com/ . We carry the Talon low wind generators. If you want a high wind type, come by and see variety we have that you can use. Could you use a 600W 24V generator? To get all the specifications on these wind generators come to Wind turbine.

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The Nissan Sentra is a practical compact car. While this series has been around for many years, the latest models answer the public demand for an inexpensive and reliable vehicle. The fuel efficiency in the 2010 Nissan Sentra is one of its most cherished features.

While specific ratings will vary based on the model and driving conditions, the Nissan Sentra gets around 24 miles per gallon when driven in the city. On the highway, this sensible car delivers between 30 to 34 MPG depending on the specific model in question. For those that are concerned about the rising cost of gasoline, these ratings provide a good argument for the purchase of a Nissan Sentra.

Many families struggle under current economic conditions. As a result, fuel economy is more important than ever. Inflation, natural disasters, and political conflicts can cause the price of gas to rise at any time. When you combine this with the new consumer obsession with environmental sustainability, the Nissan Sentra is poised to experience renewed popularity. The fuel efficiency in the 2010 Nissan Sentra will attract serious attention. If you are looking for a reliable and efficient compact car, this offering from Nissan might be right for you.

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About the Author
Sentra Parts
Nissan Sentra Parts

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Hydrogen basics

Hydrogen (H₁) is the first element on the Table of Elements. It’s common, particularly in the form of methane, (CH₄), or natural gas. Hydrogen is highly combustible, and therefore well suited to the many different forms of combustion used in industry and consumer products like cars.

Hydrogen has had a long history in industry. Hydrogen in gas form was once used to inflate Zeppelins. It was too dangerous and too combustible in this form, and replaced by helium, an inert gas for modern balloons. In industry, hydrogen is used in a range of products as part of many different compounds.

Hydrogen technology and economics

The use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source has been hotly debated. The concept of a global “hydrogen economy” is now under scrutiny at top scientific and government levels around the world.

Arguments for hydrogen

Hydrogen is envisioned by its supporters as an abundant source of fuel which will reduce pollution to zero and can be sourced from many different products cheaply. It’s considered to be a fuel which will have none of the problems of petrol, which is a very strong argument for environmentalist supporters.

The economic arguments in favor of hydrogen are particularly relevant to many modern issues in some areas:

• Hydrogen as a cheap fuel can drastically reduce freight charges, benefiting businesses and consumers, and promoting good commercial effects.
• Hydrogen is a sustainable source of pure energy, not a finite resource like oil, and has none of the drawbacks of solid fuels.
• The fact that hydrogen can reduce pollution from emissions to zero means that the costs of pollution, waste management, and related technology, which affect every product on the market, can be eliminated.

Arguments against hydrogen

Supporters of other types of energy sources and other economic arguments are considerably less enthusiastic.

They point out that:

• Hydrogen requires a large support technology.
• Hydrogen is highly flammable, and requires safeguards.
• The large scale distribution system for hydrogen hasn’t yet been defined.
• Commercial use requires extraction and involves a range of chemical processes creating a “supply chain” effect and requiring a large infrastructure.
• Technologies for the use of hydrogen are currently in their early stages, and facing problems with functional issues. The hydrogen fuel cell, for example, is efficient, but requires a large tank of hydrogen under pressure, and adds cost to end users.

The facts so far

Hydrogen’s actual capabilities as a fuel aren’t in dispute. The arguments are about technological efficiency, cost and overcoming the limitations of current technology for using hydrogen. Hydrogen really can be the fuel of the future, but there are some hurdles that must be overcome.



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The auto insurance quotes online not only provide you the best coverage options but also offering you with user friendly and convenient application process. You can easily adjust your deductibles to instantly see how it will ultimately affect your total premium. Collecting free online auto insurance quotes is just a matter of few mouse clicks today.

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