A Wastewater Treatment Plant consists of a very decent treatment system and produces an effluent which consists of low bacterial numbers generally ranging from 10 to 100 fecal coliforms/mL. There has been a request to permit the treated effluent to be used to fill a nearby pond as the pond leaks a lot and would need consistent filling. With the treatment plant close by it would be simple to pump the treated effluent into the pond on that continual basis. There has been promise which no swimming will be permitted and signs will be posted. Should I have concerns with this idea and whether or not the park must be allowed to do this?
Obviously I don't agree with this idea.
1) If the pond is leaking I believe the concentration of fecal coliforms will rise.
2) Even with signs up I do not believe everyone will follow them...Kids and animals.
3) Even if the treatment method cuts out fecal coliforms it might not get rid of all other pathogens like Cryptosporidium parvum or Giardia lamblia or even other kinds of bacteria.