Comments on: Sewage Epidemiology Not Just a Pipe Dream http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2011/06/sewage-epidemiology-not-just-a-pipe-dream/ Ideas, innovations and discoveries from the world of science Tue, 21 May 2013 14:43:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Toni Medford http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2011/06/sewage-epidemiology-not-just-a-pipe-dream/comment-page-1/#comment-4619 Toni Medford Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:19:17 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/?p=6831#comment-4619 So. Data would be also be saying that perhaps smaller numbers of users are using a larger percentage of the findings? Meaning instead of spreading the grams over 1,000, it might have come from 500 or 250 say doing closer to ounces? I do so hate broad averages in this sort of process. Very misleading and can cause more trouble than it's worth scientifically-speaking and as a worthwhile tool for law enforcement entities. And of course urban environs would have higher numbers simply because the density of population is greater, right? If one apple can spoil a barrel of apples, so can one huge druggie do the same to neighbors or entire neighborhoods. The samples would have to be taken from each household, not a sewage treatment facility. However I can see merit in the meanings of the peak use periods but that and only that as a valid resulting data. So. Data would be also be saying that perhaps smaller numbers of users are using a larger percentage of the findings? Meaning instead of spreading the grams over 1,000, it might have come from 500 or 250 say doing closer to ounces? I do so hate broad averages in this sort of process. Very misleading and can cause more trouble than it’s worth scientifically-speaking and as a worthwhile tool for law enforcement entities. And of course urban environs would have higher numbers simply because the density of population is greater, right? If one apple can spoil a barrel of apples, so can one huge druggie do the same to neighbors or entire neighborhoods. The samples would have to be taken from each household, not a sewage treatment facility. However I can see merit in the meanings of the peak use periods but that and only that as a valid resulting data.

]]> By: Your Midweek Random-Ass Roundup: Real Unprofessional. « PostBourgie http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2011/06/sewage-epidemiology-not-just-a-pipe-dream/comment-page-1/#comment-4611 Your Midweek Random-Ass Roundup: Real Unprofessional. « PostBourgie Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:02:01 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/?p=6831#comment-4611 [...] The newest front in the war on drugs?  Possibly your local sewer. [...] [...] The newest front in the war on drugs?  Possibly your local sewer. [...]

]]> By: KS http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2011/06/sewage-epidemiology-not-just-a-pipe-dream/comment-page-1/#comment-4605 KS Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:28:11 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/?p=6831#comment-4605 What's funny is the water companies in California sending out yearly reports to residents claiming the water is fine but when I called up to asked about the drugs now being found in the water, the operator hesitated then gave me a phone number for an engineer. What’s funny is the water companies in California sending out yearly reports to residents claiming the water is fine but when I called up to asked about the drugs now being found in the water, the operator hesitated then gave me a phone number for an engineer.

]]> By: Shawn Elliott http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/2011/06/sewage-epidemiology-not-just-a-pipe-dream/comment-page-1/#comment-4581 Shawn Elliott Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:33:23 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/science/?p=6831#comment-4581 I don't think it's creepy at all. From a purely ecological standpoint, it's important to know what we're dumping into our waterways -- which we drink and water our crops with -- and from a legal standpoint, it's only tracking the behavior of whole communities instead of individuals. So I think it's a good idea on both counts. That being said, I can assure you, the day the local waterworks requires me to have a home wastewater analyzer attached to my sewer pipe, that will be the day I move to the country and start using a septic tank. I don’t think it’s creepy at all. From a purely ecological standpoint, it’s important to know what we’re dumping into our waterways — which we drink and water our crops with — and from a legal standpoint, it’s only tracking the behavior of whole communities instead of individuals. So I think it’s a good idea on both counts.

That being said, I can assure you, the day the local waterworks requires me to have a home wastewater analyzer attached to my sewer pipe, that will be the day I move to the country and start using a septic tank.

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