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Citizen of the Week 8/17/07

Water Warning for Holiday Weekend

Star News Report-

State health regulators have issued swimming advisories for two soundside areas in Wrightsville Beach south of Causeway Drive.

But the warnings against water-contact activities in Banks Channel could come down before the Labor Day holiday weekend if tests from samples taken Thursday come back within safe limits.

Those results won't be known until today.

The signs, which advise against swimming within 200 feet, were posted at the Hanover Seaside Club near Iula Street and across from the Blockade Runner Beach Resort Hotel.

Both sites are chronic problem areas, with warnings often issued after rains wash polluted stormwater into pipes that dump into the channel. The pipes drain parking areas, which are often popular with waterfowl, and parts of Waynick Boulevard.

Last year, a swimming advisory for the water around the beach club was in effect for 63 days between May 1 and Sept. 30, including the busy Fourth of July holiday.

August 31, 2007

Sewers Past Due

Star News Report- It's time to get it done.

Developers, environmentalists, government officials and residents who met Thursday to offer comments to state regulators on the fragile state of the Wilmington sewer system and the plan to fix it agreed it's time to end decades of mismanagement and work toward a future with dependable sewers.

The public hearing was one of the final steps as Wilmington officials and regulators with the N.C. Division of Water Quality work out an agreement, called a special order by consent, that outlines a list of repairs and progress reports the city must complete on a timetable or face monetary penalties. The agreement focuses on the troubled Northeast Interceptor, which has spewed millions of gallons of sewage into area waterways in the last few years.

According to the draft agreement, the city must complete a variety of projects by June 30, 2008, or face fines of at least $1,000 per day. The city also would be fined $5,000 if an interceptor-related sewer spill occurs. The necessary projects include pipe repairs along Greenville Loop Road, relocating a portion of the interceptor away from Hewletts Creek and a variety of upgrades to nearby pump stations. The city has estimated repairs will be complete by January 2008.

Fun Fact Friday

The word 'Indiana' is Native American for 'Land of the Indians', yet less than 16,000 Native Americans live there.

Quote of the Day:

"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute."           

                  ~Gil Stern
                           

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