May/June 2007

Tape Stance

All of Hampton Roads must maintain a clear focus on securing a clean water supply and waterways.

By Michael Jon Khandelwal

In the narrative poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a man trapped in the middle of the sea laments, "Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink." And the man had a point. Finding a clean source of fresh water is the first priority for anyone trying to survive. As a community, we should never underestimate its importance.

Recently, a survey published in Men's Health magazine ranking the purity of the nation's municipal water supplies placed Norfolk fourth out of 100 municipalities; the city received an overall grade of "A."

The publication looked at levels of contaminants in the cities' drink water: arsenic, lead, halo-acetic acids and total trihalomethanes (substances linked to cancer) and total coliform bacteria. It also searched for Environmental Protection Agency water-system violations -- given for either exceeding the EPA's maximum contaminant levels or monitoring system problems -- from the previous 10 years.

It makes sense that a Hampton Roads city finds itself on the top of the list. After all, as we live our lives, we are reminded of water everywhere we go. It surrounds us, it affected our history, it brings pleasure, and, more fundamentally, it relieves thirst.

It turns out that Norfolk has known about its penchant for providing pure water for a while now. They've even bottled city tap water and called it Norfolk Pure, selling it in city vending machines and giving it away during neighborhood events.

To emphasize the point even further, Norfolk's Department of Utilities hosted several blind taste tests in 2005, comparing Norfolk Pure and a leading, commercially available bottled water. The taste test showed that of the people who self-identified as bottled water drinkers, 71 percent actually preferred Norfolk's tap. Overall 42 percent preferred Norfolk's water, 48 percent preferred the leading bottled water, and 10 percent couldn't really tell the difference.

Norfolk's point is that much of the bottled water available in stores is no better than what comes out of your kitchen faucet. And, the city has done a good job of maintaining and safeguarding its water supply, serving as an example to the rest of the region. There's no reason why every Hampton Roads city couldn't come in at the top of next year's Men's Health list -- or any other list. In fact, Virginia Beach and parts of Chesapeake supply their residents' water from basically the same source. Water pumped from Lake Gaston feeds into Lake Prince. From there, the water is sent to Moores Bridges Water Treatment Plant, one of the two water treatment plants used by Norfolk

We must be aware that while the water supply is pure after treatment, it is important to maintain its delivery infrastructure. Corroded mains and old pipes should be constantly upgraded to ensure the water we all drink continues to be safe and fresh.

The State Water Control Board recently designated the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach as a "no discharge zone" for boat sewage, the second body of water in the state to have that designation. Beginning this month (May), the edict bans all discharge of human waste from boats in the Lynnhaven River system. Boaters will have to pump their waste into sewage tanks, often available on land and at marinas. Violations could result in a Class 1 misdemeanor, with fines and penalties as high as $2,500 and a year in jail.

Even though this will eliminate only one source of water contamination, it is an important first step in making Hampton Roadstead cleaner. Raising environmental standards for our water will have a positive effect on general health and the fishing and tourist industries. Other Hampton Roads cities should follow the example of the new restrictions for the Lynnhaven River and ask the Sate Water Control Board for similar designations for their vital waterways.

Another proposed program by the Control Board aims to help eliminate pollution in our waterways caused by wastewater by recycling tap water, something 24 other states, including North Carolina, already do. The program, which will come to a final vote of approval in September and could begin implementation by the end of the year, will help conserve drinking water supplies while reducing the amount of wastewater discharged into rivers.

Currently, the wastewater that leaves residences travels to the nearest sewage treatment plant, where bacteria and contaminants are filtered and neutralized before the water is pumped back into the environment. This creates pollution. The proposed plan calls for cleaning and recycling water and allowing it to be used for non-residential purposes like irrigating crops, golf courses and parks; fighting fires; making concrete; cooling boilers; and creating steam for heating.

Recycling wastewater would also help in times of drought -- household usage would not have to compete with industrial useage, and the reservoirs could be better stabilized.

The English settlers used water as a means to travel to our shores and explore the surrounding landscape. Now, the Hampton Roads economy depends on safe access to our waters for the tourist industry to thrive.

In this issue of Hampton Roads Magazine, you'll find our Summer Fun Guide, filled with many options for enjoying the long days in and around our waterways. When you're taking in our vistas, make note of how you're treating this valuable resource. And, of course, keep hydrated. We all know it's the best way to keep ourselves going strong under the hot summer sun.