On January 21, 2009 I wrote that "Every now and then, usually after a real downpour, we hear that the wastewater plant has discharged some raw sewage in the bay." I based that post on a news article I had recently read, and on the memory of other articles I had read prior to that one.

On November 19, 2010 I discussed the "sewage spill" problem with Javier Vargas of the Utilities Department. He explained that, while there are sometimes spills at the wastewater plant, they never are large enough to reach the bay - or even leave the compound. These spills are always reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and cleaned up immediately.

The sewage that reached the bay probably came from a street sewer manhole, overflowing into a nearby storm drain. This would only be a few gallons, but would be reported in the press as a "sewage spill".

The "growth" promoters will be happy to hear from me that the water and sewage plant can handle half again the current population of Sarasota. If only the transportation systems could cope . . .

The odor from the sewage plant comes from the mixing of sawdust with the sewage solid residue to make a soil conditioner which the city uses and sells. The up side of this is that if you live in the city you can come over any time and get a big bag of this for your own flowers and shrubs for free. The remediation of this odor is on the to-do list, City staff is currently looking at various treatments and technologies. Someday . . .

On January 24, 2009 I wrote that the water in Sarasota "tastes terrible, smells and I know it rots out the faucet in a year." On Nov 19 City Chemist Katherine Gusie came to my home, tested my water with a test kit, it was OK, and showed me how to remove the "rot" from my faucet with ordinary vinegar - soap, cleanser or detergent won't touch it. The faucet looks really, really nice with the "rot" removed.

Miss Gusie said she likes the taste and smell of Sarasota water, but then, she is the cook. There is going to be a change in the formula soon that will make it taste and smell better. Meanwhile, draw a pitcher full, put it in the refrigerator for a half hour and it should taste and smell fine.