Every state is required the Clean Water Act to establish all seriously “impaired” or “polluted” water bodies after every two years. Every polluted water bodies together with its associated contaminants are put by the states in what is referred to as the “303(d) list”. This list is maintained and updated in California by the State Water Board and Regional Water Boards. Thirty-five years have passed since the Clean Water Act was created and still yet, many of the California beaches are still contaminated. This problem is not getting any better. From the information that has been already gathered through research; it is important that we stop the California beaches pollution because our life and health depends on it and the life of other living organisms that live on these beaches.

When water losses its strength of providing beneficial uses because of the introduced superfluous materials that are dangerous to humans, animals and aquatic life due to human activity, the water is said to have been polluted. Daily, water is used for so many purposes that are helpful to human such as cooking, drinking, fertilization of crops, and watering livestock among other things. The other uses include food production, industry, and recreational uses. It is evident that water is a very important resource for humans, animals, and plants. Water pollution does not spare anyone or anything, and this is the reason why it should be stopped. Pollution of the California beaches has a bad effect on everything that depends on them and their waters. California beaches are visited by so many people for relaxation, recreation, and sports. According to research that was conducted by The Natural Resources Defense Council on the California beaches in 2011, it was established that there is an increase and advisories on these beaches because of pollution. California beaches are being polluted and ruined by drainage and sewage waste. When this sewage combines with storm water, the swimmers exposed to infections, sicknesses, and diseases. It is so sad that the general public is punished for doing what they love and trying to have a good time with their families. The pollution that happens at the Californian beaches ends up into the water, and this puts divers and surfers at great risks of contracting illness when they come into contact with the contaminated beach water.

The polluted beach water contains a lot of disease-causing organisms which are commonly known as pathogens. Enteric pathogens are the ones that are found in the human intestine, and they can cause or carry a couple of infectious diseases. When a swimmer comes into contact with the sewage-polluted water from the beaches, he/she could contact any illness that can be spread through migration and inadvertent ingestion of fecal-contaminated water. Viruses are also thought to be a major cause of diseases that are associated with swimming in the polluted California beaches’ water; they are responsible for various cases of hepatitis, gastroenteritis, respiratory illness, and throat, ear, and nose problems. Other microbial diseases that swimmers can contract when they swim in the polluted California waters include shigellosis, salmonellosis, and infection brought about by E. coli. The other microbial pathogens that are there in varying concentrations in the Californian recreational water include protozoa and amoeba, which can bring about giardiasis, skin rashes, amoebic dysentery, and pink eye. It is evident that the pollution Californian beaches are of great concern to human health hence it is very important that the issue is addressed with the urgency that it deserves.

Common items such as fishing line, six-pack rings and strapping bands that are as a result of pollution can interfere with the mobility of marine animals, and this can lead to injuries. Once the pollution from the beaches is released into the water, animals experience breathing, eating and swimming; all of which have devastating results. Since plastics are non-biodegradable, they continue trapping and killing animals yearly. Mammals, fish, and birds usually mistake plastic for food. When they consume plastic, they are choked, and this leads to injuries. Plastics fill their stomachs, and this gives the animals a false feeling of being full and they may end up dying of starvation. Plastic bags are usually mistaken by sea turtles for jellyfish, one of the foods that they like most. Gray whales have not been left behind on this given that they have been found dead with sheeting and plastic bags in their stomachs. A study that was conducted recently with harbor seals found that more than 12% of the seals had plastic bags in their stomachs. The pollutants that come from the California beaches at times provide a different and increased way of transport for the species across vast ocean distances. This causes problems to biodiversity when the species that are introduced prove to be invasive. The pollution from the California beaches more than doubled the “rafting” chances for species. Beach water pollution is not just a problem for ocean surface water. These pollutants are also found on the floor of the ocean, and these include metal cans, plastic bags, glass bottles, fishing equipment, shoes, and tires. This clearly shows that the pollution that takes place at the California beaches negatively affects the living things that are found in the ocean.

For a very long time, California has been battling the problem that takes place at beaches. In this fight, it is important for the California to rethink of how to dump efficiently approximately a trillion gallons of the polluted urban runoff every year into the ocean alongside California’s most fabled beaches. It has been noted that during the summer months, the California beaches are usually relatively clean unlike during the winter rains when the entire region of the coast suffers. The state should construct proper drainage systems that will be able to channel the storm waters into the sewerage systems that are there. The capacity of storm water drainage system also needs to be expanded to facilitate the surplus water during winter so as to avoid it from washing waste to the beaches. This can best be achieved by the construction of a network of concrete waterways that can prevent flooding from directing towards the ocean.

The state should also provide adequate funds to help in fighting this pollution. This should also include legislation that will force water testing and also the posting of unsafe conditions at the California beaches. The Environmental Protection Agency should also come up with minimum quality standards for recreational waters. It will also be important for the public to access information regarding water-quality. Jobs should also be provided to assist in enforcing regulations regarding pollutant runoff and discharge. The state can also resolve to public awareness campaigns that can be used to urge residents to thinks twice before releasing something to their gutters. The general public will become more cautious when they learn it’s about public health and the environment. The government also needs to come up with stiffer rules on waste disposal in the region and the government agencies must strictly enforce them. This implies that Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board must enforce these regulations. Large industrial organizations and big construction sites must comply with the stormwater regulations. Measures also must be established so as to limit the discharge of litter and the municipal permits should also be enforced on runoff levels.

The residents of the state can not only care about how to pick a good titles for essays about yourself, but also help greatly in reducing the California beaches pollutions. This can be achieved simply by changing their lifestyles. They can vow to refuse disposable, reuse, reduce and recycle materials at work, home and in school. They can also purchase reusable products and products that are manufactured from materials that can be recycled with no or very little packaging as this will greatly help in reducing the amount of waste that will need to be disposed of. Personal care products that contain microbeads can also be avoided. If it has not been indicated on the package, you may need to look for plastic indicated in the gradients. They will need look for polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate or polyethylene terephthalate. Natural fibers should also be chosen over synthetic fibers whenever possible more so for things that will need to be washed on a regular basis. The storm drains will have to be cleaned regularly since they usually drain to waterways and into the ocean. The state must also ensure that cigarette butts are kept out of the streets and the beaches to avoid them being carried away with runoff when it rains. Fishing lines, nets, and hooks should also be properly disposed of. If possible, people should be encouraged to recycle their monofilament fishing line. Every individual in the region should be familiar with the proposed and potential government action that may lead to the pollution at the beaches, and this includes smoking and plastic bag bans, bottle bills, extended producer responsibility laws, street sweeping policies among others.

When all the following are adhered to, the pollution of the California beaches can be a thing of the past and it is important that all the government agencies and the general public play an active role in helping to realize this goal since this pollution are great concern as much as human health and animal survival are involved.

Posted on 09/14 by admin

The main reason as to why valves are placed on the water distribution system is to guide the flow of water within the water pipeline. The function served by the valves is also known as throttling. Throttling ensures that there is a steady stream of water along the set direction. Besides aiding the continuous flow of water, valves also regulate the flow of water by facilitating stoppage and beginning of water flow within the water pipeline.

In the event of a water break that is reported, the valve that is close to the water meter needs to be shut, and a plumber consulted promptly to remedy the situation. In the event of a pipe break, the valves that are close to the point of the breakage are often closed to create a subsystem isolation. Subsystem isolation ensures that there is minimal loss of water while rectifying the leakage that has been reported. The two main types of water system valves are water flow control valve and the stop and start water valves. Example water flows control valve and the stop and starts water valves are butterfly valve and the valve.

The first factor that affects the distinguishing nature of water is its physical characteristics. The freezing point of water is 00C while the boiling point of water is 1000C.

The second factor is the weight of water. A gallon of water weighs approximately 8 pounds, thus, making it relatively heavier and a prudent choice for use in putting off a fire.

Third, water has a high expansion, and a molecule of water expands more than 1000 times its size while at room temperature.

Fourth, water was a high heat absorbing capacity.

The first disadvantage that affirms why water should not be used as an extinguishing agent is the reaction that water may have with other forms of water (Sturzenbecker, Adams & Burnside, 2012). Water reacts with the combustible metals, thus, making it a risky component to use in extinguishing a fire. Additionally, water conducts electricity.

Second, water has a high surface tension and allows the radiant heat to pass through it, thus, making it a risky component. The major advantage of using water is its ease of accessibility and affordability. In many municipalities, water is often available freely (Sturzenbecker, Adams & Burnside, 2012). The cooling effect of water is relatively high and can serve to reduce the flames within a burning substance.

The first variable that directs influences the water piping distribution is the ability of the water pipeline networks is the safety of the water passing through the water distribution. The water distribution systems need to ensure that the water reaches the final consumer without any form of contamination and with the right chlorine content (Sturzenbecker, Adams & Burnside, 2012).

Second, the water piping distribution needs to take cognizance of the water demand within the locality and the different water uses and ensure that the allocation of water in a given region is responsive to the needs of the target consumers. The water-piping network needs to relay adequate water for domestic use, fire hydrants, recreation and any additional usage of water that is approved by the managers of a given locality. The third variable that directly influences the water piping distribution is the projection of population growth that is predicted within a particular region. The anticipated water flow needs to ensure that they take into consideration the water needs likely to arise owing to the population growth recorded in a locality.

Whether you want to protect the environment, or you want to save some dollars on your energy bill, saving energy while cooking is always a smart choice. You might be surprised to find in how many ways you can actually become green and use your home appliances correctly. In fact, you don’t need to fill your kitchen with a lot of electronics, thinking that they will make the difference in your energy bill. Use this article to learn how much energy you can save with the appliances you already have.

5 ways how you can save energy while cooking

1. Match your pot size with that of your stove top element

When you are using a small pot to cook your meal, you can also use the smallest burner. You probably think that if you put a small pot on a larger burner, you will cook your food faster. This is completely false. By doing so, you will make your kitchen hotter than before, but your food won’t cook faster.

Studies on energy efficiency show that, in general, if you put a 6-inch pot on an 8-inch burner, you will waste 40% of the energy produced by that burner. A simple calculation shows that if you match your pot size with your burner, you can save $36 per year on energy and around $18 on gas. Also, by using lids on your pots, you can keep the heat in better and prepare your recipes faster.

2. Plan your quantities

Spending less time in the kitchen means less energy spent. Planning your quantities and meal schedule ahead will help you keep a balance between the time and energy spent while cooking. For instance, you can save energy by boiling the exact amount of water you want to use. If you prepare pasta, it is easy to estimate the quantity of boiling water you need. By boiling more water than necessary, it will take more time to reach the boiling point and thus more energy spent.

Moreover, you can use the boiling water for more than pasta. You can put a colander on top of your pan and prepare some steamed veggies in the meantime. This is how you will prepare two dishes at a time and save a lot of energy also.

3. Use the oven only when necessary

There are many recipes that don’t require a stove or oven. You can use the microwave or crockpot instead. However, when you prepare a recipe that requires an oven, you need to let curiosity aside. You don’t need to open the oven door every 10 minutes to check on your food. By opening the oven door, you let a lot of heat to escape. So, your oven will use more energy and time to re-establish the correct temperature.

4. Preparation is important

Before you start cooking, there are many actions that need to be done. For example, you might need to peel and chop some vegetables and season the meat. All this preparation should be done before you put your pan on the stove. In case you need to defrost some ingredients, this should be also planned ahead. To save even more energy, you can cover the frozen food and put it in the refrigerator to defrost. Even though it may take longer than leaving it on the counter, your refrigerator will save a lot of energy.

5. Keep your pans and stovetop clean

Apart from looking good, the metal pans will also help you save more. When your pans are blackened and greasy, they will absorb more energy to heat up and prepare your food. What is more, you should clean your stovetop after every use. Thus, it will need less energy and time to transfer the heat to your food.

You will see that by following the simple steps above, you will cook more efficiently and spend less time in the kitchen. What is more, you are contributing to the environmental protection by spending less energy while cooking. So, you can start slow and invest each penny saved in buying energy-efficient appliances that will add more money in your pockets on the long term.

We are living a time when the electronics make our lives a lot easier. They help us communicate and stay in touch with the latest updates. The innovation pace is so big that, even though we just bought a new device some months ago, we don’t think twice before we buy the latest, recently released gadget.

But, what happens with our old electronics once we replace them? Even though almost all the electronic waste can be recycled, we are still way behind to doing it right. Unfortunately, almost 14 million mobile phones are thrown away each year. And as if this wasn’t enough, all this quantity releases 80,000 lbs. of toxic lead, known for its devastating effects on the human body.

7 facts about electronic waste and recycling

Once you start reading this article, you most probably ask yourself how bad can electronic waste be? How is electronic recycling going on and what could be done to improve it? The majority of our electronic waste is discharged in the landfills from Asia or Africa. However, this doesn’t mean that there, all our mobile phones, TVs, and laptops are properly recycled.

All the electronic waste is usually incinerated on their landfills, polluting the air and the environment with the released toxins. Massive quantities of electronic waste are also sent to developing countries where the workers try to extract precious metals from them.

With an average replacement period of 18 months for a mobile phone, the facts about electronic waste and recycling should make everyone think twice before they replace their electronics.1. 50 million tons can be quantified each year as electronic waste. This amount is expected to grow yearly by 4%. The United States is the highest electronic waste producer, with an annual quantity of 3 million tons. China comes next with 70 million cell phones and 20 million household electronic devices thrown away every year.2. Up to 85% of the electronic waste is sent to landfills or incinerators in other countries. Guiyu, a town in China, is known as the “capital of electronic waste”. The workers from Guiyu have an average value of lead concentration of 149. Considering that any value above 100 puts the life in danger, it is obvious to understand what can happen with the workers from these landfills.3. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mentions that if we would recycle our electronic waste, the benefits could be impressive, starting with a better home space management to preventing pollution and saving the world’s natural resources. For instance, if we would recycle all the mobile phones we throw away in the landfills, we would save enough energy for 24,000 American homes.4. Electronic waste contains about 60 valuable elements like gold, copper, silver, or palladium. According to EPA, if we would recycle 1 million cell phones, we would obtain 50 pounds of gold, approximately 500 pounds of silver, 20 pounds of palladium, and 20,000 pounds of copper. With these values in mind, it is easy to estimate that the Americans are throwing around $60 million worth of gold and silver to the garbage.5. Each TV contains approximately 4 to 8 pounds of lead. When a TV is not properly recycled, all this lead ends up into the soil and water. The lead is extremely harmful to the nervous system and kidneys.6. Apart from lead, electronic waste contains a lot of dangerous and toxic substances. For example, it contains mercury, arsenic, chromium, selenium, or cadmium.7. The number of mobile phones has reached such an incredible level of being more than the world’s population. What is more, the statistics show that the mobile devices have a growth rate five times greater than that of the population.

We can all change this situation and start recycling our electronic waste. Education is the key for an efficient recycling program. Before we throw an electronic device to the garbage, we should think before if someone else could use it. What is more, we can also ask the electronic shops about their recycling programs and get their help.