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popular pagesCounty urges caution on Lake Worth's plan to dump treated effluent
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
LAKE WORTH — The county's Department of Environmental Resources Management says more research is necessary before Lake Worth is allowed to discharge its reverse-osmosis effluent near a pristine reef.
The state Department of Environmental Protection issued a draft permit last month that would allow Lake Worth to discharge 4 million gallons of treated effluent a day about a mile off Lake Worth Beach.
John J. Lopinot/The Post A nurse shark swims over a coral head on the Horseshoe Reef off Lake Worth.
John J. Lopinot/The Post Ed Tichenor, Director of Palm Beach County Reef Rescue, uses a tape to measure a giant brain coral growing on the Horseshoe Reef off Lake Worth. Tichenor and Terry St. Jean (out of picture) found the coral to be about 4 feet in diameter, making it one of the oldest living creatures in Palm Beach County.
John J. Lopinot/The Post Ed Tichenor, Director of Palm Beach County Reef Rescue, surveys an outfall pipe that extends from Lake Worth Beach out to beyond the deep reef in about 92 feet of water.
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Video: 
The 92-foot deep pipe that once dumped sewage opens just east of Horseshoe Reef, which is home to a 4-foot brain coral and thousands of fish.
"From the data available in the draft permit, it does not appear that reasonable assurance has been provided that there will not be impacts to the reef from nutrients, copper or biocides," ERM Director Richard Walesky wrote in the letter.
Walesky outlined the agency's concerns with the permit's lack of monitoring requirements and has asked that the DEP not issue the permit without "a better understanding of potential impacts."
But Utility Director Samy Faried said the city and its contractor Mock Roos & Associates Inc. have complied with all of DEP requirements regarding the permit.
Mayor Jeff Clemens said the city does not want to harm the 200-year-old reef.
In a May 7 meeting, city officials briefly discussed the reverse-osmosis effluent discharge into the ocean and mentioned possible alternatives, including building the old sewage outfall pipe further from the reef or building a deep well injection system that could cost up to $7 million, Clemens said.
"We don't want to look back 20 years from now and see that we killed the reef," Clemens said.
A public meeting will be held June 18 at which city officials and DEP will discuss concerns with the permit.
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Comments
By dive lady
May 23, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
I have been diving at the delray waste dump, it is disgusting to see the thick brown sludge that covers the reef. SHAME on all you overpaid morons.
By Luke
May 23, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
I know the city will be strapped with the proposed budget cuts, but wouldn't it be a good investment to diverge some of that effluent water a little north to the golf course? Abacoa and a few other courses using effluent water are the only ones without restrictions. Two birds, one stone?
By Terry
May 23, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
I don't understand why the city of Delray can discharge 1 million gallons per day of nearly untreated sewage, a mile off-shore, but the Lake Worth reverse osmosis discharge is poo-poo'd(get the pun).
I also don't understand why flushing a little wee-wee from my boat toilet can get ME in deep doo-doo, but a million gallons a day from Delray is quite alright.
Oh! and one last thing; only someone in government would have the nerve to be surprised when they are told this waste has killed the reef!
By Susan
May 23, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this
Please, please do not ruin our beautiful reef off Lake Worth. Please do extensive research and be sure it will be OK
By Angel
May 22, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
What's the hurry? Let conclusive evidence be presented before you rush to judgement as to whether this is a good or bad idea. The world is 3/4 water...The ocean is supported by reefs...It took 200 years for this brain coral to grow to the size it is today. I have seen many of the reefs off our shores and am impressed with the size of this one. I have also seen reefs that are protected in other areas of the world. Our reefs are small and a lot more fragile than most. There are a lot worse things to spend millions of dollars on rather than protecting a natural resource. Our beaches bring tourists, divers and dollars! Let's not rush to destroy what we have.
By Paul
May 22, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
It is true that "Lake Worth" is now considered in the league of "Hialeah" in ranking of safe cities. I don't know the history, I just know what I read in the Post and elsewhere that if something bad happens it is usually in Lake Worth.
So it is real hard for a new mayor of "Lake Worth" to have any credibility on any issue until the general issues in Lake Worth are addressed.
By Alan
May 22, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
Letýs try just a little common sense here. What would Mother Nature do? Leave the reef alone for God sake. Are you people morons or what? Like the planet need a little more trashing. Have these clowns just arrived on the planet? Are they not aware of what effect this kind of behavior is having on the environment? I read articles like this and just scratch my head and think, what kind of primitive world do I live in? Now I know where the term ýMugglesý comes from.
By ED THE PALMBEACHER
May 22, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this
Wastewaterguru has just received moron of the day award! Statements like "me not paying for anything"? and no evidence?? Wake up stupid, get past the Post's comic section and search police blotter?? How about news everyday about gang related crimes and abundance of police walking the streets at night?? You are either an idiot or have been sheltered in "mommy's basement" the past several years....moron
By wastewaterguru
May 22, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this
Ed is going after another utility just to keep his name in the paper. As usual he has no scientific evidence but counts on getting the public stirred up. It would be interesting to see if "good old Ed" would be so willing to do the things he suggest if he was actually paying for it. Protesting against those things that would actually harm the environment are one thing but he cries foul against everything and everybody without the slightest shred of evidence.
By Relax
May 22, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
ED, relax. The new Mayor's only been on the job for 45 days, and anyone who lives there will tell you things are beginning to change. I don't think you can blame him for 20 years of incompetence. I'm betting you're going to see some of Lake Worth's potential begin to shine through soon. Let's just hope they don't give into the hysteria and build a $7 million well for no reason when they can use this outfall.
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