- Environmental Justice Case Study: North River Sewage Treatment Plant -http://www.umich.edu/~snre492/ny.html -My case study focuses on the North River Sewage Treatment Plant located in West Harlem of Manhattan in New York City. This study talks about how ever since the construction of the Sewage Treatment Plant, members of the community have talked about overbearing odors emanating from the North River Sewage Plant. Since the development of the plant, residents of the surrounding area have complained about the noxious odor, a smell similar to rotten eggs. Residents can’t even spend time outside on their front porch or even open their windows. The smell even gets worse in the hot summer months. Residents near the plant have also complained of itchy eyes, shortness of breath, and other symptoms related to asthma and other respiratory problems. This case study relates to what was discussed in the module because since the odors of the treatment plant is causing people to have symptoms like shortness of breath and asthma, this can cause the life expectancy of people in the community to decrease.
- Worldwide Watch Institute: Chinese Cities Lack Sewage Treatment -http://www.worldwatch.org/nearly-300-chinese-cities-lack-sewage-treatment -The next case study that I found was from a different source, and it discussed how nearly 300 Chinese Cities lack Sewage Treatment. Of these 300 cities, 8 of these cities have a population of more than 500,000. By the end of 2004, 708 treatment plants had been built in 661 cities. The Sewage Treatment in Chinese cities play an important role in boosting urban water quality. Without adequate facilities to treat their sewage, cities either release their waste into nearby rivers or into surrounding farmlands. The shortage of high-quality water has become a serious issue in many localities, and water pollution continues to threaten both public health and living standards. This case study is an example of a poor end use. Because without proper sewage treatment people will not be able to have good quality water.
- Throughout both of these case studies, it was shown how the structure of development can impact society. These case studies are both similar and different to my hometown. These case studies are both similar because the sewage treatment affected the populations health and living standards. I currently reside in Wyckoff, New Jersey which is a half hour out of New York City. I can relate to the first case study because I am in New York all the time because it is a great city and also because my brother lives there. In some instances when I am in the city, I can smell the odor of the sewage treatment plants in Manhattan and I too sometimes agree that the smell can become very overbearing. My hometown is different from case study two because unlike case study two my hometown has a sufficient sewage treatment plant and also we have great quality water.
2 thoughts on “Module 5- Sewage Treatment Plants”
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Hey Mara, its Rob. This is something that I sort of have an understanding of as I also live near New York City and Wayne. It has become a big problem all the waste that is being dumped in the hudson river around NYC. it is interesting that they talk about the sewage systems as a problem because though it is, NYC and the surrounding areas are known for their quality of water. Being at Penn State, you notice this in the pizza and bagels!
Link : http://sites.psu.edu/geog30/2016/02/26/44563/