A WORM STORY
THE WORM WOMAN AND THE WRIGGLING POLITICIANS
This story began when the KI council decided to foist a full sewerage system on Penneshaw – 2008 oh poo! In this story there are three types of worms.
The good guy worms. We had recently placed 1 kilo of worms and other micro-organisms into our new septic tank. To our amazement the little critters started munching away at our…. so effectively, all that was left was a great gift of water for our garden. We were instantly impressed. These worms are the good guys and in an organic way we love them.
I became known to a councilor down Penneshaw way as the “Worm Woman” I was delighted even though she meant to malign me for it. I say, Councilor down Penneshaw way “I will forgive you if you promise to keep calling me that til the day I die and thereafter”. What a wonderful thing by which to be remembered.
The next thing that happened was that one of the candidates for the elections who is currently Deputy Mayor wrote to me “worms are one of God’s amazing creatures, they may be the far end of the food chain but absolutely vital to sustain life” He went on to say that “if your current Council representative is against any changes to the proposed system, I think she’ll have a hard time convincing people to have a ‘poo factory nearby.” He also went on to say that poo factories have a decreasing effect on the value of land nearby. On another occasion he said he would put in a worm type system when he built his house and if so will the people of Penneshaw be in the middle of their own …. whilst his worm factory just keeps on producing great water for the garden?
The worms that turn. It wasn’t long before the Deputy Mayor turned. Was it because of his indoctrination training – oops- councilor training? Doesn’t this turning confuse us? Deputy Mayor, I believe we have it in our hearts to forgive you should you wish to turn again.
The maligned worm appears to be one of the most environmental assets we have on earth. One day not too far away for Penneshaw, I hope, our …. will remain on our property and the worms will not charge us one cent. They just simply multiply themselves and have a lovely time doing it!
The worms that wriggle. The CEO, Mayor and the other councilor down Penneshaw way are superb wrigglers. In particular, when asked a question they can’t answer right away they appear to make one up either by waffling on or obfuscating or just not getting the question.
ALL HAIL THE GOOD GUY WORMS
I have 2 biolytix systems and also marvel at the way worms can be utilised in such an eco friendly manner. I was initially all for the use of worms in Penneshaw until I realised that the 2 systems I have are monitored by myself so that I have control over what waste products are put into the system.
Penneshaw has a large population of tourists and to be able to control what waste is used would be impossible. Products such as Nappysan, bleaches and any non biodegradable products are very harmful to worms.
With this realisation I too changed my mind, not because I was party to any indoctrination training but because it doesn’t make economic sense to introduce a system that would not be viable.
I applaud anyone who has the guts to change their mind for a better outcome rather than just sticking to their guns without being totally informed.
I have lived on KI at Penneshaw for 50 years of my life, I have seen the remnants of local sewerage leaking into the sea at both Penneshaw Beach and Christmas Cove on most occasions that I visited the Northern corners of both sites. I have installed sewer pipelines and house hold connections and cannot believe the local populace has fallen for this story of deceit, treachery and woe. I believe it is time for Penneshaw to rise out of the sewer and join the 21st century. Planned is a well tried system of three pump stations, which would not be heard (imagine the people of Adelaide if there was noise involved), there will not be a smell involved( as per three 4″ vent pipes and a sediment pond well away from town), there will not then be a constant seepage of nutrient rich fluid into the beach front. There will not be a foul smell at the end of Christmas Cove, or for that matter the beach. Neighbours will not have to put up with each others smelly pump out episodes. And “god forbid ” there will be a lot less E. coli around you own house for your children and grand children to play in. Let’s not be so selfish and think of the future for all our own good.
First let me state clearly that I am in favour of a CWMS scheme for the CBD and levels areas of Penneshaw and have twice moved (a year ago and more recently) that council get on with it as a priority for these areas. This was rejected by council so we continue the debate. The remainder of the township needing to be included has not been established and is much more problematical. Minor issues with septic tank systems can readily be addressed and these days there are a number of alternatives to a centralized scheme and certainly any council allowing ‘old tech’ septic systems to be installed and or retained in residential areas needs to think again.
Nevertheless, do not presume that duplicating the American River system is the answer for Penneshaw for the following reasons:
What is currently proposed is not a wholly low maintenance drainage system as many would suppose, but a hybrid system when a substantial number of connections will be run through on site collection tanks pumping the effluent up into a gravity main. As with any mechanical system, the pumps are prone to failure as my own property in American River bears out with three pump replacements over the two years since commissioning, along with the pump out tanker, multiple council vehicles, electrician etc over a couple of days – price, wow!
The worm system referenced above and many other next generation of residential treatment systems are well proven but do have their limitations including a pump component which can fail and they need some TLC to keep them functioning at their best and of course the routine mandatory test and inspection reports.
The two “trouble free” systems that are exceptionally well proven are the ‘old tech’ septic system and the full gravity system that most often is installed on new subdivisions. Alas, the retrofitting of towns like American River and Penneshaw with a full gravity collection system is very difficult and expensive to achieve, so ready yourselves Penshawians for a significant number of on property, in ground, collection tanks with pumps.
Many areas on KI are holiday homes, shacks, or self contained accommodation. These result in “intermittent” usage of the effluent system and have ‘drying out’ issues that contribute to operational problems of all but basic septic or a full gravity connection. Penneshaw and American River have more than their fair share of such intermittent use properties. Unfortunately this is not an essential consideration in the design requirements for a subsidized scheme and the component valves and pumps tend to fail more than anyone would like.
One final point with respect to the noise and odor possibilities, David Trethewy is right in that there should not be these issues with the collection and ventillation system around town. However, be much more cautious about noise and odour issues with the treatment plant and ponds being located within 400m of residences for Penneshaw. American River has its treatment plant and ponds three times that distance from the nearest town boundary. The three nearest rural neighbors in American River – approx half a km to the south, north and east of the ponds report no noise or odor problems so far.
N.B. these are my personal views formed from my practical experience in remote areas service engineering around Oz and are not necessarily the views of council.