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Water Ways Ray Pendleton |
Boaters know all
about pollutionThere can be no question that compared to many states in the United States, Hawaii's weather and geographic isolation significantly reduces our observable air and water pollution.
This is not to say that our state is nonpolluting, but rather, when we do pollute, the evidence often disappears quickly.
For example, in past decades hundreds of acres of sugar cane were burned before harvesting, producing bellowing clouds of sooty, black smoke.
Thanks to our trade winds, that pollution was nearly always blown swiftly out to sea and, of course, Oahu's vehicle emissions now disappear in a similar fashion.
Likewise, some of our most urbanized watersheds, like the one that drains the Manoa and Palolo valleys into Waikiki's Ala Wai Canal, periodically produce noticeably heavy pollution, usually with the first downpours of the winter.
But that accumulated rush of floating trash and soluble pollutants -- while longer lasting than smoke from a cane fire -- eventually finds its way into the huge surrounding ocean where it is diluted to the point of invisibility.
The problem, of course, with both these examples is that neither the air nor water pollution really disappeared. They were just absorbed by earth's huge natural environment, an environment that many believe is now being overwhelmed by pollution.
In order to educate the public on part of the problem, the Environmental Protection Agency and The Weather Channel co-produced a new, half-hour television special titled "After the Storm," and although The Weather Channel isn't accessible for most homes in Hawaii, free VHS copies of the program are now available.
"After the Storm" begins with an explanation of what "storm water" runoff is, why it's a problem and then gives examples of its effects on our environment.
The video defines storm water runoff as the result of precipitation that flows over the ground, roof tops and paved surfaces, like streets and sidewalks, without soaking into the ground.
This runoff becomes a problem, the film explains, because it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants, which are then discharged untreated into storm-drain systems, or directly into the water we use for swimming, fishing or drinking.
For recreational boaters, who usually find themselves at the receiving end of such an onslaught, pollution's adverse effects, as shown in the film, are often very observable.
Sediment from storm water runoff can destroy aquatic habitats and excess nutrients can cause algae blooms that, when they die, decompose in a process that removes oxygen from the water. This kills off fish.
Introduced bacteria create health hazards and often make beach closures necessary, while debris such as plastic bags, bottles and six-pack rings present life hazards for many aquatic species.
As for solutions, the film highlights ideas for our residential and commercial communities ranging from lawn and auto care, pet waste, landscaping and recycling, to street sweeping, insecticide and herbicide disposal, and chemical spill prevention.
To order a free copy, contact the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) at 513-489-8190, or 800-490-9198, or send an e-mail to ncepimal@one.net and refer to document number, EPA 840-V-04-001.
The EPA would also like anyone interested in watersheds to visit its Web site at http://www.epa.gov/weatherchannel/ for more information and to receive a free brochure about storm water pollution.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Ray Pendleton is a free-lance writer based in Honolulu.
His column runs Saturdays in the Star-Bulletin.
He can be reached by e-mail at raypendleton@mac.com.