Say No To Urban Salinity
Cities and regions around the world are already starting to ban the backwashing of salt and heavily chemical dosed pool water back into the environment.
In Toronto Canada the pollutants of concern for salt water pools are essentially the same as the conventional chlorine pools. In addition to these, the salt itself (sodium chloride) is corrosive and will cause degradation of storm sewers and soil.
To read more on the city of Toronto's environmental practice and Santa Clarita's laws in the LA County in regards to the banning of backwashing into the environment please log on to www.toronto.ca/water and http://www.lacsd.org/info/industrial_waste/chloride_in_santa_clarita/saltwaterpool.asp
WHAT IS URBAN SALINITY?
Urban salinity is mainly caused by rising ground water bringing salt to the land's surface.
HOW DOES URBAN SALINITY OCCUR
Urban development can lead to localised urban salinity because of :
- Over-watering of parks and sporting fields.
- Leaking pipes and/or septic tanks.
- Backwashing of salt and liquid dosed chlorine pools into the environment.
WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF URBAN SALINITY?
Salinity damage shortens the life of urban infrastructure such as; roads, buildings, water and sewage pipes.
This leads to millions of dollars of costly maintenance and repairs by owners and councils.
The Impacts of Urban Salinity in Australia
Over 800,000 domestic and commercial salt and chlorine pools are backwashed into the environment dumping over 150,000 tonnes of common salt back to our precious eco-system every year. It is no wonder that some regions and countries around the world have banned backwashing of swimming pools due to the salinity impact on the environment.
SIGNS OF URBAN SALINITY
- Bare patches of ground often with a white salt crust on the surface.
- Waterlogged areas.
- Salting of brickwork.
- Growth of salt tolerant species.
- Fretting of brick and mortar.
- Road, pavement or driveway crumbling or deterioration.
HOW MUCH IS THE COST OF THIS PROBLEM?
Salinity also increases the cost of treating water for drinking, reduces the availability of water for irrigation, and renders farmland useless, costing the economy millions each year.
HOW TO AVOID URBAN SALINITY
- Stop backwashing salt and liquid dosed chlorine pools back into the environment.
- Avoid over-watering of gardens.
- The main thing to remember about avoiding urban salinity is to limit the amount of water that reaches the water table.
We can all do our part by working towards eliminating the harsh effects of Urban Salinity by making wiser, eco-friendly choices in our day to day lives.