Kind of Cool

October 5, 2020
water sewer management
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We can find Covid19 in wastewater!  It seems that as utilities and regulatory agencies have tested for covid19, they find it.  Recently it was found at Yosemite National Park – no one knew.  Miami Dade County has been testing.  The University of South Florida also has been working on it also. Michigan State University and the Detroit Water and sewer Dept is participating in a similar exercise. 

An now, Florida Atlantic University (Dan Meeroff and I) has started a project through its civil engineering program to develop the technology.  The reason – it may be an indicator of covid in the community, but also future hotspots.  Sampling is occurring on campus and several local governments are interested in participating as well.  A conference presentation has been accepted.  More to come….

A question

September 30, 2020
water sewer management
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A Black Swan event completely changes how the world looks when we get past it.  So, is the Covid19 pandemic a “Black Swan” event.  Ponder these questions – Will schools be different?  Colleges?  Will working from home be the norm?  What will restaurants look like and when will they return?  Lawyers and financial people are working from home.  Water/sewer utilities have over half their people are working from home.  Is this the new normal? 

How about sports – years ago there was discussion about sports becoming more of a television event as opposed in person event since the television money dwarfs the attendance in most cases, playing the games is the most important issues for the leagues.  NFL – get to a bubble – its working in the NBA and NHL.  Not working – MLB and college football. 

Intriguing question posed in a magazine

September 25, 2020
water sewer management
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Question- does the alteration of the natural system increase the likelihood of covid 19 and similar diseases?  We may never know the answer to this question but if Mother Nature once had the world in equilibrium, and a disruption at one point can disrupt the globe (the Butterfly effect), in conjunction with the knowledge that mangroves can protect urban communities, perhaps we need to rethink our changes to ecosystems and environments.  Just a thought.