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Houston's Dirty Water Crisis

A new water crisis is taking the stage, and this time it is not in Flint, Michigan. It is right here in Houston, Texas.

Houston has recently experienced persistent and heavy rain and flooding. This, along with an alarming water usage rate, leads to the overflowing of an outdated sewage system. Sewage pipes are not built to withstand the pressure of a colossal flow of wastewater, nor the wrath of mother nature. With a buildup of pressure in the sewage pipe system, a greater chance of leaks occur due to seedy pipes and high water levels. What is leaking from the pipes? Human waste.

Those who live close to sewer system pipes often experience the less than pleasurable scene of sewage gurgling out of a nearby manhole and are threatened by the dangerous effects of sewage water flowing on streets and seeping into water sources. More often than not they are advised to: abstain from showering and flushing, use a limited amount of water, and disinfect the bathroom for up to 5 days. The waste doesn't just end up in our water sources but inevitably winds up in ditches, affecting students who walk home and children who play outside in rain puddles. Diseases such as cholera and diarrhea are linked to contaminated water, and it is recommended to avoid ditch water and puddles all together.

Unfortunately, it is not a surprise that those most affected by the crisis are from low income neighborhoods. Houston has roughly 840 annual overflows. Pasadena alone has an average of about 138 annual overflows. In 2016, Houston fought to negotiate with the EPA to achieve an upgraded pipe system, better maintenance, and awareness, but a full report of this agreement has yet to be made public. What is clear is that if this agreement is in the very near future, it will cause water bills to spike which will not rest easy with residents. This sewage plight highlighted an even bigger problem that will not go ignored. The city of Houston is also currently working on distributing money provided by the government to fund necessary projects, in order to bridge economic disparity.

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