Effects of untreated sewage on the Mesoamerican Reef

[driftwood]

Why do some hotels on Coz prohibit flushing toilet paper? Is it because they are not connected to the sewer system? If so, I assume they are on septic tanks and flushing some types of TP will clog them?? Are they contributing to the problem?
(Unlike some folks here, I am not a sewage specialist...)

The standard diameter for waste water lines in the States is 6" for a single family connection. Mexico uses a smaller diameter system with flexible as opposed to rigid pipe. The more twists, turns, ups and downs, the great the chance for a blockage. When they were repaving a section of 5th Ave in PDC, I was amazed that the system worked at all.

On a different note, we have to remember that Coz is a karst aquifer just like the mainland. Point being that underground water more often than not flows in a different direction than than the surface topography. What is needed is a trace dye study to get a better handle on how the natural plumbing of the island works.

 

[Okcdiver2]

Before i was a storm water inspector i was a waste water inspector.. the number one problem we had was grease. I have seen grease traps at some restaurants in coz so i know some have em. We started a FOG program for fats oils and greases to educate the public on not washing grease and oil down the drain. Education helps but so does sewage backing up in your house.

 

[morecowbells]

Last year one of the ENT doctors at my work was telling me about a patient whom he treated with the worst ear infection he had ever seen. The patient recently returned from a dive trip to Cozumel. The cultures were positive for E Coli. I told the surgeon my opinion was the infection probably occurred from a swimming pool, hot tub or even in the shower. The patient denied ever using a pool or a hot tub. After reading about the sewage system, I no longer question the ocean as the main culprit of this nasty bug.

 

[mediumone]

The standard diameter for waste water lines in the States is 6" for a single family connection.

That may be the standard diameter in central Texas, but here in southwest Washington state, 4" meets code from 1 to 144 units.

That said, a 6" pipe is often used.

 

[Christi]

Last year one of the ENT doctors at my work was telling me about a patient whom he treated with the worst ear infection he had ever seen. The patient recently returned from a dive trip to Cozumel. The cultures were positive for E Coli. I told the surgeon my opinion was the infection probably occurred from a swimming pool, hot tub or even in the shower. The patient denied ever using a pool or a hot tub. After reading about the sewage system, I no longer question the ocean as the main culprit of this nasty bug.

That's horrible! I know you probably don't have the answer, but I'm just curious if it was just after a period of heavy rains where there is more run-off than usual.

I admit I am not an expert on the topic of water quality, nutrients, etc. - but based on what I HAVE read, I believe our problems are from a variety of sources, primarily big resorts and the ships. I'm not convinced that the ships don't play a role.

 

[morecowbells]

That's horrible! I know you probably don't have the answer, but I'm just curious if it was just after a period of heavy rains where there is more run-off than usual.

I admit I am not an expert on the topic of water quality, nutrients, etc. - but based on what I HAVE read, I believe our problems are from a variety of sources, primarily big resorts and the ships. I'm not convinced that the ships don't play a role.

I would love to know if the illness was acquired during heavy rains. It would be interesting to study. Ear infections are typically caused by Proteus, Staph or Pseudomonas bacteria. I have never heard of an E Coli positive culture from an ear swab. I think we occasionally see postings from MD's and ENT specialists. It would be interesting to hear their input. I agree with you 100 about the effects of the resorts and ships.