HTO Spring 2008 Newsletter

Heal the Ocean has received a $333,000 state grant for a revolutionar y oceanographic and microbiological ocean outfall study that is tracking the travel of treated wastewater once it is discharged into the ocean. The “Shallow Ocean Wastewater Outfall Source Tracking Project ” (SOWOST) is one of the first research grants of its type ever awarded by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) – and gives a huge boost to our ever-growing investigation of treated wastewater disposal methods (sewers as well as improperly placed septic systems). While we have been able to apply high technology (DNA) to the issue of septic systems, we have not – until now – had the opportunity to apply high technology to the subject of shallow treated wastewater outfalls. Download PDF