Pollution Becomes an Issue When Human Waste Arises at DAPL Camps

Posted by Core Mini Bins on April 15th, 2017

Governor Burgum has raised concerns in regards to the DAPL camp. Clean up is a first priority with the main pipeline protest camp.

Taking a stand is what Governor Burgum has done. He proclaimed an evacuation on Wednesday, which shows how he has taken action concerning the situation.

Although the protestors are trying to do good, what they have done is causing destruction and could potentially cause damage to the rivers by polluting them.

The destruction represents a mark that the protestors have bestowed upon the Dakota Access pipeline. The Dakota Access Pipeline is known for flooding quite often, as often as every spring.

What raises major concerns and a red flag is that it is covered completely in a garbage when the environment should be treated with care.

Paul Sando who is the associate professor at MSUM commented on the issue. “Garbage entering into the atmosphere, better yet the water and it is not hygienic. It means chemicals are seeping into the water.”

But unfortunately it is not only trash that is going into the river. Human waste is playing a factor of entering into the river and it will continue to if something isn’t done.

Sando claimed, “that when there is flooding in an urban area, worry arises, because types of bacteria such as cholera can enter, which is obviously something we must prevent.”

Mark Peterson who is the superintendent at the Fargo’s water plant acclaimed that “With matters such like these, it can be shaky, because it can he hard to handle and deal with. When it comes to this point lugging in trucks of water is the viable option.”

Protests along with flooding can both be unexpected things occurring and they can be a handful.

“Sando continued to comment on the issue, stating, “Transportation is the type of thing that occurs quite frequently in such matters like the state fair.  In addition, ecological preparation ties into it.”

Although there are concerns about debris getting into the river, thankfully it will not be an issue with the Red River Valley, since the drinking water should be nontoxic as numerous treatment plants examine the water. But if for some reason the water is not safe then the city will be contacted by the state to keep them posted on the latest results.

Peterson mentioned that  “In regards to knowing when the water is safe or not, it’s all dependent on if there is any bacteria. If there is then boil orders comes into play. This means that the water has to be boiled at first hand, which will get rid of any bacteria.”

Cleaning up is obviously one of the number one priorities and this will be taken care of by the Army Corps of Engineers. It is expected that they will get started by the end of next week.