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Low-flow toilets cause a stink in SF
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | February 28, 2011 | Phillip Matier,Andrew Ross

Posted on 02/28/2011 6:33:25 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife

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To: Condor51; All
Just had to open the windows for some fresh air!


101 posted on 02/28/2011 10:58:59 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife (Allhttp://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2122429/posts)
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To: smokingfrog

wow.... hot chicks dig the composting toilets...

i’m gonna get one.


102 posted on 02/28/2011 12:16:58 PM PST by teeman8r (armageddon won't be pretty, but it's not like it's the end of the world.)
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To: dfwgator; faucetman
While I'm sure everything you said in your post is true, the reason it's a cause celeb amongst us conservatives, is that it's the Nanny State dictating what kind of toilets we can use. If indeed the lo-flo toilets are as good as advertised, then let the market prevail.

Nailed it.

103 posted on 02/28/2011 12:25:10 PM PST by GATOR NAVY ("The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen." -Dennis Prager)
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To: TomGuy
The complaints that they don't last is not true.

Maybe so for you pal, but I have NEVER got one to last even 6 months and at 10 times the cost, I am not about to replace all my lights. I do use them in the kitchen as the fixture is high up and a pain to change. They do last longer then the regular bulbs but at 10 times the cost, are not a solution for me.

104 posted on 02/28/2011 1:41:32 PM PST by packrat35 (America is rapidly becoming a police state that East Germany could be proud of!)
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To: TomGuy
The complaints that they don't last is not true.

Maybe so for you pal, but I have NEVER got one to last even 6 months and at 10 times the cost, I am not about to replace all my lights. I do use them in the kitchen as the fixture is high up and a pain to change. They do last longer then the regular bulbs but at 10 times the cost, are not a solution for me.

105 posted on 02/28/2011 1:42:07 PM PST by packrat35 (America is rapidly becoming a police state that East Germany could be proud of!)
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To: packrat35

I know research on FR has shown that incandescent bulbs have essentially an infinite shelf life.
So if you can find them, and have storage space, you can load in few decades supply.
Our local WM in Indiana still has a full selection of incandescents (not sure for how long).


106 posted on 02/28/2011 1:45:18 PM PST by nascarnation
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To: Red Badger

Turns out....the idea...STANK !


107 posted on 02/28/2011 1:59:31 PM PST by flat
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

There’s a Freeper {I can’t remember user name} who says he owns a plumbing company in Cali and swears they are great. Blames the owners for all the malfunctions of course LOL. I imagine they generate many service calls. Oh course that person would think they were great.


108 posted on 02/28/2011 2:00:58 PM PST by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?)
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To: flat

109 posted on 02/28/2011 2:01:42 PM PST by flat
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To: lacrew

yes, unless they’re the only thing on the line, as the public toilets (location of the odor problem) are...


110 posted on 03/01/2011 10:26:49 AM PST by castlebrew (Gun control means hitting where you're aiming!)
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To: castlebrew

“yes, unless they’re the only thing on the line, as the public toilets (location of the odor problem) are...”

No. The toilets are hooked up to the main...there isn’t a special network of toilets only sewer in SF.

One of my duties as a civil engineer is to design sewer lines. You cited the 2 fps rule earlier. Take a look at the dead end manhole at the high end of any line. The velocity will be much less than 2 fps. In general, I have discovered that you have to accumulate 4-5 houses to get 2 fps, even if the sewer is at 8% grade. Do all these dead end manholes stink? No. I believe the smell people find objectionable is hydrogen sulfide, which is a gas. Whenever the liquid sewer splashes (like a drop in a manhole), hydrogen sulfide is released. The longer liquid sewer is in the system, the more hydrogen sulfide is produced...so pumping stations with very long times between cycles are usual culprits. Manholes, pumping stations...what do they have in common? They have lids. This magical sludge in the sewer line is 12 feet down, nowhere near any access point.

Let me explain what this story is really about:

Dick: “Residents are complaining about the outfall manhole in Manly Love Estates.”

Jane: “That’s because the pump station is too large for the rate of build out. We should have built two smaller stations, in phases, instead of one big one.”

Dick: “I know, but its too late now, we’ll just have to dose it. It’ll cost $50,000 to install and $10,000 a year.”

Jane: “How do we get THAT past council, without getting the finger pointed back at us?”

Dick: “I have an idea - we’ll blame it on low flow toilets. Most people don’t know anything about sewer, and most people don’t like the low flow toilets. It will be Washington’s fault”

Jane: “Very good idea. Do you think they’ll buy it?”

Dick “Listen, people lose their minds when they hear about low flow toilets. Its a lock!”

I don’t like low flow toilets either; but good grief people! One of the useful natures of a site like this is you can learn the details of an issue, before going off half cocked. This story does not have legs!...and if you try to run with this story in a discussion with a liberal, you will look foolish. Its not something I brag about at high school reunions; but, I design sewers for a living...I thought I’d give some perspective, that’s all.


111 posted on 03/01/2011 12:18:05 PM PST by lacrew (Mr. Soetoro, we regret to inform you that your race card is over the credit limit.)
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To: jimt

Engineers generally use 50 gal per person per day. I know cause I is one. ;)


112 posted on 03/05/2011 3:26:21 AM PST by D Rider
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To: jimt

Engineers generally use 50 gal per person per day. I know cause I is one. ;)


113 posted on 03/05/2011 3:26:35 AM PST by D Rider
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