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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2012)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, February 15, 2012 DEQ seeks input on gray water reuse To Your Health! By Judy Hargis, P.A I am excited to be writing this column again. Now that I have finished my gradu- ate degree and life has settled down, I am looking forward to sharing information on current medical issues and providing up- dates on recommendations for optimal health. The next several columns will focus on exciting new research on the aging brain, statin drugs and heart disease risk in women, current health and cancer screening recommendations. Medicine is constantly changing, with new recommendations and guidelines emerging daily. Making sense of what this means and its relevance to each individual’s health can be a daunting expe- rience. This column is dedicated to helping readers sort through the large amounts of health information bombarding them via the internet and the media. My goal is to facilitate individuals and their families to be more informed, so they can take a more ac- tive role in their health outcomes. In this struggling economy, small rural communities have been hit particularly hard, and access to health care has become in- creasingly challenging. It is important to commend the Vernonia Health Board, with its dedicated members, for their efforts to keep health care accessible and affordable in Vernonia. Many communities of this size have suffered under the weight of our broken health care system. They have experienced clinic clo- sures and difficulty recruiting, and retaining healthcare providers. This has lead to minimal or no healthcare access. Vernonia will continue to have a clinic, thanks to the dedication and hard work of this group. As Margaret Mead so eloquently wrote: “Never un- derestimate the power of a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” This statement reflects the impact the board has had in keeping health care alive in this community. I want to take this opportunity to thank “Verdura Family Well- ness” for making the commitment to provide quality, affordable health care accessible to the community. In our current climate of corporate, profit driven health care, they share the values of the Health Board and the people of Vernonia. In the next column I will focus on new research on the aging brain. I am looking forward to sharing health information with you and welcome your comments and feedback. Please contact me at: Rebecca@the-independent.net. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking comments through Monday, March 12, on two pro- posed permits it will offer Ore- gonians who wish to install and operate graywater reuse and disposal systems on their prop- erties. Graywater includes waste- water from showers and baths, laundry wastewater, and wastewater from bathroom and kitchen sinks. It can be used, under certain conditions and limitations, for beneficial pur- poses such as irrigation. Using graywater for select, allowed uses also helps preserve limit- ed water supplies. Under rules approved by the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission last August, Ore- gonians can reuse graywater by registering for coverage through one of two Water Pol- lution Control Facilities general permits, depending on the amount and type of graywater they reuse. The permits, which would need to be renewed every five years, spell out cer- tain conditions to follow to en- sure that graywater use does not present a public and envi- ronmental health threat, includ- ing design elements for gray- water reuse and disposal sys- tems. More details about the pro- posals and DEQ’s graywater program are available on DEQ’s website at http://www. deq.state.or.us/wq/reuse/gray water.htm . Highlights of the permits: • 2401 WPCF general permit for Tier 1 graywater reuse and disposal systems ($40 annual fee plus a $50, one-time new- permit application fee). Avail- able for single-family resi- dences and duplexes generat- ing less than 300 gallons a day of Type 1 graywater. Type 1 is untreated or has passed through a filter or screen and is only to be used for subsurface Keep hazardous waste safe from storms DEQ asks all Oregonians in areas that may be affected by winter storms and flooding to secure all hazardous material to help prevent toxic release. Prior to the onset of winter storm events, the State of Ore- gon urges businesses and citi- zens to secure containers of chemical products and haz- ardous materials, other loose items and any waste materials that could become storm-driv- en debris. The release of toxic materi- als and hazardous wastes into Verdura Family Wellness is proud to open our doors for business on Monday, February 20th, 2012! the environment makes recov- ery from floods and storms more difficult in addition to ad- versely impacting the environ- ment and public health. Work- ers and crews responding to the storms, residents and wildlife can come into contact with these materials. Even a small amount released into the environment can cause wide- spread damage and harm. Containers of chemicals and other products should be se- curely sealed and where possi- ble should be stored in areas that are unlikely to be affected by high winds or flood waters. Move items to higher ground if possible and utilize shelving that will likely remain above the flood line. Loose items (fire- Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30am to 5pm. Come meet the staff and providers at our You can discover more information about Open House on Saturday, February 18th, our providers and practice philosophy, from 9:30am to Noon print patient registration forms through If you are unable to attend the Open House, you can visit our Patient Portal, and view accepted Vernonia Pharmacy or the West Oregon Electric Co-Op insurance carriers on our website for patient registration forms at your convenience We look forward to partnering with the local health professionals in contributing to the community’s wellness! www.verdurafamilywellness.com Verdura Family Wellness irrigation of landscape plants or compost. • 2402 WPCF general permit for Tier 2 systems ($50 annual fee plus $534, one-time new- permit application). Available for any structure (home or busi- ness) generating up to 1,200 gallons of Type 1 or Type 2 graywater daily. Type 2 gray- water has passed through both a physical and chemical/biolog- ical process to reduce concen- trations of solids and organic material. Persons interested in com- menting on the proposed per- mits may mail, email or fax comments to DEQ. Comments may be mailed to Ron Dought- en, DEQ Water Quality Divi- sion, 811 SW Sixth Ave., Port- land, OR 97204 or emailed to graywater@deq.state.or.us . Faxed comments may be sent to Ron Doughten at 503-229- 6037. Deadline for submitting all written comments is 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 12. 510 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-0300 503-901-1705 wood, lawn chairs, garbage cans, etc.) should also be se- cured to prevent property loss and minimize contribution to flood cleanup debris. Household hazardous mate- rials include products used in the home that contain toxic chemicals. Products labeled “Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison, Toxic, Flammable or Corrosive” are considered haz- ardous. Some examples of materials or wastes that should be se- cured are: • Aerosols • Antifreeze • Auto Batteries • Auto Fluids • Disinfectants • Household cleaners and drain openers • Fertilizer • Fuel containers containing gasoline, lighter fluid, propane, etc. • Latex / Oil-Based Paint • Pesticides • Pool Chemicals • Propane Tanks – less than 30 gallons • Solvents • Tires • Used Oil and Oil Filters For more information visit DEQ’s website at www.ore gon.gov/DEQ and click on the links under “Dealing with Dis- aster Debris?”
