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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?”