Why are pesticides in wastewater a problem?
Traces of certain synthetic pesticides periodically have been getting into Fort Worth’s sewer system, going through the treatment plant and into the Trinity River. Tests mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show the pesticides are at levels high enough to kill certain microscopic organisms and potentially harm the river’s water quality. Test failures have been linked to diazinon or its breakdown products, but high levels of malathion have been detected occasionally. What if we don’t get pesticides out of the wastewater system? Customers would face significant cost increases to pay for stiff EPA fines (up to $25,000 per day) or expensive treatment plant additions if diazinon is not eliminated from the city’s wastewater—and the river’s water quality may be damaged. The Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant is an award-winning facility, but it was never designed to remove pesticides. It would cost at least $60 million dollars to add these treatment facilities, plus $5
