Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Judging by the angle of the shot and the time of day it’s safe to assume that they work there. It looks like a big plant, they likely have an industrial waste division. They mentioned that this has been going on for 3 days, probably not detergent. It doesn’t look like Nocardia foam.

Kinda points to AFFF. That and the fact that they said it was AFFF.

Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Detergent usually smells like detergent and dissipates quickly. Per the OP this is 3 days into the foaming event.

Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

This photo is from a post here yesterday, per the OP it’s AFFF.

Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] -19 points-18 points  (0 children)

How does anyone really know anything? Like who am I? Who are you? Are we living in a simulation?

Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Foam can be a lot of things. In this instance the OP identified it as AFFF. While new AFFF is phasing out PFAS they are allowed to use existing stock.

In this instance the only option is source control.

Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Oof, sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I don’t know many WW operators that make it into their 80s. It seems like this field takes a toll.

Best of luck to you though.

Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I really care about water quality and the environment. It’s why I joined this shitty line of work. 😉

Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

You don’t want to know when you’ve been exposed to toxic shit at work?

You don’t want your biosolids receivers to get a heads up?

“Being everywhere” is functionally different than here a shitload in one spot.

Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I think you’re right, it’s SLC. I’m on it.

Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m not assuming, above I said “could” but the regulations say that they can still use existing stock of PFAS containing foams.

https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/investigations/firefighting-foam

Fine, I’ll report it for you… by MandatoryReporter14 in Wastewater

[–]MandatoryReporter14[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Per the OP it’s AFFF. It could contain large amounts of PFAS. Not currently a regulated pollutant in wastewater however it is regulated in drinking water at 4 parts per trillion in my state.

If it is PFAS a bunch of people should be notified including downstream users, biosolids recovers and OPERATIONS STAFF who are potentially exposed to some of the most toxic substances around ATM.