Portland pee water: drunk urinates in reservoir so city will flush 38 million gallons of water
  • 10 years ago
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The city of Portland, Oregon flushed 38 million gallons of drinking water on Wednesday after its Number 5 reservoir was contaminated with human urine. Exactly how much human urine? Well, after a teenager relieved himself into the reservoir, we could be talking about up to 20 ounces.

But exactly to what extent could 20 ounces of urine contaminate a reservoir? Twenty ounces is about four times the size of a normal human micturition. But the kid had been drinking, so lets just give 'em that one.

Time for some math! As you know, there are 128 ounces in a gallon. And with 38 million gallons in the reservoir, that means we'd be drinking 1 part per 243,200,000 of pee.

At those levels, he could have diluted 20 ounces of liquid cyanide into the reservoir, and it still would have posed no risk to humans. Also, don't forget that these are open reservoirs, with all kinds of stuff dropping in there over time. It is Oregon after all, so think "roaches" — and I'm not talking about an insect.

Still, the Water Bureau's David Shaff says that with all the city's reservoirs 100 percent full, Portland can afford to flush the pee water.

Speaking of what it can afford, when Portland flushed and cleaned a reservoir one fifth of this volume in 2011, it cost the city US$35,000. Sounds like you better start hugging some dollar bills out of those trees, Portland.

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