Here's a view of Lady Road Allotments:
From the left it is: railway embankment - allotments - path - burn(stream) - shelf - wall - cemetery (beyond the barbed wire)
The problem arises when the burn rises:
Unfortunately it's just a little more complicated. There's a sewer pipe that runs along under the "shelf". When the burn floods the sewer overflows into it and so over the plots.
Unfortunately this happened again a couple of weeks ago. Since then there has been a disturbing smell and plenty of evidence that at least some people ignore the advice not to flush feminine hygiene items down the toilet.
After internet research came up with the following list of hazards associated with sewage in water I decided to ignore the Council's advice to wash produce before eating (which they revised to washing and cooking) and not to eat any at all. The Council think I am being unreasonable for asking for a rent rebate!
It's a big disappointment, just when the food was nearly ready for harvesting
Diseases Involving Sewage
Campylobacteriosis
The infection is caused by the bacterium Campylobacter. While some people exhibit no symptoms, clinical manifestations include bloody diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever within 2 to 5 days after exposure to the organism. In the immunocompromised, Campylobacter occasionally spreads to the bloodstream and causes a life-threatening infection.
Cryptosporidiosis
A disease caused by the microscopic parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. It is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine disinfection. The parasite is found in every region of the United States and throughout the world. While some people exhibit no symptoms, most experience diarrhea, loose or watery stools, stomach cramps, upset stomach, and a slight fever.
Escherichia coli Diarrhea
Also known as "diarrheogenic E. coli," a disease caused by Escherichia coli bacteria of many different serotypes, including E.coli O157:H7. Escherichia coli can be transmitted by contaminated water or by person-to-person via the fecal-oral route. While some people exhibit no symptoms, most experience watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In 2-7% of those who acquire E.coli O157:H7 infection, hemolytic uremic syndrome may develop, causing kidney failure and sometimes death. This syndrome occurs particularly in children under the age of 5, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Some E. coli serotypes are thought to cause chronic diarrhea in HIV-infected patients.
Encephalitis
Two acute, inflammatory viral diseases (St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Virus Encephalitis) are transmitted via the bite of infected mosquitoes, primarily of the Culex species. Culex mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs in heavily polluted water such as that contaminated by sewage. These viruses are amplified during periods of adult mosquito blood-feeding by continuous transmission between mosquito vectors and bird reservoir hosts. Infectious mosquitoes carry viruses in their salivary glands and infect susceptible birds during blood-feeding. Some birds will sustain the virus in their blood stream for one to four days subsequent to exposure, after which they develop life-long immunity. A sufficient number of mosquitoes must feed on an infected bird to ensure that some survive the period during which the blood meal is digested to feed again on another susceptible bird. People are not known to develop infectious levels of the virus, and thus cannot propagate the reservoir-host infection cycle. Most people exhibit no symptoms, and the diseases are of short duration. However, in severe infections symptoms can include high fever with head and body aches, stiff neck, muscle weakness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and, in the most severe cases, coma or paralysis. The illness can be severe for infants, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised. No vaccine exists for encephalitis.
Gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis, also known as "stomach flu," is an infection caused by any of a number of viruses including rotaviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses, Norwalk virus, and a group of Norwalk-like viruses. However, it is not caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, and abdominal cramps. Generally, symptoms begin 1 to 2 days after infection, and my last for 1 to 10 days, depending on the virus involved. The illness can be severe for infants, young children, and those who are disabled, elderly, or immunocompromised, if they cannot drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea.
A disease caused by the one-celled microscopic parasite Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia). The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time. Giardiasi is one of the most common waterborne diseases in the United States. The parasite is found in every region of the United States and the world. While some people exhibit no symptoms, most experience diarrhea, loose or watery stools, stomach cramps, and upset stomach.
Hepatitis A
A liver disease caused by the virus Hepatitis A. Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and fever. Adults will exhibit symptoms of Hepatitis A more often than children. About 15% of those infected will have prolonged or relapsing symptoms over a 6-9 month period. One-third of Americans are immune to Hepatitis A because of past infection.
Leptospirosis
A disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. While some people exhibit no symptoms, clinical manifestations include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. Left untreated, Leptospirosis will cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and in rare cases, death.
Methaemoglobinaemia
Methaemoglobinaemia (also known as "blue-baby syndrome") is a poisoning that can occur in infants during the first few months of life due to ingestion of well water high in nitrates. Improperly designed septic systems installed in sandy soils are known to cause nitrate contamination of groundwater. Infants who breast-feed can be poisoned if their mothers drink water high in nitrates. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin, and death can occur within a few days. An infant's stomach has a different pH than that of adults and older children. Poisoning occurs when the infant's stomach converts nitrate to nitrite, which interferes with the oxygen-carrying capacity of its blood. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a maximum contaminant level for nitrate in drinking water of 10 milligrams per liter, expressed as Nitrogen, or 45 milligrams per litre, expressed as Nitrate. Boiling of water does not remove nitrates; it only increases the concentration.
Poliomyelitis
A disease caused by the Poliomylitis virus. While most exposed people exhibit no symptoms, some experience sore throat, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and occasionally diarrhea. However, less than 1% of those infected suffer paralysis. Most recover completely, and muscle function returns to some degree. However, any weakness or paralysis that remains 12 months after infection is usually permanent.
Salmonellosis
A disease caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella, the most common of which are Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, the disease can be severe for infants, young children, and those who are disabled, elderly, or immunocompromised, if they cannot drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea. Left untreated, Salmonella can spread from the intestines to the blood stream, to other sites, and can cause death.
Shigellosis
Shigellosis (also known as "Bacillary Dysentery") is caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri account for most of the Shigellosis in the United States. While some people experience no symptoms, most develop bloody diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after exposure. Shigellosis usually resolves in 5 to 7 days, but it can be severe for infants, young children, and those who are disabled, elderly, or immunocompromised, if they cannot drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through diarrhea. A severe infection with high fever may lead to seizures in children less than 2 years old.
Paratyphoid Fever
A disease caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella paratyphi. Symptoms are similar to that of Typhoid Fever, but are milder, with fewer deaths.
Typhoid Fever
A disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi, which lives only in the bloodstream and intestinal tract of humans. Symptoms include a sustained fever as high as 104ºF, weakness, cough, stomach pains, headache, and loss of appetite. Some patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. Persons given antibiotics usually begin to feel better within 2 to 3 days, and death rarely occurs. Fever can continue for weeks and months in those who do not receive antibiotics. Of those not treated 20% will die from complications related to the infection. A small number of people, known as carriers, recover from Typhoid Fever but continue to carry the bacteria. Both ill persons and carriers shed Salmonella typhi in their stools. Even after symptoms recede, a person can still carry Salmonella typhi, in which case the illness could return or be passed on to others. For that reason it is imperative that patients keep taking antibiotics for the full length of time prescribed by their doctor. Those suffering from Typhoid Fever must not prepare food or serve it to others.
Yersiniosis
A disease caused by a family of rod-shaped bacteria called Yersinia. Yersiniosis occurs most often in young children. It causes a variety of symptoms depending on the age of the person infected. Symptoms in children include fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which is often bloody. In older children and adults, symptoms include right-sided abdominal pain, fever, and occasionally skin rash or joint pain. Symptoms typically develop 4 to 7 days after exposure and may last 1 to 3 weeks or longer. Most infections are uncomplicated and resolve completely. In a few cases the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream.
 |
| The Burn at Lady Road Allotment Site |
The problem arises when the burn rises:
 |
| When to start running... |
Unfortunately it's just a little more complicated. There's a sewer pipe that runs along under the "shelf". When the burn floods the sewer overflows into it and so over the plots.
Unfortunately this happened again a couple of weeks ago. Since then there has been a disturbing smell and plenty of evidence that at least some people ignore the advice not to flush feminine hygiene items down the toilet.
After internet research came up with the following list of hazards associated with sewage in water I decided to ignore the Council's advice to wash produce before eating (which they revised to washing and cooking) and not to eat any at all. The Council think I am being unreasonable for asking for a rent rebate!
It's a big disappointment, just when the food was nearly ready for harvesting
Diseases Involving Sewage
Campylobacteriosis
The infection is caused by the bacterium Campylobacter. While some people exhibit no symptoms, clinical manifestations include bloody diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever within 2 to 5 days after exposure to the organism. In the immunocompromised, Campylobacter occasionally spreads to the bloodstream and causes a life-threatening infection.
Cryptosporidiosis
A disease caused by the microscopic parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. It is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine disinfection. The parasite is found in every region of the United States and throughout the world. While some people exhibit no symptoms, most experience diarrhea, loose or watery stools, stomach cramps, upset stomach, and a slight fever.
Escherichia coli Diarrhea
Also known as "diarrheogenic E. coli," a disease caused by Escherichia coli bacteria of many different serotypes, including E.coli O157:H7. Escherichia coli can be transmitted by contaminated water or by person-to-person via the fecal-oral route. While some people exhibit no symptoms, most experience watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In 2-7% of those who acquire E.coli O157:H7 infection, hemolytic uremic syndrome may develop, causing kidney failure and sometimes death. This syndrome occurs particularly in children under the age of 5, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Some E. coli serotypes are thought to cause chronic diarrhea in HIV-infected patients.
Encephalitis
Two acute, inflammatory viral diseases (St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Virus Encephalitis) are transmitted via the bite of infected mosquitoes, primarily of the Culex species. Culex mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs in heavily polluted water such as that contaminated by sewage. These viruses are amplified during periods of adult mosquito blood-feeding by continuous transmission between mosquito vectors and bird reservoir hosts. Infectious mosquitoes carry viruses in their salivary glands and infect susceptible birds during blood-feeding. Some birds will sustain the virus in their blood stream for one to four days subsequent to exposure, after which they develop life-long immunity. A sufficient number of mosquitoes must feed on an infected bird to ensure that some survive the period during which the blood meal is digested to feed again on another susceptible bird. People are not known to develop infectious levels of the virus, and thus cannot propagate the reservoir-host infection cycle. Most people exhibit no symptoms, and the diseases are of short duration. However, in severe infections symptoms can include high fever with head and body aches, stiff neck, muscle weakness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and, in the most severe cases, coma or paralysis. The illness can be severe for infants, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised. No vaccine exists for encephalitis.
Gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis, also known as "stomach flu," is an infection caused by any of a number of viruses including rotaviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses, Norwalk virus, and a group of Norwalk-like viruses. However, it is not caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, and abdominal cramps. Generally, symptoms begin 1 to 2 days after infection, and my last for 1 to 10 days, depending on the virus involved. The illness can be severe for infants, young children, and those who are disabled, elderly, or immunocompromised, if they cannot drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea.
A disease caused by the one-celled microscopic parasite Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia). The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time. Giardiasi is one of the most common waterborne diseases in the United States. The parasite is found in every region of the United States and the world. While some people exhibit no symptoms, most experience diarrhea, loose or watery stools, stomach cramps, and upset stomach.
Hepatitis A
A liver disease caused by the virus Hepatitis A. Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and fever. Adults will exhibit symptoms of Hepatitis A more often than children. About 15% of those infected will have prolonged or relapsing symptoms over a 6-9 month period. One-third of Americans are immune to Hepatitis A because of past infection.
Leptospirosis
A disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. While some people exhibit no symptoms, clinical manifestations include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. Left untreated, Leptospirosis will cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and in rare cases, death.
Methaemoglobinaemia
Methaemoglobinaemia (also known as "blue-baby syndrome") is a poisoning that can occur in infants during the first few months of life due to ingestion of well water high in nitrates. Improperly designed septic systems installed in sandy soils are known to cause nitrate contamination of groundwater. Infants who breast-feed can be poisoned if their mothers drink water high in nitrates. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin, and death can occur within a few days. An infant's stomach has a different pH than that of adults and older children. Poisoning occurs when the infant's stomach converts nitrate to nitrite, which interferes with the oxygen-carrying capacity of its blood. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a maximum contaminant level for nitrate in drinking water of 10 milligrams per liter, expressed as Nitrogen, or 45 milligrams per litre, expressed as Nitrate. Boiling of water does not remove nitrates; it only increases the concentration.
Poliomyelitis
A disease caused by the Poliomylitis virus. While most exposed people exhibit no symptoms, some experience sore throat, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and occasionally diarrhea. However, less than 1% of those infected suffer paralysis. Most recover completely, and muscle function returns to some degree. However, any weakness or paralysis that remains 12 months after infection is usually permanent.
Salmonellosis
A disease caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella, the most common of which are Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, the disease can be severe for infants, young children, and those who are disabled, elderly, or immunocompromised, if they cannot drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea. Left untreated, Salmonella can spread from the intestines to the blood stream, to other sites, and can cause death.
Shigellosis
Shigellosis (also known as "Bacillary Dysentery") is caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri account for most of the Shigellosis in the United States. While some people experience no symptoms, most develop bloody diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after exposure. Shigellosis usually resolves in 5 to 7 days, but it can be severe for infants, young children, and those who are disabled, elderly, or immunocompromised, if they cannot drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through diarrhea. A severe infection with high fever may lead to seizures in children less than 2 years old.
Paratyphoid Fever
A disease caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella paratyphi. Symptoms are similar to that of Typhoid Fever, but are milder, with fewer deaths.
Typhoid Fever
A disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi, which lives only in the bloodstream and intestinal tract of humans. Symptoms include a sustained fever as high as 104ºF, weakness, cough, stomach pains, headache, and loss of appetite. Some patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. Persons given antibiotics usually begin to feel better within 2 to 3 days, and death rarely occurs. Fever can continue for weeks and months in those who do not receive antibiotics. Of those not treated 20% will die from complications related to the infection. A small number of people, known as carriers, recover from Typhoid Fever but continue to carry the bacteria. Both ill persons and carriers shed Salmonella typhi in their stools. Even after symptoms recede, a person can still carry Salmonella typhi, in which case the illness could return or be passed on to others. For that reason it is imperative that patients keep taking antibiotics for the full length of time prescribed by their doctor. Those suffering from Typhoid Fever must not prepare food or serve it to others.
Yersiniosis
A disease caused by a family of rod-shaped bacteria called Yersinia. Yersiniosis occurs most often in young children. It causes a variety of symptoms depending on the age of the person infected. Symptoms in children include fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which is often bloody. In older children and adults, symptoms include right-sided abdominal pain, fever, and occasionally skin rash or joint pain. Symptoms typically develop 4 to 7 days after exposure and may last 1 to 3 weeks or longer. Most infections are uncomplicated and resolve completely. In a few cases the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream.
Cook some of the vegetables and take them to the council offices and invite them to taste, either before or after showing them the research into the health hazards you describe. Better still have the media on hand to film/photograph the event.
ReplyDeleteHey, Mal, if you get a rebate, you'll be flush!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll get my coat...
Commiserations, that is 100% grim. On the plus side, at least you know know some hard-to-say dieases?! Is it just a few of the plots that are affected or quite a few? Presumably the Council have some sort of "act of god" clause in their allotment agreements?
ReplyDeleteSue, It would probably take press involvement before the Council became bothered.
ReplyDeleteIggy, Flush? I'm nearly round the bend...
Lee, This term just about the whole site has been affected. The Council have a well funded legal department which they use whenever any Council Tax Payers make a claim against them. I don't think there is any provision for flood compensation but I believe there is legislation (Consumer Protection Act 1987 policed by the Office of Fair Trading - the OFT) and in addition in Scotland a special Land Court to judge on disputes on "agricultural land" between landlords and tennants...
What about getting your MP involved?
DeleteIn our case MSP. It may come to that if the Council's considered response gives no ground. That could take a while.
DeleteSorry to read about the flooding. Definitely most if not all food would be inedible. Such a shame after all the work people have put into it. They should give you your rent back.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelli. You've no idea how difficult it is to abandon your produce!
DeleteI reckon my runner beans should be OK as they haven't even podded yet.
Oh gosh, I hadn't heard about this, but I've not been much in the loop of any news.
ReplyDeleteThe Council has obviously sited the plots on an area prone to flooding and given the proximity of the sewage pipe, unsuitable for crop growing. You took a plot on good faith that it would allow you to harvest edible crops.
Hi Linda. As you are aware, from your part of town, the City of Edinburgh Council has been engaged in a flood prevention scheme that stretches from the reservoirs in the Pentland Hills to the Firth of Forth. You've got your Cannonmills works and we've had the Inch Park works. Since they have been carried out there is no flooding at the "Savacentre" shopping centre. We are just upstream from Inch. I don't think the works have made our situation worse - but it hasn't improved it. Given the millions of pounds of public money spent, the lack of improvement is... disappointing. Also given the Council's policy of increasing the allotment rent from £30 to £100 in 7 years they can no longer get away with treating allotment holders like 2nd class citizens.
DeleteHi Mal...just catching up. So sorry to see such devastation on yours and everyone else's plots. I think you should definitely get your rent back....some compensation for time and money spent would be nice too but I think even getting your rent back is going to be difficult. What I don't understand is if this has happened before why have they still done nothing about it and yet continued to increase your rents. Maybe if everyone form the allotments gets together you might get some justice!!
ReplyDeleteI do like Sue's idea of presenting your crops to the council...sod cooking them though....give them some fruit instead!!
Let us know how you get on...oh and does this mean you have no celeriac again??