I dyde shyte on Lasqueti
So what are we to make of this story of caca, piss and dishwater? It is unfortunate that the authorities are clinging to old 19th century technologies in dealing with human waste problems today. Septic fields and sewer pipes certainly had their place at one time, but the many shortcomings of these systems dictate the need for a whole new approach. And consider the wastage of all that good humanure for fertilizer in a world of rapidly increasing hunger. Increasing populations and the shortage of fresh water will eventually force major changes in how this problem is handled. The writing is on the wall. It is a great pity that government and the private sector are not aggressively encouraging alternative technologies, especially in Canada’s Gulf Islands, where public treatment and cleanout facilities are sparse or nonexistent, except on the larger ones. After all, people have to dump their personal wastes and wash water somewhere.
As Aesop candidly observed way back in ancient Greece
“I dyde shyte tre grete toordes.”
(Fables of Aesop, Caxton Translation, Vol. 15, 1484).
Hopefully this little essay will spark some discussion about these much neglected, yet critically important subjects.
Suggested Reading
The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure by Joseph C. Jenkins, 2005: Chelsea Green Publishing, PO Box 607, Grove City, PA.16127.
