BajaNomad

cleaner Rio in Mulege?

willyAirstream - 6-17-2014 at 08:52 AM

from
http://www.radarpolitico.com.mx/2014/06/16/clausura-profepa-...
google translation

La Paz, Baja California Sur -. Attendant Agency of the Potable Water and Sewerage Municipality of Mulege, was inspected on June 4, when detecting that drove the black waters of the lift station to the Mulege River at imminent risk public health and ecological imbalance, hence as a security measure and according to the National Water Law and the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection, has been immediately suspended the discharge of wastewater.

This was announced by the Federal Office of PROFEPA in Baja California Sur, to point out that according to the Federal Administrative Procedure Act proceeded to temporary total closure of the polluting source, given the concerns of the citizens of this community as well as the productive sectors of the municipality, demanding urgent security needs at the approach of the rainy season, hence the closure of the polluting source as a measure of protection for public health

The delegate of the PROFEPA in Baja California Sur, Santa Ana Valerio Castro said there full conviction promptly address all issues relevant to the environment in the communities, so that the resource utilization is low sustainability criteria. "The government of President Enrique Peña Nieto is committed to a new order in the distribution and use of water, watershed management and pollution prevention to protect human life, flora and fauna," he said the federal official .
blackwater river PFPA/10.2/2C.27.1/039-14 mulegéAperturado the record under the Federal Administrative Procedure Act, we proceeded to the TOTAL TEMPORARY CLOSURE polluting source consisting of a tube of wastewater discharge at coordinates geographical 26 ° 53,529 'LN and 111 ° 58.738' LW, prior notification of the agreement of initiation and establishment of security and urgent measures PFPA/10.1/2C.27.1/160/2014 application dated June 12, 2014.

Agency Operator Municipality of Mulege, shall demonstrate to implement the measures imposed by PROFEPA and to manifest what his rights pursuant to the administrative procedure is followed.

To dispose of wastewater in National Water Corporation requires authorization from the water, make the treatment of such waste water prior to discharge and meet the pollutant limits established in NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996, payment Free for receptor shedding body between other obligations.

edited for english translation

[Edited on 6-18-2014 by willyAirstream]

chuckie - 6-17-2014 at 09:20 AM

They have done this before...Shut down the sewage pumping facility, and then just dumping raw sewage into the river.....I always ask how does that contribute to a cleaner environment? AND where will the money come from to fix the facility? ........

Cleaner Rio

J.P. - 6-17-2014 at 09:49 AM

It need a lot of help. when people i knew had the Questa Real the toilets wouldnt flush when it was high tide.:wow::wow:

chuckie - 6-17-2014 at 10:52 AM

I think they are on septics over there....not city sewer

willyAirstream - 6-17-2014 at 11:03 AM

Yes, septic tanks there and I never heard of that problem in 4 years and I live next door.

J.P. - 6-17-2014 at 11:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by willyAirstream
Yes, septic tanks there and I never heard of that problem in 4 years and I live next door.








Just because you never heard of the problem dont mean it never happend. On the other hand I actualy experinced it the toilets would run over and foul the whole room evidentially you dont know anything about septics the tank is out near the Rio and when it was low tide the fluid still ran out and directly into the Rio septics arent designed to work in that kind of local where the water level fron the Rio is the same elevation as the outfall of the septic all the septic systems in that area are suspect and one of the greatest contributors to the polution of the rio even in the house you live in.

[Edited on 6-17-2014 by J.P.]

Martyman - 6-17-2014 at 11:36 AM

Are the septic tanks 55 gallon drums like mine?

willyAirstream - 6-17-2014 at 12:54 PM

At some point 8 tanks and leech fields were installed, none near the rio. No toilet problem now. I object to you trashing a place based on outdated information.
Not saying some doesn't make it into the estuary. I suspect it does. My casa has an 8 x 12 x 6 tank and a large leech field quite a distance from the water. My gray water is on a separate system, probably a 55 gallon tank or a hole with rocks. I agree most casas along the rio are contributing to the problem. What I hope they address is the 4'' inch line, feed by several casas that discharge direct to the rio.

Udo - 6-17-2014 at 02:47 PM

Those great home deals on the river are not looking so good now!

They are some gook looking places...BUT!

Bajahowodd - 6-17-2014 at 05:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
Those great home deals on the river are not looking so good now!

They are some gook looking places...BUT!


I'm assuming that was a typo, and not a reference to Asians owning there. But, the main reason the homes right on el rio are not looking like good deals is about the very frequent flooding.

Mulegena - 6-17-2014 at 06:30 PM

Yes, Mulege has its problems.
No doubt about it.

Mulege also has great heart and the willingness among individuals to step-up and work it out collectively when a problem is identified.

Most recent tragedy to befall our village was the palm fires last month. The town rallied and cleaned up.

No, the fire wasn't "the nail in the town's coffin" as someone wrote here, any more than this most-recent problem will condemn the town to shame and ruin.

mulegemichael - 6-17-2014 at 09:54 PM

oh geez...where does ya start???....i live on the river..i have toilets...i have a septic "system/tank/tanks/yada/yada....and our crap seems so much cleaner when it enters the river than if it were "flowing" out like it presently is....our town needs a, and don't blame me for this, a, sewer treatment plant.....and it ain't never gonna happen....ever....cause it costs waaaaaaaayyyy into the millions to make one..of those things....so....what do we do with our waste in the meantime???...right there at river level???...we pretend that we're "filtering" it by going into "septic systems" and "purifying" the "effluent" and thereby "contributing" to the "positive vibrations" of......clean water...sure...i am...but i live there so....

chuckie - 6-18-2014 at 02:53 AM

Michael, The "newer" septics don't do a bad job. The ones installed back in the day were too small, no leach fields, prone to back up at high tides. In La Fortuna, some of them served several residences. That has changed. I think, not sure, that the specs now in force, size of leach, distance from river etc. are pretty good. The pumping/treatment facility across from Sauls needs a big money transfusion. Will it happen? Dunno...like lots of other projects, a lot of promises, not much change.....Udo? Why are you bad mouthing Mulege? Maybe you should stick to fighting with your neighbors in Ascuncion...Mulege will solve its problems, it always has....

SFandH - 6-18-2014 at 06:12 AM

We spend every winter someplace on Bahia Concepcion in a RV with weekly trips to Mulege. I've never noticed (seen or smelled) any pollution along the river. I know that does not mean there isn't any, it's just not enough to be noticeable to the weekly casual observer.

It appears the river can handle some pollution without degradation. I'm wondering what the Nomad residents of Mulege think. Is river pollution a problem?

Is the population growing?

mtnpop - 6-18-2014 at 06:49 AM

Having lived for several years along the Rio, we have never noticed a problem in the water... The tide comes in the tide goes out.... Have never heard of anyone doing a water test to see what is actually in the water..
As in the Orchard which was a RV park for years before it went residential there were several lots tied to one septic... Most of those are now 4 chamber septics which is required if you build legally and get a permit..
I have never seen or heard of anyone getting a perk test...
The water table along the river can be only 4 or so feet down so leach water will find its way there...
Kito the fire chief can and does pump septics as we have done after floods since that will also compromise the septics...
I could go on and on but this will stir the pot anyway...
Being a retired contrator living with septic systems in the Colorado Mtns probably does not give me any credibility in the forum...
The biggest smell around Mulege is from those that like to pile their poo-poo on everything Mulege....
"just sayin"

fishhead - 6-18-2014 at 06:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
Those great home deals on the river are not looking so good now!

They are some gook looking places...BUT!


I'm assuming that was a typo, and not a reference to Asians owning there. But, the main reason the homes right on el rio are not looking like good deals is about the very frequent flooding.
"UDO" 'nt speak for Mulegenos!!!!!!!!!!!

ncampion - 6-18-2014 at 07:43 AM

This is the type of system that should be installed in every house in Mulege.

http://mightymac.com.mx/category/products/mighty-mac/

It uses aerobic treatment to all sewage, black and gray and turns it into clear odorless irrigation water. We installed it in our ocean front house in Loreto almost five years ago and it recycles 100% of household waste water into a drip system for our plants. No leech lines, no discharge at all. It was required by SEMERNAT as part of our EIS. I'm amazed at how good it works, you would swear you could drink the water (but don't), absolutely no odor whatsoever.

Udo - 6-18-2014 at 08:14 AM

Perhaps I'm a little rough on Mulege, Chuckie, but before we bought our place in BA, we were seriously considering the MUlege Orchard. And even afterward, we were still considering buying a place there.
The deals in the area a phenomenal! And the house are incredible.
I still look at whatever shows up for sale in Mulege, and show it to my wife.
However...all the news from the last few years has not been the best for the town. We visit it quite often, and wonder at the beauty of the town. I would love to have a place there.
We are still considering Cessna's place up on the hill.
Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Michael, The "newer" septics don't do a bad job. The ones installed back in the day were too small, no leach fields, prone to back up at high tides. In La Fortuna, some of them served several residences. That has changed. I think, not sure, that the specs now in force, size of leach, distance from river etc. are pretty good. The pumping/treatment facility across from Sauls needs a big money transfusion. Will it happen? Dunno...like lots of other projects, a lot of promises, not much change.....Udo? Why are you bad mouthing Mulege? Maybe you should stick to fighting with your neighbors in Ascuncion...Mulege will solve its problems, it always has....

chuckie - 6-18-2014 at 09:19 AM

Co incidence....The folks who own the "Cessna" place were in the same bar in Heathrow airport London on 9/11/2001 as My wife and I Small world....

dirtbikr - 6-18-2014 at 09:58 AM

Whenever we cross that bridge and look over to the river I always have thought I would like to kayak down there, it ain't happenen now.

chuckie - 6-18-2014 at 10:01 AM

Why? Did you sell your Kayak?

dirtbikr - 6-18-2014 at 10:47 AM

Still have them, just don't want to kayak in that water.

gallesram - 6-18-2014 at 10:54 AM

I don't live on the river but I visit Mulege 6 times a year and rent a house in the Oasis which looks at the river. I watch fish jumping each morning and birds diving into the water. I launch my boat in the river each morning and walk along its shores in the evenings. Never smell anything bad, never see trash floating down it, etc. I wouldn't necessarily swim in it (there are jellyfish sometimes) but I certainly get it in when I'm launching my boat. It's a beautiful place and while there may be problems that I'm not aware of I certainly can't tell with my untrained eye. If I noticed dead animals in the river, a terrible smell or the absence of fish/birds then I'd wonder (my common sense observations) but since I don't see those things then I assume it's in pretty good shape. Kayaking on it is very cool; don't let any naysayers rob you of a very cool experience.

The discharge tube is closed.

Mulegena - 6-18-2014 at 11:26 AM

A rough translation of an address to Baja Sur Congress by State Representative Deputy Edith Aguilar Villavicencio:

Noting the demands of the citizens of the Heroic Mulege and Santa Rosalia to the right to an environment adequate for their health and wellbeing because this pollution eventually means direct effects to health of Muleginos, to be the direct cause of gastrointestinal diseases and others, Rep. Edith Aguilar Villavicencio issued to the Utility System Municipal Water and Sewerage Municipality of Mulege (OOMSAPAM), to take appropriate measures to resolve this problem.
In reading her statement, Rep. Edith Aguilar said some few days, assigned to the State Office of the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) inspectors closed the discharge of wastewater into the river from the Heroic Mulege, which for quite some time had been practiced on a daily basis. The Municipal Operator SAPA Agency, after inspection last June 4, which was detected and found that the black water lift station flowed into the river, which creates a serious damage to public health and a considerable deterioration of ecological balance, so immediately proceeded to the closing.

chuckie - 6-18-2014 at 12:56 PM

Good. Was there not, at one time, discussion about a lagoon to be located north of Loma Azul? What were all those big pipes for that they were laying by the airstrip?

Mulegena - 6-18-2014 at 02:16 PM

The areas out by Punta Prieta north of Colonia Loma Azul are there but in disuse. I, too, understand they've been laying pipe to reestablish the connection.

Bajahowodd - 6-18-2014 at 03:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
Perhaps I'm a little rough on Mulege, Chuckie, but before we bought our place in BA, we were seriously considering the MUlege Orchard. And even afterward, we were still considering buying a place there.
The deals in the area a phenomenal! And the house are incredible.
I still look at whatever shows up for sale in Mulege, and show it to my wife.
However...all the news from the last few years has not been the best for the town. We visit it quite often, and wonder at the beauty of the town. I would love to have a place there.
We are still considering Cessna's place up on the hill.


My personal opinion may not sit well with Shari, or you, but I have always sensed a feeling of more gentrification in Mulege than BA.

Maybe it's just because Mulege is right on Mex 1, whereas one must take a long detour of Mex 1 to get to BA.

Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Michael, The "newer" septics don't do a bad job. The ones installed back in the day were too small, no leach fields, prone to back up at high tides. In La Fortuna, some of them served several residences. That has changed. I think, not sure, that the specs now in force, size of leach, distance from river etc. are pretty good. The pumping/treatment facility across from Sauls needs a big money transfusion. Will it happen? Dunno...like lots of other projects, a lot of promises, not much change.....Udo? Why are you bad mouthing Mulege? Maybe you should stick to fighting with your neighbors in Ascuncion...Mulege will solve its problems, it always has....

JC43 - 6-21-2014 at 08:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
Perhaps I'm a little rough on Mulege, Chuckie, but before we bought our place in BA, we were seriously considering the MUlege Orchard. And even afterward, we were still considering buying a place there.
The deals in the area a phenomenal! And the house are incredible.
I still look at whatever shows up for sale in Mulege, and show it to my wife.
However...all the news from the last few years has not been the best for the town. We visit it quite often, and wonder at the beauty of the town. I would love to have a place there.
We are still considering Cessna's place up on the hill.


Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
Michael, The "newer" septics don't do a bad job. The ones installed back in the day were too small, no leach fields, prone to back up at high tides. In La Fortuna, some of them served several residences. That has changed. I think, not sure, that the specs now in force, size of leach, distance from river etc. are pretty good. The pumping/treatment facility across from Sauls needs a big money transfusion. Will it happen? Dunno...like lots of other projects, a lot of promises, not much change.....Udo? Why are you bad mouthing Mulege? Maybe you should stick to fighting with your neighbors in Ascuncion...Mulege will solve its problems, it always has....


Hi Nomads,
My wife and I are considering to purchase a property in Mulege b/c good friends are living in the Orchard.
Well, we know little about Mulege, but as we can see, along the river it seems to be somehow stuffed w/ problems. Septics / Grey Water runs into the river. Flooding. Fire. What else? Our friends from the Orchard are always talking good about Mulege as a cozy little town. And we agree on that!
At this time we are not in Mulege. We might be interested in a home we found in Baja Quest. It is located @ colonia 'Buena Vista' which is a part of El Cacheno, next to the Serenidad cut-off from the highway.
The pics looking great. High above any flood zone and great ocean views. Does any Nomad know more about that property?
Neighborhood etc, As our friends are not in Mulege either @ this time they can't go there.
@ Udo: the cessna house, might be another option, but we don't want to interfere your interests. And somehow...... is the neighborhood o.k.? We have to learn about Loma Azul before thinking about that.
In any case we are not looking @ a rental property .... monthly costs up to $500/month like in some rental places.
Thanks for any advice.
Justin Cox

willyAirstream - 6-21-2014 at 09:19 PM

I would be glad to check out the property and send you pics of the Buena Vista property.
u2u me the location and details, upper right corner of this page.

The Cessna place is beautiful.

Mulege is a wonderful place with great people.

Welcome to nomads Justin

mulegemichael - 6-21-2014 at 10:20 PM

i second willy here, amigo...mulege is beautiful, unlike what some folks here might claim...it is a wonderful little mexican village just chock fulll of wonderfully brave, insightful, bright and creative folks that love their community...it is a fabulous place to experience the country without all the glitz...ain't no stinkin' glitz in mulege!!!

Gulliver - 6-21-2014 at 11:07 PM

We own a house right on the river in the Oasis development. We deal with the floods by emptying out the house every Spring and storing EVERYTHING on high ground. And I mean everything including the kitchen stove, water heater and fridge. Then some sheets of OSB go over the river side windows. If it floods, and it has four times, the pressure washer, shovels and paint brush come out. Place looks like new.

That said, when we kayaked up towards the bridge this Winter, there was raw sewage flowing into the estuary on the North side near where the recent fire seemed to have started. It stunk and I was dodging the 'wrinkle neck brown trout' until I got back downstream a ways. I still paddle. I just don't swim.

To be honest, I sort of expect this sort of thing. It's a third world country with very little money. If you think that's bad, try Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Yeow!

The nicest town in Baja. Go sit in the town square and spend some time dragging stories out of Alfredo and relax.

cessna821 - 6-22-2014 at 08:45 AM

This reply to JC43.

Loma Azul.

The village is approximately 3.5 kilometers from Mulegé town center, near the lighthouse at the mouth of the Rio Mulegé, and well above the river flood zone. Loma Azul is a quiet and serene village with a friendly population. There are several extended Mexican families along with expatriates of various nationalities which give a cosmopolitan feeling to the village. Over the years many of the residents have invested substantial funds in improving their properties. We have lived there very happily for the past 15 years.

JC43 - 6-22-2014 at 10:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by willyAirstream
I would be glad to check out the property and send you pics of the Buena Vista property.
u2u me the location and details, upper right corner of this page.

The Cessna place is beautiful.

Mulege is a wonderful place with great people.

Welcome to nomads Justin


Hi WillyAirstream and all others,
First and foremost, thanks for the welcome, Nomads!
Willy, the property is located as I said, right at the Serenidad cut-off from the highway. Coming from town take a right @ the cut-off into a little dirt road and it is only about 200 yds up the hill.
The ad in Baja Quest reads "This is it" and the email is to fthertel@hotmail.com. Priced @ 215,000USD. Seems to be reasonable, but maybe as always, negotiable.
What we like on all properties like this - also on the Cessna place - NO flood, NO monthly fees for the dirt you don't own.
Most important for us, NO messing around w/ solar stuff, inverters, batteries to renew every two years or such things.
Well as it was explained here you can take all your stuff out of the house when leaving, including the stove and water heater etc.and place it on higher ground. In a mini storage? We would need a lot of space. That'll be a 'biggi storage', LOL. And who is doing that job??? That is maybe the second best idea of buying a house and moving to Mulege.
Certainly a solution. But why not buying a property on higher ground and not dealing w/ all that 'moving in' and 'moving out' every time you are visiting Mulege.
@ the Cessna folks
What about the land? Do you own it free and clear?
Well, that leads me to another Q. It is said that Baja is no Fronteriza Zone anymore. The Fronteriza zone ends @ Maniadereo south of Ensenada - that's what rumors say.
Well no Fronteriza means to me that we now can own land in Baja w/o fideocomiso.
Maybe that can be a new thread, looking for facts on that rumor.

Mulegena - 6-22-2014 at 10:42 AM

Welcome to the Nomad forum, JC43.

Your thoughts and questions are many. A new, separate, thread would probably better serve your interests in acquiring property in the Mulege area. Then you can get specifics and expand a bit more from the topic here which is the river cleanliness issue.

JC43 - 6-22-2014 at 10:55 AM

Mulegena . U R right. Sorry about leading away from the topic. I was thinking that river cleanliness and buying - or not buying - a property along the river is somehow a related issue. At least the river cleanliness and thinking about buying a property along the river is an issue for those folks who are looking for properties, don't you think?
But again, Yes, a new thread will be better on our issue.
Thanks for the hint.
JC

Mulegena - 6-22-2014 at 11:11 AM

Absolutely, JC43. Your logic makes perfect sense. No worries. Since the town is built on the river's edge we all are aware of her ebb and flow. For instance, now in the summertime the high tides are extra-high and the dirt path on the south river is not passable while in winter months it is.

I'm sure you'll get lots of help, ideas and personal anecdotes by directing your quest to one of several forums of your choosing such as Real Estate Wanted, Baja Home Building and Living or even Baja Questions and Answers.

cessna821 - 6-22-2014 at 01:23 PM

To JC43

To save adding to this thread, drop me an email on:
fordintra@gmail.com
and I can give you answers to most of your questions

chuckie - 6-22-2014 at 04:03 PM

That was pretty snotty....

willyAirstream - 6-22-2014 at 04:20 PM

A couple of weeks ago, many pics were posted on Facebook showing the raw sewage pipe which drew attention from 100's of Mulegenos. I believe the govt responded to the many comments on facebook and took action. The pipe has been capped. That is why I started this thread - to show that things can get better here.
Another example is the accuracy of the gasoline pumps im Mulege. Again, this was exposed/posted on Facebook and many people "liked". 3 days ago, or more, the pumps were dispersing accurate amounts, while 3 weeks ago they were overcharging by 25% plus.
The north side of the river now has a new road along the rivers edge which is beautiful and I wish it could connect to the malecon, sorry LF folks. There are rumors about this happening.
Quote:
For instance, now in the summertime the high tides are extra-high and the dirt path on the south river is not passable while in winter months it is.
What? The road is open. At Stu's place you may have to 'take the high side. The road is not meant for cars, only 4x4s and motos anyhow.
btw, The fire clean up has made the river a beautiful sight once again.

Mulegena - 6-22-2014 at 05:48 PM

So you can get through to town from Stu's place? Good to know. Thanks.

Mulegena - 6-22-2014 at 06:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JC43
Quote:
Originally posted by cessna821
To JC43

To save adding to this thread, drop me an email on:
fordintra@gmail.com
and I can give you answers to most of your questions


Sorry Cessna, I signed up with this board to get more than one opinion. Lots of folks here knowing lots of things about Mulege.
I want to learn from EVERYBODY, not just having one opinion.
And BTW, that's what a board is for.

JC43, this is why Cessna suggested you contact him direct so as not to hijack this thread any longer, not because he feels he has the corner market on opinions. It was to keep this thread on-track. That is all. http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=62505