Interesting, thanks for the context. I don’t know anything about asphalt, but if it didn’t cause any health or safety issues I’d place it on the innovation end of the spectrum. I’d be interested in things like how the spent diesel fuel was disposed of and if any petro chems would leach into stormwater from asphalt made this way.
The water characteristics you’re worried about sound like aesthetic problems, which might be displeasing but pose no real health risks. These vary significantly between public water systems. If the system pulls from surface water, the water might need more treatment in the dry season since contaminants concentrate in surface waters more that time of year. I’m lucky to live somewhere that has no noticeable taste/odor/color issues. For places that do, you should be able to drink it from tap without issue, but it might taste/smell better if you run it through a filter or even just let it sit in a pitcher in the fridge.
If a municipality were to cut corners with their water treatment in a similar way to the asphalt plant you mentioned (which sounds kinda shady btw), people would get sick and potentially die. Most municipalities are very risk averse and take liability seriously to avoid litigation/losing money. So, it’s not impossible, but I think it’d be unlikely for a city to skimp on water treatment just to save a few bucks. Water treatment facilities are also required to constantly test for things like pH, turbidity, and chlorine residual and report to the state, so it’s not as simple as hiding things from an inspector the day of.
Sure, you can and should if you’re aware of the challenge and care enough to combat those biases. It might feel like second nature for some, but it can also be like a muscle that needs to be exercised for others. It sounds like they’re trying to do so now, and that kind of growth should be encouraged imo.
Considering how many people will either assume they’re open minded enough already without really reflecting on if there’s room for improvement or actively go out of their way to treat others like they’re inferior, I don’t see the value in dragging other folks down for attempting to be more conscientious towards others. Who knows - maybe another future former racist will read their comment and come to the same realization.
You can believe that to be true, and I suppose you really could be that enlightened. But most people have some degree of implicit bias, and it is wise to be aware of this and to actively challenge our own biases.
I read MonsierPatEBrown’s comment as similar to your first sentence here, but it took them 35+ years to recognize they do have stigmas towards black people that they’re now working on. That’s an accomplishment many people will never achieve tbh.
Sure, that can happen if there actually is a problem. But, I’m failing to see a problem here that could become expensive. This person has a functional septic system and they’re trying to find out what this pipe is and whether it’s important for the function of their system. Getting plans and talking to city/county staff is pretty routine for stuff like this.
Not necessarily. Getting copies and talking to someone at the counter usually doesn’t cost anything.
I’d take a trip to the local septic permitting agency and see if I could get copies of the permit and approved septic system design/as-built site plans. The inspector will probably be able to tell you if you need it or not.
It might be a vent for the leach field although that’s not common where I’m from. I guess it could also be a marker for a distribution box or some other system component.
Dude could foot the bill to end world hunger. Doubt either would happen anytime soon. The last charitable thing I can remember him doing was offering that dumbass submarine in the Thai cave rescue before calling the actual rescuer a pedo.