Weather Where You Are

[black bart]

OK now for the really bad news. Thames ******g Water managed to kill our local river last year. I have only found out the extent of the damage recently as I don't walk along the river as much as when I used to have a dog. They managed to release tons of sewage into the river Crane which flows into the Thames at Isleworth. 10,000fish dead and not an invertebrate left!!!!!!!

We're talking of a river which supports Kingfishers, Water Voles (which are becoming rare) and many amphibians.

The incident happened in September 2011 and thankfully the river is showing signs of a slow recovery as a result of all the heavy rain we have had flushing it through (no pun intended).

Thames Water will be taken to court over the matter and probably get a massive fine which will cause them to put their prices up.

[ET, the Extra Terrestrial]

OK now for the really bad news. Thames ******g Water managed to kill our local river last year. I have only found out the extent of the damage recently as I don't walk along the river as much as when I used to have a dog. They managed to release tons of sewage into the river Crane which flows into the Thames at Isleworth. 10,000fish dead and not an invertebrate left!!!!!!!

We're talking of a river which supports Kingfishers, Water Voles (which are becoming rare) and many amphibians.

The incident happened in September 2011 and thankfully the river is showing signs of a slow recovery as a result of all the heavy rain we have had flushing it through (no pun intended).

Thames Water will be taken to court over the matter and probably get a massive fine which will cause them to put their prices up.

This would be worth a pretty heavy fine in my jurisdiction (tens of thousands at least), and if threatened or endangered species were impacted there would likely be even heavier penalties from the feds. People running a water company should have a better handle on things. Fortunately, rivers do recover quickly, but that's small comfort for the thousands of dead critters.

[black bart]

I will keep you informed of the outcome...as long as I can still afford my water rates.

[Roy Hunter]

ET, the water utility companies here used to be state-owned monopolies. In the interest of greed and profit - er I mean competition and private sector efficiency - they were sold off (for a profit) to companies that know nothing about water, but a lot about making a profit.

Now they charge people through the nose for a basic human right, there is still no competition to speak of, but the companies take a profit whether they are making money or losing it (because they are mostly subsidised by the taxpayer through the back door, off-balance sheet).

They also do a terrible job of the basics of the business: deliver clean water to the taps; take away dirty water through the drains. Not that it stops them paying dividends and bonuses to their shareholders and themselves...

Anyway, the water companies couldn't give a shit about a little fine here and there: they would rather kill the occasional river than have to invest in renewing worn-out infrastructure. It's all in the balance sheet and nothing to do with the environment. [/eco-rant]

[gronank]

I'm a market economics guy: I think it is a simple and relativly elegant solution to a very complex problem. That said, I can never understand how anyone can think it is a bright idea to privatise infrastructure. The very point of infrastructure is that you only need one set of it, one set of water pipes, one set of roads, one set of a electric power grid, one set of railroads, etc. A market needs competition to function and that will simply not happen with only one seller.

To make a last ditch attempt to stay on topic: Today is sunny, a bit windy and not too warm.

[daftbeaker]

Windy.

[black bart]

Windy.

Curry for lunch?

[daftbeaker]

Windy.

Curry for lunch?

Last night actually

[Elvalia]

I'm in Newfoundland - It's been pretty fricken cold. Apparently the North Atlantic doesn't understand that it's supposed to be summertime.

[ET, the Extra Terrestrial]

Ellie!!!!!!!

[DavidH]

Hi, Elvalia, good to hear from you.

We're having a really nice morning - can't believe it! However clouds and showers forecast for this afternoon.

[ET, the Extra Terrestrial]

supposed to approach 100F around here today and tomorrow. I can barely contain my joy. /sarc :fsm_deadpan:

[black bart]

arr I ope thee weather be fine for Qwerty's voyage accross thee pond next munth...we don't want im marooned on Canvey island or somat.

[Elvalia]

Hi guys!

Sunny and 17C for my last day in Newfoundland! I'm going out to Cape Spear today, the easternmost point in North America. Might see some whales, if I'm lucky!

[Mad Willyum Bonney]

A fren o mine appends to be on thee rok , a carrrrrrpentarrrrr .
FSM et be HOT !

YARRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!

Oh ... Luverly breeze com up .

Tis a foine day . yarrrrrrr