Power plant wastewater just sounds extremely toxic, and in most places it would be pretty dangerous. Iceland, however, is pretty good at using nature itself to generate power, namely, the volcanic activity underground. The country's very efficient power system lends itself to innovative uses for its byproducts, like an artificial warm water beach in Reykjavík. Tom Scott visited because most of us can't right now. (via Digg)
I was a power plant engineer for almost 10 years, working in some extremely sensitive environments. The wastewater is not toxic, as it has to discharge into waterways full of aquatic life, and it is also temperature-limited for the same reason. Most of it is simply blowdown discharge from cooling towers. The wastewater discharge from the power plants I worked in would have been safe to swim in.
I agree I worked in many power plants in the US and a Nuke in Spain. WTM nailed it perfectly, the problem with swimming in the power plant discharge is it gets crowded with wildlife enjoying it.
I was a power plant engineer for almost 10 years, working in some extremely sensitive environments. The wastewater is not toxic, as it has to discharge into waterways full of aquatic life, and it is also temperature-limited for the same reason. Most of it is simply blowdown discharge from cooling towers. The wastewater discharge from the power plants I worked in would have been safe to swim in.
ReplyDeleteI agree I worked in many power plants in the US and a Nuke in Spain. WTM nailed it perfectly, the problem with swimming in the power plant discharge is it gets crowded with wildlife enjoying it.
ReplyDelete