Skip to main content
Donate

KCET's Award-Winning Weekly Series 'SOCAL CONNECTED' Explores the Controversy of Transporting Millions of Tons of Treated L.A. Sewage to a Farm Near Bakersfield

November 6, 2014
Support Provided By

KCET's Award-Winning Weekly Series 'SOCAL CONNECTED' Explores the Controversy of Transporting Millions of Tons of Treated L.A. Sewage to a Farm Near Bakersfield

BURBANK, CALIF - November 6, 2014 - SOCAL CONNECTED, KCET's Emmy® and Peabody® Award-winning series investigates the little known practice of trucking tons of treated human waste and turning it into crop fertilizer. Reporter Derrick Shore explains how for more than 10 years the treated sewage from four million L.A. residents has been transported more than 100 miles from the Hyperion treatment plant to a farm in Bakersfield in Kern County. "Green Acres" is a 5,000 acre farm owned by the City of Los Angeles. These "biosolids" brought there are used to fertilize a variety of feed and grain crops like alfalfa and milo. For the residents of Kern County, however, the use of L.A.'s biosolids in their backyards has sparked a controversy, as well as a ballot measure and Assembly bill, attempting to ban the practice. L.A. Bureau of Sanitation officials insist the process and final product meet EPA standards. SOCAL CONNECTED looks at both sides of this sewage to fertilizer story.

The story airs on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 8 p.m.

This week's SOCAL CONNECTED also features:

Robotic Skeleton Helps Paralyzed Vet - As a Marine Special Operations Team Commander paralyzed from the chest down while serving in Afghanistan, Captain Derek Herrera was told he would never walk again. But that prognosis was wrong. Reporter Jennifer Sabih looks at how a remarkable technology called exo-skeleton allows Herrera to walk, and holds similar promise for tens of thousands of others confined to wheelchairs.

A Visit with Herbie Hancock - The legendary jazz musician and composer talks with reporter Michael Okwu about his extraordinary career and the creative process. Okwu gains unprecedented access to the "Ambassador of Jazz" at home in his private studio and on stage.

Saved by a Small Town - A young man living in Bakersfield was headed in the wrong direction until his mother decided to move the family and her son to a little-known small town in the Mojave Desert called Trona.

Broadcast Premiere Date:  Wednesday, November 12 at 8 p.m.

Repeated: Friday, November 14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 16 at 6:30 p.m.

SOCAL CONNECTED is anchored by 16-time Emmy®-Award winner, Val Zavala. Contributors include science journalist Cara Santa Maria, reporters Derrick Shore, Jennifer Sabih, Conor Knighton, documentary filmmaker Nic Cha Kim and writer Nick Hardcastle.

The television broadcast executive producer for SOCAL CONNECTED is Val Zavala; digital executive producer is Zach Behrens; and Linda Burns is senior producer.

ABOUT SOCAL CONNECTED

SOCAL CONNECTED, winner of a Peabody® and two duPont Awards, 23 Emmy® Awards, 24 Golden Mikes, 48 LA Press Club Awards, two Gracie Awards, and four regional and one national Edward R. Murrow Awards, including Best News Documentary and Los Angeles Magazine's "Best New Local TV Program" of 2009, airs exclusively on KCET. For more information, to view episodes online or to leave comments, please visitwww.socalconnected.org. SOCAL CONNECTED is made possible through the generous support of The Ahmanson Foundation, Chapman University and the MaddocksBrown Foundation.

ABOUT KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 50-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET is a service of KCETLink.

###

Support Provided By
Read More
Roots of Comedy Mezzanine Image

New PBS Stand-up Comedy Documentary Series ROOTS OF COMEDY WITH JESUS TREJO Reveals How Humor Mirrors Society's Complex Social Issues

Streaming May 24 and broadcasting June 21, new series showcases six comedians located in diverse regions across the U.S. telling the "Stories Behind the Laughs."
PBS SoCal production team staff members and award winners for the 2024 Golden Mike Awards.

Radio & Television News Association's Golden Mike Awards® Honors Locally Produced Arts Series 'Artbound' and PBS Digital Studios' 'Hip-Hop and the Metaverse' With Two Awards for Outstanding Broadcast Journalism

"Artbound's" documentary about groundbreaking Asian American pop culture magazine Giant Robot wins for best long form program or documentary after receiving five nominations for the acclaimed regional arts & culture series.
PBS SoCal team members perform FAMILY MATH songs at the 2023 Los Angeles' Times Festival of Books. Image courtesy of PBS SoCal.

New Educational Music Videos from PBS SoCal Highlight Math Topics Like Shapes, Sorting, Patterns and Measurement Accompanied by Fun, Bilingual Songs for the Whole Family to Enjoy; Available on Music Streaming Platforms April 5

Multiple spring events across Southern California to showcase Family Math program including the April 6 City of STEM celebration and April 21 LA Times’ Festival of Books featuring sing-along performances.