  We derive a general formalism for bulk viscous solutions of the
energy-conservation-equation for $\rho(a,\zeta)$, both for a single-component
and a multicomponent fluid in the Friedmann universe. For our purposes these
general solutions become valuable in estimating order of magnitude of the
phenomenological viscosity in the cosmic fluid at present. $H(z)$ observations
are found to put an upper limit on the magnitude of the modulus of the present
day bulk viscosity. It is found to be $\zeta_0\sim 10^6~$Pa s, in agreement
with previous works. We point out that this magnitude is acceptable from a
hydrodynamic point of view. Finally, we bring new insight by using our
estimates of $\zeta$ to analyse the fate of the future universe. Of special
interest is the case $\zeta \propto \sqrt{\rho}$ for which the fluid,
originally situated in the quintessence region, may slide through the phantom
barrier and inevitably be driven into a big rip. Typical rip times are found to
be a few hundred Gy.
