Being
the lifeblood of every living organism, water is without a doubt the
earth’s
| "Water
is like electricity and money. If you need a tremendous amount
of it, it becomes difficult to acquire and you find yourself
devastating something or someone else to get it". Michael
Reynolds, Earthship Vol II |
most important resource. However, its management
in western civilization is nothing short of embarrassing. In many
parts of the world, water is squanderingly taken from the aquifers
faster than nature can replace it. This depletion has resulted in
decreased well yields, higher pumping costs and damage to the ecosystem.
Exasperating this is the fact that uncontaminated water is getting
increasingly difficult to find. Pesticides, fertilizers, volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), arsenic and mercury are just some of contaminates
being found in both surface and ground waters.
"Concentrations of
pesticides and their breakdown products are widespread in surface
water and ground water across the United States. For example,
at least one pesticide was found in about 97 percent of water
samples and in more than 90 percent of fish samples from agricultural
streams, and in nearly 60 percent of shallow wells sampled in
agricultural areas". U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS)
With the world’s population projected
to increase 47% by 2050, widespread problems are inevitable should
society continue these mismanagement practices. Is this the legacy
we want to leave our children and grandchildren?
What can I do? Below are varying
levels of basic tips to help protect this resource for future generations.
Choose the level that best fits you.
9.9.07
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