A recent article in the Wall Street Journal described current international concern over alleged "global warming" and energy as "feel-good environmentalism." In the United States, policy-makers' obsession over so-called "green energy" and energy regulation similarly may be masking a far more serious issue: water.
In the United States, as well as in other countries, there appear to be multiple sources of energy available to meet demand, including natural gas, coal, oil,solar, wind, nuclear, wood and even trash. Many of these sources seem nearly unlimited as a practical matter. On the other hand, there are only two sources of fresh drinking water--above ground and below ground--and fresh water is a very small portion of total water on earth.
According to the Journal article, world-wide about 3 million people die annually from lack of access to safe drinking water. In the United States, studies and concerns over sufficiency and quality of drinking water sources are becoming more and more common.
For example, in New Jersey, testing of private water wells by the Department of Environmental Pollution showed one out of eight wells exceeded safe limits for arsenic, alpha, mercury, nitrates or volatile organic compounds. (The Times, Trenton). The article stated that while some contaminants are naturally occurring, many were the ground water pollution result over over-development.
Along similar lines, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has announced the results of its study of New England bedrock ground water. In addition to naturally occurring contaminants, it found sodium, chlorides, nitrates, methyl-tert-butyl ether and chloroform attributable to human activities. (pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2011/5220/)
Beside contamination of water sources of supply, there also is growing concern over sustainability of drinking water supplies. For example, a new study by USGS in conjunction with Maryland state agencies of an aquifer underlying the state is illustrative. The study found that the aquifer water is over a million years old, but is not recharging as fast as wells are pumping water from it.
The USGS Maryland study found that modern pumping rates have lowered water pressure and changed its chemistry, adversely affecting the aquifer's ability to meet fresh water demands. Further, concern over salt water intrusion has caused utilities to move from shallow aquifers to the deep aquifer, resulting in ground water levels to decline. (springerlink.com/content/j08u34jh46r632v4/?MUD=MP)
In Colorado, it was reported that farmers asked the governor to allow ground water wells to pump irrigation water because irrigation ditches are drying and crops were at risk. The governor declined on the ground that he did not have authority. The governor allegedly stated that pumping could adversely affect downstream flows in the South Platte River and owners of senior water rights downstream. Apparently, studies have shown that pumping of ground water in the area depletes river flows. (Greeley Tribune)
Fresh, safe drinking water is a very limited resource. Policy makers, governmental authorities and politicians should make such water--its availability, conservation, safety, and sustainability--an absolute priority. Human health and safety in this country and in the world is more critical than funding bankrupt solar panel manufacturers.
The Badlands of South Dakota are a hot, arid moon landscape. One of their residents is the short-horned lizard. It loves the Badlands because they are hot and there is little or no water there. When the temperature exceeds 100 degrees, the lizards bury themselves under rocks or in the soil to conserve water. Let is hope we will not evolve backwards into short-horned lizards.
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