THE
SOLUTION?
Authors
such as Richard C. Bocking (Canada’s Water For Sale?, James Lewis and
Samuel, 1972), Marc Reisner (Cadillac
Desert, Penguin, 1993), and Robert Glennon (Water Follies, Island
Press, 2002) have successfully confronted us with overwhelming proof that whether
through mismanagement or actual shortage, the United States of America, with
its burgeoning economy and human population, is facing a multitude of problems
with regard to future fresh surface and groundwater supplies.
The
status quo is obviously not acceptable. Serious changes must be instituted
soon.
Since Canada’s water is not for sale, those changes must come from “within”,
if the U.S.A. is to become fresh water self-sufficient.
Since
water is “more precious than gold” – and we are now seeing how true that is,
the time has come when we must all start paying true value. This will be
accomplished when every home, farm, business and institution is metred with
appropriate (true/unsubsidized) costs being applied per cubic metre (foot). Whether
water comes from a municipal supply, a surface or groundwater aquifer, this
must apply equally to urban and rural situations, since we all ultimately
receive our water from the same source. Where supplies are seen to be less than
self-sustaining (as with many aquifers), the price will rise accordingly.
More
than any other single action, this will serve to drive home the message that we
can no longer take fresh water for granted. Like it or not, we will be “forced”
to conserve.
Following
is a thought provoking idea from Kenny Hawley of Vancouver British Columbia.
The advancement of desalinization technology, utilizing free, unlimited solar
power, could not only provide plentiful fresh water, but has the advantage of
withdrawing toxics, while at the same time making useful compounds available
for recycling. There must be many more such innovative concepts “out there”,
and we would welcome the opportunity to share them through this website.
Please
contact us through our “Your Comments ” link, with your comments and ideas.
