Water is the Elixir of Life
Water is the elixir of life. We need it to survive, we need it to grow food, we use it for transportation, and we use it to keep ourselves and our possessions clean. It is not only necessary for us to survive, but we are also made of water. The human body is approximately 60% of water. Without this crucial resource life is not possible. Therefore, there has been so much concern over conditions in the American Southwest. Rain fall has declined, rivers have reduced in volume and dried up, and even the crucial freshwater reservoirs have reached concerning low water levels. This situation can have a lasting impact on our country, our economy, and our way of life.
A Wonder of the World
In 1931 the government began construction of one of the world’s most famous man-made structures, the Hoover Dam. This project was designed to help control flooding of the Colorado River, generate electricity, and most importantly provide a reliable source of water to enable more Americans to settle in the region. The dam created Lake Mead which has been the main source of water for the region for almost 100 years. Since the dam and reservoir’s creation, the population of the region has grown, the nature of the land has been altered, and the climate conditions have changed. What was once an inhospitable desert area has become a people’s homes, farmland, and tours attractions. Life in the region become easier as access to water become simple. This change has recently come into jeopardy. There is less water in the lake then there has been since the mid 1930’s when it was first being first being filled and created. Concern over water levels remain high and as a result many Southwest States have started to created water conservation and limitations programs.
More than Just Drinking Water
The concern over the decline of freshwater levels in Lake Mead is a far larger problem than many people realize. If the water was only used for drinking, we could simply bottle water elsewhere and import it. The real issue in the decline in freshwater levels in the region has to do with farming. There are nearly half million acres of farmland that gets its water from the reservoir. These farms produce more than $1 billion of produce a year and most vegetables consumed and sold in the United States during the winter months. Without this valuable source of food, prices would increase, and the country would have a real food crisis on its hands. Our farming infrastructure is dependent on the region and the region is dependent on the fresh water provided by Lake Mead to survive. Additionally, the shortage of freshwater makes raising livestock more difficult as well. Fresh water is used to water our animals, water the food they eat, and is essential to the American Livestock industry.
Alternatives
Consideration has gone into alternative ways to provide the area with water and fill the reservoir. However, doing so is a logistical nightmare. The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead reservoirs were built because they were the best option. They took natural rainfall and collected it through controlling the Colorado River. This was a tremendous undertaking, took years to complete, was expensive, and by far is the best option to provide water to the area. The issue of reduced rainfall and lack of water flow in the Colorado River was not considered to be an issue until recently. There are alternative ways to fill the water needs of the region, but they are discounted for valid reasons. The first alternative that we will address is the option of utilizing water from other regions of the Country. The United States is home to the Great Lakes which are the largest bodies of fresh water in the world. The idea of creating a cross country aqueduct has been present in the past. There are two reasons why this idea is rejected. Firstly, the project would be incredibly costly. An aqueduct spanning well over a thousand miles would take years or even decades to complete. The government would have to acquire the land, build the pipeline, maintain it, and work around existing road and railway lines. Secondly, a project on this scale would have unknown and disastrous effects on the American Northwest. This idea would permanently remove water from the lakes that cannot be replaced. This could cause massive problems for the ecology of the region that cannot even be predicted.
The second alternative idea to getting fresh water for the region is to harvest the power of the sea, specifically the Pacific Ocean. Sea water is contaminated with salt and other minerals and cannot be used for drinking; however, technology can correct this through desalination. This is the process of removing contaminates form seas water to create fresh water. This sounds like an obvious solution when we first talk about it; however, there are reasons why this solution will not work. Desalination uses a lot of energy, creates pollution, and the return is minimal. The salt and minerals that are removed from the water do not simply vanish and must be disposed of. The process just is not efficient enough to provide the water needed to the region.
Best Option
The best option to combat the current water crisis is the least popular among the public. That is to conserve, to ration, and to reduce water waste. Most Americans are used to using all the water they need and being told they will have limits is an unpopular answer for the average American. There really is no alternative. Water is essential to life, and we cannot let the supply get used up and go to waste. If you live in the area, make sure to do your party and conserve that water you can. Hopefully the drought will eventually come to an end, but we must continue to work on the assumption that it will not. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. If the situation does not change further water restrictions are likely and we must accept this because we have no choice. There is only one thing we know for certain, doing nothing will not help solve the problems.