Ah, Pure Water! Incidentally, just how pure is our drinking water? My curiosity got the best of me and with Google so eager to help, I began digging! I guess we should ask those famous questions: what, when, where, who and why. eh? INFORMATION (Britannica)
We all know its value; especially if it difficult to obtain! Do any of you remember having a well in your yard or on your farm? Many of us can remember drinking water right from the old hose; moreover, we survived! Things have certainly improved; well, obtaining water is easier but not necessarily the water! Water quality shows no sign of improving either and the demand for fresh water just increases. We must stop taking pure water for granted!
Ah, Pure water – What Happened?
Sadly, most of our surface water used to be pure but too many contaminants have been released into our ground water; that includes lakes, rivers, streams and oceans. Chemicals and waste have piled up to the point that the environment doesn’t function as it used to. Fish and aquatic life are affected and end up dying and plants don’t grow properly. In addition to the waste we can see, there can be radioactivity and heat. Most organisms can’t deal with either, without damage or death.
The poisons that are now found in our water are not easy to get rid off! Some contaminants may be there forever and just multiply.Incidentally, just this week, I saw several articles saying that at least half of the tap water in America is badly contaminated; our drinking water! The worst part is that not enough people are doing their part. Wildlife has suffered tremendously.
Incidentally, our infrastructure is shot! In many locales, the water pipes are 70-80 years and leaking. The toxins aren’t even identified. The government isn’t able to keep up with replacements or repairs. Even if the water is pure when it leave its source, it could be loaded with poisons by the time it reaches the pipes in your home. Just something to think about! Do your homework and find something that fits your needs.
Ah, Pure Water! How?
Incidentally, do you remember some of the great old Westerns? “Gunsmoke,” “The Lone Ranger” and “Wagon Train” come to mind; and I mustn’t leave out “Bonanza” and “The Rifleman!” Consequently, I should confess having crushes on at least half those guys; especially Clint McCullough on “Wagon Train.” By the way, if you’re too young to remember these wonderful programs, google them. No one should miss out on those! All that being said; many times, some cowboy would be looking for fresh water for his horse and himself; invariably someone would have poisoned the water! Moreover, settlers had to deal with one drought after another! A good well or spring-fed stream was priceless. Millie Scott’s mercantile did not have bottled water!
Ranchers and cattlemen could loose a seasons profit if their herd died. Without rain, the crops they needed for food might not survive. Gardens were also vulnerable. I recall an episode on The Rifleman (I think!) where a mean-spirited neighbor dammed up the stream to force the other fellow to sell out his property. Fortunately, that’s not happening at our apartment complex. It’s hard to imagine how difficult life often was for earlier Americans. Consequently, it makes me realize just how much we have taken pure water for granted. No more, folks!
Alrighty, Tell me More
For a long time, there was a “war” between cattle and sheep: actually it was between the owners! There were battles over fences versus no fences. Both sides wanted and needed fresh water for their herds. It’s hard to picture how animals suffered because of a lack of water. Incidentally, wherever the animals went, so did their waste!. It’s a common contaminant where animals reside. In today’s residential areas, it means picking up after your dog.
Industrialization brought a huge increase in pollution. Moreover, if we couldn’t see it floating down the river, we didn’t pay much attention. However, when suds started piling up on rivers, we noticed. Eventually, authorities began testing water for its quality. For decades, everything ended up in the ground waters. Now, we can see it. Trash kills wildlife! Consequently, we see animals on Facebook who have either gotten caught in those plastic six-pack things used on Coke, etc; or, they have swallowed it! Incidentally, I always cut those things up into itty-bitty pieces. However, those pieces will end up as waste someplace. It is not an easy fix!
My Beloved Cheboygan River; Not so Pure!
Back in the 1970s, I lived in Cheboygan, Michigan; on its namesake river and Lake Huron. With all that water around, I took up SCUBA diving. We had old coins and bottles in the river and shipwrecks in the Straits. My dad always said I was swimming in the Cheboygan sewer; that might have been true. We had the P&G Charmin plant on the river, near the dam. It’s long since gone but I remember seeing suds.
In addition, we usually got tons of snow. First, they plow the snow so that one line of traffic could go in each direction, there would be this huge bank of snow down the middle of Main Street. The county gathered it and put it by the river to melt. It was filthy snow! However, we still hade some of the purest water and air anywhere!
Ah, Pure Water! Why?
I’m so glad you asked; I haven’t even mentioned human waste or the problem caused by toxic substances we thrown out from our kitchens, garages, and medicine cabinets! These dangerous things are now in our drinking water. Some of us are careful but many folks don’t think about it. These chemicals affect our health. Incidentally it happens gradually. Cities have their own systems for dealing with sewage. San Antonio sits on top of the precious Edwards Aquifer, a huge but fragile source of pure water. The aquifer is a tremendous blessing to this area but it is always at risk. Incidentally, the aquifer is fascinating! Moreover, it is constantly and carefully monitored. Consequently, our use of water for lawns, etc. always depends on how much water is in there. Again, our lives are in the hands of rainfall!
Pure Water; Who?
In the meantime, I’m sure you remember the story of water pollution in Flint, Michigan. Certainly, that’s a worse case scenario but it could happen anywhere. Moreover, it takes very little toxic material to poison a water source. Sadly, we will see more and more cases like that. All of us have to be more responsible about how much water we use and what we allow to pollute our water. In addition to that, we have to pressure big businesses to do the same; cut back on pollutants. Some drugs and insecticides are killing our pollinators and destroying the food source in rivers, lakes and oceans. Invasive organisms often take over when the natural balance is disrupted. Incidentally, I remember when the Alewives took over my beloved Lake Michigan! They washed up dead all over the beaches in our northern counties.
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