New stories about water. The Financial Times reports that sales of bottled water are decreasing. In a companion story, the FT reports that companies manufacturing reusable bottles are gaining.
With respect to water quality, Associated Press updated its report on drugs in drinking water. Last March, AP reported that approximately 41 million Americans are affected by trace amount of pharmaceuticals in drinking water. AP's new story is that the number of affected individuals is now up to 46 million. Hospitals and nursing homes contribute to this problem, according to a report in the Wisconsin State Journal. Generally, there appears to be no legal prohibition to treating the water supply like a trash can.
Showing posts with label water shortage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water shortage. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
WSJ on the Quality of Drinking Water
This morning the Wall Street Journal has an interesting article about the quality of tap water. Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals, unregulated chemicals such as industrial solvents, and even the chemicals used to clean drinking water are causing increasing concern.
Bottled water, the story reports, is not the answer because not only is it expensive but, as was reported earlier in the year, much of bottled water is tap water. Filters are useful but not 100 percent effective, and again there is a cost.
Stopping contamination, as opposed to trying to remove it, seems more logical. In this area, states have had to step in because the executive branch of the federal government is under control of people who don't believe in government (recall that these are the folks who wanted to end Social Security), and special interests who oppose new regulations are extremely influential in Washington. California has acted, according to the WSJ, because an ingredient used to make rocket fuel during the Cold War has been found in many of the state's water systems.
Political will can be rallied when rocket fuel is in the water, but let's not wait that long to seriously act to address new challenges to water quality.
"Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink." Above, the Pacific coast, Mexico.
Bottled water, the story reports, is not the answer because not only is it expensive but, as was reported earlier in the year, much of bottled water is tap water. Filters are useful but not 100 percent effective, and again there is a cost.
Stopping contamination, as opposed to trying to remove it, seems more logical. In this area, states have had to step in because the executive branch of the federal government is under control of people who don't believe in government (recall that these are the folks who wanted to end Social Security), and special interests who oppose new regulations are extremely influential in Washington. California has acted, according to the WSJ, because an ingredient used to make rocket fuel during the Cold War has been found in many of the state's water systems.
Political will can be rallied when rocket fuel is in the water, but let's not wait that long to seriously act to address new challenges to water quality.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
"Bottlemania" by Elizabeth Royte
The Economist reviews Bottlemania by Elizabeth Royte, in which Royte examines the pros and cons of this $60 billion global business.
Notes The Economist in its review: "[Bottled water] costs between 250 and 10,000 times more than tap water and in blind tastings people cannot usually separate the fancy beverage from the ordinary stuff. Then there is the environmental cost: according to one estimate, the total energy required to make and deliver each bottle of water is equivalent to filling them a quarter of the way with oil." Yet where no clean water is available, bottled water easily fills a critical role by providing potable water.
Notes The Economist in its review: "[Bottled water] costs between 250 and 10,000 times more than tap water and in blind tastings people cannot usually separate the fancy beverage from the ordinary stuff. Then there is the environmental cost: according to one estimate, the total energy required to make and deliver each bottle of water is equivalent to filling them a quarter of the way with oil." Yet where no clean water is available, bottled water easily fills a critical role by providing potable water.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Fresh Water is the New Oil
If the troubles caused by oil dependency aren't enough for you, The Financial Times today has an article outlining new economic and political pressures flowing from a future where fresh water will be scarce. The article cites one financial group's estimate that by 2025, two-thirds of the world's population could be living in conditions of water stress.
Below: Lake Monona at sunset. Monona, Wisconsin.
Below: Lake Monona at sunset. Monona, Wisconsin.
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