Water Shortage in Mexico, Your Back Yard?
by KAREN MURPHY, Contributing Writer
The 20 million people of Mexico City are facing a serious water crisis. Already this year, the taps have been turned off three times for hundreds of thousands of people because of dangerously low reservoir levels.
The water infrastructure is crumbling, the pipes leak and the city is sinking up to 4 inches a year, faster than Venice, Italy, due to the amount of water being pumped from underground wells.
This isn’t a new problem.
Nor is it confined to Mexico City.
Dozens of mega cities around the world—including Jakarta and Bangkok, to name a few—face water shortages and growing populations. The U.S. isn’t exactly off the hook, either. Thirty-six states nationwide, even those you wouldn’t suspect (Florida? surrounded by water? rains a lot?) face potential water shortages or are dealing with them now.
Western states—California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico—are in crisis now. And in denial. Hey, we turn on the tap and get water, right?
The system needs to change.
We need to spend big bucks to shore up existing infrastructure. We’re talking $50 billion to repair 4,000 existing dams nationwide.
We need to think about water differently. We’re used to paying through the nose for oil; water should be the same. He who uses a lot should pay for it. That’s right, I’m talking to you, golf courses and water-wasting manufacturers. Get ready for huge taxes to support your water habit, or change your tune.
We need to do our small part. Rip up lawns and plant native species. Abolish car-washing except at reuse facilities. Voluntarily limit water consumption. Be willing to pay more—maybe even a lot more—for the water we use. And do it with a smile, because the alternative (turning on the tap to find a smelly brown trickle) is far worse.
So get on the phone and talk to your pal President Obama about water and pipes and dams. Contact your other elected officials.
Donate to charity: water to fund one of more than 1,200 water projects worldwide. (Read more about the work of charity: water here.)
Photo by Rudhach, flickr
- Posted by Causecast
Related causes: Environment
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Are there any states doing anything interesting to address this issue?