Water Demands Draining U.S. Rivers: Many Rivers Suffering from Severe Water Shortages

Environmental News Service ^ | 04/10/2003 | J.R. Pegg

[Constitution Day]

No, the name is deceiving.
Rocky Mount is in eastern North Carolina, nowhere *near* the mountains. (Go figure).

Anyway, I have been to the Joyce Kilmer forest, years ago. It's amazing.

[Delphinium]

Why doesn't the U.S. have some of our water from up here in Canada? Why could just share our's with you, problem solved.

Give us some water, and we'll give you all of our socialists. Then the problem would be solved.

[IvanT]

No, please, we already have enough of a problem with them already. You could give us your hand me down Military equipment and maybe one of those spiffy aircraft carriers, that'd be a good deal. Then we can go attack Lebanon, cause they're really beginning to piss me off with their threats against Canada, Israel and the US.

[Alberta's Child]

When I lived out in Calgary I made an observation about plant life -- If a certain type of plant does not grow in abundance naturally in an area, there's no way in hell it should be part of the landscape in any development.

The only exception I would make is for areas that can be irrigated naturally with stormwater run-off from adjacent parcels of land with large areas of impervious surfaces (a shopping mall, for example).

[Delphinium]

Maybe we could trade California, and the Northeast of the US to Canada for the western part of Canada?

I didn't hear that Lebanon was threatening Canada, but you know the good ole U.S.A. will come to your aid if they try anything.

[Delphinium]

I forgot Seattle, and Portland. You can have them too.

[activationproducts]

Depends on your definition of really nice and whether or not you have heard of the Ogalalla Aquifer.

[activationproducts]

Could be. I have a friend who works in the water field and has convinced my that water is a real issue. Not the sort of thing one can take the Baghdad Bob approach to by sticking your head in the sand and say "it's all lies."

[Little Bill]

The place is usually a tidal mud flat. Good duck hunting in Newbury though. With all of the snow, and as I look out of my window, rain, the bugs should have a good year.

[tubebender]

Where in the hell is all the water going from the "melting of ice cap" There should be more free water than ever if you listen to "global warming" crowd.

[farmfriend]

Where in the hell is all the water going from the "melting of ice cap"

Water world?

[KC_for_Freedom]

I fear that they won't stop until they've cleared out all the people

Yes of course, I am against the ESA completely. The way to use the market to protect critters is to give a bounty to land owners who provide for the various species the government believes we need to protect. (I am indepted to Mark Edward Vande Pol for this from his book Natural Process.-- Mark posts on this forum as carry_okie)

Plus, lawsuits help the leftist friend, the trial lawyers.

[Delphinium]

by sticking your head in the sand and say "it's all lies."

I am not sticking my head in the sand. Its this source that usually uses lies, and uses junk science to manipulate the masses. I really don't know much about the populated cities in the east. Maybe there is more to the water problem story, but not from this source.

[meyer]

The west has many agriculture users paying a lower price for water than residents.

Well, considering that the water used for irrigation requires neither the treatment nor the infrastructure that drinking water requires, it should be cheaper. Considerably cheaper.

[SierraWasp]

""This is a tragedy of the commons," he said.""

Somebody has been reading your fantastic book "Natural Process," the WRONG WAY!!! (www.NaturalProcess.net)

You oughta weigh-in on this and bore into this scenario of "Rural Cleansing" in a big way, since it's right up your alley!!!

[KC_for_Freedom]

Well, considering that the water used for irrigation requires neither the treatment nor the infrastructure that drinking water requires, it should be cheaper. Considerably cheaper.

I can't let you get away with this one, the costs of water I was discussing are independent of the residential distribution system, which residents pay for usually with property taxes. There is a huge agriculture distribution system too, (pumps, canals, dams,...) These systems support residential use as the residential user adds a treatement plant at the using site. (As I said before, paid for by other funding.) So the water is the same water, but the farms are the heavy users and long ago negotiated water contracts that do not reflect current supply/demand curves.

[meyer]

I can't let you get away with this one, the costs of water I was discussing are independent of the residential distribution system, which residents pay for usually with property taxes. There is a huge agriculture distribution system too, (pumps, canals, dams,...) These systems support residential use as the residential user adds a treatement plant at the using site. (As I said before, paid for by other funding.) So the water is the same water, but the farms are the heavy users and long ago negotiated water contracts that do not reflect current supply/demand curves.

Sounds like a local issue - where I live now and all my previous homes had a water system run separate from the taxing authority, either by a regional water department, another city's water department, or by a private water company. In all instances, the ratepayers paid for the water distribution system including treatment. I suspect I'm applying the conditions of my locale to issues unique to your area. I've always lived near fresh water, either by the great lakes or near a large river. The water I enjoy right now is spring fed and provided by a co-op - no tax dollars support it.

[nanny]

Additionally, I would be more terrified about eating at Shoney's.

YOu got that right!!

Actually, there is some truth in all the statements, our underground aquafers are getting depleted - and the surface water is not as clean as it once was. Of course, I am one of those old Texans who remember when you could drink from any pond, creek, or river in the state - well maybe not a river near a metropolitan area - but in the country. Not any more. I can't even drink our city water without a filter.

But I do like your ideas of water conservation - don't know about the outhouse here in town, but I do intend to use grey water this year on my garden - we always did in the country.

But I do agree the government is making a big attempt to take over the water supply - I know they are here in Texas. I have heard (from that reliable source, but can't confirm it) that the state of Texas already has taken control of the underground water. It seems, however, they are going to give the people the opportunity to form a 'water conservation district' before they actually do.

Thirsty people are easier to control and large corporations will give great kickbacks and campaign contributions for water rights. Always follow the money---

[KC_for_Freedom]

OK, I agree, it probably is local. In Mid and Southern California it is as I described. However, we have some forest property in Northern California where there is a single fee to hook up, then the water is not metered or charged for.

In So. Calif, the agricultural system of canals delivers water to people and they use it without a meter. No problem taking all you want, so you water your lawn by flooding it. Or you water a vast farm by spraying the water into the air. (Where a lot of water evaporates before hitting the ground.) Thanks for the discussion.

[cogitator]

Back before indoor plumbing and city water supplies everybody had a rain barrel or two -- I guess we aren't allowed to do that anymore.

Rain barrels certainly are allowed. There are good commercial systems available. The main thing that they have to be protected from is mosquito infestation; you don't want your rain barrel to be harboring carriers of West Nile virus or something worse, like malaria or encephalitis.