What is the Value of Water?
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted people to rethink safety and public health priorities throughout the world. Some that are typically at the forefront of peoples’ minds, like safe drinking water, become even more important as we face a situation that puts everyone at risk. The Value of Water Campaign poll recently conducted confirmed this idea. In March of this year, American voters responded that infrastructure investment should be a top priority, with 84% of the more than 1,000 people polled responding that they want leadership to invest in water infrastructure. In the five years that the poll has been organized, […]
Georgia Continues to Improve Water Usage Efficiency
For the past three decades, a battle between the states of Alabama, Florida and Georgia has been raging on over control of precious water resources in what has become known as the “tri-state water wars.” “Two years ago, the original Special Master on the case stated that the state of Georgia doesn’t monitor its water usage very well,”[1] said Laura Perry Johnson, associate dean for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. “This year, that note was removed as the state now does an amazing job of tracking water usage.” Johnson said UGA Extension has strengthened its water resource education program by […]
Aging Infrastructure Grabs the Spotlight in Houston
In late February, Houston health officials ordered a mandatory boil water notice for the entire city’s freshwater system after a historic break in a water main pipe that provides 50% of Houston’s water left drivers stranded on a flooded freeway awaiting rescue. Along with the large-scale flooding that occurred, restaurants were ordered to shut down immediately, schools halted their day-to-day operations, and businesses were forced to close. The University of Houston and Texas Southern University closed for consecutive days as the entirety of the Harris County courts were shuttered. Schools within the Houston Independent School District were also closed for an […]
Tucson’s One Water Master Plan
Water stress has caused countries around the world to consider ways to mitigate the impact increased population and climate change. In the United States, twenty-nine states, mostly western, have taken into consideration current and future water supplies and usage trends along with factors like population growth and climate change to establish water plans. Tucson, Arizona (Tucson Water) is currently seeking public input as it develops its long-range water and infrastructure plan that will run through 2100. According to its website, the One Water 2100 Master Plan addresses future challenges to water sources and, “will be comprised of numerous elements that […]
The Fight for Clean Water Amidst COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed the world in many ways, one of which is to make everyone across the globe more aware of the importance of hand washing in combating germ transfer. Health care professionals encourage us to sing songs, count to twenty and a myriad of other ideas to ensure that we wash for an appropriate length of time. However, there is a key ingredient in the equation that is missing for a large number of people worldwide: clean water. In a recent article posted on The Conversation (website), David Feldman, Professor Urban Planning & Public Policy and Political Science, Director […]