Alva Review-Courier -

“Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink” (Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1798).

Once a minor part of monthly bills, water costs are putting stress on households and a hold on economic growth. If you can stay within the minimum of 1,000 gallons, it still amounts to $81.80 including trash and sewer, which are not exempt. Additionally, the sewer rate is a sliding scale: the more water you use, the higher the sewer rate.

The world is grappling with an escalating water crisis that is intensifying with each passing year. As population growth, industrialization and urbanization surge, the demand for fresh water is placing unprecedented stress on our planet’s limited freshwater resources. The impact of climate change is leading to more frequent droughts, floods, and storms.

Another problem, besides availability, is the increasing cost of replacing, repairing and maintaining water systems. Most American cities suffer from aging infrastructure including water lines that in some neighborhoods lack capacity to supply a fire truck, rendering some fire plugs useless.

Water has never been available everywhere it is needed. The Roman aqueduct system was a solution and today’s cities rely on energy-dependent lines from wells and reservoirs that are miles away. Wellfields that do recharge often suffer from groundwater pollution. When the rain falls, the water table rises, but brings additional nitrates with it requiring treatment or blending.

If a community is to grow, dependable fresh water is a requirement. Water, infrastructure and workers are the keys to growth. Is our community meeting those needs?