Earth's Water Distribution
Does anyone remember the water crises that Alabama faced during the 2007 drought? Is the state ready to go through a similar drought in the future? Based on our experiences from 2007, it is clear that Alabama is in desperate need of an environmentally sustainable water policy which accounts not only for the water demands on our rivers and streams but the uses of our groundwater as well.
In 2007 the Alabama State Legislature recognized this with the creation of the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Water Policy and Management. Due to the pressures of the ongoing drought, the PJLCWPM was formed to study and propose a comprehensive state water policy which would prepare us for future shortages by setting up a system of accounting for and regulating the use of fresh water in Alabama.
Since then it has rained and the committee has lost much of its momentum. The issue however remains. In a recent article at the Environmental News Network, David Gabel highlights the relative scarcity of fresh water and the continuing impacts that human development is having on this critical resource. Gable notes:
It is important to remember that groundwater, just like lakes, rivers, and streams, are part of the freshwater hydrological cycle. They are all connected, so that what happens to one will affect the other. Since water is so vital to human existence, it is right to protect that source which is most abundant. Maintaining good water quality is everybody’s responsibility.
You can read Gable’s article here: Groundwater Vulnerability
It is time for the committee to get back work to ensure that Alabama has enough fresh water for her people and environment.
