Water Supply and Its Situation in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, Nevada andMexico - Dissertation Example

Memo for Water Supply Introduction Water issues have been a major concern in the globe today. States such as Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, Nevada and Mexico have been rated as among the states that suffer the most from water issues. This memo will assess the water issue situation in these states. The memo will also assess the fracking process and its impact on water resources. Focus will also be put on the water issues in Ohio. Lastly, the memo will assess the ethical issues that touch on water. Part a. So as to solve the water issues in Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, Nevada and Mexico states, a lot needs to be done. First, in the case of Texas that is experiencing about 40% of drought conditions as Hess & Frohlich write, the state needs to reverse the heavy use of eater in the processing of natural gases in the fracking process (1). This will help save water and even save the agricultural sector. Oklahoma’s water problem may be solved by making agreements with other states on how it can save water even if it has to dig underground reservoirs for the same. Hess & Frohlich says that the same case would apply for Arizona since the state enjoys seasonal rains throughout the year (1). Through saving this water in underground reservoirs, the state can help deal with the severe drought conditions. Kansas, Nevada and Mexico would greatly benefit from an institution of a water management plan that would even include the help of engineers to even construct underground pipes that will help store and transport water in the required places. For the case of California, investing in desalination water plants would prove useful since these plants as Hess & Frohlich explain would help save a lot of water that would have otherwise gone into waste (1). This water would also help in agricultural practices among the many farm workers in the state. From an analysis of the water supply conditions in these states, it is evident that there requires to have stringent and timely measures to solve the water problems existing today. Part b As seen in the compilation of Hess & Frohlich, fracking is a major contributor to drought in Texas (1). According to BBC, fracking is the process that involves drilling into the earth in the quest to release the gas underground (1). In this process, water of high pressure is directed at that underground rock so as to release the gas underneath. In the course of the fracking process, BBC write that gas flares up from the ground either after the horizontal or a vertical process of hitting the rock layers. In this process as well, there are high chances that other paths of releasing gas may be extended (1). From a discussion of the fracking process, it is almost evident that the process negatively affects the water resources. First, BBC reports that the fracking process consumes a lot of water as opposed to producing water (1). On another note the fracking process involves a huge percentage of chemicals that can cause harm to the environment and more so to the underground water in the sites in question. This means that the water resources will be polluted by the carcinogenic chemicals; thus, harmful to human health as BBC reports (1). It is worrying how the process will also affect the climate. In the event of climate change, it is true that water resources will also be affected a great deal, and the drought cases will continue to be reported if the processes are not stopped with immediacy. Part c Apart from the fracking process, the bottled water industry is yet another example of water being used for profit. With many people opting to go for bottled water because it is perceived to be safer as opposed to tap water, the bottled water industry has been indicated to profit many people. Gleick indicates that the resources used are cheap by the end product is very expensive and not all persons can afford (87-109). Nonetheless, it is critical to note that not all water in bottles is indeed “bottled” since a few people have perfected the art of using tap water for its consumers. Gleick gives a good example of restaurants that use tap water, but tell their clients that the water is processed (10, 84). They in turn get lots of profit from the sales, even in cases where the clients can barely afford the product. The convenience of the bottled water has its costs as Gleick writes, since the consumers will pay for water even if the water is not clean and safe (87-90). It is these issues, therefore, that have led to massive campaigns against the bottled water. If this unscrupulous business was not done, there would be enough water for every person and even at a cheaper prices that all persons can afford. The authorities would also make sure that they provide clean water at all times. This means that bottled industry will have no job of purifying water since the concerned authorities would do its role as expected. Part d Among the ethical issues of using non-owned critical water supply resource for the benefit of a few people involve accountability issues. Gonzales De Asis, et al indicate that employees of the water supply centers need to make sure that they are accountable public servants and that they maintain uprightness all times (126). This means that they should not make any fallacious authorizations that would lead to a manipulation of the water supplies to enrich a few. Secondly, integrity is key as far as water issues are concerned. Since water is a precious resource, Gonzales De Asis, et al advise that water needs to be used publicly and not for any personal gain, use or even financial benefit (111-113). Employees of the water sector, therefore, need to display a high level of integrity in the work. Water wars are greatly contributed by the selfish needs by a few to benefit from due to the conflict of interests. The rich may need to bribe the authorities so as they take advantage of the water resources for financial gain. On the other hand, the public authorities act according to the set guidelines and may not want to be involved in corrupt practices. The water wars are expected to increase as water is available and can be easily manipulated to benefit a few. Stringent measures, therefore, need to be put to regulate the water activities, as well as closely monitor the water projects in different states. Part e Ohio is facing major water supply issues. As seen in the work of Pratt, Ohio is said to consume unsafe water from Lake Erie (1). The water supply, as Pratt writes, has been indicated to be intoxicated by an algal bloom that actually caused a state of emergency in the state (1). Yet another issue touching on the supply of water in Ohio revolves around the quantity of water. Kick is of the thought that the water is not enough to serve the needs of all the residents especially in times when there is adverse weather condition (1). The infrastructure put in place to allow for proper water supply in the region is also not working. According to Kick, the water supply systems ins Ohio also suffer the challenge of providing water on a wide area especially with the high population that cannot be said to use the water available in a proper way (1). Pollution is another major issue facing the Ohio water supply. Kick argues that the wastes from farms has been indicated to run into the rivers and streams and eventually into the water supply systems (1). The water is, therefore, not clearly safe even after the recycling process. Kick also reports that the wetlands and the streams have also not been well covered by the federal water system (1). This explains why the Ohio water system is not able to effectively meet both the long and short term water needs for its residents since a great percentage of the water resources are not protected and improved as per the demand. Conclusion Water issues have adverse impacts on the society. This is evident form states such as Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, Nevada and Mexico that are struggling to find solutions to their water issues. The fracking process has greatly contributed to the water issues, explaining why there is need for ethics in matters that touch on water issues. Ohio has also not been left out. The state is also suffering a great deal. A lot needs to be done to solve the existing water crisis lest the issue becomes unbearable in future. Works Cited BBC. What is fracking and why is it controversial? BBC News, 27 Jun. 2013. Web. 26 Mar. 2015. < http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-14432401> Gleick, Peter H. Bottled and Sold: The Story Behind Our Obsession with Bottled Water. Washington DC: Island Press, 2010. Print. Gonzales De Asis, Maria., O’Leary, Donal., Ljung, Per. & Butterworth, John. Improving Transparency, Integrity, and Accountability in Water Supply and Sanitation. NY: World Bank Publications, 2009. Print.   Hess, Alexander E.M. & Frohlich, Thomas C. “Seven states running out of water.”24/7 Wall St., USA Today, 6 Jun, 2014. Web. 26 Mar. 2015. Kick, Chris. “Ohio farm groups announce new water quality initiative”. Farm Dairy, 7th July, 2014. Pratt, Gregory. “Toledo water issues prompt Chicago to re-test lake water supply”. Chicago Tribune, 3rd August 2014. Read More