Rivers suffering water shortage: This spring, American Rivers reported many of our rivers are suffering water shortages, with drought and human water consumption placing some in acute peril. "America's seemingly insatiable demand for fresh water is nearing nature's limits," said Rebecca Wooder, President of American Rivers.
We use and waste more water per person than any other country. (Europeans use half what we use.) Partly because of the shortage in river water, the U.S. now pumps some 28 trillion gallons of groundwater every year. Have we all forgotten the hydrological cycle? Pumping groundwater, without putting in back, reduces the natural flow of water into our rivers and depletes a resource that took thousands of years to accumulate.
Aquifers suffering water shortage: EPA recently reported that 38 states anticipate water shortages in the next 10 years, even without a drought. If the anticipated shortages actually occur, they could have severe economic, environmental and social impacts. EPA based its information on a July 2003 General Accounting Office study of water availability and use. Groundwater supplies are significantly depleted in many areas, especially in the High Plains aquifer underlying 8 western states. In addition, four southwestern states with already taxed water supplies expect their population to increase by more than 50% in the next 20-25 years.
What's happening to our water: We are simultaneously doubling our use of water every 20 years, growing and/or shifting our population to areas already experiencing water difficulties, sucking down aquifers faster than they can recharge, allowing the Clean Water Act to be weakened, failing to protect 20% of our remaining wetlands that help filter water pollution, and allowing private corporations to pump, bottle, and sell our groundwater for huge profits. Is not something wrong with this picture?
Drilling and selling water in NYS: BRASS recently received a video from a Wisconsin group who is fighting their environmental agency's approval–without an Environmental Impact Assessment--of a drilling and bottled water facility application by Perrier. We shared the video with Becky Bosley's Environmental Science class at the Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School, and then conducted a short role play scenario to get student opinions about whether a company applying for a similar permit in Elizabethtown.
The simulation was not that far fetched. A company called Aqua Terra recently applied for a well drilling permit in Quebec, just across the border from Churubusco, NY. Although drilling would be in Canada, New York farmers worried their wells might be impacted. In order to be prepared for the Elizabethtown role play, BRASS called to see which environmental agencies would have jurisdiction or review over such an application. NYSDEC responded they had no jurisdiction over groundwater. (DEC can only rule on out-of-basin transport of surface waters.) The Adirondack Park Agency said they would review an application if there were to be a building height over 40' in height, well drilling or buildings sited in a wetland, a sizeable increase in noise or trucking traffic, and inadequate protection from drilling sediments. APA also said it was possible they would require documentation of effects to the aquifer, especially if a private company were to export water. In other words, only in the Adirondack Park does it appear likely there would be any agency scrutiny of an application for potential aquifer and environmental/ecological damages.
The agency that certifies bottled water facilities in New York is the Department of Health (DOH). A DOH employee said there is nothing in their certification process that looks at possible ecological impacts to the amount of water being pumped from--and bottled in--NYS. "You know, we're blessed with water; water rights are just not an issue right now," said another employee. "It's up to the local government to protect their source of water, and they have the authority to request an environmental review. Of course some communities do not have planning or zoning boards." This employee continued to talk about the well head protection program, saying each municipality should have a protection plan although she admitted typically these are for protection of water quality, not quantity. "We know where every municipal water system is, and if some company wanted to drill and export water we could ‘red flag' the application. Would DOH have the authority to deny a permit? I don't know. I don't think so."
Impact locally and/or on Lake Champlain: According to DOH there are two facilities in Region V: a bottled water plant in Port Kent, and a bulk water dealer in Chateguay (who pumps water but transports/sells it by the truck load). Some citizen groups protesting against Perrier Corporation in Michigan suggest aquifers and stream discharges will be lowered so there will be an impact upon the Great Lakes. It makes us wonder if Vermont's agencies have jurisdiction over pumping and bottling water, or if Lake Champlain could be impacted in the future by profit-seeking water corporations.