We are constantly monitoring the world of water. While there is both good news about the drinking water on our planet, there is also troubling news. One thing that is for certain, there are changes coming.
As we head into 2019, we wanted to share with you some our observations on water issues. You can follow us here throughout 2019 as we also adapt to the challenges of our changing planet.
Here is what to look for in 2019:
- Tap Water Is Not Safe – Have you heard “They said the water is safe.” Well, we need to know who “they” are and start pushing back. In recent meetings with the Lynnfield Central Water District (MA), management has told the residents the water is safe despite gray and dark water coming from the faucet. In a contentious meeting last week, LCWD faced angry residents who are concerned about their water. LCWD proposed a multi-million water filtration system to solve the problem but residence wanted more information and requested a study. The truth is, the study will likely lead to even more expensive alternatives. These types of meetings are taking place all over the country as communities face the fact that our aging water systems cannot deliver quality/safe water to the faucet.
- Delivery of water is changing – For those of you who come to Boston Clear with your containers, you know how the delivery of water is changing. For years, we all drank out of the tap, then there was bottled water at the store, now people are seeking out their own water supplies. We appreciate your journey to our spring and offer a place to reflect on this wonderful resource, however the next delivery of water delivery system is evolving. People are buying huge storage tanks and rely on tanker trucks to deliver their water. This is much like the home fuel oil delivery system we have today.
- The price of water is going to rise – Many of us never imagined paying $5 for a cup of coffee any more than we thought of buying a $2 bottle of water … but here we are. With water from the tap becoming more unreliable, clean water resources dwindling and hedge funds buying up supplies (see #7 below), water is going to go up in price. We noted a bottled mineral spring water at Whole Foods that is being sold for $6.50/gallon.
- Plastic is out – Our oceans are filling up with plastic and the problem is driven by plastic containers, particularly water. It is not uncommon for a single person to go through 3-5 bottled waters each day. Look for more refilling of containers and more studies on the poison that seeps into water from plastic containers. More glass please!
- Clean Ups Are Coming – After decades of polluting and decades more deciding on legal responsibility / price, cleanup of contamination on some sites will be coming. The solution is going to involve taking ground water through filtration system, adding chemicals to treat the water, then pumping it back into the ground. Will it work? Time will tell.
- The EPA is Behind – The EPA cannot keep up with the chemicals that are being dumped into the water. People are flushing chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and trash. A report by CNN found that there are numerous chemicals in the water that are not even being tested for. For those of you who love documentaries, we recommend What Lies Upstream … about a chemical spill into a river in West Virginia. The people are poor and the politicians are enept.
- Big Companies Are Buying Up Water Sources – Harvard, whose endowment is multi-billion dollars, has been getting into a new investment … water. Hedge funds are buying up water supplies. Even former president George W. Bush purchased thousands of acres in South America that contains a large water aquifer.
- What Happens Over There Will Happen Here – We only need to look at the challenges in other countries to see what could come our way. We say “could” because we think things can change if major reforms are undertaken. However, in places like India, clean water is in such a shortage that towns often bring in tankers to allow people to access to safe water.
- Supply Chain Transparency – People want to know where the items they consume come from. Organic farm stands are popping up everywhere because consumers are concerned about pesticides and how their food is handled. Your water should be no different. Our water at Boston Clear comes from the spring, through a filter to remove any particles, then hit with a ultraviolet light for any possible organic matter. Then it goes into your bottle. Keeping it simple!
- Identifying Polluters – Sometimes it takes decades for us to know that a company has been poisoning the water. One big polluter has been military bases …. look for many more disclosures and sad stories.