"The U.N. warns that half the world population will face water scarcity by 2030, accelerated by climate change and population growth. Shortages on such a scale would threaten food production, as well as a health crisis through increased exposure to unsanitary water, which already kills millions each year through waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea."
READ ARTICLE HERE
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Thursday, June 5, 2014
JUNE 2ND CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Thank you Mark Vanderlinde for speaking up at 1:14 mins into the last city council meeting video. It's comforting to hear you remind the public that this is a very simple issue: CLEAN WATER.
"Let's give people what they deserve! Simple. Clean. Water. Because I am just disgusted with whats happened in this city."
"The most people I come across who are against this, aren't even on city water! You don't have a dog in this race so why would you even care. That's the crazy part about it. We're trying to give people options here, every option possible. Some people say "well why do we need a water treatment plant"... St. Boni has a treatment plant, Waconia has one, Mound is talking about it. Obviously there is something that is going to have to happen here. Victoria just put one in (a water treatment plant). I mean this is not something we just dreamed up and said "hey we are just going to spend a whole lot of money on this thing because we just like spending other peoples money", well that ain't it! That ain't it at all."
Also Thank you to the mayor of St. Boni for giving his insights on the water issues and the suggestions on how to rearrange the meetings and the "Person's to be heard" so they don't all have to start out so negatively.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
- John Adams
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION
Over 50% of the United States population depends on groundwater for drinking water. Groundwater is also one of our most important sources of water for irrigation. Unfortunately, groundwater is susceptible to pollutants.
Groundwater contamination occurs when man-made products such as gasoline, oil, road salts and chemicals get into the groundwater and cause it to become unsafe and unfit for human use.
Materials from the land's surface can move through the soil and end up in the groundwater. For example, pesticides and fertilizers can find their way into groundwater supplies over time. Road salt, toxic substances from mining sites, and used motor oil also may seep into groundwater. In addition, it is possible for untreated waste from septic tanks and toxic chemicals from underground storage tanks and leaky landfills to contaminate groundwater.
Dangers Of Contaminated Groundwater
Drinking contaminated groundwater can have serious health effects. Diseases such as hepatitis and dysentery may be caused by contamination from septic tank waste. Poisoning may be caused by toxins that have leached into well water supplies. Wildlife can also be harmed by contaminated groundwater. Other long term effects such as certain types of cancer may also result from exposure to polluted water.
Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste - In the U.S. today, there are thought to be over 20,000 known abandoned and uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and the numbers grow every year. Hazardous waste sites can lead to groundwater contamination if there are barrels or other containers laying around that are full of hazardous materials. If there is a leak, these contaminants can eventually make their way down through the soil and into the groundwater.
Landfills - Landfills are the places that our garbage is taken to be buried. Landfills are supposed to have a protective bottom layer to prevent contaminants from getting into the water. However, if there is no layer or it is cracked, contaminants from the landfill (car battery acid, paint, household cleaners, etc.) can make their way down into the groundwater.
Atmospheric Contaminants - Since groundwater is part of the hydrologic cycle, contaminants in other parts of the cycle, such as the atmosphere or bodies of surface water, can eventually be transferred into our groundwater supplies.
Groundwater contamination occurs when man-made products such as gasoline, oil, road salts and chemicals get into the groundwater and cause it to become unsafe and unfit for human use.
Materials from the land's surface can move through the soil and end up in the groundwater. For example, pesticides and fertilizers can find their way into groundwater supplies over time. Road salt, toxic substances from mining sites, and used motor oil also may seep into groundwater. In addition, it is possible for untreated waste from septic tanks and toxic chemicals from underground storage tanks and leaky landfills to contaminate groundwater.
Dangers Of Contaminated Groundwater
Drinking contaminated groundwater can have serious health effects. Diseases such as hepatitis and dysentery may be caused by contamination from septic tank waste. Poisoning may be caused by toxins that have leached into well water supplies. Wildlife can also be harmed by contaminated groundwater. Other long term effects such as certain types of cancer may also result from exposure to polluted water.
Potential Sources of Groundwater Contamination
Storage Tanks - May contain gasoline, oil, chemicals, or other types of liquids and they can either be above or below ground. There are estimated to be over 10 million storage tanks buried in the United States and over time the tanks can corrode, crack and develop leaks. If the contaminants leak out and get into the groundwater, serious contamination can occur.
Septic Systems - Onsite wastewater disposal systems used by homes, offices or other buildings that are not connected to a city sewer system. Septic systems are designed to slowly drain away human waste underground at a slow, harmless rate. An improperly designed, located, constructed, or maintained septic system can leak bacteria, viruses, household chemicals, and other contaminants into the groundwater causing serious problems.
Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste - In the U.S. today, there are thought to be over 20,000 known abandoned and uncontrolled hazardous waste sites and the numbers grow every year. Hazardous waste sites can lead to groundwater contamination if there are barrels or other containers laying around that are full of hazardous materials. If there is a leak, these contaminants can eventually make their way down through the soil and into the groundwater.
Landfills - Landfills are the places that our garbage is taken to be buried. Landfills are supposed to have a protective bottom layer to prevent contaminants from getting into the water. However, if there is no layer or it is cracked, contaminants from the landfill (car battery acid, paint, household cleaners, etc.) can make their way down into the groundwater.
Chemicals and Road Salts - The widespread use of chemicals and road salts is another source of potential groundwater contamination. Chemicals include products used on lawns and farm fields to kill weeds and insects and to fertilize plants, and other products used in homes and businesses. When it rains, these chemicals can seep into the ground and eventually into the water. Road salts are used in the wintertime to put melt ice on roads to keep cars from sliding around. When the ice melts, the salt gets washed off the roads and eventually ends up in the water.
Atmospheric Contaminants - Since groundwater is part of the hydrologic cycle, contaminants in other parts of the cycle, such as the atmosphere or bodies of surface water, can eventually be transferred into our groundwater supplies.
Source:
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead (1902-1978), cultural anthropologist
Margaret Mead (1902-1978), cultural anthropologist
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, June 18th 6pm-8pm
A public information meeting on water treatment options will be held at the Minnetrista Public Safety facility training room. Be there to get all the FACTS to help make an educated decision and form your OWN opinions.
A public information meeting on water treatment options will be held at the Minnetrista Public Safety facility training room. Be there to get all the FACTS to help make an educated decision and form your OWN opinions.
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