Considering the water supply crisis in Georgia, Alabama & Florida, are water issues in the public's mind more?

Question

I wrote in my book entitled Understanding Water Rights and Conflicts, Second Edition:
“Even in wet regions, where water is seemingly not an issue, disputes arise. Georgia, Alabama and Florida are disputing the flows in the Apalachicola River. One issue relates to the amount of water needed to remain in the river to preserve the Apalachicola Bay oyster beds. Growth in Georgia and Alabama has caused more and more water to be removed from the river (diverted) for municipal and agricultural use, leaving less for the ecosystem downstream. This impacts both the ecology of the bay and the livelihood of the fishing industry using the bay.”
Considering the current crisis in this region, do you feel that water issues are more in the public eye than they have been in the last few years. If so, does the public understand the complexity of these issues more or less as a result of the news coverage?

Answer 1

I live in Georgia and what a lot of people don't know is that we've been in an almost constant drought for several years. We've had water bans and restrictions for as long as I can remember. So, yes, this news coverage has definitely put water more in the public eye. And maybe it will launch a few lightbulbs over people's heads. BUT what's crazy to me is that in Georgia we are not allowed to water ANYTHING outside, yet people who use our water in other states have absolutely no restrictions. Why is it that I live within 10 minutes of Lake Lanier, yet the people benefiting from the lake live hundreds of miles away?

Answer 2

The public are more aware of the water crisis because of the media. Too bad they couldn't do a story on the real issue of our supply of fresh water running out! It involves more than just the south, it is an issue for the entire nation that no one wants to deal with or even admit! We have lived our lives with an ample supply of fresh water, it is very hard to comprehend that we just could be running out of the very thing that sustains us! Some just don't grasp the facts of life, they think they can continue to have 15 min. showers, water the lawn, throw water down the drain where it has to be treated before it can be used again etc. The ground water is drying up, face it! We must try to conserve water, it is more important than oil! You can go more than a week without eating & not die, 3 days without water & you are at deaths door, if not dead!

Answer 3

Yes, most particularly in the wiregrass region of Alabama, which is the only part of the state in the Chattahoochee watershed. Atlanta's continued unchecked development, exacerbated by a historic drought has brought this problem into sharp relief.

Answer 4

No, they aren't. Actually, it depends on the region you are in, whether water is hotly disputed. Look at the deserts of NM, NV, AZ, and CA. CA has had a water shortage for decades. Also, look at some of the Oil & Gas disputes in the TX, KS, OK, and AR areas. Water Conservation is quite a hot topic, especially where mining is concerned (groundwater contamination is a HUGE problem here). There is a professor at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville who is rather well known for his articles in Water Law. That is Professor Norvell. Please, look up some of his articles. There's a wealth of very useful information in them.

Answer 5

No, I think not so much in the public's mind, mostly because people tend to take what they have for granted... until it is gone. When people's freedom is there they take it for granted, when it gets taken away, they go to war. We take our air and water for granted, but just let it stop raining for awhile and see how rapidly the bottled water disappears from grocer's shelves. What happens when that is gone as well? Here in San Antonio they want to build a golf course practically on top of this countries largest separate supply of clean drinking water (the Edwards Aquifer). What do you think will happen when those selfish golfers' pesticides and greens fertilizers start poisoning OUR water supply which they care nothing for...until it effects them? Will the wealthy few who are addicted to golf then take responsibility for what they have done? I do not think so. Will it be in their minds more? definitely not, they will just spread to another area and infect someone else's water supply next. What the general public really needs is to learn to prioritize effectively. Our air and water are dirty, but still we drive cars and build more factories, and blame it on cow farts. And we let the wealthy few build golf courses close to our water supply (mostly because we are financially powerless to stop them) but then blame the city and state officials who did nothing to stop them. People need to take responsibility for the damage WE create upon this living Earth and repair what WE have damaged, and stop blaming other forces that WE control in the first place.

Knowing, but doing nothing... is the same as KNOWING NOTHING.

Answer 6

NOT a hurricane but the tropical storms would help. I
would hope no one would want droughts, hurricanes,
fires, anything like that going on, Ken S.

I hope the issue is in the public eye more but I don't know
if they really are that concerned, maybe when it actually
involves them, they'll be concerned!

Answer 7

California Dreamin!

Answer 8

Americans are very wasteful of water, and they see free, cheap, clean, unlimited water almost like an entitlement. It's very unlikely that they will reduce consumption even if they are aware of the situation. It's sad.

Answer 9

Yes they've become more visible, but as reporting is generally slanted, depending on the viewpoint of the editor, most people do not understand the full problem.

Answer 10

Gee maybe a hurricane or 2 would have helped that situation.