How Industry Affects the Water Crisis
There are mixed reactions to the industrial use of water. Some people. react with trust in the industry and assume they will use water responsibly while complying with environmental regulations.
Other people hold a more realistic view of industry and its relationship to environmental responsibility. Unfortunately, the manufacturing process of most goods requires a lot of water. Prime real estate along rivers or near other fresh water sources is vital to many industries. Many businesses comply with Environmental Protection Agency guidelines but simply complying with guidelines is not enough to sustain our decreasing water supplies. Below, are three types of industry related to water use and their impact on the environment. |
Hydroelectric Dams
Dams are used for several different reasons throughout the world. They essentially change the natural flow of a body of water in order to accomplish something. The dam may be constructed to create a lake for recreation or a reservoir for water storage. However, most often, dams are constructed to produce power by using the natural currents of the river and gravity to generate electricity. There are several negative side effects of the construction and use of dams. Trapping water, also, traps sediment, algae, and countless natural occurring forms of life that exist in flowing water. The dam creates a new ecosystem, which often chokes the natural occurring life. This has a drastic effect, not only on the water levels below the dam, but the wildlife that depend on the flow of water and/or the natural occurring inhabitants of the water. The most public outcry of changes to wildlife, comes from the decrease of fish levels. Changing the natural flow of the river and its water levels impacts the way fish migrate to their spawning grounds. This has long-term affect on humans. Fishing is a large source of revenue for Native Americans, as well as a source of food for many people.
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Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry uses water in several ways, but often is seen as the largest contributor to water pollution. When abiding by regulations, manufacturing companies should be able to use water, treat it so it is comparable to how it was when it was obtained, and return it to the environment. Any difference/contamination of the water is seen as pollution, as well as releasing water that is warmer than the source. Public problems occur when it is not known how strict the enforcement is with regard to manufacturing companies, and even more so if the company is depleting a natural source of water such as a spring or aquifer.
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Technology plays a major role in the amount of water used by the manufacturing industry. This is apparent when you see the lack of regulation and technology in manufacturing in developing countries. Little to no regulation can spell disaster in a country that is not aware of, or doesn’t care, what type of waste is being discharged into the environment. Long term pollution and health hazards are common in industrial areas in developing nations. There are examples of untreated waste being pumped right into the ground, the same ground where wells provide the only “clean” drinking water available. Educating people on the dangers of pollution is the start of the process to fix these situations, but there are decades of work to be done to undo the damage that has already occurred.
Bottling/Selling Water
Generally people cannot distinguish between bottled water and tap water. Yet, many individuals purchase bottled water everyday, even in regions that have clean drinking water straight from the tap. The effects of bottled water extend far beyond the cost at the supermarket.
On average, 1.83 gallons of water is used for each commercial bottle of water. The industry of bottling water (privatization of water) is about profits not the accessibility of water to people worldwide. According to Corp-Research.org, Nestle, one of the world’s largest water distributors, calls itself the “world’s leading nutrition, health and wellness company.” Nestle has ended several projects to tap natural sources of water because of the overwhelming opposition from communities in its vicinity. The impact is that Nestle would outsource the natural resources of the area for little to no cost and ship the water elsewhere. Nestle would benefit financially while stripping water from people who need it. Not only is this practice devastating to a region, economically, but the millions of gallons that filter through the environment naturally would never reach the surface. This would have a devastating impact on the water table, natural habitat, and the future of the surrounding community’s water access. Now, take this privatization of water and think globally. There are companies doing this very thing without concern for the public, often times taking water from areas that have little water to begin with. The ideology behind the business of water is something that will need to change if any progress will be made in fighting water scarcity. Please watch this video below, Nestle's former CEO says water is not a human right, proving that Nestle places profits before people: |
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