Consumers in South America were told recently that their fruits and vegtables may be infected by Ecoli because they were irrigated by water contaminated with sewage. Their riverine eco-sytem is being infected by AMD (Acid Mine Drainage) and many of their cities are running out of natural water sources and they are running out of water to capture from the few sourses they do have.
The water is poorly managed by both ecological and water security standpoints. It is estimated that Guetang is predicted to become water stressed by 2011 and the rest of the country will follow closely behind.
They have tried to pass many laws to help protect their limited water sources but they have all failed in one way or another. The main problem is their water cleaning system is broking. The water just goes through a tratment plant that has not been updated for the increased demand from broadening access to water bourne sewage. The water is not sufficiently cleaned. The barely treated water now enters rivers and dams. Only about 3% of sewage plants opperate at a suitable level and only a little more than half the drinking water is of moderate quality.
Opinion: I think America should help chip in to help South Africa. They are in a difficult situation and the only way they can get out of it is with the help from the United States and other countries. if we want to stop the water crisis in the world we need to start with the places that need it most like South Africa.
Questions:
1)What do you think are some reasons that South Africa cannot update all their sewage plants?
2)What do you think is the best way to fix their problem?
3) Do you think the U.S. has a obligation to help South America? Why or why not?
By now, the whole world should know about water problems going on in Africa and Asia. But I haven't heard of one big act of kindness that has made that large of an impact on a country! South Africa has done almost everything that they could do to help with their water problem, and all of it has failed. All South Africa needs is a few countries to come together and help them out. Whether they run a fund raiser or create an organization dedicated to helping them, it will create public awareness and potentially influence others to help South Africa out.
ReplyDelete#1. They either do not have the money to do so, or it would require too much work and money.
#2. As I mentioned earlier, the best way, in my opinion, is for a few countries to work together and help them out.
#3. I don't think that we neccessarily have an an obligation. I just think that it's the right thing to do.
Because of all the other water cleanliness issues we have been researching, this does not surprise me much. It is very sad thought that these people have to drink water that is contaminated with sewage. That is disgusting and unfair. Our country is fortunate enough to have clean water, so we should help those without it. The problem is, we have problems of our own in the United States. We can't be worrying and spending too much on other countries, but like Jake said, other countries should help pitch in to this worthy cause. I'm sure our country could help a little with South America, while there are others doing the same.
ReplyDeleteI found this article that greatly relates to this one, that gives information on water quality in Latin America: http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/fileadmin/wwc/News/WWC_News/water_problems_22.03.04.pdf
First of all, before I blog, I want to ask: What are you writing about Ben? You say South America then South Africa, then back to South America. Were you even paying attention? :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, why are all our blogs depressing? I know its about helping the earth and other less fortunate people but still its a downer.
While I agree with Jake, saying that this topic should be well known, I also think there are many aspects of water scarcity that people don't know about. But we all take it for granted.
I also agree with Nicole when she said we have our own problems. President Obama has a heck of a lot of stuff on his plate, but he can still make a small effort to help contribute (which I'm sure he is doing a little). And like Nicole I also found a good article at http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/freshwater_stress_and_scarcity_in_africa_by_2025
When you think about it, this dilemma is simply a cycle. Africans can not get enough water, so children spend hours out of their day getting only a few gallons of water, which impacts their education, affecting their ability to access higher paying jobs, and leading to more poverty and water scarcity.
1. Simply, the lack of money is the most important part of their problem with sewage plants. If they had the money, don't you think they would fix their communities water?
2. I disagree with Ben because United States donations are not the only way out of Africa/S. America's problem. But contributions would help along with stressing education.
3. This is a debatable question because of the good neighbor bad neighbor situation. the US doesn't have to do anything but its just morally the right thing to do in this situation.
I think again like all of the other blogs we have been doing is an important topic. Water is something we need to survive and without it you will die. I am lucky to have clean water as the press of a button or in a bottle. 1. I think they are lacking in technological advancement and they lack in money. They are not one of the wealthier countries, Africa isn't in general. 2.I think the best way is just for the neighboring or distance countries to send money over to help them build what they need to build to receive clean water. 3. I think we don't, but knowing our country we will help because we think we are "the man" and we can solve every problem.
ReplyDeleteHere is a website on poor water quality to expand on the topic.
http://curaflo.com/ResourceCenter/PipeProblems/PoorWaterQuality.aspx