The Fight For Clean Drinking Water - 1390 Words

Drinking a glass of water does not usually stir up thoughts of injustice. If it in someway did, it would probably be over concern for those in underdeveloped countries who struggle to get clean drinking water. Yet, the struggle to attain clean drinking water occurs in the United States as well and especially for minorities. Regulations in the Federal Safe Drinking Act often go unmet and the purpose of the Safe Water Drinking Act unfulfilled as minority dominant and poor communities often have the most severe and pervasive health violations of their drinking water. Unfortunately, this occurs right here in the San Joaquin Valley. The Valley demonstrates environmental injustice in the types of communities that experience nitrate†¦show more content†¦In 2007, 75% of nitrate violations in water in California happened in the San Joaquin Valley and the source of the increased nitrates in groundwater is most certainly from the large agribusiness in the valley. The United States Geol ogical Survey concluded the agriculture was the main source of nitrate pollution in both ground and surface water as there is at least 6.6 million acres of irrigated crop land in the Valley and each acre creates about 80 pounds of nitrogen every year. Nitrogen is commonly found in pesticides and fertilizer and it seeps into the ground as nitrates. Animal waster is another byproduct of farms and about 1 to 2.5% of manure created by the Valley’s 1.6 million dairy cows is nitrogen. Overall, fertilizers and animal waste applied to crops create 96% of nitrate contamination of drinking water in California. While agriculture and resulting ground water problems is far from unusual, the water situation in the San Joaquin Valley is rather ironic. Ninety percent of residents in the Valley rely on groundwater for drinking water. Farmers receive state and federal water subsidies for irrigation purposes that is not highly contaminated with nitrates. Farmers receive water both from Californ ia’s Bay Delta and from more local runoff from the Sierra Nevada. They receive this water at about $70 perShow MoreRelatedThe Tour Guide ( A Beijing Native )886 Words   |  4 PagesMany Americans have thought of places without access to clean water as third world countries, not places right here at home like Flint, Michigan with their lead infested waters. In contrary to popular belief, Flint is just one of thousands of contaminated water sites that happen right here in America and is America’s first look into the issue. This crisis was first brought to my attention when I have visited China and had a tasted of this problem, in the summer before my sophomore year of high schoolRead MoreAffirmative Debate: Acces to Drinking Water Essay676 Words   |  3 PagesIntro – â€Å"Over 4,000 children die every day from water related diseases. In fact, more lives have been lost after World War II due to contaminated water than from all forms of violence and war. Thi s humanitarian catastrophe has been allowed to fester for generations. We must stop it.† [Herald Tribune] It is because I agree with Mikhail Gorbachev, that I must affirm today’s resolution. Resolved: Access to drinking water ought to be valued as a human right instead of as a commodity. The valueRead MoreDrinking Water Safety Is Not New1416 Words   |  6 Pagespressing issue in todays society is the growing concern over the accessibility of safe, clean drinking water. Following a crisis in Flint, Michigan, where public officials ignored dangerous levels of lead in the city’s drinking water and thousands of children were exposed to dangerous levels of lead in their water. Beyond the obvious issues in Flint, however, there remain many problems surrounding safe drinking water. Though options to fix these problems exist, it remains challenging to find a solutionRead MoreDrinking Water Shortage in Sub-Saharan Africa849 Words   |  3 Pages Two out of every five people living in Sub-Saharan Africa lack safe water. A baby there is 500 times more likely to die from water-related illness than one from the United States. This is a serious ongoing issue that requires the rest of the world to take action. Water spreads diseases easily if the necessary precautions are not taken. Many developing African countries don’t have sewage treatment, or the people don’t have methods to filter and disinfect. Once a person is sick either there isRead MoreThe Scarcity Of Water And Its Effect On Gender Inequality1526 Words   |  7 PagesJonathan Dalloo Professor Lewis Sociology 2201 December 12, 2016 The Paucity of Water and its Effect on Gender Inequality in India Based on a research survey conducted by the United Nations it reveals that, â€Å"convenient access to water and sanitation facilities increase privacy and reduce risk to women and girls of sexual harassment †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2005). Women living at the beginning and middle points of the village have to trek for a considerable distanceRead MoreThe North Dakota Access Pipeline Essay1740 Words   |  7 Pagesharmful to the American people. (Federal Government Halts Construction Of Part Of North Dakota Pipeline.) Against Fresh Water Supply in United States The Mississippi and Missouri River supplies freshwater in the Midwest United States. An estimate done by the Upper Mississippi River Basin Committee in 1982 found that 18 million people depend on the Mississippi River for drinking water every day. Comparing by size, the Missouri River is 21 miles longer than the Mississippi. The Environmental ProtectionRead MoreClean Water Act Protects Water1453 Words   |  6 PagesPriceless Natural Resource- Clean Water Water is necessary to sustain life. Water not only sustains life, but it is the very foundation for life. Where does the water we drink come from? Our water comes from many different sources such as groundwater, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, aquifers, springs and streams. In order for this water to sustain our life, it must be clean. Water is needed to meet the demands of people in their everyday life. This includes the need for water in homes, agricultureRead MoreAn Essential Component For Human Development1680 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Water is an essential component for human development for its ability to keep the body hydrated and conduct complex physiological process to ensure for a healthy wellbeing. In addition, water is vital as it composes 75% of the human body. Several other features water is beneficial for humans is that it assists in transporting nutrients and waste products into and out of the cell, distribute and dissolve oxygen and carbon dioxide present in the lymphatic and haemolytic system to the surroundingRead MoreEssay On Provide Provided Water1377 Words   |  6 PagesProvide usable water all around the world Typically, water is an essential element that has kept us alive throughout centuries and has been around since our existence. It’s become a prioritized need humans strive for to survive on the daily. A cycle in which we need to be aware of not only because of its significant value, but also because of the situation its causing to people around the world. Our world is made up of 71 percent of water, but only 3 percent is considered natural fresh water. This makesRead MoreEnvironmental Justice Issue Of Environmental Discrimination Into The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative1748 Words   |  7 Pagesit as a water source for a total of about 10 million people. Since the passing of the Clean Water Act, industries like U.S. Steel Industry have been using the loopholes found in the bill to further their profit, and as a side effect has caused damage to the water supply, disproportionately affecting people in marginalized communities. By using these loopholes, the Great Lakes are co ntinually polluted, which causes appalling damage to the millions of people who use the water for drinking and other