Title: Tapped Out: Clean Water in Peril #39-09 September 30, 2009

" Wu who found this week what I'm making contact they can only get to than -- can't -- room and it again with his life if you -- And maybe your downstream from farms may -- your downstream from -- glamour. We're sharing this quarter it's not hours Thursday years fresh water is our most essential natural resource. Yet worldwide. More than one billion people don't have access to clean safe drinking water. So how can we protect our fresh water resources. Where we started. On this edition from a grassroots types that can -- clean up to a longstanding watershed war will hear from US -- students across the country. People working to protect and restore our valuable fresh water ways and keep water resources part of a shared global commons. Nineteen of the BM and this is making contacts a program connecting people ideas. And important information."

" A common misconception many people have is that our fresh water supply is unless it's not. Although 70% of the earth is covered by water less than 1% is available for human consumption. Put another way if you could fit all the world's water into a one gallon -- and the amount of available fresh water would equal about a table span. As a global community where all faced with indisputable fact of life we have to protect our fresh water ways. The -- on this canal in Brooklyn New York is one of those waterways. It's one of the most polluted bodies of water in the country and traditionally most New Yorkers try to ignore it. But a group of Brooklyn -- has launched a grassroots effort to change that."

" Correspondent -- has the story."

" And honest now and Brooklyn New York isn't really the kind of place you'd think people hang out. The canal runs from south Brooklyn and the New York Harbor and it makes its way through a mix of neighborhoods and immigrants a -- one essence it hamsters and yet these. Now Anthony is developers who went to build condos along the canal and vision of Venice of the new. But for now the -- is dirty really really dirty you never know what your ticket please come. There are days when it actually kind of passes. For something it he can at least pretend it's. But their days is just let them sleep noted that's Alex -- less ski and she's standing with me out of makeshift appear next to the climate. We're looking into the water watching trash I she says -- bottles and plastic bags strapped to compete for the past. She can see some trees as fast Waste Management decisions. Runoff from the city is always cordial and almost directly into the waters of the cities have always been built by waterways in the waters have always -- where all the refuse has basically been dumped. Come less feasible on a stretcher and member of the group a Brooke Bennett who organized enough to the area and new trips -- now. You do for fun. They also do it to raise awareness of just how dirty big challenges. They're trying to get people to see that the Qantas is worth saving and they hope to getting people to use it now for recreation. We'll win him some cleanup funding under the clean water act. Unless he has been a treasure for about three years I was looking for at. Practical. Way to. Just being environmentalist. Winning goal is to clean up the whole host we'll. They wanna be. Overwhelmed. Catatonic and is it that -- The goal -- to register new club was founded the primary purpose cleaning orderly. That's Owen Foote he's one of the leaders the stretchers and this is so much different than. Other canoe clubs that are basically descended into -- has occurred just queen. In the 1970s decliners was called lavender lake names that declare -- boil them float on top of it. -- was lined with industrial plants used as a water -- New York Harbor and as a dumping ground for whatever the factories might get rid of that included a lot of toxic chemicals. And factories have mostly shut -- but recent EP testing found high levels of Mercury led cyanide and asbestos still in the water. But let's do a better future for the now he mentions a clear stream of water filled with fish and waterfowl but benefit those look around at rather than -- conduit for -- And a benefit also here harbor. And he's got a plan for achieving that vision. It's a combination of trash pickups public awareness and political -- at the doors now."

" And when you just put on the -- is coordinating group of student volunteers. The students are out with rubber gloves and bags picking up trash -- just festive season there's music. Free pizza for. When the kids finish picking up the doctor but it's including the pilot. -- Yeah on. Unless he says they wanted to teach kids to value the -- To see its potential. Just being here being present being visible to everybody in the area has made huge difference and it's brought a lot more people to make him a lot more people. To recognize that this is an island city full of waterways. There's so much more potential for life in the city and chopping. When the kids get. Back I asked eleven year old Olivia Ford what she -- well I thought it was going to be cleaner. But. There was a lot of trash inside the water actually got deeper. And they told us that they had oysters cleaning up the room. And -- and took a basket and cool down the oyster -- yeah. It sounds and Sharon. Those oysters that she's talking about are another part of the -- where -- groups toxic now with five switch in the waters and also provide food and other animals. Unless he tells me she started to see the return of some wildlife that never could've survived and now the floor and small fish jelly fish -- water fountain. I'm always happy to see what is living here what's surviving Nazi comments I've seen a blue crane. And they're not they're probably not the healthiest creatures but I am excited that they're here and that they're surviving and they've. Found food and who knows what else -- ingesting the if you were all it is so we'll."

" And there's one more part of their master plan the treasures wanna access more federal funds for now cleanup. And the clean water act specifies that government has to give more money -- bodies of water that people actually use for recreation. So if lots of people start voting on the watch us put things they -- good case for more find it with the."

" Federal government looks at water bodies they say okay well. Is this your body being used and house of games -- people drinking -- people fishing unit for people canoeing are they swimming and and without somebody canoeing in it they're not gonna put as much money into cleaning and now. And so that's the main reason why we expose ourselves a contaminated water body is by that direct contact a direct exposure. Adds to the conditions that the federal government needs in order to allocate money towards this border."

" less in public thinks you are close to villain into a canoe with a well dressed fashion photographer from Brooklyn market action as he's never enough help. Thank. You we've had a off towards New York Harbor market to scratch with a passing. Well does a lot of."

" A lot of industrial structures and -- gravel pits. Some rusted out some junk yards. Parking lot and in the distance you can see that can tell floors site."

" The city's declining since the storm -- so whenever it rains and you waste water floods and now. Could molest people on the recent test actually found gonorrhea and one -- temple though she says she's been tested them as getting the bill of health. Marco and I passengers. They're people fishing off the sides bring it straight pass in the blue fish that a lot of now. Even though can be toxic and officials suggest limiting how often people heated."

" Yeah coming around and actually gonna meet up within minutes."

" Head back to the dock and meet up with -- friend Steven -- and it was Aaron now they've also been out on the water on its hands."

" It's essentially treat as it has no consumer it's it's it's awful it's a tragedy. Like Democrats. Church. Bush fish to it was a beautiful birds there really it'll ordinarily. Bright green eyes and asked if there was a lot worse thing to ever ever imagined yeah it's done."

" Repulsive."

" This doesn't really -- like a ringing endorsement of the treasures. And in fact when asked client and are now filled it back they say absolutely not and but Alex but lest he says this reaction isn't that at. It's actually kind of the point."

" Part of it is just being there with a -- that cash like pie here it is you know has no getting away from it because we all do want. Places to go to want the rivers. To be clean."

" We want to feel like -- backyard this is beautiful it. We can engender genuine interest in dealing with some of -- practical issues -- sustainable development. It's great. For making contact I'm smart remark New York."

" Fresh water is a fundamental human right the entire ecosystem depends on it for survival. Yet heated disputes continue around the world. Over who controls fresh water resources who has access to it and what defines a sensible allocation of it. Right now in the US and nearly twenty year water war between Alabama Florida and Georgia has flared up again. At issue what are -- rights of the Chattahoochee River and a reservoir on that waterway called Lake Lanier part of a three river system the state share. Florida and Alabama won Georgia to release more water downstream. Georgia says that would threaten metro Atlanta's water supply. After recent federal mandate it looks like Florida and Alabama and may get their way. But -- correspondent margin and -- explains. The ruling could come too late for generations of Florida Panhandle residents. Who rely on the disputed waters to make their living."

" It is small -- Tuesday it would knock off of a sudden you Krug coming. I don't know we try to save it."

" Johnny Richardson Fifth Generation voice command deftly maneuvers his tongs when you iron mask -- wooden poles and holes of the dripping loose. It's 68 he works a full week. For himself which he loves his answer rotated and replanted the -- jumped back into Apalachicola bay for the new oysters to fashioned craft. But it is this lack -- former. Richards keeps less than 5% of what I think that's because small ones that. A lot of."

" Or -- that that would -- and community and government. There's no way. To your show but yeah sixty pound -- solutions. I don't really care about tomorrow but it just. One of -- today and take good tomorrow."

" Normally Apalachicola bay is a perfect incubator for seafood. Its mix of high and low water pressure saltwater supports a 200 million dollar -- year industry drawing tourists from around the world. But the past three years of drought in the southeastern U mass have taken their toll on these all important waters. Kevin because of the Franklin County or eastern seafood industry task force."

" The white shrimp harvest a couple of years ago and dropped by almost 90%. Blue crabs were down fifty to 60%. There -- always some fluctuations but that 90% drop in schrempp. It was just enormous and almost unprecedented."

" Generations have relied upon -- day to make a living supporting and protecting the flow of fresh water down the Apalachicola Chattahoochee flint -- ACF river system is the key to their industry's survival. But when Atlanta's growth excluding the US Army Corps of Engineers has kept more water in -- Sidney Lanier in north Georgia for the metro area. I must fresh water flowing downstream has meant more salt and water. A threat to endangered species and dried up oyster -- Franklin County commissioners -- parents manages -- words seafood and sons."

" It is all of us a while to war here you know. Our main sources or key ingredient that they or their own food to feed your wish. Just remove a lot of contaminants as if we did narrow production and -- as contends would we send the remaining would go by the the wayside as a cause greater great number of other ways around this country -- don't."

" In order to keep the water pristine there is little development in the area. An anomaly on Florida's coastline since Apalachicola bay chamber of commerce stricter and needed groove."

" You've got to really tip your hat to. The present commissioners county commissioners and the commissioners -- have come before them for the last fifteen years they've Cendant no seafood is our livelihood. And being being assist with the day rather than just consume minute and then never put anything back."

" What's protecting the base -- Endangered Species Act. When the -- dammed up the river system in the 1950s. It did so only for flood control navigation and power generation. Drinking water for Atlanta I was never in the plans. This past July US district judge -- Magnuson confers legal recognition of this fact. He gave Georgia three years to get congressional approval for continuing to take water from the reservoir. -- return water withdrawals to mid seventies levels far less than Atlanta and now needs. Georgia governor Sonny -- about two in his words fight to the death."

" Judge -- Rule lives that congress has to make its mind. Over the usage at least federal -- floors below the corps has the authority to manage them all really need to micromanage them through. Rules and then statutory changes it every change."

" Purdue is currently lobbying congress he's expected to appeal Magnuson this ruling later this year. And is exploring an 1859. Ruling that could give Georgia more control of the Chattahoochee River. Noting that Georgia's water use has been under public scrutiny throughout the litigation. Review says he's ready to turn the microscope on Florida's conservation record. He offered Florida governor Charlie Crist and Alabama governor Bob Riley forty possible dates to meet to discuss the water idea. Friendly approved nineteen. New word yet from a seemingly always hard to pin down Crist."

" I'm very proud of Florida's record and I I think George has done great work and all of the United States of America and -- well we don't want to be proud with. How we're dealing with environmental issues in this country in this great state."

" Florida officials note that their state -- water districts for decades while Georgia put conservation measures in place only recently named Kevin B dose of the oyster and seafood industry task force says it's time for Georgia to develop a plan respecting its neighbors needs."

" If Georgia started to negotiate more in good faith and put some concrete steps on the table. Here's what we're doing with consideration here's what we're doing what's new water supplies. Then it would be easier to negotiate but it can't be one way negotiation where they just expect us to make all the sacrifices."

" Can be -- isn't alone in questioning water officials and his recent ruling judge Magnuson chastised state and local governments for the lack of a meaningful water use plan citing the problems continued improvement the three states. He is -- that this is a struggle others across the US will face as available water resources continue to shrink. In Apalachicola and the good news is that recent rains are helping to restore the day but few are taking it for granite. And they aren't waiting for governor Purdue Dan Thomas -- of Apalachicola river keeper belong student ASEAN stakeholders group with people from Georgia and Alabama. He says they all have one thing in common they're all down river."

" And maybe your downstream from farms may -- your downstream from -- glamour. You know maybe your downstream from everybody says it's there's a common thread there that you understand that we're sharing this quarter it's. It's not hours -- as they years. Mr. man Johnny Richardson is looking still for it."

" Ahead. Without fresh water are very will be completely destroyed and -- a big net investment tourist town. And we can't stand anymore tourist town -- would need food predation people to feed its population has grown Shawn tremendously -- now. So whatever the produces people upheld would -- your."

" If you can't Apalachicola things he says he won't be in agreement in place before next row. For making contact -- can -- Florida."

" We'll be right back."

" You're listening to making contact a production of the national radio project. If you'd like more information call for CD copies of this program please call 8995736. You can also download programs or better podcast from radio -- doesn't hurt. We now return to tapped out. Clean water and Harold."

" nothing new for states in the western US. Folks in California and Texas and Arizona had their share of water rationing and enforce conservation measures. Yet lately it's not just the west -- southwest that it experience drought conditions. Over the past three years the south east has been hit particularly hard. States like Georgia South Carolina and Florida are usually parts. But most people don't need an authority to tell them their water shortages. Instead. Water experts say people need to accept that rapid population growth and suburban sprawl have come at a cost. As the environment reports Rebecca Williams explains. We need to change our ways and quickly."

" Stephen. In swampy muggy Florida people have been running out of water. This is the first time in -- has ever -- Alan Peterson can remember water gushing out of her keys in well when she took up a tough question these days she's stuffed with rusty water from. I'm shallow well. If I'm the -- hit it -- little orange. We visited Peterson at the tail end of this year's dry season in the weeks and then Florida's been pummeled by major thunderstorms. But Florida water managers say it's too early to know how much the rain will help this was the driest dry season Florida's felt in more than 75 years. And it's the third year in a row of serious drought that's -- and changes for people who live here. A lot of cities have put rules in place that limit watering lawns to one or two days a week. One woman actually ended up with a warrant out for her arrest after she watered her lawn on the wrong day and didn't pay the fine. Some cities and Florida are talking about adding a drought surcharge to bills for people using the most water. Helen Peterson says local water managers had even been capping wealth. Peterson maybe 85 years old but that didn't stop her from telling her local officials to back off. They can only that they were gonna come -- room. That the that the guy with his life if -- kick but that's -- okay it didn't happen yet hasn't happened in the cell it's not this an easy sell to get people to cut back on water. But that's scary -- job he's a water manager in the Lake Okeechobee area. It's a giant like 35 miles wide and it's nicknamed the liquid heart of the Everglades the lake level is two point five feet below average."

" For water to get to the Everglades it has to come from Lake Okeechobee. Now we have a juggling act is to how we manage this water in the system. You know for the multiple users for the water supply in for the ecosystem."

" The lakes the sinner have a huge tug of war farmers and cities need the water and the lakes also a big tourist -- And the Everglades are in major trouble mostly because the water floated as fragile area has been cut off by people. Some experts say these kinds of conflicts are just going to get worse Peter Glick is president of the Pacific institute it's a nonpartisan group that studies water issue it's."

" Places that we didn't think were vulnerable to war shortages in the past are now. Increasingly vulnerable is our population continues to grow and our water supply -- as more and more people try to share that fixed resource there's going to be growing competition for water and for. Both natural and manmade crowd."

" Andy says we just don't know what's in store for us as the climate changes because of global warming we could get a 12 punts. First from weird new weather patterns causing surprise droughts and second from more and more people moving into dry areas. People of expected these kinds of problems for cities in the desert southwest but nobody really saw -- coming in the southeast. Peter Blix says even if you live in a place surrounded by water now you shouldn't expect to always have planning on it."

" That was Rebecca Williams with the environment report. The US Government Accountability Office reports that at least 36 states can expect to face water shortages within the next five years. Hundreds of organizations across the country are working to prevent that from happening. Clean water action is one of them. For more than 35 years through grassroots organizing policy research and political advocacy. CWA has continued the work of protecting our fresh waterways. Making contacts -- seltzer spoke to program associate Jennifer clarity at her office in San Francisco."

" Jennifer we've grown accustomed to hearing stories about drought in their western United States. But over the past few years we're seeing droughts and even so called water wars in the southeastern United States and other parts of the country. Is -- something we can expect to see more of."

" I think so -- the one thing we know about global warming is we'll have more extreme so have more extreme wet weather. And more extreme dry weather so my track whether it needs more perhaps."

" And you mentioned global warming that that's a reason we've been. Hearing for several years but they're also moved the other factors that are more directly related to human order management. Such as urban sprawl and unwise allocation of water for farming. -- which of these reasons is playing a greater role in current and future water shortages."

" The way we use water in the United States is incredibly wasteful. And changing the way we use water can go along way towards resolving some of these conflicts. And how can we do that. I think you start by. Thinking about where you live and matching your water used to where you land so for instance if you live in the southwest. You should have climate appropriate landscaping can have the water use in a in home. Is landscaping. Of climate appropriate landscaping you're not gonna be sucking up water like he would if you have. A beautiful limelight can -- Scotland golf course."

" Earlier in our program we heard. A story about a clean of of the Hudson River by GE. And how they managed to convince many of the residents of the area that dredging the river term move PCBs was a bad thing. That example is the subject of of controversy so we don't have to get into that specifically. But I'm wondering your advocacy work -- clean water action does the public in general understand the extent to which they're drinking water and other fresh water bodies are polluted. What kind of messaging is coming from the polluters. And is there messaging working."

" I think the one thing that we see with -- we talked to is that they really are concerned about water quality and they carry about water quality. And even though these big polluters have a huge amount of money they can spend on PR. I haven't seen that they're convincing the public that they're doing the right thing I really think that the public is smarter than."

" And I'm also wondering are there any states or state agencies or even local agencies which are doing. An exceptionally good job of water management places we can look to for solutions."

" Of the Southern California regional water quality control part is one of the better regulating agencies at least in the state -- California and they did very good job of it you know not perfect because they're so much did they do very good job of regulating things. In terms of water management and which are looking for is an agency that's really looking to branch down -- trial lot of different things so. Different ways of treating their waste water that can be something like Orange County. Dad's recycling other wastewater. And recharging groundwater supplies with and where you can have. We'll San Francisco is working on a gray water program. East -- has. Rule where new developments have to offset their new water use so that they're water neutral so ever at a lot of water agencies are doing different things and all of them can do more art than a lot of them are are really. Pushing the --"

" Now all almost a year into the new Obama administration. I have things changed since President Bush or can you say about president -- intentions on water policy and is he keeping his promises made during the campaign."

" I think that we're all hopeful that things are so bad under the Bush Administration. That. They can only get better already we've seen that. EPA pull back on senate. Really bad rulings. That word jeopardizing the water quality so I think. Initially it's dead and were waiting to see them -- they pulled back some of the bad rulings were waiting tit for them to implement some good rulings went -- them. I'm well what would be how they're going to enforce the clean water -- she she -- there's been a lot of conflict over that we've had. Legislation that hasn't made it through yet -- correct the problems. Created by the judiciary. I -- and then another thing would be in regulations on contaminants you know some contaminants like perchlorate. Still don't have a drinking water standards. So we haven't had new drinking water standards. For several years and there's a lot of contaminants there is. Cleanup programs and strengthening us."

" Cleanup programs. We've been speaking with Jennifer clarity with -- action we will link to their website on our site radio project dot org Jennifer thanks so much for joining us. You very -- comes."

" That's it for this edition of making contact. This program is made possible in part by the park foundation. The living with less water segment -- Rebecca Williams comes from the environment report which receives its funding from the park foundation and the Joyce foundation -- To learn more about the environment requires log onto our website at video -- Special thanks to Dan turner run record and the Monday morning breakfast trip. For a CD copy of this program called the national video projects at 805295736. Well you can get our podcast a video -- got our. -- executive director Andrew styles of producer Colleen back to -- me online editor and producer confound associate director. -- in my ten need immediate possession and turned and read it Daniels and like he should Thomason turns. And nineteen near the end of thanks for listening to making contact."