This weekend a telling and scary story, which is part of an even more telling and scarier series, "Toxic Waters," ran in the New York Times. The piece, along with its accompanying video, detail the dark and deathly tolls toxic water is taking on our nation with a special focus on the highly polluted coal-mining area of Charleston, W.V. In the area about 15 miles from West Virginia's capitol city, high-speed Internet is a given, but clean water isn't. This is a place where tap water and toothbrushes don't mix, and bath time is a "get in, get clean and get out before your skin develops more sores" affair.
Safe water, easy access to it and wise use of it are characteristics that distinguish developed countries from the undeveloped. We in America have the means to do better when it comes to our water resources, and yet we aren't doing it. Meanwhile, municipalities across the nation are running dry on monies, motivation and manpower to fearlessly police, enforce and fine offending parties. Ultimately, polluting to save a buck is costing our nation dearly. And the major companies within it, and likely our government, will have to pay a pretty penny to make this big boo-boo better.
America's water supply needs an Erin Brockovich. Here's hoping that whoever is tasked with cleaning up water will be able to effect change, restore the purity of our most precious resource, and save the people who are being robbed of their health by water's presently polluted condition. ~A.F.
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