World Water Week: Q&A With the Food and Water Watch

Julien Harneis Flickr Photostream/Creative Commons

Editor’s note: This week in honor of World Water Day we’re running a 6-part interview series with leaders of organizations working on water-related issues. Check back for a different interview each day through Friday, March 23.

1) More than 1 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water. This number is expected to increase with the rise in the global population. Scarcity doesn’t seem to be the issue, so what can to be done to improve access to clean water?

There is a shortage of fresh water sources in many countries and communities throughout the world. Government agencies and non-government agencies must work together to ensure that fresh water resources are not being wasted or diverted away from communities that cannot afford it.
In order to improve access to clean water, government agencies must begin to focus on funding clean water infrastructure projects and publicly owned clean water technologies. Unfortunately, some government agencies are turning to privatization as a solution to their water problems. Rather than addressing the issue, privatization is making access to clean water even less adequate.  Private companies view water as a commodity rather than a necessary element for human existence and are making huge profits from distribution and sales of water to poor communities. Food & Water Watch supports public control over water and water delivery systems, where money paid for water goes directly back into the system and is used to protect water resources.

2) The UN has reported that water shortages may already be having political and economic effects worldwide. How does the restricted water supply constrain economic growth in countries like China and the US?

Water shortages certainly have an impact on economic growth, particularly in the agriculture sector. Development requires planning with regard to water impact and supply. Societies cannot engage in unrestrained growth without regard for the long term capacity of the water supply. At the same time, water efficiency measures and recognition of water supply limits do not need to result in a reduction of quality of life. To the contrary, recognizing limits and adopting more efficient means of using water can lead to the creation of good green jobs and lead to more stable and reliable economic growth for years to come.

3) A number of the earth’s freshwater sources cross borders and are shared by multiple countries. Do you anticipate these trans-boundary bodies of water to be the source of conflict in the future? What can be done to minimize the fight over these shared resources?

Transboundary bodies of water, such as the major rivers and large groundwater aquifers, are already a source of conflict among states and countries. Water resources should be publicly owned and managed in order to prevent further among communities. Private ownership and management of water resources essentially creates a scenario of whoever can pay the highest price for water gets it. Obviously, this does not promote conservation and leads to inequitable distribution of water to those who need it most. A new model needs to be created among countries that share water bodies of water. Some sort of multinational treaty may be a good start in reducing water conflicts.

4) What technological innovations are currently being developed that will help alleviate the stress put on the global water supply in the future?

Technological innovations being developed include water recycling, drip irrigation, and water efficient appliances among others. Although technology is important, it alone is not a solution to the water issues we are facing. Some companies are pushing for environmentally destructive solutions, like desalination, which is incredibly energy intensive, harmful to marine life, and expensive. Technological innovations can be helpful, but can also be destructive. Long term solutions that policy makers should focus on include water conservation and responsible water management. These are the key solutions we need to focus on in addressing the water crisis.

5) What can be done to address the causes of shortages such as population growth, consumption and pollution?

We all have a shared responsibility of living within our means and acknowledging that every action, large or small, has an impact on our environment. Water has been used as if it were an abundant resource that would never cease to flow. At the same time, we continue to pollute our waterways with pesticides, agriculture runoff, industrial waste, and household chemicals. There is an increasing awareness about the need to change how much water we consume and what we discharge in our rivers and oceans. Government agencies need to respond by establishing more stringent pollution and water use regulations and enforcing them.

6) What initiatives is your organization focusing on in the next year to address water-related issues?

We are working with a coalition of organizations to establish a federal Clean Water Trust Fund in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the funding gap for total water infrastructure works out to as much as $22 billion per year. The Clean Water Trust Fund would create a dedicated source of funding that would address the United States’ crumbling water infrastructure and provide better access to clean, safe drinking water.

Bottled water is another issue that we believe needs to be addressed and closely monitored. Food & Water Watch is supporting California state legislation, which requires companies licensed to bottle water in the US to report the amount of water they extract from groundwater or take from municipal water systems. This will provide transparent and vital information for government officials and communities to make responsible decisions in regards to water management plans.

7) How can our readers take part in your organization’s campaigns?

Readers can visit our website if the want to get involved with Food & Water Watch’s campaigns, and sign up on our email list to stay informed on how they can take action to protect our water resources.