| |
The Brunswick News
Commentary (Editorial)
Sept. 29, 2006 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Community action needed
to save water |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Coastal Georgians have known for a long
time that the Floridan Aquifer, the underground freshwater lake that is the
source of their drinking water, is vulnerable to life above.
Saltwater intrusion occurs, for example, when water is pumped out of the
Earth in heavy doses in areas like the city of Brunswick.
The U.S. Geological Survey and countless teamwork hours put in by city,
county and state officials, as well as engineers from area industries, found
a solution to the problem.
Their remedy was to stop heavy withdrawals from soft spots in the aquifer,
places that create cones of depression that invite chlorides to seep into
the drinking water. They searched for a way to correct the situation because
of what the Floridan meant to the coast and the state.
Now, the community was recently warned, another threat is afoot. Metals such
as mercury that were carelessly and recklessly discarded in marshes in the
past are sinking lower into the mud and moving closer to the aquifer.
Experts have noted, however, that it is highly unlikely that any potentially
lethal contaminants will make it inside the aquifer.
A hard outer covering makes the aquifer impermeable to mercury or anything
else that might try to penetrate it.
Just to be sure, however, the federal government is working on a plan that
will further ensure that dangerous outside elements never become a problem.
That sounds good in our book. However, given the severity of the crisis that
would be engendered if contamination ever did occur, the community needs
better assurance. We're talking about a life and death situation of not only
people but of an entire community that depends on the aquifer for all its
potable water needs.
There is no room for error.
What local government would be wise to do – the city and the county – is
impanel a committee of its own experts to reevaluate and stay abreast of
studies conducted by state and federal governments, just like they did on
the matter of salt water intrusion.
It wouldn't hurt to have our own eyes on the progress or lack of progress of
officials in Washington or Atlanta.
Brunswick and the Golden Isles have a vested interest, after all, in the
condition of the aquifer today and in the future.
|
|
|
P. O. Box 2443