| Nickname: | RRWPC954 |
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DROUGHT! This word is foremost in Californian’s minds these days, and no less in Sonoma County. Recent Press Democrat headlines shout, “Water officials say turn off that tap”, with the added mantra of: “The drought is on; Turn the water off!” This energetic winter water conservation campaign by Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) and their nine major contractors is a first.
If no significant rain occurs between now and July, Lake Mendocino, serving Mendocino and northern Sonoma County, may be completely drained (based on average use over last several months). Rainfall in 2013 was only one fourth of the average amount. Water Agency claims it’s the driest of all 119 years of record keeping.
Last year SCWA had petitioned State Water Board and, concerned about having enough water for salmonid fish, was granted the right to implement reduced summer flows in response to the lack of spring rain.
Potable water is irreplaceable….
Fresh, clean potable water is irreplaceable, yet instances of sullying limited water supplies with endocrine disrupting, cancer causing, birth defect resulting chemicals are growing day by day. Approximately 80,000 chemicals have been identified, including many pharmaceutical products, with at least 1000 labeled as endocrine disruptors. The array of sources for chemical entry into our water supply includes wastewater discharges, irrigation and storm water runoff, industrial spills, etc. Their mixtures blend into an undefined and inadequately regulated toxic soup.
Because these toxins are mostly unseen, and because they cause health problems for humans and wildlife that are not immediately visible and identifiable, health and environmental officials, and even the general public, often express minimal concern for their presence in our water. This is particularly problematic for creatures living in this water full time, as well as humans wanting to dine on delectable fish, normally so beneficial to our bodies and souls.