U.S. Agencies and Water Issues

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U.S. Agencies and Water Issues

Water is among Earth's most important natural resources. All life depends upon water. Humans require water for drinking, food production, and sanitation. People also use water for power production, industry, and recreation, and often people compete for water use. Because water is a limited resource, there sometimes is not enough water to satisfy all of these demands. This problem is complicated by pollution, which can make water unusable for almost any purpose. In the United States, the government has founded agencies that work to protect and conserve water supplies.

Pollution

Water pollution is one of the most serious problems with the water supply in the United States. Excessive levels of pollution in water make water non-potable (undrinkable) for humans and other animals. Pollution kills aquatic plants and animals, and could eventually threaten plants and animals with extinction (no longer living). High levels of pollutants in fish and shellfish pose a health risk to humans. Fish or shellfish may absorb pollutants, such as mercury. These pollutants can make the fish unsafe for consumption by humans, who could be harmed by the effects of mercury or other toxins in the fish. In addition to health risks, the fishing industry is also harmed by pollution. Fishing is restricted if contaminants are discovered in a fish population.

Additionally, water pollution threatens crops. Many farmers rely on surface water (sources of water above ground such as river or lakes) to irrigate (water) their crops. The water used for irrigation is often pumped directly out of rivers or lakes. If this water contains too many salts or other pollutants, then the water can kill the crops. The pollution can remain in the ground for several years. This may prevent farmers from growing crops in contaminated fields while the pollution remains in the ground.

Acid rain

Air pollution may get into the water supply and cause many of the same problems as pollutants that run directly into water. Certain types of air pollution can join with water droplets in the air. These water droplets then bring the pollutants to the earth in the form of acid rain. The pH scale is a standard in chemistry used to measure the acidity of a substance. Most lakes and rivers naturally have a fairly neutral pH between 6 and 8. On the pH scale, a pH of 7 is neutral. A pH below 7 indicates that a substance is acidic. Most fish eggs cannot hatch in water that has a pH of 5 or below. Acid rain has reduced the pH of some lakes to nearly a pH of 4.

Most acid rain is produced by the existence of sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide gases in the air, which mainly come from burning fossil fuels such as gasoline. After falling to the ground, acid rain contaminates the water supply by running into rivers or soaking into the water table (level below the land surface at which spaces in the soil and rock become saturated with water). Acid rain then increases the level of acid in rivers and lakes. Aquatic plants and animals may die if the water becomes too acidic.

U.S. Geological Survey

The U.S. Geological Survey (U.S.G.S.) conducts scientific research on issues involving natural resources in the United States. The Department of the Interior, parent agency of the U.S.G.S., and other government agencies use the information gathered by the U.S. Geological Survey to make decisions regarding the use of natural resources and the environment. Scientific information gathered by the U.S. Geological Survey focuses on several areas, including natural disasters, the environment, and natural resources.

The U.S. Geological Survey analyzes the likely occurrence of several forms of natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, droughts, and diseases of aquatic species. It then attempts to find solutions to lessen or eliminate the impact of these natural disasters.

The U.S. Geological Survey also analyzes the availability of natural resources including fresh water and aquatic plants and animals. It then recommends ways to properly use these resources.

Most water systems (including groundwater that seps through soil and porus rock) have the ability to absorb a certain amount acid. Acid is removed as water filters through the soil. If acid rain flows into a river quickly after falling, then the soil has little time to decrease the level of acid. Also, if the acid rain is very acidic then the soil cannot remove all of the acid. When this happens, the acid rain dissolves aluminum in the soil. The aluminum then flows into rivers and lakes. Aluminum is highly poisonous to many aquatic plants and animals.

Water supply shortages

In some parts of the United States, the water supply cannot meet the demands for freshwater imposed by people for personal and industrial use. There are relatively few major river systems in the western United States. The rapid population increase in the western United States has placed a tremendous demand on several water systems, including the Colorado River and Snake River.

Industry and citizen demand for water in the western United States has drained the Colorado River to where it no longer flows to its previous outlet at the Sea of Cortez on a regular basis. In 1929 California agreed to limit its use of water from the Colorado River. Growth in population, agriculture, and industry led California to exceed its promised water withdrawal for several decades. In 2003 California agreed to limit its dependence on the Colorado River. California hopes to develop new water supply sources and comply with its 1929 agreement by the year 2015.

Many western states are developing new water supply sources. Desalinization (the process of removing salt from water) and new reservoirs will relieve some demand on water systems in the western United States. Many areas still face severe water shortages even with these new water systems. In 2004, the U.S. Department of the Interior projected major water supply problems in parts of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah over the next twenty years.

Water agencies

Several government agencies work to relieve the water issues facing the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pollution of the environment. The EPA enforces laws that protect the environment and seeks to improve the quality of water and air in the United States. The EPA works closely with state environmental agencies to improve local environmental problems. About 40–50% of the EPA's budget is given to state and local environmental agencies.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

If someone breaks an environmental protection law of the United States, then the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may impose sanctions. Sanctions are fines or restrictions that are used to make a violator obey the law. If the violator does not obey the law in a timely manner the EPA may impose additional sanctions including closing down a business or imposing clean-up costs.

The EPA is responsible for enforcing the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act sets the level of pollution that water can contain. This protects the environment and human drinking water from water pollution.

The EPA also conducts scientific research to determine current and future environmental concerns such as acid rain and maintaining an adequate supply of fresh water for a growing population. The EPA works to eliminate threats to the environment and find a solution under existing laws. The EPA may push for a new law if current laws prove inadequate to address the issue.

The U.S. Department of the Interior administers all land owned by the United States. The federal government owns about 15% of all land in the United States. The Department of the Interior manages much of this land as national parks or national wildlife refuges. National parks and national wildlife refuges are areas designed to preserve the environment. Laws limit pollution in these areas and protect wildlife. The Department of the Interior also administers water supply issues in the United States. The Department of the Interior's Water 2025 project aims to relieve some of the water supply issues in the western United States.

U.S. Department of the Interior

Nearly one-fifth of all land in the United States is owned by the U.S. government. The Department of the Interior manages and enforces all laws within these lands. The Department of the Interior manages 388 national parks and 544 national wildlife refuges.

The Department of the Interior also protects endangered animals through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a division of the Department of the Interior. The Fish and Wildlife Service enforces the Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act is a law that lists plants or animals as endangered species if they are in danger of becoming extinct. The Endangered Species Act provides strict protection for plants and animals that are endangered.

The Department of the Interior controls much of the water supply in the United States. The Department of the Interior manages 824 dams that supply water to 31 million Americans. The Department of the Interior also manages water resources for the generation of nearly a third of America's electricity.

Joseph P. Hyder