In America's Heartland - a growing list of impaired waters

Iowa - the Sioux City Journal reports an increasing number of the state's waterways have been categorized as impaired - largely by large scale agricultural use, but also in part due to stricter monitoring.

According to the Journal, "Iowa's rivers, lakes and streams are under increasing pressure from urban development and an agricultural sector driven by high corn and soybean prices to move more Iowa acres out of conservation into production.

Land taken out of conservation can lead to greater soil erosion, meaning soil runs off land along with rainwater into waterways, reducing water quality.

The state's growing urban areas also contribute to the problem, as concrete replaces soil that normally would absorb rainwater."

Read more at: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/09/14/news/top/5e4a610c44c1cd39862574c2008067e6.txt

European Parliamentarian calls for water to be integrated into all policies

Austrian center-right MEP Richard Seeber says that:
"[w]ater should be one of the main issues on the political agenda and integrated into all policies. This is the most important idea of the initiative because if you look at the policies, whether at national or regional level - there is a lot of talk about climate change of course - water issues will be the most pressing in the very near future. Everything has to be rethought in terms of the water problem.

Secondly, businesses and citizens have to take into account that we shall face water scarcity in large parts of Europe that will hinder successful economic development."

One problem facing the EU of course is that the Union, like the US, is divided in terms of need, supply, environment - in some parts of the EU - Spain, the Mediterranean, water is scarce and desertification is encroaching, whereas in the British Isles and Scandinavia have ample supplies. Furthermore, like in the US, EU policy on water is largely decentralized with member states deciding aspects like pricing and financing.

http://www.euractiv.com/en/environment/mep-water-integrated-policies/article-175233

Presidential candidates asked about stances on scientific issues: Question 10 - WATER

http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=40

Science Debate 2008 posed the top 14 questions asked by scientists, engineers and other concerned Americans for the two presidential candidates. Senator Obama has already submitted his response with Senator McCain to follow. Below is question 10 - "What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?"

10. Water. Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?

Solutions to this critical problem will require close collaboration between federal, state, and local governments and the people and businesses affected. First, prices and policies must be set in a ways that give everyone a clear incentive to use water efficiently and avoid waste. Regulations affecting water use in appliances and incentives to shift from irrigated lawns to "water smart" landscapes are examples. Second, information, training, and, in some cases, economic assistance should be provided to farms and businesses that will need to shift to more efficient water practices. Many communities are offering kits to help businesses and homeowners audit their water use and find ways to reduce use. These should be evaluated, with the most successful programs expanded to other states and regions. I will establish a national plan to help high-growth regions with the challenges of managing their water supplies.In addition, it is also critical that we undertake a concerted program of research, development, and testing of new technologies that can reduce water use.

Recent hurricane activity highlights risks to populations lacking clean water

In hurricane-ravaged Haiti, families are washing and bathing in dirty flood water from the storms - with no clean water for cooking. After a damaging hurricane, the problem of inundation by flood water affects those who previously had access to clean water and those who didn't - but in poor regions without the ability to pay for bottled water in an emergency or the ability to buy fuel to boil water, the crisis is exacerbated. Proper infrastructure including piped water and adequate sewage and drainage would do much to abate the problem.

Top five food and beverage companies use 150 BILLION gallons of water each year

"40% of Fortune 100 companies recognize that the impact of a water shortage on their businesses would be ‘severe’ or ‘catastrophic.’ Some are taking measures to mitigate water intake as water scarcity issues become more important."

Water scarcity responsible for gender inequality in education

As is well known, young girls are often called upon to fetch water in many countries where piped water is lacking and access to water remote or difficult. All Africa reports that a new sociological study in Uganda has shown that the practice of having girls collect water has impeded that country's efforts to attain gender equality in primary schooling.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200809030345.html

Largest water settlement in US history returns water to Native American tribes

In the Western United States, water rights have been hotly contested for decades. Native American tribes have demonstrated their priority ahead of most claims as they've been using the water for centuries beforehand -- and after thirty years of litigation, the largest water settlement in Indian country has been reached between the Pima and Maricopa tribes and state and federal entities.

The water that the tribes lived off of for generations was diverted for commercial agriculture in the earlier part of the century. Now it will slowly return and hopefully help local agricultural efforts by tribes in an effort to restore health of members against the onset of problems like diabetes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/us/31diabetes.html?ref=health