Water will soon become scarce here
We recently returned from spending a few months in Ocala, Fla. There, as all throughout the South, one of the main sources of concern is water, or lack of.
A few days before we left, a meeting was held to address the concerns of a number of residents who, having heard that water from the Silver River, which feeds Silver Springs and replenishes the aquifer, may be diminished.
The reason, a ranch upstream plans to stock 30,000 head of cattle, and wants permission to draw water from the river for that purpose. Now, according to the experts, the daily amount of water needed for 30,000 cows would supply 240,000 people with their daily needs. Cows versus people.
I do not know the outcome, but the TV channel showed a packed house of irate people, so I have a feeling the cows lost.
We have a similar situation here.
The gas companies want to withdraw millions of gallons of water from our rivers, etc. What if there is a drought? Would they discontinue operations until water supplies are at a safe level, and, will the aquifer be depleted over time?
Chemicals aside, just the amount of water needed could have serious consequences for the majority of us who depend on a plentiful supply of water for our own needs.
It wasn't long ago that a drought did occur here. Springs dried up as did some wells. Conserving water was a necessity.
Just imagine what it would be like if the gas companies are allowed to take what for too long, some of us have taken for granted.
Diana Heeman
Morris
