Currently in the state of Florida, inhabitants consume on approximately 7 billion gallons of fresh water per day. It has been estimated that by 2025, and increase of up to 2 billion gallons more will be consumed per day. This fact is staggering considering that Florida is already facing freshwater shortages and with irrigation regulations already in affect. In some parts of the state mining has already begun in order to access groundwater from the Lower Hawthorn aquifer from depths up to 1000 feet below the surface of the earth. In order for this water to be deemed suitable for human consumption, it must be first treated by reverse osmosis, which is an expensive process which only increases as the cost of energy increases as well. As a result to the problem, a solution that has been proposed includes enforcing regulatory control by implementing a “state water czar”.
This idea of implementing a “water czar” was introduced in 2003 by the Tampa-based Council of 100, an influential business lobby group in the state, to solve the problem of depleting water sources. The main goal of the proposal was to allow for fresh water from the northern regions of the state, where water is more abundant, to be shared equally with those in the southern regions of the state where fresh water is scarce.
Presently in Florida laws are being enforced which regulate water resources based on regional locations in order to manage the agricultural, environmental and domestic needs, and conservation and recycling of the resource is being encouraged. There are five existing water management regions, which have the responsibility to employ programs, collect and evaluate data, construct and maintain flood control facilities, and plan for future water related projects with local municipalities. However no law is in place to ensure that more water is not consumed by one region than another. Due to the fact that each of these five regions can regulate and distribute water as they please within their own region, no common regulation is in place. From this it can be determined that a water czar, who by definition is “any person exercising great authority or power in a particular field” (Dictionary.com, 2009) could be greatly useful in order to determine equality and fairness in water distribution and use between all regions in the state.
Problems that may arise with the use of this regulatory control include the use of a “safeguard” to ensure that areas with vast amounts of water and low populations are able to retain water for use in the future, and that not all water is distributed from these areas to regions with little fresh water resources. Also, the appointed “water czar” may be subject to political implications, such as bribery for the allowance of more water.
Another solution to the fresh water scarcity of Florida may be to impose economic incentives. Such incentives could include a law where a state controlled amount of water per day is set out, and a refund could be made available to those who use under this set out amount of water. Another incentive could involve deductions on monthly energy bills according to the amount of water saved by households. By marketing this solution of saving water and making money individuals would have the notion that they are helping the environment by reducing water use and also helping themselves by making a profit by doing something positive for the environment. These incentives would promote water reduction by individuals in order to obtain monetary gain, which in these times of economic need would be very beneficial for these individuals.
From examining the two options that could be used, regulatory control and economic incentives, I believe that in order to make a serious effort of reducing water use and conversing existing fresh water, both methods should be used. By implementing a “water czar” a universal method, by way of one person overseeing all water use, would allow for the equality in fresh water distribution and use between all regions in the state. By using economic incentives the individuals are more inclined to want to reduce water use due to monetary gain, and the notion that they are helping the environment.
Resources:
Gaddy, Peter. 11 November 2009. “Water wars may be the wave of the future”. Collier Citizen (2009)
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/nov/11/peter-gaddy-water-wars-may-be-wave-future/
Accessed: November 17th 2009
Dictinary.com. “Czar”. (2009)
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/czar
Accessed: November 17th 2009
Emily Hartwig
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You provided good ideas for economic incentives. I think they would be very effective for reducing the amount of tap water used daily. So many people neglect the fact that there is not much freshwater left to use. By offering refunds to those who do not surpass the limits of daily water consumption, people will likely start finding ways to save water, such as taking shorter showers or turning off the tap when it is not being used.
ReplyDeleteYour blog was very well presented. Your introduction explained the topic very efficiently so I understood it quickly. You did a excellent job at exhibiting what an economic incentive is and how it is applicable in Florida due to the lack of fresh water. I liked your use of a definition in your writing it made it very clear. Your proposition of water conservation during daily usage was very helpful. Overall I believe you chose a great topic and did a good job at explaining it significance.
ReplyDeleteKendra Bester