water crisis
Although Latin America’s glaciers and Amazon basin provide it with one of the largest sources of fresh water in the world, access to potable water is scarce in some areas. In many cases, the water is available- but so heavily polluted that it cannot be used. Lead, mercury, sulfuric acid, and other pollutants such as various petrochemicals are commonly dumped in water as a result of lacking (or unenforced) environmental regulations; some of this water, unfortunately, is still used, often by the agricultural industry.
Some Latin American scientists are researching methods of treating polluted water to make it more fit for agricultural use. In Mexico, researchers are experimenting with an ancient technique for wastewater treatment: hydro ponds. Located alongside canals, these ponds “capture” pollutants, and rely on various microorganisms to break them down/sequester them. After a year of testing, it was determined that the system worked, and produced water fit for agricultural use without harming native aquatic species.
In addition to wastewater treatment, water conservation has also been explored as a method of protecting fresh water in Latin America. In Chile, shower clocks/timers have been introduced in an effort to encourage people to take shorter showers. Aerated shower heads have also started gaining popularity; both the timers and shower heads reduce families’ water bills, which further encourages a reduction of water use.
In some parts of Latin America, the largest obstacle to water accessibility isn’t pollution- it’s privatization. The unregulated privatization of water supply and distribution often puts rural and poor urban areas at a disadvantage. There is little monetary incentive for companies to provide water to these areas, so therefore they don’t. Many citizens, even those not living in these areas, experience poor service and high prices under a privatized system. Some organizations, however, such as the World Bank, see things differently. They believe that the private sector can achieve the same results as a public water service, and point to success stories like Chile’s high percentage of wastewater treatment as evidence.
I personally believe that the privatization of water services is doomed to fail; any company seeking to profit from providing basic human rights is on a slippery moral slope. The chances of greed consuming the administrators of such a venture are too high; it is very easy to see how the pitfalls of capitalism can be applied in this situation. If it is not profitable to provide water to poor/remote areas, these companies likely won’t. This, of course, defeats the purpose of the whole system; the goal is to provide potable water to all citizens.
Some Latin American scientists are researching methods of treating polluted water to make it more fit for agricultural use. In Mexico, researchers are experimenting with an ancient technique for wastewater treatment: hydro ponds. Located alongside canals, these ponds “capture” pollutants, and rely on various microorganisms to break them down/sequester them. After a year of testing, it was determined that the system worked, and produced water fit for agricultural use without harming native aquatic species.
In addition to wastewater treatment, water conservation has also been explored as a method of protecting fresh water in Latin America. In Chile, shower clocks/timers have been introduced in an effort to encourage people to take shorter showers. Aerated shower heads have also started gaining popularity; both the timers and shower heads reduce families’ water bills, which further encourages a reduction of water use.
In some parts of Latin America, the largest obstacle to water accessibility isn’t pollution- it’s privatization. The unregulated privatization of water supply and distribution often puts rural and poor urban areas at a disadvantage. There is little monetary incentive for companies to provide water to these areas, so therefore they don’t. Many citizens, even those not living in these areas, experience poor service and high prices under a privatized system. Some organizations, however, such as the World Bank, see things differently. They believe that the private sector can achieve the same results as a public water service, and point to success stories like Chile’s high percentage of wastewater treatment as evidence.
I personally believe that the privatization of water services is doomed to fail; any company seeking to profit from providing basic human rights is on a slippery moral slope. The chances of greed consuming the administrators of such a venture are too high; it is very easy to see how the pitfalls of capitalism can be applied in this situation. If it is not profitable to provide water to poor/remote areas, these companies likely won’t. This, of course, defeats the purpose of the whole system; the goal is to provide potable water to all citizens.