[firemed]

This is bad news for Florida. Coastal states like Florida and California face a water crisis not only from increased demand, but also from rising temperatures that are causing glaciers to melt and sea levels to rise. Higher temperatures mean more water lost to evaporation. And rising seas could push saltwater into underground sources of freshwater.

Florida represents perhaps the nation's greatest water irony. A hundred years ago, the state's biggest problem was it had too much water. But decades of dikes, dams and water diversions have turned swamps into cities.

Little land is left to store water during wet seasons, and so much of the landscape has been paved over that water can no longer penetrate the ground in some places to recharge aquifers. As a result, the state is forced to flush millions of gallons of excess into the ocean to prevent flooding.

Also, the state dumps hundreds of billions of gallons a year of treated wastewater into the Atlantic through pipes - water that could otherwise be used for irrigation.

Florida's environmental chief, Michael Sole, is seeking legislative action to get municipalities to reuse the wastewater.

Many States Facing Water Shortages - AOL News (broken link)

[macguy]

Originally Posted by firemed

This is bad news for Florida. Coastal states like Florida and California face a water crisis not only from increased demand, but also from rising temperatures that are causing glaciers to melt and sea levels to rise. Higher temperatures mean more water lost to evaporation. And rising seas could push saltwater into underground sources of freshwater.

Florida represents perhaps the nation's greatest water irony. A hundred years ago, the state's biggest problem was it had too much water. But decades of dikes, dams and water diversions have turned swamps into cities.

Little land is left to store water during wet seasons, and so much of the landscape has been paved over that water can no longer penetrate the ground in some places to recharge aquifers. As a result, the state is forced to flush millions of gallons of excess into the ocean to prevent flooding.

Also, the state dumps hundreds of billions of gallons a year of treated wastewater into the Atlantic through pipes - water that could otherwise be used for irrigation.

Florida's environmental chief, Michael Sole, is seeking legislative action to get municipalities to reuse the wastewater.

Many States Facing Water Shortages - AOL News (broken link)

This may be one of, in my opinion, the stupidest issues facing us. With the earth like 3/4 water and the technology of desalinization around for like who knows how long, why is this even a problem? We are as dumb as it gets and don't been deserve this planet. We should be extinct, heck we will do it to ourselves soon enough anyway and maybe be replaced by something that has a clue.

[Sunandsand]

Originally Posted by macguy

This may be one of, in my opinion, the stupidest issues facing us. With the earth like 3/4 water and the technology of desalinization around for like who know how long, why is this even a problem? We are as dumb as it gets and don't been deserve this planet. We should be extinct, heck we will do it to ourselves soon enough anyway and maybe be replaced by something that has a clue.

It is another issue that should not be. The Middle East have perfected desalinization technology.

Just imagine if we would have taken the money spent in Iraq and put it into our roads, bridges, alternative energy and water issues. We would be well on the way to a better future.

[ssg II]

And, unfortunately the people making the decisions which will affect us much sooner than anyone predicted are the same who are being bought and paid for buy the developers in these drought-afflicted areas.

Lawton Chiles loved Florida & wanted her to remain a virgin.

Jeb Bush & friends took advantage like a bunch of spoiled frat boys.
"Well, they were already doing it?.." Like rape. If there's waterfront property, we'll build a town, marshfront, we got a community.

By the time transplants realize they've made a mistake by moving to "paradise," their home up north might be out of reach.

Just MHO.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by Sunandsand

It is another issue that should not be. The Middle East have perfected desalinization technology.

Just imagine if we would have taken the money spent in Iraq and put it into our roads, bridges, alternative energy and water issues. We would be well on the way to a better future.

I do believe you hit the nail in head.... Why are we not ahead of everyone else?

[tallrick]

We are not ahead because we have no control of our future anymore. Florida always has and always will have plenty of water, but the Government wastes it like when they drain the lake or canals in preparation for hurricanes. Desalination is energy intensive and unnecessary for Florida. Everglades restoration is a start and will help tremendously, but it's only a partial return to what Florida was before "improvement". Instead of making more water how about making less people. That and discouraging migration is the solution to Florida's water problem. And educate those here how the state really works.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by tallrick

We are not ahead because we have no control of our future anymore. Florida always has and always will have plenty of water, but the Government wastes it like when they drain the lake or canals in preparation for hurricanes. Desalination is energy intensive and unnecessary for Florida. Everglades restoration is a start and will help tremendously, but it's only a partial return to what Florida was before "improvement". Instead of making more water how about making less people. That and discouraging migration is the solution to Florida's water problem. And educate those here how the state really works.

We have resources:

MEMBRANE DESALTING PLANTS AND WATER REUSE IN FLORIDA (5/5/99)

[ssg II]

Originally Posted by sunrico90

I do believe you hit the nail in head.... Why are we not ahead of everyone else?

Duh? Hello? Who profits from this "war?" Who's brother manipulated
an election to prolong said war. Do our representatives even give a rat's ass about "us" anymore?

Desalination is very expensive, but compared to what?

How many trillion dollars and how many lives do we have to waste for the Bush family and their associates to completely trash this country in pursuit of oil?

Water? Who cares about water?

Thank God I have no children.

[LauraC]

What's in your swimming pools?

[firemed]

The U.S. used more than 148 trillion gallons of water in 2000, the latest figures available from the U.S. Geological Survey. That includes residential, commercial, agriculture, manufacturing and every other use - almost 500,000 gallons per person. This is a cool site and makes you think about how fast thing are moving.
World Clock