Water, Conveniences and Contaminants

As I continue my journey back through old images from Mission San Jose in San Antonio, I am struck by this one of a water well.  Here in this country we take clean, readily-available water for granted although it is critical for our survival.

Can you imagine living where the water you drink and use for washing is all hand-dipped from a well?  There are numerous places where that is the case even today.  Often, the water in those open wells is contaminated with debris along with bacteria, insect larva, fecal material and chemicals which leach into it or, fall from above.  Many times, they are the source of disease or, other contaminant-induced illnesses.

In 2009, on a trip to Niger, I saw large community wells that provided the drinking water to many people.  I recall peering into one and seeing quantities of trash -- plastic bags, containers, wood, other debris -- that had blown in from the surrounding streets, yet the people lowered their buckets and drew out the water for consumption.  It is no wonder their mortality rate is high.

The same thing happens in this country, but we aren't usually aware of it.  Roadside trash washes into our streams, rivers and lakes which often serve as reservoirs of drinking water for our cities.  If it wasn't for the decontamination processes of our municipal services -- which includes chemical treatment to kill organisms in the water -- we would be in similar circumstances as the poor in other countries.  Fortunately, we have built infrastructure to cleanse the majority of contaminants from the water before we consume it.

Notice my use of the word "majority" in the previous comment; one thing we fail to completely remove is the micro-plastics -- microscopic pieces of plastic that come from the tons of plastic items we use  on a daily basis.  Those plastics include things like food wraps, straws, drink containers, toys, storage containers, tires and many other things.  Plastics are so pervasive in our lives that we no longer take notice of them.

There are many different kinds of plastic.  They are sometimes rigid, sometimes flexible, some contain dyes while others are clear, they are often combined with other materials such as in footwear.  They are a major component of tires which leave tiny fragments on our roadways as we drive.  Those fragments are washed into ditches and eventually into our waterways.

The consumption of all of those micro-plastics is something being studied by numerous scientists.  As of this time, little is known about the impact they may, or may not have, on our health.  I don't know about you, but I'm not particularly thrilled to know that I am consuming it.

Modern technology is amazing in the the things that make our lives better; sometimes, though, there are unintended consequences that come along for the ride.  I am trying to use fewer plastic objects.  I also am attempting to do as my grandparents and reuse or, re-purpose items more frequently.  There is not only a benefit to the environment, but also an economic benefit.  I wish more people would do the same.

Often it is difficult to connect all the dots between our consumptive behavior and the environment; water is one area that falls into that category.  The next time you grab that plastic wrap, think about where it will end up.  It might be that you are feeding it to your grandchildren....