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Executive Director's .Perspective
<br />er re a ... osig e
<br />e World Water Development Report, recently released by the United Nations, describes the current
<br />condition and future of the world's water supplies. It is the most comprehensive appraisal of water
<br />resources and problems to date. The report grimly concludes that seven billion people in 60 countries will face
<br />water scarcity in the next 50 years.
<br />The United Nation's research found that demand for water has tripled in the past 50 years and is predicted to
<br />continue to increase as a result of population growth and economic development. While agriculture accounts for
<br />70% of the demand today, the contamination and misuse of available water supplies, coupled with greatly
<br />mismatched demand and supply, continue to create useable water scarcity in even the most developed countries.
<br />These findings are not news to those working in the field of freshwater resources, but for the first time on a
<br />global scale, there is, at least, the implication that water treatment is a losing battle. As scientists discover that even
<br />low parts per trillion dosages have a detrimental affect on human health, engineers can continue to design
<br />facilities to further reduce contaminant levels. But, for even the wealthiest societies, capital and operating costs
<br />exceed the limits of economic feasibility. The "solution topollution is dilution" rule simply does not work. No
<br />society can afford to remove 100% of all the thousands of potentially harmful chemicals that are now in all
<br />freshwater sources- even if the technology is possible.
<br />Elimination of toxins at the pollution source and pre-treatment of water with biological methods and
<br />procedures are much more feasible than the current post- treatment of wastewaters. Research and development
<br />efforts must make a dramatic shift from post- treatment of the witches brew created by the centuries old sewage `'-:~-.
<br />systems=that have been built all over the world, to elimination and/or pre-treatment of all wastewaters at the "
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<br />Freshwater Society Joins with TPT to Produce Documentary
<br />In an effort to educate the public on the protection and management of freshwater resources, the
<br />Freshwater Society has provided funding to support an upcoming Twin Cities Public Television project.
<br />Freshwater Resources: Learning from Our Small World will highlight the global endangerment and impact of
<br />freshwater resources, while providing a foundation for discussing the Midwest's management of fresh
<br />water. The project is a two-phase modular television program that will explore the threats and stewardship
<br />of the Great Lakes and beyond. Future issues of Facets of Freshwater and the Freshwater Society's website:
<br />www.freshwater.org will. publish the television broadcast dates for the documentary..
<br />FACETS Summer 2003
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