Post by KNOWTHIS on May 24, 2007 12:07:31 GMT -5
Can we all finally agree now? Whatever your political affiliation. It's time to start taking care of our fu@#ing water supplies?
www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=6549029&nav=menu33_3
Drought Lowers Lake Levels; Threatens Drinking Water Supply
www.macon.com/198/story/47787.html
Drought could stop all outdoor water use
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6679845.stm
Big Dry takes toll on Australia's farmers
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6666495.stm
Obstacles to peace: Water
The BBC News website is publishing a series of articles about the attempts to achieve peace in the Middle East and the main obstacles. Martin Asser looks at the central issue of water.
www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=6549029&nav=menu33_3
Drought Lowers Lake Levels; Threatens Drinking Water Supply
It's being called the worst drought in Alabama in nearly fifty years. The lack of rain taking its toll on everything from drinking water in some towns to electricity production.
The dry conditions are perhaps most obvious on the state's lakes and rivers. A close look at the shore line and bridges at Lake Martin reveals a 4-foot drop in the water level over recent weeks.
"All of our lakes and reservoirs are significantly down this spring," said Alabama Power Spokeswoman Jan Ellis.
The power company's Tallapoosa River Manager, David Waites, added, "this is the lowest the reservoir has been since 1960."
The dry conditions are perhaps most obvious on the state's lakes and rivers. A close look at the shore line and bridges at Lake Martin reveals a 4-foot drop in the water level over recent weeks.
"All of our lakes and reservoirs are significantly down this spring," said Alabama Power Spokeswoman Jan Ellis.
The power company's Tallapoosa River Manager, David Waites, added, "this is the lowest the reservoir has been since 1960."
www.macon.com/198/story/47787.html
Drought could stop all outdoor water use
After one of the driest springs in recent history, and looking ahead to a parched weather forecast, Georgia farmers, environmental officials and local authorities face some tough decisions about using water.
The lingering drought - now categorized as "extreme" in 74 Georgia counties - already has led state authorities to limit outdoor water use to only a few days each week. If it intensifies, state officials could soon decide whether to limit most outdoor water usage to one weekend day or even ban it altogether.
"Obviously if conditions continue, that's an option the state will have to look at," said state climatologist David Stooksbury.
The lingering drought - now categorized as "extreme" in 74 Georgia counties - already has led state authorities to limit outdoor water use to only a few days each week. If it intensifies, state officials could soon decide whether to limit most outdoor water usage to one weekend day or even ban it altogether.
"Obviously if conditions continue, that's an option the state will have to look at," said state climatologist David Stooksbury.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6679845.stm
Big Dry takes toll on Australia's farmers
Malcolm Adlington has been farming his land for over 30 years and never has he known it so bad.
His should have been a rich inheritance: a dairy farm close to the mighty Murray River on some of the finest pasture land which Australia has to offer.
But then came the "Big Dry" - the most severe drought in a century.
"Normally at this time of the year the paddocks would be green, and the grass would be six or eight inches high, and we'd have more feed than the cows can do with.
"Now it looks like scrubland," says Malcolm, wearily. "It's useless."
Recently, he's had to sell off two-thirds of his herd and is saddled with so much debt that he's going to have to put his farm on the market.
He can barely afford the straw to feed his bony cattle.
Double blow
For the farmers of Wakool, this has been the driest 12 months in 125 years. This area used to have 19 dairy farms. Now it has got just six.
His should have been a rich inheritance: a dairy farm close to the mighty Murray River on some of the finest pasture land which Australia has to offer.
But then came the "Big Dry" - the most severe drought in a century.
"Normally at this time of the year the paddocks would be green, and the grass would be six or eight inches high, and we'd have more feed than the cows can do with.
"Now it looks like scrubland," says Malcolm, wearily. "It's useless."
Recently, he's had to sell off two-thirds of his herd and is saddled with so much debt that he's going to have to put his farm on the market.
He can barely afford the straw to feed his bony cattle.
Double blow
For the farmers of Wakool, this has been the driest 12 months in 125 years. This area used to have 19 dairy farms. Now it has got just six.
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6666495.stm
Obstacles to peace: Water
The BBC News website is publishing a series of articles about the attempts to achieve peace in the Middle East and the main obstacles. Martin Asser looks at the central issue of water.
