07-25-2005, 07:14 PM
I'm skeptical about this one. I would like to see clean drinking water, but would like more information on how they plan to achieve it. Sounds like we are funding a committee rather than any given plant or technology. I would like to see some research that quantifies the problem water (that which needs to be cleaned), and the method to clean it.
Much of the third world uses water from streams etc., for food prep and drinking, but also for bathing and disposal of human waste. I would suspect that industrial pollution is greater in these areas due to poor environmental practices.
It would appear we would need to have a technology more than just plants, especially if poisonous chemicals exist, heavy metals, parasites, bacterium and viruses etc. Sounds like we may need to do more than just do an intermediary clarification. We may need sanitizers, perhaps ozone, flocculants, membranes, filters etc., to get water to a truly safe level of consumption.
Also, how is the water to be distributed? Once cleaned, how does it get to the people its supposed to get to? Is there post-treatment contamination? Are we talking piplelines, or open trenchs?
Just because this is a human rights issue, and everyone wants clean water, that doesn't merit a yes vote. Especially if the goal by this particular committee is unachievable. I respect the good intentions, but this resolution is suspect.
I'm on the fence on this one, as well, to see how the discussion pans out.
Much of the third world uses water from streams etc., for food prep and drinking, but also for bathing and disposal of human waste. I would suspect that industrial pollution is greater in these areas due to poor environmental practices.
It would appear we would need to have a technology more than just plants, especially if poisonous chemicals exist, heavy metals, parasites, bacterium and viruses etc. Sounds like we may need to do more than just do an intermediary clarification. We may need sanitizers, perhaps ozone, flocculants, membranes, filters etc., to get water to a truly safe level of consumption.
Also, how is the water to be distributed? Once cleaned, how does it get to the people its supposed to get to? Is there post-treatment contamination? Are we talking piplelines, or open trenchs?
Just because this is a human rights issue, and everyone wants clean water, that doesn't merit a yes vote. Especially if the goal by this particular committee is unachievable. I respect the good intentions, but this resolution is suspect.
I'm on the fence on this one, as well, to see how the discussion pans out.