11.21.07

The Story of Freshwater and A Geography Lesson for Developers in Mesa, Arizona

I remember back in 2000 when I was working at the American Museum of Natural History getting my feet wet in the marine realm so to speak.  I was digging through case studies of marine protected areas (MPAs) and feeling pretty down about the fact that no one - not even scientists - seemed to universally understand what MPA meant, let alone how to manage an ecosystem.  At some point I remarked how marine science sure seemed like a real dismal field to pursue (I was still considering primatology or astrobiology after all), and as it happened there was a water biologist in the room who heard me.  She replied:

'If you think oceans are in trouble, you should take a look at freshwater systems.'

Freshwater?  I knew there were problems, but why this doomsday outlook?  I started digging around in the literature and pop media - and turns out - she was right.  You see, less than 1% of the world's water is readily available for our direct use - and it's pretty important for those of who like to... say... drink it.  Not to mention water is critical for agriculture and industry, energy generation, commerce, and so on.  Our friends at the United Nations tell us that over one billion people don't have access to clean freshwater and three billion are without adequate sanitation services.  And water-borne diseases kill more than three million a year.

Droughts and yes, floods too are often the result of poor management of river basins.  We humans keep poking about constructing dams and projects that alter natural systems.  Thus, all this tinkering with the direction, amount, quality, timing, sediment content and temperature, and you know... going about thinking we have some control over natural function is hubris.  Xerxes had similar trouble with the Hellespont.

We're polluting our lakes and rivers and watching them shrink and dry up.  Scientists also say that 31% of freshwater species disappeared between 1970 and 2003.  Not good news.  In little over 10 years, two-thirds of the world's population could be facing serious problems with water availability. And then there's that pesky trouble with climate change contributing to the crisis.  So yes, it didn't take long for me to recognize that freshwater sources are in peril. 

Which brings me to the quandary I'm in today.  Do we, uh, really need a new water park in Arizona?  Because the idea just doesn't sit right with this conservation scientist.  Actually, it shouldn't really sit right with anyone who has an interest in the future.  Sure, water parks are fun for an afternoon - and lucrative for real estate developers.  In fact, the one in charge of the project was quoted in the Seattle Times:

'Mladick, 39, said he wanted to create the kind of lush environment he remembers from growing up in Virginia Beach, Va., and surfing in Morocco, Indonesia, Hawaii and Brazil.'

Here's the thing though Mladick...Virginia beach and all those other places you fondly remember aren't ARIZONA - which happens to be  a DESERT!  Now I can wax poetic on the reasons why these are entirely different systems, but I assuredly expect that most anyone with a map or thermometer can figure it out on their own.

The project was was brought to my attention by Philip Hoffman, a marine biologist with 12 years experience in coastal, fisheries, and endangered species conservation.  In his words:

'While Atlanta is measuring their water supply in days, a city in the desert is looking to permit the construction of a water park.  Mesa Arizona, 15 miles outside Phoenix, is likely to have a new "attraction" soon - the Waveyard which will take 50 million gallons of water to construct and between 60 million and 120 million to maintain (that's per year folks)!  They claim they will get the water from local wells deemed unusable because of arsenic, and then treat it to make it safe for swimmers.'

'Huh?  Can you count the problems with this?  And when will Americans accept that water is a finite resource, regardless of source.  That arsenic tainted water came from somewhere, and as groundwater is flowing somewhere.  Who is Phoenix "stealing" from in the name of water-dependent recreation?  It's these kind of things that drive one to drink - but not water in Phoenix.'

Exactly Philip.  Which brings me back to my original trouble with this whole developer's plan.  Will someone please buy him an atlas?  Arizona isn't near the ocean.  Translation: This a terrible idea!  But I guess it will make a few folks some money...

Tags: climate, development, freshwater

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