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<br />0021171 <br /> <br />As demonstrated in Figure 3, clean water is natural capital that not only provides the <br />economy a valuable service, but is also essential for a healthy society and economy. <br />Clean water supports healthy ecosystems that, in turn, provide more services (such as <br />clean air produced by trees or wastewater treatment by riparian vegetation) to the society <br />and economy. However, if the natural environment receives too much pollution, then <br />water quality degrades. This water quality degradation, or loss of a service, may result in <br />a number of economic, social, and environmental c:onsequences. Relevant to the case of <br />the Alamar River, these impacts may possibly include the following: <br /> <br />Public Health. When pathogens or disease-causing microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, <br />and protozoa) from urban and industrial effluent enter drinking water supplies, a variety <br />of human health problems occur, such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, dysentery, <br />gastrointestinal diseases, and other water-borne illnesses (American Oceans Campaign <br />1997; Husted 1997). The most obvious consequence of drinking or contact with <br />contaminated water is a high incidence of water born illnesses and high infant mortality <br />rates. In addition, high levels of nitrates can cause methemoglobinemia, or blue baby <br />syndrome, which is an inability of blood cells to fix oxygen. If nitrate levels continue to <br />accumulate, blue baby syndrome can be fatal for babies and young children (Husted <br />1997). Agricultural runoff contains high levels of pesticides. Once pesticides enter the <br />water supply, an increase risk of cancer and birth defects may occur. Contamination of <br />drinking water supply not only has severe public consequences, but economic <br />consequences such as an increase demand for public health services, loss of work days, or <br />low productivity by the workers (American Oceans Campaign 1997). <br /> <br />Agriculture. Agricultural production is diminished by degraded water quality. Extensive <br />use of pesticides not only contaminate the water supplies on site and downstream, but <br />pesticide residue may remain on plants or may be absorbed by them. People and animals <br />could ingest pesticides on agricultural produce (Husted 1997). Contaminated irrigation <br />water can also cause water-borne diseases to be transmitted by fresh vegetables and <br />fruits. <br /> <br />Recreational Opportunities. Local tourist and commercial economic activities are <br />affected by contaminated waters. For example, in Southern California, surfers and <br />swimmers who swim in polluted coastal waters are exposed to pathogens and the risk of <br />contracting gastroenteritis; hepatitis; ear; nose and throat infections; respiratory ailments; <br />diarrhea; rashes; and other illnesses (American Oceans Campaign 1997). If it is known <br />that coastal and local river waters are contaminated, people will avoid recreational <br />activities near these contaminated water bodies. \"hen water is polluted, local residents <br />will travel to other cities for water-based recreational opportunities and, thus, spend their <br />disposable income in other regions. At the same time, contaminated water limits safe <br />recreational sites for local people who do not have the means to travel long distances to <br />clean sites. <br /> <br />Aquatic Ecosystems. Heavy metals are concentrated and redistributed through mining <br />and industrial processes. These metals attach themselves to eroding soil particles and <br />enter water bodies during storm events (Husted 1997). The fatty tissue of fish, whales, <br /> <br />17 <br />