Tacoma: Water increasingly valuable resource

Water is now the underlying reason for war in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

A just published study of global “blue water” by Netherlands’ University of Twente measured surface and underground water indicating that 4 billion people worldwide have “extreme water scarcity ... at today’s world population (7.5 billion).

Water is being invested in for a future of sky-rocketing prices.

We already experience droughts when snows are insufficient to feed major rivers that cities depend on.

Water is too precious to use in gigantic volumes the proposed methanol plant will use: 14.4 million gallons per day - roughly equal to what 77,500 homes use. Does the plant’s contract guarantee that water amount? Will it get water in drought years that would otherwise go to existing homes and businesses?

The plant is China-backed. China has bought farmland, rare minerals and fuel rights worldwide to be certain its 1.4 billion people’s needs are met.

In comparison, Port of Tacoma leaders signed a contract, unconcerned about water needs of its fellow citizens for comparatively short-term profit.

Disgust and shock at such “leadership” explains intense anger affecting our elections.

Wait until that water is fought over, or act now to protect water sources to ensure our region survives.

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 12:14 PM with the headline "Tacoma: Water increasingly valuable resource."