I live in a state that is incredibly environmentally active and there is a lot of action taking place but nothing is actually done. Now we have 3 more private water companies coming in to scoop up public utilities because the cities and towns can't pay for what's needed to upgrade and increase filtration. GenX would require 'reverse osmosis'. In order to take care of the growing population (ie new subdivisions...these private water companies are siphoning the water in other areas). It's insane! This is but one small area where Aqua has taken over water supply (a corporation) All the yellow blobs are new aqua wells - often times put directly behind houses.
This is all the counties in the area affected and the current subdivisions that are being serviced by Aqua (just one corporation out of 3 others).
It doesn't stop there, we have at least 5 new rock quarries sitting next to new and existing residential areas, fracking sites and a multitude of coal ash facilities upstream. People have protested, gone to every town hall meeting, wrote letters, screamed but corporations are so incredibly powerful now and politicians so incredibly corrupt. Even Erin Brockovich backed down - that's depressing. It's all about the bureaucracy. In June 2017, she was fighting the good fight with her firm to help and by August 2017, the firm backed out because there isn't regulation in place to protect against this chemical. I've learned that unlike other countries, the U.S. has a different form of law in which you have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that something was harmful. In other countries, safety is first and the corporation has to prove they are not harming the environment or people. Having to prove beyond a shadow of doubt that something is not safe allows corporations to bring in paid experts to just levy an opposing opinion and that's all it takes to throw a case out. This happened with 2, 4-D in lawn care - still being used (same cocktail as Agent Orange), known to cause cancers.
It is very disheartening and happening everywhere. And the EPA is not helping unfortunately. I've already called and did thorough research on all this. We are lacking true environmental and people protections. We are on our own.
I have to say, my real estate agent and other people didn't understand our concern about this. It is frustrating. I would say most people are concerned but not enough - de-sensitized? Worn down? Even my acupuncturist went with Aqua saying, "Well, at least it doesn't have fluoride"
I'm very bothered by all this because I can see the danger in it.
"Blue Gold - Water Wars" is an excellent documentary to understand what is happening.
Thanks for asking, Marianne.
RE: Day 1212: 5 Minute Freewrite: Sunday - Prompt: direct responsibility