Have you ever thought that you knew everything about a certain subject and later found out that you were missing some vital information that was under your nose the whole time?
I had that experience during recent visit to Bermuda. I learned something significant about the island — about its water supply — for the first time after several visits to the island.
The only source of fresh water in Bermuda is rain and every drop of rain has to be captured efficiently and quickly. I have always appreciated the colorful walls and beautifully designed whiteroofs of the typical house in Bermuda but, actually I found out the roofs are designed to capture water easily. The rain is collected on roofs and diverted into storage tanks. Each house usually has at least one of these tanks forming part of its foundation.
In this way, Bermuda has been able to maintain sustainable water supply.
Bermuda’s solution for fresh water reminds me of our own water issues in NYC. Did you know NYC’s tap water quality is rated one of the best in the world? But now our water quality is being threatened by a possible change in NY state’s policy against fracking operations.
The problem with fracking is that it causes something like a mini-earthquake and some people say the chemicals released by this drilling operation can pollute an area and contaminates local water. This contamination has been known to cause lung damage and, cancer, and even death.
New York state regulators are now examining the potential public health effects of hydraulic fracturing as part of its review of the controversial natural gas drilling process. But it isn’t clear how the research results will influence a decision by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to allow such drilling in the state.
An island such as Bermuda has been successfully preserving its water by each household’s effort and each Bermuda resident’s collective effort to maintain its water sustainability.
I wonder how we can, residents of NYC, similarly help preserve our precious water?
What do you think of environmental hazards of fracking? Should governments put a stop to it?
PS: Speaking of water, did you know that we have World Water Day, March 22nd? Also, did you know that we just had a World Water Week from September 1 -6? Water indeed is our life, and we should acknowledge its importance and should be grateful to have abundant fresh water in our daily life. Do you agree?
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