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  • Essay / How The Colorado River Basin - 889

    ABILITY TO OBTAIN WATER 1 Ability to Obtain WaterThe ability to obtain pure and abundant water is a fundamental requirement for well- be of an individual. Likewise, access to abundant drinking water is also essential to the resilience of agricultural crops as well as a thriving national economy. These needs for pure water are so great that conflicts frequently arise between regional groups, states, and nations over rights to various water sources. The Colorado River basin in the United States. The Colorado River Basin has been the subject of numerous water-related conflicts that have persisted for many years. These disagreements concern seven states which claim, for health but also economic reasons, that their region has access to this hydrographic basin. According to Richards and Orr (2003), “at bottom, it is a question of scarcity”. (p. 19). As in many places around the world, the demand for drinking water cannot be met by the available supply. In the case of the Colorado River, the region's increasing population, combined with the water needs of industry as well as the needs of agriculture, have all led to increased friction between parties requiring access to water. 'water. Thus, interstate disputes over the Colorado River Basin are not limited only to surface waters, but also include states' rights to drill wells for irrigation, which can often result in a decrease in the amount of water from the Colorado River (Richards & Orr, 2003). In an effort to get the water they need for their city's residents as well as the water necessary for a city's economic viability, California leaders have even attempted to purchase rights to the... ... middle of paper ...... When it comes to finding a solution to disagreements over access to water, social and political powers must be prepared to compromise, because the associated risks Disagreements over water distribution may be too great. As Shiyyab (2004) stated, “If continued for some time, these problems will directly affect social harmony, domestic stability and ultimately regional peace. » (p. 30). Investments must be made by industry as well as local and national governments in wastewater treatment so that clean water, when needed, is available. The need to obtain water is a basic human right and, ABILITY TO OBTAIN WATER 4 although having water available for economic development is important, the growth of industry cannot take precedence over protecting the most precious resource of all, the people of every nation.