Understand the gravity of a water crisis

The drought is telling us something: Water is precious and a necessity.

Back in 1962, I worked in market research for a local corporation in Cedar Rapids. Studies titled “Market Potential for a Proven Application” covered food processing and one on the need for water. The corporation, at that time, made freezers, heat exchangers, fillers, storage tanks, pipe and pipe fittings, valves and pumps, with the metal of choice being stainless steel. They had complete systems to process food (and water) for human consumption.

It was determined that with joint help from our state engineering schools (Iowa and Iowa State) and consulting firms like Bechtel Engineering, the company had the market potential to provide both big and small water-processing units.

Today, we have seen growth in water desalination, irrigation systems and the recycling of water in both homes and industry. However, as water well levels drastically drop during this and future droughts, our nation may have to pump in desalinated water to the middle of the country. Population increases alone make this a given. Water will be more in demand for food and agricultural consumption.

A water crisis is looming and we must make our leaders understand the gravity of this problem. Our country must plan for the future.

David H. Burke

Cedar Rapids