This is my first blog posting for the GSE blog, so pardon any kinks and incomprehensible sections. Regardless of the potential lack of readability of this post, I am thoroughly thrilled to have been chosen by Rotary District 6400 for the GSE program.
I am able to help improve water quality throughout my community for the protection of both property and our shared water resources through my professional career. As water accessibility is plentiful in the Great Lakes area, the municipal government does its best to guard it for future generations to enjoy, however it is hard to make the case for significant intervention and investment considering the abundance of water and ease of having the effects of everyday pollution concealed by dilution.
While I deal with the theory behind the effects of water pollution every day, it took a canoe trip into Algonquin Park last year for the impacts to hit home. One night, I returned to find that my drinking water source at camp had been polluted with soap suds and food particles. In North America, fresh water is plentiful and relatively pure, and the campers next door didn’t see the impact of washing their dishes in the lake.
It was among the most maddening times I’ve had, especially the realization that I was no less responsible for this than anyone else. Every time I wash the car on the driveway, I do this. Every pesticide or herbicide I’ve sprayed on the lawn, I’ve done this. We’re all responsible for what we put down the storm sewer, where it goes to the river or the lake, untreated. In order to stop sending pollutants to our drinking water sources, we have to rethink our water use, how much of it we use, and where it goes once we’ve used it.
The situation is drastically more acute in areas of the world where water isn’t as plentiful. Pollution can’t be hidden by dilution when there is little water available to be consumed. This is why I am so excited to be a part of the GSE. The management of water resources in areas of minimal supply and treatment infrastructure is confronting this issue right now. We have much to bring to other areas of the world, but there is much to bring home with us as well.
I’m truly looking forward to participating with Derek, Katie, Athena, and Paul on our journey, and I can tell already that we will have a phenomenal experience oversesas. I thank the Windsor-St. Clair Rotary Club for their sponsorship of my participation and hope to deliver invaluable knowledge and direction for not only for our friends in the African continent, but also our own Great Lakes region.
- Andrew Dowie
Hello Andrew,
Loved your article. You have helped us at home appreciate the water around us and have called attention to its fragility, thankfully. All the best to your group in your noble quest for ways in which this precious resource can be saved.
Love,
Mom