water matter!!

The Ogallala aquifer is quite appropriately termed as the bread basket of the USA. According to some statistics it suffices about more than one-fifth of the countries water demand especially for agriculture, cultivation and domestic use. This aquifer was formed during the Pliocene age when the seas retreated and rivers cut valleys in south east and south direction finally getting deposited into what is now known as the Ogallala aquifer. The source is renewable though getting recharged by the rains only through the regions where playa soil is deposited at the boundary of the aquifer which is quite unlike the caliches deposit of limestone and the silica. So the reservoir is somewhat renewable, however the rate of depletion of water from he reserve is many numerous times fold than that of the rate of recharge. In other words the ‘mass balance’ is way negative which threatens to dry up the stock in the next twenty- twenty five years.

The managing of water rights includes many policies that are an attempt for the best practices followed for best and sustainable use of the reserve. Firstly the equity comes into the picture which concerns about the availability to water to every necessary demand in the local region. It also states about the current and future benefits having equal weight associated with the allocation of this natural reserve for sustainable use of water. It also suggest about the use of technologically advanced methods for better use. We should also aim at conserving water for moral values sake. There’s a ‘doctrine of prior appropriation’ which suggests that any construction or development should lead to provision of water in the deficit areas of the state. Another water management right is the policies adopted in the high plains which drive the economy of the states, now a myth that aquifers don’t die is eradicated the problem of feed stoking the high plains as become graver. So a better management policy for the high planes serves half of the purpose.

However one of the water management policies defeats the whole purpose of the above stated sustainable regulations. This policy gives the land owner over the underlying aquifer area has the right to the water underlying his land area. Though the landowner has to acquire a license to drill a well still this regulation is relatively weak. The panhandle country farmers' demand for the fossil water is elated over the days and will continue to do so. The mesa water company owner Pickens who claims himself to be the no. 1 steward of the land own a large area of the panhandle countries and contemplates at seeking a gain by selling these water reserves to the region and people in Texas. The aquifer is like a pool of water which if sucked by a straw over at even one place is going to deplete or dry up the whole reserve’s, the mesa water company procures an impending threat without any concern and blatantly stating that the water is in surplus amounts. This policy of the mesa water is however infuriating farmers and are resenting against this step of the mesa water. Despite such debates and tension over the management of water of the aquifer there’s a relief that the aquifer replenishes itself though slowly so an optimized solution for reducing the use of the water from the aquifer can help conserve the water for our future generation. Thus an utmost urgency in imposing strict policies is required for conserving the natural and geological gift of Mother Nature.