Water Problems Plague State

What Does It Mean For You?

The recent discussion about state water woes at the Governor's Water Conference in Oklahoma City this week shows again how Oklahoma needs to become more sustainable in the first years of the twenty-first century.

Essentially, the state’s water story is this: A recent drought has lowered water levels in some state lakes that are used as water sources. The levels are low enough that experts are quite concerned some communities could be without adequate water supplies in the future, according to news reports. In addition, new federal regulations making sure our drinking water is safe might require some communities to make major investments in new water treatment equipment. These communities may not have the money or tax base to make the improvements.

City leaders say the Oklahoma City water supply is fine despite low water levels at Lake Hefner, but that could change in coming years.

The larger view is that state leaders need to embrace the idea of local sustainability and make major investments in improving both the water supply and food sources. A recent study, conducted by SustainLane, shows that Oklahoma City ranked 49th out of 50 cities in terms of sustainability. (Here is the link to the Oklahoma Sustainability Network.)

At the risk of sounding like Chicken Little, I argue the state is setting itself up for a major disaster and another mass exodus of people similar to the 1930s.

The drought continues, but the state won’t or can’t make sure water supplies are adequate. Meanwhile, the state grows little food for local consumption. Geographically, the state’s largest city is so spread out it takes massive quantities of fossil fuels to get around on daily business.

What if the drought continues for several more years? What if there is a major energy crisis and the cost of transporting food becomes enormous? What if you live in Norman but you must travel on a regular basis to Oklahoma Heart Hospital in the Mercy Medical Center complex, and you can’t afford the gasoline?

The neocons will undoubtedly argue the market needs to take care of all these issues. Once gasoline costs, say, $8 a gallon, car manufacturers will make more fuel-efficient cars. But the problem with this thinking is history shows major financial and energy calamities are sudden.

In The Great Depression, after a sudden stock market crash in 1929, Oklahoma suffered immensely because of poor initial planning with its infrastructure. A drought in the 1930s pushed people from their land as oil tycoons made off with the cash. The federal government had to step in with massive assistance to create water supplies and to prevent land erosion here.

Could it happen again? Yes. Could there be a major energy crisis? Yes. What does it mean for you? Don’t count on the Oklahoma power structure, the vested business interests, to do anything to help or to make the right planning decisions.

The Observer Goes On

Okie Funk has failed to mention that Arnold and Beverly Hamilton are taking over The Oklahoma Observer, the only state journal exclusively dedicated to progressive commentary. The indomitable Frosty Troy, a true state legend, is still writing for the publication.

Troy announced the transition a few weeks ago. It’s my hope The Observer might capture younger readers with a Web site and a new layout. It’s important the journal remain a major force in the state’s progressive community.

In the November 10 issue, Troy’s excellent article, “Hear The Canary In The Mine: Our Financial Ruin,” explores what it means now that the country has gone from an empire that makes goods to one that imports them. This “may spell doom for the U.S. as a Super Power.”

To subscribe to The Observer, send a $30 check along with your address to P.O. Box 14275, Oklahoma City, OK 73113-0275.