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| Algae Bloom (this one from 2009 by Pelee Island) |
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| Nice Glass of Lake Erie Water [Tom Bridgeman, UnderwaterTimes.com] |
Just Thoughts:
Stewardship of Our Precious Water Resource
We
woke this past week to news that nearly a half million people in the Toledo
area have been warned not to drink or even bathe in their water. Toledo water,
which comes from Lake Erie, has been poisoned by an algae bloom, caused by run
off of fertilizers and sewage system failures. The toxin, microcystin, is
extremely dangerous, causing nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, with the danger of
liver failure and death to people and animals. Babies are at considerable risk.
The National Guard has had to bring emergency water tankers and bottled water
to the people of Toledo. And this in the part of the world most blessed by
abundant fresh water!
The
same day this disaster was reported in the Plain
Dealer and Toledo Blade, the
first reading at mass was Isaiah singing, “All you who are thirsty, come to the
water . . . .” Water is a major theme in Judeo-Christian scripture and
liturgies, partially because it was so scarce in Palestine, and so crucial for
life. We in Ohio seem to have wasted and abused this precious resource. We are
wasting it in myriad other ways, with pollution being dumped into our rivers
and lakes (the Ohio River at times is full of dangerous chemicals). And we are
increasingly allowing nearly unfettered hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) of
oil and gas wells, using up 3 million gallons (some sources say 6 million gallons) of water per frack (and
each well can be fracked over and over again, up to 12-18 times!).
This
abuse of a resource necessary for our lives, given to us abundantly by God, is
the result of bad state policies and shameful political lack of will. Pope
Francis and American Bishops have made clear the call to conserve our precious
land and water resources. Bishop Jaime Soto has offered this prayer: “May God open the heavens and let His
mercy rain down upon our fields and mountains. Let us especially pray for
those most impacted by water shortages and for the wisdom and charity to be
good stewards of this precious gift. May our political leaders seek the
common good as we learn to care and share God's gift of water for the good of
all.”
Shame on Ohio! Let's fix this!
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