Water is essential to all life yet we have allowed corporate America to bottle what is essentially free and plentiful in most parts of North America and sell it back to us. Evalyn Parry in Her poetic song about Water describes it as The New Oil, If you have not heard her song it is well worth a listen.

If one accepts the information Quoted on the unesco site in 2003 water availability versus population information indicates that South America has 6% of the worlds population and 26% of the worlds water resources while North and Central America hosts 8% of the population and has 15% of the worlds water supply 41% of the water supply is in the Americas who have 14% of the population. Meanwhile Africa has 13% of the population and only 11% of the water resources and Europe has 13% of the worlds population and 8% of the water.

 "Water is life !It is a precondition for human, animal and plant life as well as an indispensable resource for the economy. Water also plays a fundamental role in the climate regulation cycle." from the eu web site on the environment

 "As of 2006, waterborne diseases are estimated to cause 1.8 million deaths each year while about 1.1 billion people lack proper drinking water" wikipedia

Is Your Well Water Safe

Some of the things you should look for to ensure your well is not being contaminated

• any septic system is properly functioning
• ensure no leaking fuel or oil storage tanks (leaks from a vehicle could also be harmful)
• ensure pesticides and fertilizers are properly stored and used
• livestock and other animal feces/manure is well away from your well
• ensure that any run off from the above

Have It Tested Regularly

help to ensure the quality of the water you consume

• a minimum of three times a year
• more often if you suspect or know of potential problems
• more often if your well is vulnerable to outside influnces (see above) or if your well is a dug well
• after any major plumbing work

Understanding the water cycle Water for kids with activity pages