Abstract This paper discusses the bacteria content and safety of the drinking water in Vancouver, Canada. It looks at how the environment can affect one's drinking water and what needs to be done to prevent bacteria from entering the water we drink. The paper then discusses what individuals can do to help the community improve the safety of drinking water.
From the Paper "Vancouver's water system has experienced problems in the past. For instance, bacteria in the water can be a health risk. Bacteria can affect drinking water if it is not prevented. "Unfiltered surface water supplies have the potential of containing the protozoan pathogens Giardia and Cryptosporidium" (Water 7). In fact, this has occurred in the past such as during the late 1920's. Since this time, environmental concerns have been addressed by many communities in Canada and the United States. Canada is concerned about improving water and sanitation in the region (ADB Taking New Directions). While Vancouver gets much of its water from Eagle Lake and Montizambert Creek, testing for bacteria is required. Samples are tested for bacteria, physical and chemical parameters including metals as well as samples for fecal coliform, total coliforms, and E.coli (2005 Drinking Water ii)."
Abstract This paper commences by defining eight terms related to water geography such as a water surplus is a period in time when there is enough water for plants to feed and aquatic life to thrive. The author then examines that Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), a federal law first enacted in 1974 and revised in 1996, which promotes better standards for public drinking water under the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The third part of this paper considers the utility of dams by exploring the five primary advantages and disadvantages of dams. The author concludes that dams, as man-made structures, are neither good nor bad but rather neutral in value.
Table of Contents:
Eight Terms
Water Surplus/Deficit
Cloud Seeding
Giardiasis/Cryptosporidium Doctrine of Prior Appropriations
Scour and Fill/Levees
Dissolved Load/Suspended Load/Bed Load
Chlorination/Trihalomethanes (THMs)
Anadromous Fish/Catadromous Fish
The Safe Drinking Water Act
Dams
Advantages
Disadvantages
Conclusions
From the Paper "The collapse of a dam, while not often probable, is a real threat. Because of this dams require constant monitoring which can take a further toll on economic resources. Damns also redirect water, which may enable certain populations to benefit, including residents living near the dam, but may also harm the natural landscape and plant or marine life residing in the region a dam is created. While a dam may prevent flooding most of the time, it may result in the mass destruction of an entire residential area should the dam expire."
