John Charles Daly on the three evils of water pollution

    A decade before Earth Day, John Charles Daly wrote of the three evils of water pollution:

There are three things essentially evil about water pollution. First, it menaces life, birds, land animals, fish, and human life as well. And second it threatens our water supplies, for when we put dirt into water we waste it and make it less fit for further use. We cannot afford to do this, for we do not have enough water in most parts of the United States to throw away. And . . . we are disgracing our environment, damaging the habitat of our wildlife, and robbing ourselves and our children of beauty and recreation and that heritage of nature which should be theirs.

The menace of water pollution to life exists everywhere in our county.

In our struggle to gain public support for clean water, we must make the public realize that any substance used anywhere in our civilization is likely in the end to reach our waterways. (From the pamphlet “Quotable Quotes on Water Pollution,” U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, 1962.)

    Since John Charles Daly wrote this, there’s been progress in curbing water pollution. Yet today, what portion of the public realizes that any substance used anywhere is likely in the end to reach our waterways? What portion cares?
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    For a brief biography of John Charles Daly, click here.

Comments

[Aaron Kelson]

Living in northern Minnesota where water is plentiful, I find that area residents often take our water resources for granted. Yet, even here, the population is being shocked into awareness about the serious implications of water pollution.

Fishing is an important aspect of this region's culture. More people are becoming aware that this activity is at risk due to mercury poisoning. Also, home construction around lakes is taking place at a furious rate. Septic systems for many lake homes are not reliable. Consequently, many lakes have been contaminated.

Efforts to change course are controversial, but momentum seems to be shifting toward better practices. Still, we have a long way to go.

Water is the resource most universally regarded to have some sacred context by the world's great religions. Perhaps it's time for a reminder of that fact.