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Scholarship applications for graduating seniors require an essay answering the question, "Why is ensuring an uninterrupted supply of clean water crucial to our nation's environment, public health, economy, and overall quality of life?"
Applicants give permission to publish, and the essays will be published in the next few newsletters.
Essay by Spencer O Laughlin:
Clean water is the most important resource we have on planet earth, and certainly the most precious resource in the desert climate of Albuquerque, NM. The source, availability and delivery of clean water is what sustains and ensures continued growth in our economy. Providing safe, clean drinking water is also the most critical element to support basic health and quality of life in our community. Water is vital for keeping our planet's environment healthy enough to support the ever growing human race.
Since I have been able to understand my dad's job as a water/wastewater engineer, I have seen first-hand what it takes to supply communities with dean drinking water. More importantly, my dad shares stories of the large group of individuals, companies, and firms required to achieve this mission, and I see the scale on which just one city's water authority operates. My dad's company supplies water to an unimaginable number of homes and businesses that require that water to thrive. Without the water/wastewater industry, our economy would take a gigantic hit. Furthermore, the number of Jobs that are created if you think about the engineers, laborers, managers etc. that are required ls pretty
impressive. The existence alone of clean water in yours and everyone- else's homes should tell you about the magnitude of the effect of water on the economy.
Clean drinking water especially makes an impact on a community's health. I remember seeing the news stories about the situation in Flint, Michigan where the water was contaminated and how it affected the entire city in terms of their health. There was lead poisoning, mass dehydration, and other severe health problems. For that community it was a true calamity when drinking water was no longer clean or available. There are countless examples of this happening all over the world but when it happens in the USA It really hits home about the importance of that clean water.
New Mexico Is my home and I've come to realize through my dad's Job that living in a desert climate like this Is only possible with the most sustainable use of our water. The New Mexico environment will continue to support lives here only if we continue to come up with more efficient and more sustainable ways to survive the desert drought while still supporting our communities. As I go off
to college with the friends that I've grown up with, my goal is to get an education, a career, and the lifestyle that I eventually want, all in New Mexico. That can only happen if we use our water wisely and always keep the environment in mind.
What I’ve learned Is that in every aspect, the industry of water needs to keep Improving, innovating, and investing in managing our most precious resource. This thought process needs to be applied all the way from the smallest community in New Mexico to the biggest cities in the USA.
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