TODAY’S IDEA: Last week, we sang the praises of simple tap water
as a method of losing weight.
The information had been forwarded to us by Kim Benjamin,
executive director of Bradford Water Authority, and a well-known
promoter of this valuable commodity.
As the volume of potable water is reduced by drought and
pollution, among other factors, a clean and abundance source of
water can only rise in value. Bradford may have its share of
problems but, to its benefit, it has a ton of high-quality water
enhanced by modern treatment.
If you don’t agree, try sipping on some of the well water that
pours out of the ground in this region. Better yet, try the slop
that spews from water taps in most large cities.
Beyond the taste, however, are other economic benefits that can
flow from the tap.
The Erie Times-News recently had a front-page story on that city
using its abundance source of water as a way to attract economic
development. Many industries need heavy volumes of water in the
manufacturing process or for cooling purposes.
In Erie’s case, of course, the amount of water is virtually
endless since its source is Lake Erie.
The Tap Into Erie initiative developed out of a need for the
region to set itself apart in the ever more competitive efforts to
bring jobs into an area. Every town in the country, after all,
seems prepared to offer tax incentives and low-interest loans. But
not every town can provide abundant water.
And we mean abundant: Without expanding the current system, Erie
has an untapped capacity of 36 million gallons a day.
Here’s an example the newspaper cited: If rain stopped falling
and all the water flowing into Lake Erie suddenly stopped, the 26
million gallons a day used by Erie would eventually lower the lake
level; In 12 years, the water level would fall by one inch.
While the Bradford area may not have that volume, its supply is
far superior to Lake Erie in terms of quality.
Surely, it would be worthwhile, too, to follow Erie’s example
and pursue economic development based on this untapped asset.
