Water is our most precious natural resource. Without water, all forms of life would cease to exist. Water is also our least expensive natural resource. Safe drinking water is delivered to most homes in the United States at a cost of well under one cent per gallon.

With oil prices at nearly their all-time, inflation-adjusted high, some might argue that oil is our most precious resource. Not so. Oil makes our lives easier and more comfortable – water makes our lives possible.

Fresh water resources in the United States, as we move deeper in the 21st century, are increasingly in peril. Climate change, shifting population demographics to more arid areas, ground water overdrafts, aging water distribution and waste removal infrastructures, as well as environmental and many other concerns take increasing tolls on our water resources.

The following water facts, compiled from federal sources following a recent American Water Resources Association dialogue on water policy, point out these concerns:

Demand: Demand for water supplies continues to grow in many parts of the country and local governments are struggling to deal with these demands. Although average per capita use is declining, our population is growing. By 2050, the U.S. population is expected to grow by 50 percent from its 2000 level with a consequent increased water demand.

Climate Change: Because rising temperatures may cause increased rainfall in winter months in areas where snowfall presently is an important component of the water balance, peak streamflow is likely to move from spring to winter causing major hydrologic changes. Water quality is likely generally to be degraded by higher water temperature. Flood magnitude and frequency are likely to increase in most regions.

Drought: The nation has no viable drought plan but continues to face periodic drought. In 2002, 49 percent of the lower 48 states was in moderate to extreme drought. Locally, rainfall at Dulles airport is at 10 percent of normal for the month of May 2007.

Floods: Annual flood losses in the United States continue to increase despite nearly 70 years of federal flood control. The pre-Hurricane Katrina annual flood cost are estimated to be in excess of $6 billion.

Wetlands: Wetlands protect fresh water by filtering contaminants from water inflows. Annually, in the U.S., wetland losses on nonfederal lands are between 70,000 and 90,000 acres.

Water Quality: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's assessment of U.S. water quality in 2000 found that 39 percent of the river miles and 51 percent of estuarine areas assessed by the states were not fully meeting water quality standards.

Infrastructure: The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 2005 cited an annual shortfall of $11 billion needed to replace water distribution facilities in the United States that are at or near the end of their useful life. Recent news of water main breaks in Washington, DC and Montgomery County, MD illustrate this point. ASCE also indicated that wastewater systems face a $12 billion annual shortfall to meet their needs.

These are but a few of the present concerns regarding water resources. We will address these concerns further in the July issue of Eccentric together with a few suggestions of what we as individuals and as a nation can do to protect and preserve our most important resource. Locally, the efforts of Middleburg Go Green is an important first step.