Rural Water - Quarter 4, 2008 - (Page 18)

Option 2 involves hope for the outlook of water in America. That’s because at the heart of Option 2, the same self-respecting, salt-of-the-earth water and wastewater operators, small town government officials, dedicated office personnel and Rural Water professionals across America are snapping up their bib overalls and heading out to work. daughter) struggling to free herself from a string of mardi-gras beads. She was entwined three times over in a rope of cheap plastic glitter that was pinning one arm above her head and irreparably smashing the left side of her face while she spun in frantic circles attempting escape. “Oh, she is deﬁnitely yours,” I believe was the comment from my brother. So yes, I have my work cut out for me. In fact, I have decided that Sydney will most likely never know the joys of swimming in an irrigation ditch. I mean, you just don’t turn a kid who about kills herself with costume jewelry loose in a drain ditch and expect anything good to come of it. So if she is missing out on the glamorous experiences I had in my youth, what will water mean for her? What role will water play when Syd is old enough to look back on her childhood and realize that she started out with her Mother’s common sense, bless her little heart? It could go one of two ways: Option 1: Water: The New Oil If this comes to pass, when Sydney is my age (22) all I can hope for is that she will be lucky enough to afford the $4.20 per gallon price-tag water will command. Why the major rate increase? Because as our water rights expire, the oil companies will send in agents posing as developers and buy them up one by one in preparation for the release of the ﬁrst hydrogenoperated motor vehicle. Water in its pure form will be a rare and highly sought-after commodity— right up there with the Michael Phelps rookie card. (Of course, ﬁtness water infused with carrots will still be available to all Gold’s Gym members and Gatorade will have a new variety that claims it tastes more like water.) Fruit will resemble withered leather pouches, causing older gentlemen across the coun- try to eat their coin purse and put their change in their apple. (Don’t worry—few of them will notice as, without water as a dissolving factor, the “Fixodent and forget it” policy will be strongly in effect.) But, never fear, George Bush XII will attempt to ﬁ xify the situation by passing a proposal to buy all water stored in old bleach bottles under American mattresses for twice their original purchase price. The uni-bomber will be loaded. The rest of us will still be in trouble. Taking a ﬂight? Well, seeing as the “emergency water landing” will be a thing of the past, the seat cushion/ ﬂotation device combo will no longer be necessary. So, “anyone who would like a seat cushion for the duration of your ﬂight please see the nearest stewardess and we will be happy to provide you with one for $18.75 a piece. (Please have the correct change ready.) In-ﬂight beverages are complimentary (except water of course), but keep in mind that charges to use the restroom were ﬁgured using a conservation rate. Peanuts not included.” But the best thing about Option 1? The hope of ﬁnding a Twinkie in an abandoned 7-11. Name the year. That thing will be ﬁ ne. And Option 2? Option 2 paints a much different picture. Option 2 involves hope for the outlook of water in America. That’s because at the heart of Option 2, the same self-respecting, salt-of-the-earth water and wastewater operators, small town government ofﬁcials, dedicated ofﬁce personnel and Rural Water professionals across America are snapping up their bib overalls and heading out to work. Option 2 is what we are striving for. It is who we are today, and who we will be tomorrow. It is also what we build every day as we perform our jobs the best way we know how. It is what we are building when we keep the planet clean and safe, the water drinkable and the future bright. We keep that up now, and the outlook of water in America seems just ﬁne. And, somewhere in the middle of Option 2, there is an irrigation ditch full of kids playing on inner tubes and chasing water skippers who have no idea how lucky they really are. I guess some things just don’t change. 18 • Fourth Quarter 2008 http://www.vanceautogroup.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Rural Water - Quarter 4, 2008

Rural Water - Quarter 4, 2008 Contents From the President Rural Water: Where are We Headed? The Future of Water in America Bank Collateral Controls in Nervous Times Bottle of Water or Billion Dollar Bully? Aqua Chocolate No Mas Why Even Small Water Systems Should Have Personnel Policy Manuals Safe Drinking Water Regulatory Update 2008 NRWA Industry Event Throwing My Loop Advertisers.com Index to Advertisers From the CEO

Rural Water - Quarter 4, 2008

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