I read an editorial in our local newspaper about the concern over numerous new data centers being built or proposed in the area, and concerns about the impacts on our water supplies. The person prefaced their comments by saying that they didn’t really have a dog in this fight. That caught my attention, as every one of us depends on a good supply of clean water for our health, safety and jobs. We are all part of the problem and we all need to be part of the solution to have sustainable supplies of clean water.

I studied water and natural resource management in college, worked my career with the Department of Natural Resources trying to protect and manage our water supplies for current and future generations, am a grandparent now helping raise two grandsons, I volunteer my time on the Freshwater Society Board of Directors, and I’m also on the Attorney General’s Task Force on the Future of Minnesota’s Water. We have many challenges ahead if we are going to leave our children and grandchildren with a decent supply of clean water to provide for their health, safety and security. There are many things we must do better if we are to achieve some progress toward that goal.

In the south Metro area, our population is growing rapidly. More homes are being built with thirsty lawns as we convert cropland to residences and businesses. We use more fertilizers, chemicals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals that escape their intended purpose and cause problems for others. We have more industry moving in that provides jobs and tax base. Some use a lot more water than others, like some data centers, bottling plants, irrigators (agriculture and lawns) and other uses that need cooling or processing water. However, as we draw out clean water from our groundwater sources, we cause water that is less than clean to seep in to replace that water. Water soaking in from above without good filtering systems in place can create more contamination to our drinking water supplies. We take clean water for granted but that is a fallacy. Most of us don’t understand how water moves nor how our daily living can compromise clean water now and in the future.

There are many organizations that are working hard to try to protect water that you should learn more about as a citizen. The Freshwater Society is a public non-profit whose mission is to help inspire and empower people to value and preserve water. Just a few examples of other groups include: The Interfaith Creation Care South Metro, Clean Water Alliance, Apple Valley Eco Advocates, your local Watershed District or Water Management Organization, your County Soil and Water Conservation District, many other non-profits or local action organizations, and green teams in local churches are a great place for people to engage locally close to their neighborhoods with others who are trying take care of God’s creation in a variety of ways. We all have a dog in this fight! Our health and well-being depend on our knowledge and engagement.  Changing our behavior is the solution and we have more power and influence than we might think.

Get involved. Support organizations that are working to protect water. Learn more! Write a letter to the editor with your water concerns. Contact your legislators and elected officials to let them know you care. Don’t take water for granted. It is God’s gift to life of every kind and we need it to be clean. Our health depends on it.