Free markets and clean water

When the market extremists get on a binge about environmental planning, they argue that the magic hand of capitalism will eventually do what regulations can't.

The truth is, they're right.

Given enough time, the markets would eventually create a toxic environment that would kill billions of people. No people, no problem.

But "eventually" never comes soon enough to keep those most in need out of harm's way.

At issue now, rules for cleaning up Jordan Lake.

Here are the central facts on the proposed Jordan Lake rules:

#1 - Our population is booming. We already have huge problems with drinking water - witness last year's drought. We simply cannot fail to protect such a precious resource as Jordan Lake.

#2 - It's illogical and unfair to place all of the responsibility for the Jordan clean-up onto new development, wastewater treatment and agriculture. Everyone in the watershed must do their part. The federal Clean Water Act also makes this clear.

#3 - Much of the pollution emanating from our cities comes from storm water runoff from "gray fields" (shopping centers, office parks, apartment complexes, etc…) that will be redeveloped in the coming decades as our economy and demographics evolve. We must begin the process now of making this redevelopment as green as possible. Successful examples already abound.

#4 - Given the likelihood of future water shortages, it only makes sense to spur urban areas to capture and reuse more storm water for non-drinking water uses like irrigation. It also makes sense to require downstream water users (like Cary) to pay their fair share through slightly higher rates for the drinking water they consume.