The following is based on an article regarding water issues that can be viewed here.
On June 27, 2012, a forest fire devoured the area around Rampart Reservoir, Colorado, polluting the water with ash and fallen debris. Furthermore, the fires caused there to be less organic material to be in the soil to absorb the water, and for plants to release a water-repellent substance, causing flooding and erosion, which in the long run is also not good for the water supply since the flooded water will get polluted from the fire's residue on the soil before it subsides. In this scenario, there is a simple solution not directly related to water - that of preventing forest fires. If a river is fortunate enough to not have problems related to human pollution, then we should take advantage of such simplicity and try to solve it before it also becomes out of hand. Since dryness of the area is likely not a problem due to the reservoir, the cause of forest fires in the area may be caused by humane means - it would be wise to not permit open fires in the area. If not caused by humanity, then there is little to be done but ensure that the area is kept under close watch so that a wildfire does not spread uncontrollably as it did in the recent fire. As to solving the current issue, the government has already dedicated funds into improving the water quality, as well as controlling the sediment, to slow runoff to the reservoir. In order to deduce if the water is safe to drink at the moment, they should take some samples, if they have not already. Such issues in water cleanliness happen often, and should be solv
On June 27, 2012, a forest fire devoured the area around Rampart Reservoir, Colorado, polluting the water with ash and fallen debris. Furthermore, the fires caused there to be less organic material to be in the soil to absorb the water, and for plants to release a water-repellent substance, causing flooding and erosion, which in the long run is also not good for the water supply since the flooded water will get polluted from the fire's residue on the soil before it subsides. In this scenario, there is a simple solution not directly related to water - that of preventing forest fires. If a river is fortunate enough to not have problems related to human pollution, then we should take advantage of such simplicity and try to solve it before it also becomes out of hand. Since dryness of the area is likely not a problem due to the reservoir, the cause of forest fires in the area may be caused by humane means - it would be wise to not permit open fires in the area. If not caused by humanity, then there is little to be done but ensure that the area is kept under close watch so that a wildfire does not spread uncontrollably as it did in the recent fire. As to solving the current issue, the government has already dedicated funds into improving the water quality, as well as controlling the sediment, to slow runoff to the reservoir. In order to deduce if the water is safe to drink at the moment, they should take some samples, if they have not already. Such issues in water cleanliness happen often, and should be solv
