Air Date: Week of March 6, 1998

- Steve Curwood mentions that Living on Earth is preparing a series of special reports about our relationship to water. We'll explore how safe our drinking water is, pinpoint sources of contamination and explain how they affect us. We'll also examine what citizens can do at home and what we need to do as a society to insure a clean and lasting water supply. "The Thirst for Safe Water", coming this spring on Living on Earth.

Transcript

CURWOOD: When you view the Earth from space, the most prominent color you see is blue. It's the water that covers three quarters of our planet. And when you add up what's inside us humans, you find that the biggest part again is water. Water is life, and when it is denied, life itself is denied. Around the world from the Gaza Strip to Grand Rapids, the supply of healthy fresh water is dwindling. Even here in America, where water pipes run almost everywhere, we are told that there are places where it is not safe for pregnant women to drink local tap water because of increased risk of miscarriage. And under current regulations, even bottled water is no absolute guarantee of purity. Other studies tell us that contaminants in water supplies may be linked to cancers and reproductive problems, increased susceptibility to infectious disease, and neurological disorders. All from a simple glass of water.

In the coming months, my colleagues here at Living on Earth will join me in preparing a series of special reports about our relationship to water. We'll find out how safe our drinking water really is, pinpoint sources of contamination, and explain how they affect us. We'll also examine what you can do at home, and what we need to do as a society to ensure a clean and lasting water supply. The thirst for safe water this spring on Living on Earth.