Recently, two different cities in two different countries have been dealt a critical blow: Atlanta,
Georgia (USA) and Calgary, Alberta (Canada). I have had the pleasure of living in both cities at
different times, and news like this gets my attention. Unfortunately, these issues are not getting
the attention they need because they are signaling a looming crisis.
Imagine turning on your tap to make your child's formula or to make your coffee and no water comes out. Or worse, the water that does come out is dark and discolored. How would you feel?
This is the reality many have and are living currently.
This water crisis is a "red herring" for something much deeper. We live in a world that has grown
and developed at breakneck speed, but we have forgotten the basics.
1. The Foundation Matters: Without a strong foundation, a system will collapse. In the
context of water systems, a robust foundation involves not just the physical infrastructure
of pipes and treatment plants but also comprehensive planning, regular maintenance,
and effective management practices. Neglecting any of these components can lead to
catastrophic failures, as seen in cities like Atlanta and Calgary where outdated
infrastructure and inadequate planning exacerbated recent water crises.
Similarly, healthcare systems require a strong foundation to deliver essential services
effectively. This includes sufficient funding, well-trained personnel, access to medications and
equipment, future planning, and integrated care pathways. When healthcare systems are
underfunded or poorly managed, they need help to meet the needs of their populations,
especially during emergencies like waterborne disease outbreaks or environmental health crises
caused by water contamination.
The connection between water and healthcare is undeniable. Contaminated water can directly
impact public health, leading to outbreaks of diseases like cholera or lead poisoning. Therefore,
investing in resilient water infrastructure is not just about ensuring access to clean water; it's
also about safeguarding public health and supporting healthcare systems in delivering vital
services.
2. Future Planning Is Essential: When population growth occurs, the expansion of
supportive infrastructure must lead rather than lag years, if not decades, behind. This
principle is evident in cities like Atlanta and Calgary, where rapid urban development has
strained existing water systems designed for smaller populations.
Inadequate foresight and delayed infrastructure expansion exacerbate vulnerabilities. For
instance, aging pipes and insufficient water treatment capacity in Atlanta contributed to recent
water main breaks and contamination incidents. Similarly, Calgary's reliance on a single major water main underscores the risks of centralized systems needing help to accommodate
expanding urban and agricultural demands.
This lag in infrastructure development not only jeopardizes water security but also impacts
healthcare systems. As populations grow, so do healthcare needs, including access to medical
facilities, trained personnel, and preventive care services. Failure to plan ahead results in
overwhelmed hospitals, longer wait times for treatment, and compromised public health
outcomes.
3. Prevention Is Better Than a Cure: Our dollars should be spent on prevention. It might
seem counterintuitive, but prevention is better than a cure. Too many people are
shortsighted because they feel that "since something bad didn’t happen, all is good."
Much work goes on behind the scenes, and that is often taken for granted. This short-
sightedness is evident in both water management and healthcare.
Investing in preventive measures for water systems involves regular maintenance,
upgrades, and sustainable practices to avoid crises such as contamination or infrastructure
failures. Similarly, healthcare systems benefit immensely from preventive care, including
vaccinations, screenings, and public health initiatives. These measures reduce the burden
on hospitals and healthcare providers, improving overall community health.
The analogy between water systems and healthcare is striking. Neglecting preventive
investments in either can lead to costly interventions and human suffering when crises
inevitably occur. By valuing prevention, societies not only save lives but also promote
sustainable development and economic resilience.
4. Accidents and Mishaps Happen: Despite the best intentions and efforts, technology
breaks down, pipes burst, and unfortunate health outcomes occur. However, when there
are massive, country-wide failures, it's no longer an accident—it's a lack of foresight,
forgetting foundational principles, and taking things for granted—"out of sight, out of
mind."
In Atlanta and Calgary, recent crises have exposed vulnerabilities that could have been
mitigated with proactive investment and strategic planning. The repercussions of these failures
extend beyond immediate inconvenience to encompass economic losses, public health risks,
and eroded trust in governmental oversight. It’s imperative that such events serve as a wake-up
call for comprehensive reforms and sustained commitment to safeguarding essential services
like clean water and healthcare for all citizens.
I'm going to be blunt and to the point: if people don't have access to clean drinking water, they will die. If people don't have access to healthcare, they will likely have a reduced life expectancy, though death might be slower and riddled with unnecessary grief.
To all those impacted by the water issues, I hope and pray you pull through unscathed.
Businesses that have been negatively impacted, I pray you rebound. To anyone who has
experienced negative health outcomes, I hope you heal.
Thoughts and prayers are not enough, and I'm somewhat irritated by the hypocrisy. Faith
without works is dead, as the Bible says:
"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily
food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving
them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it
does not have works, is dead" (James 2:14-17).
We need action. We need to invest in our infrastructure and healthcare systems and ensure that
every person has access to the essentials of life—clean water and healthcare. Only then can we
prevent these crises from happening and ensure a healthier, safer future for all.
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