Editor:
The problem isn’t an overall shortage of water on the Sunshine Coast. Not yet anyway. The problem is, “How do we spread the yearly supply of water over the whole year?” There are two main concerns: water conservation and water storage.
Creeks have become too “flashy” – torrents in the wet times and dry in the hot. The watersheds drain too fast. Outflow needs to be spread more evenly throughout the year. Storage is necessary to provide for use in the driest periods.
I’ve lived here on the Coast for 76 years, during which time I’ve seen great damage done to our forests and watercourses, damage that will take a long time to recover through natural processes, but which, if they are ever to recover, will only do so by natural processes. The only adequately protected areas are park designations with “hands-off” stipulations. We’re closing in on a situation where encouraging further population on the Coast will be madness unless the water supply has been taken firmly in hand. Enough water arrives as rain and snow to meet the various needs over a year’s time, but that’s only so if the rate of release is moderated over the year. That moderation is mainly a function of soil retention, which in turn is dependent (in this part of the world) on the existence of climax forest in close proximity to lakes and streams. Much has been done to improve the situation, but much more will need to be done, especially if we continue to grow as we have. An absolute and permanent veto on logging in key water-collection-and-retention areas is called for.
In the meantime, we can learn water conservation. That’s mainly a matter of not being careless and greedy. Native Hawaiian social order was centered around individual watersheds and the inhabitants dependent on them. They took community responsibility for how they used water from their particular drainage system. We can profit from their example by taking a community interest in the health of our water supply.
Nicol Warn, Halfmoon Bay
