Americans turning to Mexico for drinking water

Thirsty Americans are doing something that most would consider unthinkable--they are turning to Mexico for drinking water.

SAN DIEGO, CA (Catholic Online) - Already Mexico ships a substantial amount of manufactured goods into United States. Cars, sugar, televisions, and unfortunately, the drugs so many Americans consume, are already major exports. But water may become the most important new export for the perpetually parched American Southwest.

Presently, four major US water districts are planning two massive desalinization plants in Playas de Rosarito, Mexico, just south of San Diego. The two desalinization plants combined would provide enough water to supply an estimated 300,000 homes on both sides of the border. It would process more than 150 million gallons per day.

Both the United States and Mexico have an interest in developing new water sources in the region. Most of the water consumed by the Southwest flows through the Colorado River. However, the Colorado River has been a source of political friction between the two countries for decades.

The United States consumes most of the water from the massive river, sometimes leaving very little for Mexico where the river eventually makes its way into the Sea of Cortez. Some Mexican officials have been upset by what they feel is American overconsumption, and they believe that they should be entitled to greater share of the Colorado river water. But those arguments might become moot if United States and Mexico can cooperate on the development of desalinization plants on the Pacific coast.

However, environmentalists have concerns over the development of the plants, particularly just south of the border in Mexico. Some critics charge that building the plants immediately south of the border simply allows the dodging of US environmental laws.

Environmentalists argue that desalinization plants have an  adverse effect on ecosystems. The desalinization plants consume large amounts of electricity, draw in millions of gallons of water each day from the ocean, a process which can kill fish and other sea life, and they also dump tons of salt back into the sea each year which can also be harmful to the ecosystem.

Mexico has a few desalinization plants already in operation. The largest is near the resort town of Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of Baja California. That plant produces about 5 million gallons of fresh water per day. The desalinization plants planned for Rosarito beach would be much larger. And they would supply water over a broader area; the plant could supply water to places as far north as Las Vegas.

If the plants are approved, the first one could see construction within 3 to 5 years. It's believed that most people will support the construction of the plants. Initial reviews have concluded the plants will not have a major ecological impact on the region. However, persuading environmentalists may be difficult. Regardless, the growing thirst for water, and broad popular support, will almost certainly guarantee the construction of one, if not both desalinization plants within the next decade.

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